Georgia Truck Accident Lawyers Blog

The five weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year's is among the deadliest of the year for Georgia trucking accidents and tractor-trailer accidents elsewhere in the country.

The Trucker reports Thanksgiving and New Year's are two of the deadliest holidays on the nation's roads with an average of 572 deaths per year.

The reasons for Atlanta semi accidents around the holidays are numerous and can include:

-Time Constraints: Truckers will be hitting the road this week looking to make up lost time from the long holiday weekend. As Christmas and New Year's approach, they will be pushing themselves to the limits, and perhaps beyond, the get home for the holidays.

Daylight Savings Time: Brings darkness to the evening commute and may increase drowsy and distracted driving accidents. While truckers are susceptible, other motorists on the road are also at increased risk.

Bad Weather: The arrival of winter weather can increase the risk of accidents. In areas where winter weather is less of a factor, trucks may be more apt to try to make up for lost time as a result of bad weather in northern states.

Drowsy Driving: Early dark, low visibility, warm cabs, big meals and long hours can all contribute to the risk of accidents caused by tired truckers. The National Safety Commission reports that young men and shift workers are most likely to be impacted by drowsy driving.

Drunk Driving: With the holidays comes more opportunity to celebrate. For others, depression can increase the risks associated with alcohol or drug use. In either case, drinking and driving accidents are a common danger around the holidays.