Skip to main content
(404) 738-6000
Large Truck

When you head out on the highway, you share the road with many commercial trucks that can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. These giant vehicles require truck drivers with specialized training and commercial licenses, but mistakes still can be made. Some of the deadliest mistakes occur when truck drivers are fatigued, which can lead to serious injury and fatality accidents. Consulting with a experienced Atlanta Truck Accidents Lawyer is essential if you’ve been involved in such an accident to ensure you receive proper legal guidance.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were over 5,000 fatalities and 127,000 injuries in large truck and bus accidents in 2019. When large truck accidents occur that involve other vehicles, it is the occupants in those vehicles who are at highest risk for injury or death. While weather, equipment and other non-driver factors can contribute to these accidents, many are directly related to driver errors. Approximately 32.9% of the fatalities caused by large trucks in 2019 had driver-related factors recorded, many which may be due to fatigued truck drivers.

Long Hours Can Lead to Deadly Mistakes

Long haul truck drivers are often driving the largest vehicles on the road. They are also behind the wheel longer and are at the highest risk of becoming fatigued. While there are federal regulations on how long drivers can drive each day and how long they must stop to rest, this does not stop drivers from becoming fatigued. Some of the deadly mistakes that are made when drivers are fatigued include:

  • Overloading or improperly loading vehicles (tip over or falling debris accidents)
  • Improper lane changes
  • Overcorrecting
  • Following improperly

Distracted and impaired (including fatigue) truck drivers accounted for 10% of the fatality accidents in 2019. The tragedy is that most of these fatalities could have been prevented if the truck driver would have been alert and cautious. Negligence by way of driver fatigue is the key factor in many large truck injury and fatality accidents.

Cost of Truck Driver Fatigue

When a fatigued truck driver causes a serious injury or fatal accident, it is often pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists and passenger vehicle occupants that are the victims. When a truck tips over due to overloading or a driver swerves into another lane due to fatigue, it can change the life of anyone in their way. Not only is the driver at fault, the company they work for may also be liable for any injuries or loss of life they caused.

Truck accident lawsuits are much more complex than auto accidents involving only passenger vehicles. A fatigued driver may have been pushed to continue working by their employer, even though they were not safe to be behind the wheel. All the different factors involved need to be investigated to determine who is liable – these cases can have multiple entities that are involved, from the driver and trucking company to various insurance companies.

When a family loses a loved one or a person is seriously injured in a large truck accident, they may incur many expenses. Commercial truck injury and fatality accident lawsuits can pursue compensation for medical costs, lost wages, pain/suffering and other expenses. While no amount of money can undo the damage caused by fatigued truck driver accidents, it can relieve the financial burden for the victim or their family.

At the Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown, we have helped many of our clients pursue compensation due to serious injury or death caused by commercial truck accidents. If you or a loved one has been a victim of a truck accident caused by a fatigued, distracted or impaired driver, contact us for a free legal consultation. Call our office in Atlanta, GA or Montgomery, AL today to schedule your consultation.

Disclaimer: Our staff at the Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown have worked hard to become valued members of the Georgia business community. We write accident news stories with the intent and purpose of bringing awareness to the dangers of driving in our community with hopes that our fellow community members will use added precautions when operating a motor vehicle and avoid being seriously injured in an Alabama accident. This post is not intended to be a solicitation for business. The information provided in this post is not meant to be legal advice or medical advice. The picture used in this post is not representative of the accident described in this post.

Posted on behalf of Dwayne L. Brown

3390 Peachtree Rd NE, Suite 1100
Atlanta, GA 30326

Phone: (404) 738-6000

Free lawyer consultation

The Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown would love to speak with you about your case. Please fill out the form and someone will be with you soon.





    The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.

    I have read the disclaimer. (required)

    Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer

    Address
    3390 Peachtree Rd NE, Suite 1100
    Atlanta, GA 30326
    Phone
    (404) 738-6000
    Fax
    678-623-8900

    Montgomery Personal Injury Lawyer

    Address
    2740 Zelda Road, Suite 500
    Montgomery, AL 36106
    Phone
    334-277-3757
    Fax
    334-277-3613
    https://dlblawfirm.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/logo.png

    Our Client Reviews

    Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown

    5.0 / 5.0

    Based on 45 reviews

    Rafiq A.

    My family and I met Attorney Dwayne Brown after the unfortunate accident involving my niece. Attorney Brown did an exceptional job representing my family. He was the consummate professional, and treated my family with the utmost dignity and respect. As a result of his representation, my family was able to achieve a substantial settlement in our case. Although we obviously did not get our loved back, we are prayerful that we met Attorney Brown. My family would highly recommend Attorney Brown to anyone in a similar situation.

    Michael L.

    An excellent and professional lawyer. He took on a car accident case on my behalf, worked with me from across the country, and was just as vigorous in his pursuit of justice on day 912 as he was on day 1.

    Nikia S.

    Attorney Brown represent me on a case involving a motor vehicle. Another attorney indicated they could not help and I was recommended to attorney Brown by a well-respected member of my community. Attorney Brown resolved my case to my absolute satisfaction and did an excellent job. I highly recommend his services.

    Keitron G.

    Attorney Brown is simply the best! Very communicative, hard working and he puts his clients first. I'm a stickler when it comes to customer service and I got nothing but first class service!

    Gabby H.

    They were very good with helping with my case, they made sure I was well updated on everything involving my case and they are very nice people.

    Ryan R.

    I know Dwayne personally and have worked with him many times professionally. You won't find a more ethical, hardworking lawyer. He truly cares about his clients' welfare and getting them back on their feet, moving forward empowered.