Marietta Motor Vehicle Accidents Law Blog

Thanks to their massive size, the semi-trucks and tractor-trailers seen traveling on the roads in and around Marietta can cause extensive devastation if and when they are involved in accidents. For this reason, truck drivers are well-trained in the control of their vehicles. On top of that, they are versed in safe and defensive driving techniques, essentially assuming the added responsibility of protecting others from the risks their vehicles cause. A failure to fulfill that responsibility might result in tragedy, as well as added criminal and civil culpability being assigned to the responsible truck driver. 

A recent multi-car crash in Richmond Hill may serve as a sad reminder of what might happen when a trucker's apparent negligence affects others on the road. The vehicle in question was reportedly forced into the center lane of I-95 into order to avoid colliding with the slower-moving traffic ahead of it. This resulted in a collision with another semi-truck, which ultimately triggered a chain reaction that saw a nearby SUV pushed over a concrete barrier onto the adjacent railroad tracks, another SUV being rear-ended, and still a third being pinned against the concrete barrier and ultimately bursting into flames. Sadly, the woman driving the burning vehicle was unable to make it out. Her male passenger was (though he did sustain burns in the process), as did the driver of the vehicle thrown onto the train tracks. 

Imagine the following scenario: you are driving along when suddenly, another car plows into you. While you are able to avoid injury, the damage to your vehicle is extensive enough that you know it will be costly. As you walk up to speak with the driver that hit, you notice food wrappers strewn about his or her front seat, and fresh grease and condiment stains on his or her shirt, no doubt indicating that he or she had been eating something when the accident occurred. 

If you do not need to imagine this situation due to it already having happened to you, then one question likely remains fixed in your mind: was the person who hit you being negligent by eating while driving? With all of added attention being placed on distracted driving recently, it seems surprising that eating while driving has been overlooked in this argument. Perhaps it is because of the assumption that eating is such a natural act that it hardly seems distracting. 

Traffic collisions have many different causes, such as distracted driving, drowsiness, intoxication, and carelessness, to name a few. However, some accidents are the result of vehicle problems, such as faulty brakes or a blown-out tire. Unfortunately, many people drive around in vehicles that are not safe and should not be on the road, putting innocent lives at risk and threatening their own well-being also. As a result, it is crucial for drivers to understand just how many accidents happen because of problems related to vehicles.

The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration states that 15,000 motor vehicle crashes were estimated to have been caused by problems with tires between 2005 and 2007, according to data they collected. During this same time frame, an estimated 10,000 accidents involved brake problems, while an estimated 17,000 involved unknown or other vehicle problems. It is clear that problems with a vehicle play a major role in the number of motor vehicle crashes that happen every year.

As with most industries, the world of trucking has seen a myriad of changes over recent years. While a more diverse demographic now nearly dominates the industry, there are aspects of truck driving that do not change. Even with these changes, Georgia trucking employees know the typical challenges of the job all too well.

One aspect of trucking that has seen some major modifications involves the workers themselves. FleetOwner magazine shared last September that shifting demographics are changing truck driver management as a whole. How does this affect the average employee? FleetOwner goes on to state that, with an aging trucker population, the industry currently aims to attract younger employees, as well as women and minority groups. Possible approaches include offering higher pay, prolonged time with loved ones and extended personal outreach. At the time of the article's release, roughly 40 percent of employees were minorities and about 6 percent were women.