Why large truck accidents are a serious issue in Georgia

Large trucks are big business in Georgia and indeed across the country. You see them everywhere – unloading goods at grocery and chain stores, speeding down the highway, and taking a break at truck and rest stops all across the state. But these immense vehicles are not just a part of the scenery to be taken for granted, they are a potential accident hazard that every motorist should be aware of.

The statistics are chilling. Ninety-eight percent of the fatalities that happen when a large truck and passenger vehicle collide are occupants of the passenger vehicle. In fact, large trucks (which include tractor trailers, single-unit trucks, and heavy cargo vans with a gross weight greater than 10,000 pounds) account for a disproportionate number of traffic deaths. Sadly, around 5,000 people die every year in accidents involving large trucks.

Why are truck accidents a serious issue for Georgia motorists?

• Truck size: trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, which dwarfs pretty much every other passenger vehicle out there. A minivan or hatchback hit by a tractor trailer this size doesn’t stand a chance. And the bigger the truck, the greater the chance for serious injury. An 80,000 pound truck is more than twice as likely as a 50,000 pound truck to be involved in a fatal crash.
• Stopping distance: As a consequence of their large size, trucks require a longer stopping distance. And the bigger the truck, the more stopping distance required. Stopping distance is a major factor in accidents because collisions often occur when one driver does not leave enough room for another to safely maneuver or stop.
• Collision costs: Statistics show that one 80,000 pound tractor trailer can do as much damage to the road pavement as 9,600 cars. And because large trucks cause more serious accidents, the resulting costs for health care, victim rehabilitation, accident clean up, road repair, and vehicle repair shoot up. The average cost per large truck crash is over $90,000.
• More trucks: There are more large trucks on the road today than ever before. According to data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) there are about 8.5 million large trucks on the road today, owned by about 620,000 different companies. As Georgia roads become more congested, the increasing number of large trucks on our roads and highways means that there is a greater potential for an increasing number of serious crashes.

If you or someone you love was injured in a serious truck or auto accident, then please contact the law offices of Kaufman Law.

Kaufman Law, P.C.

12 Beck Street, N.W.

Atlanta, GA. 30318

Toll Free: (888) 973-2540

Phone: (404) 355-4000