2012 June Archive

A problem with a set of crossing railroad tracks on Highway 211 that has long plagued Georgia truck drivers has been officially declared as fixed by the by the Georgia Department of Transportation. As reported by OnlineAthens.com, workers reopened the road after fixing a major dip in the road that has frequently trapped many big rigs.

The road problem in Statham was due to a large height difference between the road and the tracks that crossed it, which was large enough to snag semi trucks and pose a serious safety risk. While the problem had been ongoing for years, it was worsened when railroad workers laid concrete panels along the tracks, which increased the height difference by several inches. This change resulted in even more trucks becoming stuck on the road.

Department of Transportation workers poured asphalt into the area to close the height gaps and make for a smooth, safe ride for truckers and smaller vehicle drivers alike. Semi truck drivers no longer need to be worried about this long-troublesome area of Georgia highway and hopefully truck accidents in Georgia will see a related decrease.

Road defects and many other dangerous factors can quickly lead to serious truck accidents that have the potential to lead to severe injuries for the victims affected by the crash. Such injuries can take years to recover from and may result in insurmountable medical bills, but those injured due to another party’s negligence or recklessness are entitled to seek compensation from those responsible.

The Georgia truck accident injury lawyers at The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C. can provide you with the legal assistance and representation to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve and need to move forward from your accident. For more information, call us today at (404) 995-3955.

When travelling Georgia’s highways and city roads, drivers are constantly on the lookout to see and avoid any potential hazards and accidents. And while semi trucks pose some of the biggest dangers, few accidents are as dangerous and potentially unavoidable as a jackknife crash.

But why are these accidents so dangerous? While most Georgia truck accidents have the potential to involve multiple vehicles, a jackknife is almost guaranteed to have a widespread effect and cause serious and even fatal injuries to those involved.

During a jackknife, the connection between the cab of a truck and the trailer it is pulling becomes compromised and the trailer becomes uncontrollable. The trailer then swings either left or right independent of the cab and can rotate so far as to close against the side of the cab, much like the folding of a knife, until they are pressed together and facing opposite directions. It is during this swinging that many injuries can occur for those in other vehicles.

Because of the speed and weight of the trailer, any cars that it hits can be smashed, pulled under the trailer, pushed off the road, or even pressed between the trailer and cab. Additionally, cars behind the swinging trailer may not have time to brake, resulting in an underride collision with the trailer. While these are not nearly as common as simpler forms of truck accidents, they are much more likely to result in fatalities.

Unfortunately, those who are most often affected the worst by a jackknife accident are completely innocent and had no role in causing the accident. If you or a loved one has suffered due to such a crash, the Atlanta jackknife truck accident attorney at The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C. can help you hold at-fault parties responsible and find the compensation you need for your losses. For more information, call us today at (404) 995-3955.