Georgia Tractor Trailer Accident Traced to Defective Tires
A tractor trailer accident on southbound I-85 on February 24th resulted in an overturned vehicle and injuries to the driver. Edward James Clements Jr. was approaching the Moreland exit ramp when the vehicle apparently hit some barrels. The impact caused the weight of 41,000 pound of cotton and yarn in the trailer to shift, and the vehicle soon skidded and overturned. Clement suffered non life threatening injuries.
Nobody was injured in this single vehicle accident. According to the preliminary investigation, the driver seemed to be having some trouble with his tires and was attempting to pull over to get a tire fixed. The driver was cited for driving with defective tires, as well as with failure to maintain his lane.
It was fortunate that this accident did not involve other vehicles or injure any other motorists. A massive tractor trailer going out of control can easily create a destructive situation for other vehicles on the road. When a tractor trailer overturns on a busy highway, other vehicles close by are forced to try and avoid the big rig. Multi vehicle accidents result when something like this happens during rush hour. A tire blow out is, by itself, enough to cause serious injuries to surrounding motorists. The force with which shreds of blown rubber fly into the air at high speeds poses a risk to nearby motorists. That's all the more reason why a tractor trailer driver must take care to conduct a complete examination of his vehicle before starting a trip.
In the above case, the truck driver could have easily avoided this incident if he had simply checked his tires during his required pre-trip inspection. Instead, he decided to drive a large truck with balding tires that were close to a blowout, placing not just himself but other drivers at risk for serious injuries. The trucking company that owned and operated the tractor trailer was also negligent in its failure to make sure that its vehicles were fit to be operated on busy streets.
Victims injured in an accident with a tractor trailer can file claims against the driver and trucking company involved, if evidence shows that there was failure to inspect and maintain the truck. If you have been injured in a truck accident, contact an Atlanta truck accident lawyer at my law firm for a free consultation.
