Common Causes of Georgia Large Truck Accidents: Truck Driver Negligence

By Grant Law Office on May 3, 2011

Large trucks, whether described as a semi-trailer truck, transfer truck, 18-wheeler, or big rig, are very intimidating when travelling along Georgia roads and highways due to their immense size and heft. Also as a result of these reasons, there is an increased risk of serious injury or death in the event of a Georgia large truck accident. This is the first of a 2-part blog series concerning the common causes of large truck crashes: 1) Driver Negligence; 2) Negligent Maintenance or Repair; and 3) Faulty Manufacturing or Design.

A trucker may cause a large truck crash as a result of fatigue and/or inattention, lack of experience or training, or distracted, or otherwise negligent, driving. Truck operators must follow strict federal regulations concerning the number of hours they drive. The life and schedule of a Georgia truck driver can be very demanding, and oftentimes truckers feel pressured to deliver ahead of schedule or even to deliver on schedule. This may cause a driver to tire by working more hours than is legally permitted per day or using illegal or over-the-counter drugs. An exhausted truck driver has much slower reaction times and may even fall asleep at the wheel. If a truck driver does not follow federally mandated work hour limits and causes an accident as a result of their fatigue, they, and possibly their employer, can be held liable for the losses of injured victims.Read more…