In a recent accident involving a FedEx delivery truck and a Gwinnit County Transit bus, the delivery truck driver was killed and the bus driver seriously injured. Preliminary investigations showed that the bus ran a red light and thereafter struck the FedEx vehicle. Both vehicles struck the Museum Bar at Central Avenue and Ralph D. Abernathy Boulevard.  No other injuries were reported. The size and weight of many trucks can cause traumatic injuries not only to its passengers, but to other motor vehicle drivers, pedestrians, and commercial properties and its patrons as well.

Causes of Truck Accidents

An extensive study completed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) examined the causes of trucking accidents. It concluded that driver error is by far the leading cause of U.S. trucking accidents. The FMCSA study also determined that the following cause truck drivers to err while driving:

• Fatigue
• Speeding
• Distractions
• Lack of familiarity with the road
• The side effects of some prescription and over-the-counter drugs

Undoubtedly, a truck driver’s ability to view the traffic behind and on the sides of the vehicle is limited because of the sheer size of most trucks.

Regulating for safety

The FMCSA recognizes the hazards of truck accidents and attempts to promote safety by regulating the industry. FMCSA regulations try to combat driver fatigue by allowing drivers to be on the road only 11 hours of every 14-hour-shift and on duty 60 hours of a seven-day period. Every truck driver must be given a 34-hour break between the seven-day shifts. FMCSA also combats distracted driving by prohibiting the use of handheld phones and prohibiting texting while driving.

Recoverable damages from Atlanta truck accidents

Atlanta personal injury law allows the victim of an accident to collect monetary damages from the person who was at fault. The types of damages that may be recovered include medical expenses, lost pay, property loss, and pain and suffering.

If you or a loved one suffered damage from a truck accident, consult with an experienced Atlanta personal injury lawyer today.