Truck accidents can cause serious injuries and death on Georgia roads.
Georgia motorists are used to sharing the road with large tractor trailers and commercial trucks. These large vehicles are an essential part of the economy, as they deliver vital products throughout the state and across the country. As the economy continues to improve, the American Trucking Association predicts the need for more tractor trailers. Not only will these additional vehicles add to the congested traffic on Georgia highways, but they may increase the risk of large trucking accidents for motorists and pedestrians alike.
A growth in freight
The ATA reported that by the year 2025, there will be a 23.5 percent rise in the amount of freight tonnage that needs to be distributed across the country. While some of the freight will be delivered by railroad, trucking companies will bear the majority of the increase. In order to keep up with this increase in demand, trucking companies will need to hire roughly 100,000 new truck drivers each year. America is currently experiencing a shortage of qualified truck drivers, which may make it difficult to fill all of these upcoming position openings.
Truck driver shortage
There are many suggestions as to why there is a shortage in truckers. Bloomberg reported that potential truckers may be deterred from the position because of the long hours spent away from home. The revised Hours of Service regulations limit the amount of time truckers can spend on the road, and require more resting periods. This equates to more time spent away from home with less pay. Truckers are paid per mile, and may find a local job that pays a comparable salary.
With a smaller number of qualified truckers and the pressure to deliver more freight, some trucking companies have resorted to violating regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Truck drivers may be scheduled to drive overtime, regardless of the Hours of Service regulations in order to meet strict deadlines. Truckers with prior violations may also get behind the wheel to make up for the driver deficiency. According to the FMCSA, more than 171,000 truck drivers were removed from service in 2012 for having too many violations. Overloaded trucks present another risk to other motorists.
Drowsy, distracted and negligent truck drivers pose a serious threat to motorists on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 149 people were killed in large truck accidents in 2012. Truck accidents can cause catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, broken bones, paralysis and even death.
Obtaining legal help
If you have been seriously injured or lost a loved one in a large truck accident, you may want to consider all of your legal options. A personal injury attorney in Georgia may be helpful in discussing your legal rights and help you to get the compensation you deserve for your case.
Keywords: truck, accident, injury