Family Involved in Fatal Georgia Truck Accident
An Indiana family traveling through Georgia late last week was involved in a fatal truck accident. According to NBC 41, the family was traveling in their Toyota Camry southbound in I-475 when they collided with a Freightliner Tractor. The family's car was lodged underneath the trailer stirring up another underride safety debate.
Georgia truck accident lawyers understand the dangers of underride accidents, which are frequently fatal to passenger vehicle occupants. Of 115 experimental crashes, through the Large Truck Crash Causation Study, researchers found that only 22 percent of passenger vehicles did not involve a significant amount of underride in a rear-end accident.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 3,163 people died in truck accidents in 2009. They further concluded that 70 percent of those fatalities were occupants of passenger vehicles -- because of underride.
The Georgia truck accident left 1 dead and 3 injured. It was the driver and passengers of the Camry that were injured or killed, while the truck driver remained unharmed.
The Insurance Institute has been studying the defectiveness of the underride guards and has concluded that the current guards are ineffective in preventing underride with passenger cars.
Edmunds.com offers these tips for drivers to help safely and efficiently share the roadways:
-Do not to cut-off a truck. It is important to remember that trucks take much longer than stop than cars. Placing yourself in front of a truck could put you and your passengers in a potentially deadly situation.
-Be patient. It takes time and skill to maneuver a tractor-trailer.
-Stay out of blind spots. If you can't see the trucker, the trucker can't see you. Be cautious of your surroundings.
-Remember you're not the one driving the truck. Trucks handle a lot differently than cars on the road. For example, a truck gathers speed quickly when going down a hill and slows naturally when climbing. Be sure to worry about the movement and safety of your vehicle.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a Georgia trucking accident, contact the Atlanta truck accident lawyers at Finch McCranie LLP for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights. Call (800) 228-9159 or at (404) 658-9070 or contact us through this website.
