The Rate of Trucking Accidents in Georgia

While no one wishes to be an accident victim, accidents happen regularly. Trucking accidents are among the deadliest accidents worldwide. A truck accident is any traffic mishap involving a passenger vehicle and a commercial truck. 

Examples of commercial trucks include tractor-trailers, gasoline trucks, delivery trucks, garbage trucks, and other large commercial vehicles. They are daily on the roads. 

The Federal Laws Regulating Truckers

Commercial truckers in Georgia must follow the rules of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The Administration has firm rules for electronic logging devices, cargo standards, drug assessment, licensing requirements, training and physical requirements, and operation hours. 

The Cause of Truck Mishaps and Preventive Steps

Due to commercial trucks’ large size, it is almost impossible to avoid some impacts when an accident occurs. The law of physics and visibility issues contribute to these challenges. That is why truck mishaps often lead to more significant damage than cars. 

Consequently, it is typically more time-consuming to investigate and file claims for truck accidents. That is why a trucking accident victim may spend more time before receiving compensation for their losses. However, the compensation such victims will get is often substantial and higher than that of a typical passenger vehicle accident because special federal laws mandate minimum liability coverage for every interstate truck. 

Understanding the No-Zone of a Truck

A No-Zone of a truck is a hazardous place to walk by, stand in, or locate yourself when close to an occupied or working 18-wheeler. The three leading No-Zones are:

The Front No-Zone Visibility

Due to their large size, trucks take a while to stop completely. Many trucks need twice the time for a regular passenger car to stop. Consequently, car drivers should avoid swerving in front of a truck, as it could lead to a rear-end mishap. 

Further, when a trucker gets into that cab, they will climb up about three to five feet to reach the truck’s cab area. Also, due to trucks’ rectangular, large engine compartments, the engine compartment can extend seven to nine feet from the windshield. 

From this elevated vantage point, a trucker may not see a short man or a normal-sized woman walking across a street at a red light, especially if they do so close to the truck’s front bumper. Hundreds die a year from such impacts when the trucker does not observe the individual when focusing on the traffic light. 

The Side No-Zone

It is the blind spot area on either side of the 18-wheeler. It is substantially larger than a regular pickup truck’s, passenger vehicle’s, or SUV’s blind spot. 

To avoid a side No-Zone, motorists should avoid hanging out next to a truck, especially on the right, where the operator’s No-Zone is more pronounced. The fundamental principle is that if you cannot see the motorist in the side-view mirror, they cannot see you either. 

The Rear No-Zone Issue

Tailgating is an ill-driving habit with any vehicle in motion. However, large commercial trucks can be more dangerous, as the trucker cannot see the passenger vehicle behind them. 

“It is crucial to remember that truckers cannot enjoy the benefits of a rear-view mirror because the trailer blocks it. That’s why they often rely on side-view mirrors,” says personal injury attorney Ronny Hulsey of Smith Hulsey Law.

Although some more novel, high-end trucks now have video cameras installed, it is dangerous to rely on them when you are behind an 18-wheeler. 

Recovering Damages in a Trucking Accident Matter

Before obtaining compensation for a trucking accident, you must prove that the trucker behaved negligently while operating the truck. You can have claims for pain and suffering, negligence, loss of consortium, and emotional distress. 

However, recovering damages in this context is not a walk in the park. That is why engaging a responsive local personal injury attorney is essential. The lawyer will protect your rights and help you validly present your claims. 

Giving a Trucking Firm’s Insurance Claims Adjuster a Statement

Some accident victims ignorantly provide a trucking firm’s insurance claims adjuster statements. It is like intentionally hurting yourself in the leg. 

The trucking company’s insurance adjuster will record everything you tell them. That is why leaving the entire process to a personal injury lawyer is advisable. Your lawyer knows what to say and can never play into the adjuster’s hand cheaply. 

When You Share in the Blame

Georgia allows accident victims to recover damages even when partially responsible for the crash. However, your fault level must be at least 49 percent. According to the state’s modified comparative negligence rule, the party is at least 50 percent responsible for paying damages to the other party.