Rural Georgia highways are popular traveling grounds for log trucks, so you’ve probably seen those big trucks loaded with logs rolling down the highway. There’s a good possibility that a few thoughts began popping in your head when you did: Will the logs fall off and hit my car? Is the truck driver paying attention? Is it safe to drive behind the truck?
These are reasonable questions to ask yourself. Logging accidents are some of the most devastating types of truck accidents nationwide and oftentimes lead to multi-vehicle collisions, catastrophic injuries, and even fatalities.
Common Causes of Logging Accidents
A 2015 study by the International Journal of Forest Engineering revealed that approximately 78% of fatal log truck accidents occur in the Southern portion of the U.S., where there may be more winding roads and potential hazards. Additionally, log truckers often travel for extended periods of time in order to get their cargo delivered on time, meaning that these truck drivers are often susceptible to fatigued driving and may be prone to falling asleep at the wheel.
Aside from accidents involving direct collisions between trucks and vehicles, other devastating events can occur when logs fall or roll off the bed of a truck, causing the object to strike vehicles straight on. Other common hazards that lead to log truck accidents include:
- Lack of truck driver experience
- Improperly loaded or overloaded logs
- Speeding
- Poor truck maintenance
- Brake failure
- Poor lighting
- Hazardous routes
- Tire blowouts
Sometimes, lumbar or trucking companies are guilty of negligent hiring. In order to save money on the costs of drivers, they may knowingly employ lumbar truck operators who lack the knowledge, skills, and qualifications to do the job and purposefully look the other way.
Injured in a Log Truck Crash?
If you or a loved one has been involved in a Georgia log truck accident, the trucking company will have a team of their own defense attorneys immediately attempting to limit their liability and avoid paying you out as much as possible.
Don’t go up against them when you don’t have to. The Dream Team at Jamie Casino Injury Attorneys is standing by ready to hit back against the insurance companies and defense lawyers so you obtain fair and maximum compensation.
Get zealous legal advocates on your side today by calling (912) 809-5335 or filling out our online contact form!