At Ashby Thelen Lowry, our Georgia truck collision attorneys know that when cars, light trucks, or SUVs are involved in a collision with a commercial vehicle, it is usually the smaller vehicle’s occupants who are injured or killed in the crash.
The Centers for Disease Control reported that the remarkable increase in commercial vehicles — and the miles they travel — has led to a direct increase in collisions, injuries, and fatalities involving these vehicles.
With more commercial trucks on the road, there is more opportunity for truck drivers, trucking companies, manufacturers, and other third parties to violate state and federal laws that govern the industry. Here are some of the most common violations that lead to commercial vehicle violations on our Georgia roadways.
What is Considered a Commercial Vehicle in Georgia?
Driving a commercial motor vehicle requires more knowledge, experience, skills, and physical abilities than those necessary for operating standard passenger vehicles. It also often requires drivers to carry a Commercial Driver’s License to transport goods or passengers.
Commercial vehicles may include, but are not limited to:
- Box Trucks
- 18-Wheelers
- Bucket Trucks
- Buses
- Coaches
- Concrete Trucks
- Corporate Cars, Trucks, And SUVs
- Delivery Vehicles
- Dump Trucks
- Flatbed Trucks
- Garbage Trucks
- Grapple Trucks
- Heavy Equipment Vehicles
- Refrigerator Trucks
- Tow Trucks
- Trailers
- Trash Trucks
- Vans
- Vehicles hauling lawn care trailers
What are the Most Common Types of Commercial Truck Violations that Lead to Collisions in Georgia?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates all 18-wheelers and other commercial vehicles throughout the United States. The agency’s federal regulations help keep truck drivers and other motorists safe.
Unfortunately, violations continue to occur in Georgia and throughout the U.S.
Some of the most common FMCSA violations include, but are not limited to:
- A driver operating a truck in violation of restrictions or without proper endorsements.
- Allowing the driver to operate with a suspended/revoked CDL.
- Conditional or unsatisfactory DOT audit.
- Defective commercial trucks, including original and replacement parts.
- DOT inspection violations.
- Drivers not physically qualified to carry out duties related to the job.
- Employing inexperienced drivers.
- Failed drug tests.
- Failing to adhere to the federal hours of service
- Failing to keep accurate records of duty and logbooks.
- False report of driver’s record of duty status.
- Lack of commercial vehicle maintenance.
- Moving violations, including speeding, tailgating, improper lane changes, reckless driving, improper turns, failure to yield the right of way, and railroad crossing violations.
- Trucking companies placing profits ahead of safety.
Commercial truck collisions are complex because there is often more than one party responsible for the crash. This fact requires an experienced 18-wheeler crash lawyer in Georgia to outline the case, secure the evidence from the crash scene, and pursue each of the liable parties and their insurance coverage for our client’s complete financial recovery. Immediate investigation is required to make sure that critical evidence is preserved. We can help.
Contact our skilled Georgia truck crash lawyers and support team today at (404) 777-7771 to schedule a free consultation so we can tell your story and ensure your voice is heard by pursuing the best outcome for your unique case.