By Wayne Grant on July 30, 2012 -
Some of the most devastating Georgia accidents involve large commercial trucks. Whenever a truck accident occurs, the cause of the Georgia truck crash must be determined as well as who was responsible. Some Georgia truck accidents do not result from driver negligence but from a failure to properly maintain the vehicle.
Truck drivers are legally required to carefully inspect the vehicle to ensure that it is in proper working order. Before hitting the roadway, truck drivers must inspect the tires, horn, service brakes, parking brakes, windshield wipers, mirrors, lights, reflectors, and coupling devices. Drivers who fail to inspect their vehicles can be held liable for their negligence.
Under guidelines set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), trucking companies are required to keep track of all maintenance records on their vehicles. These records must clearly show where and when each inspection occurred and when maintenance is required. If a truck is deemed unsafe, the FMCSA regulations require that it is taken out of service until the proper repairs are made. Common defective and worn parts that can result in an accident include brakes, lights, steering mechanisms, fuel tanks, wheel bearings, load restraints, and reflectors.
The skilled Atlanta truck accident lawyers at The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C., work with investigators to determine the potential causes of devastating truck accidents. We know how to prove liability for an accident and how to hold the at-fault party accountable for the injuries and losses that have been suffered. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a Georgia truck accident, please call our offices right away at (404) 995-3955 for a free and comprehensive consultation.
By Wayne Grant on July 17, 2012 -
An 8-year-old boy was killed in an Atlanta truck accident after a part of a truck broke off and crashed through the windshield of his parents’ SUV. According to a news report in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the fatal truck accident occurred on the I-20 near downtown Atlanta the night of July 11, 2012. Officials say transmission parts from a passing truck flew over the median and crashed through the windshield of a Chevrolet Blazer. The debris sliced the driver’s arm and struck her 8-year-old son near his collarbone, fatally severing an artery. The victim’s 19-month-old sister suffered minor cuts from the flying glass as well.
According to a CBS Atlanta news report, the trucking company involved in this tragic accident has a poor maintenance record. Federal safety officials say CW Transport has a worse maintenance record than 94.6 percent of trucking companies of a similar size. They have a history of having loose or missing wheel fasteners, defective axle parts, and other mechanical issues. Additionally, CW drivers ranked worse than 67.5 percent of similar sized companies.
Trucking companies and truck owners have a legal responsibility to properly maintain their vehicles. When there is a failure to properly repair and maintain a truck, the at-fault party can be held responsible for the resulting injuries and losses. In such cases, compensation may be available for medical bills, funeral expenses, lost future wages, suffering, loss of companionship, and other related damages.
The experienced Atlanta truck accident wrongful death lawyers at The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C., offer free consultations at (404) 995-3955 to anyone who has suffered a loss in an accident involving a commercial truck or big rig. Please contact us for a free, comprehensive, and confidential consultation.
By Wayne Grant on July 10, 2012 -
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 7.8 percent of all fatal vehicle accidents in the United States involved large trucks in the year 2010. Large trucks were involved in 3,484 fatal crashes that year. It only takes a moment of negligent driving or a minor mechanical malfunction for a devastating truck accident to occur.
Truck driver negligence is a common factor in many Georgia truck accidents. It is extremely dangerous for truck drivers to exceed the speed limit, tailgate, drive while fatigued, violate federal regulations regarding hours of operation, or drive while intoxicated. Some drivers simply do not have the necessary qualifications to safely operate a large truck. Others can cause crushing accidents by failing to check their mirrors before changing lanes or making a turn. Overloaded trailers can make a vehicle difficult to handle. Defective brakes can make the truck impossible to stop. Worn tires can blow and force the trailer to veer out of control. Cargo that is not properly secured can fly onto the roadway causing hazardous conditions for other motorists.
If a truck accident was caused by the driver’s negligence or negligence on the part of the trucking company, the driver and/or the trucking company can be held liable for the victims’ injuries. If you or a loved one has been involved in an Atlanta truck accident, financial compensation may be available for your losses. The experienced Atlanta truck crash attorneys at The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C. can help truck accident victims better understand their legal rights and options. Please contact us at (404) 995-3955 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.
By Wayne Grant on July 4, 2012 -
Atlanta car accidents involving large trucks often result in serious and fatal injuries. The size and weight of commercial trucks make them some of the most dangerous vehicles on the roadway. According to the Georgia Department of Transportation Crash Analysis, Statistics and Information report, one out of six fatal Georgia car accidents involved a large truck in the year 2006. The occupants of smaller vehicles were the fatally injured party 86.3 percent of the time.
When a Georgia truck accident results in fatal injuries, it must be determined how the accident occurred and if the truck driver failed to obey traffic codes or federal regulations before the collision. In cases involving truck driver negligence, the family of the fatally injured victim may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party.
Atlanta truck accident wrongful death lawyers at The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C., help families pursue financial compensation following the loss of a loved one. We know how to hold at-fault parties accountable for funeral expenses, medical costs, lost future income, and other damages. If you have lost a loved one in a Georgia truck accident, please call us today at (404) 995-3955 to learn more about your legal rights and options.
By Wayne Grant on July 2, 2012 -
A collision between a tractor trailer and a Toyota at mile marker two by the Macon Convention Center on I-16 on June 27 eventually led to several other collisions, including crashes involving other big rigs and the responding fire truck. As reported by 13 WMAZ, in addition to the original crash, two more collisions occurred, closing both eastbound lanes of I-16.
Just minutes after the first crash, a charter bus and a Ford Explorer collided in relation to the accident before emergency responders could arrive at the scene. State troopers and the Macon-Bibb fire department worked to help with the crash scene and tend to those involved, but before they could leave, two other tractor trailers crashed. One of the newly-crashed trucks collided with the rear of the responding fire truck, injuring three firefighters who were standing outside of the truck at the moment. The driver of the semi truck that crashed into the fire truck was also taken to the hospital.
Currently, these crashes remain under investigation and charges are pending. The causes of the various I-16 accidents also need to be determined, including whether truck driver negligence played any role in the related accidents.
Every big rig accident in Georgia has the chance to result in serious injuries to anyone involved due to the size and weight of these vehicles as well as the frequently high speeds at which such collisions occur. As seen in this crash, anyone involved can suffer serious injuries, especially those outside of their vehicles.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident due to another party’s negligent or reckless actions, you have the right to seek compensation for your losses. At The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C., our Georgia truck accident injury lawyers can provide you with the dedicated legal representation you need to recover from your losses. For more information on how we can aid you, call our offices today at (404) 995-3955.
