Drivers who are distracted are more likely to cause a traffic accident. When the distracted driver is behind the wheel of a large tractor-trailer, the resulting collision can be devastating. To crack down on distracted driving among truck drivers, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a ban on all hand-held cell phone use for large trucks. Under federal law, truck drivers using a cell phone in Georgia can face civil penalties of up to $2,750 for each offense. Trucking companies that allow drivers to use their phone can face a penalty of $11,000.
Cell phone use is not the only form of distracted driving. Truck drivers are considered to be distracted under the law whenever they take their eyes off the road or their hands off the wheel. This means that a driver is technically distracted while changing the radio, eating food, reading, using a map, or operating a GPS device. If a driver is distracted at the time of a collision, the injured victim can hold him or her civilly liable for the crash.
Distracted drivers can be held accountable for the damages they cause. A skilled Georgia truck accident attorney can hold the at-fault driver liable for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, hospitalization costs, and other related damages. Unfortunately, it is common for truck drivers to deny that they were distracted at the time of the crash. In such cases, their insurance provider will likely deny the claim or offer a reduced settlement.
The experienced Atlanta truck crash lawyers at Wayne Grant, P.C., help injured victims get fair compensation for their suffering. If you or a loved one has been injured by a negligent truck driver, please contact us at (404) 995-3955 for a no-cost consultation.
Injuries were suffered in a highway collision that may have resulted from a box truck driver falling asleep at the wheel. According to a WKZO news report, the driver responsible for the crash admits to not remembering how the crash occurred and that he may have fallen asleep. Officials say the collision involved a box truck crashing into the rear of a semi along Interstate 94 in Van Buren County, Michigan. The 50-year-old truck driver who fell asleep will require hospitalization and therapy to recover from his injuries. The other truck driver complained of back and neck pain after the collision as well. The drowsy truck driver faces charges for careless driving.
