What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Atlanta?

Nearly 30,000 car accidents happen every year in Atlanta. Information from the Georgia Department of Health shows that motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) are among the top causes of injury, deaths, hospitalizations, and emergency room visits in Georgia, with Georgia reporting the fourth greatest number of traffic fatalities in the country in 2020.

Trucks pose special risks on Georgia roads and highways. Current data shows that roughly 85 to 90 truck accidents take place in Atlanta annually. The result is dozens of injuries and fatalities along routes like Interstate 285. Communities surrounding Atlanta aren't faring much better. In 2021, 14% of all traffic fatalities in Georgia involved at least one large truck, with 244 people fatally injured.

Being an informed driver matters. What causes truck accidents that put the lives of drivers like you at risk? Read on to learn about the common causes of truck accidents.

1. Driver error and negligence

Driver error is a leading cause of truck accidents in the United States. This includes both unintentional errors and willful negligence. Truck drivers can cause accidents because of failure to signal, failure to check mirrors and follow protocols while changing lanes, following other drivers too closely, speeding, or simply failing to follow traffic signs.

2. Driver fatigue

Drowsy driving is deadly. You've probably heard the saying that tired driving is as bad as drunk driving. Clinical studies show that being awake for 17 or 19 hours is comparable to having a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05%. For comparison, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) flags drunk drivers as having a BAC of .08 or higher. With longer periods of sleep deprivation, performance reaches levels equivalent to a BAC of 0.1%. Factors like tight schedules and pay structures can actually encourage professional truck drivers to drive longer hours than would be considered safe. Some may also block off inadequate time for rest between hauls. For drivers on the road, that equals serious risks for deadly motor vehicle accidents.

It's no surprise that fatigue is one of the leading truck accident causes. Drowsy driving leads to impaired judgment and decision-making, slower reaction times, and decreased alertness. Sleep-deprived truck drivers can even fall into "microsleeps" that cause them to shift lanes or fail to brake when necessary.

3. Improper vehicle maintenance

Failure to properly inspect or maintain vehicles is another of the top truck accident causes. This can happen for a variety of reasons. Trucking companies may lack the skilled staff necessary to complete maintenance work. They may also skip essential routine maintenance or allow trucks to get past their mileage recommendations for certain updates as part of cost-cutting measures. Unfortunately, this can lead to issues like faulty brakes, broken turn signals, engine issues, or failures within the electrical system that can cause accidents on the road.

4. Improperly loaded or secured cargo

It's everyone's worst nightmare — having a heavy object fly at your car after slipping from the bed of a truck. Yes, unsecured cargo can fall into traffic. However, improperly secured loads can also cause accidents in more surprising ways. For example, improperly loaded cargo can shift weight within the truck's cargo box to cause a jackknife or roll over.

A trucking company may try to save time by loading a truck beyond its weight capacity. Truck overloading puts excess strain on the truck's components to cause brake failure, tire blowouts, and other problems. It also reduces driver control. Driver or truck company negligence happens when an oversized or imbalanced load is added to a truck. Additionally, a load should be properly secured with appropriate restraints.

5. Poor road and weather conditions

Truck companies, drivers, and dispatchers must make judgment calls for driving in poor weather conditions under the regulations set by the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) guidelines and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). In cases of rain, snow, ice, and other weather challenges, extreme caution must be used if trucks remain on the road. This includes things like reducing speed, increasing following distance, using fog lights appropriately, and traveling with chains or other weather-related equipment. Finally, drivers should pull over when encountering defective roadways or routes that have become compromised by weather events.

Other common factors in truck accidents

There are many causes of truck accidents that don't get as much attention. Increasingly, distractions on the road are contributing to truck accidents. Screen use in the truck cab while driving is a major risk factor. In addition, inadequate training, not enforcing rules for taking driver breaks, and route confusion among drivers can all be factors in truck accidents. Some trucking companies try to cut costs by hiring unqualified drivers. Some truck accidents are actually intentional. You could be the victim of road rage from a truck driver who retaliates after believing that you've cut them off on the road.

What to do after an Atlanta truck accident

If you're involved in an Atlanta truck accident as a driver, passenger, or pedestrian, there's never a more important time to protect your rights. The same goes if a loved one has been killed or injured as a result of an accident where the other driver was in a truck. Be sure to seek medical attention to have your injuries properly documented. It's also important to seek legal representation right away to allow your attorneys to begin seeking evidence and witnesses for your case as soon as possible.

Contact an Atlanta truck accident lawyer

Atlanta truck accident attorneys help clients with seeking compensation following injury or wrongful death. Your life has been changed forever because of negligence. It's important to know your rights and options as you seek justice. Get your questions answered by filling out our online form or calling (855) 537-6264 today. We're available around the clock.