Ghai Law Firm
Call for a free consultation:
(770) 792-1000
  • ABOUT
    • Testimonials
    • Join Us
  • Practice Areas
    • Personal Injury
      • Pedestrian Accident
      • Car Accidents
        • Speeding Accident
        • Drinking and Driving Accidents
        • Left Hand Turn Accident
        • Rear-End Collision
        • Reckless Driving Accident
        • Uber Accidents
        • Hit-and-Run Accidents
        • Texting and Driving Accident
          • Texting and Driving Under 18
      • Truck Accident
        • Lane Usage Accident
        • Traumatic Brain Injury
      • Product Liability
        • Defective Drugs
        • Defective Medical Device
      • Premises Liability
        • Slip and Fall Accidents
      • Wrongful Death
      • Dog Bite
    • Bankruptcy
      • Debt Relief
      • Credit Card Debt
      • Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
      • Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
      • Foreclosure Bankruptcy
      • Free Legal Case Review
      • Medical Bills Bankruptcy
      • Rebuild Your Credit
      • Wage Garnishments
  • Areas We Serve
    • Kennesaw Personal Injury Lawyer
      • Kennesaw Bankruptcy Lawyer
    • Acworth Personal Injury Lawyer
      • Acworth Bankruptcy Lawyer
    • Marietta Personal Injury Lawyer
      • Marietta Bankruptcy Lawyer
    • Smyrna Personal Injury Lawyer
  • FAQs
  • Blog
  • Videos
  • Contact

Fatalities in Work Zones Often Involve Tractor-Trailers

Home » Fatalities in Work Zones Often Involve Tractor-Trailers

According to the Federal Highway Safety Administration, 30 percent of all work zone accidents involve large trucks. In the last five years, there have been over 1,000 fatalities and 18,000 injuries caused by large trucks in work zones. 65 percent of all truck-related accidents that occurred in work zones happened during the day and they are six times more likely to occur during the week than on the weekend.

It isn’t hard to figure out why. Work zones force traffic to slow down and create narrow pathways for vehicles to navigate. Even some cars aren’t able to navigate these work zones at higher speeds. Add to that the fact that trucks have much larger stopping distances, and you have a recipe for an increase in the number of deaths that occur in work zones.

This has occasionally resulted in lawsuits not only against trucking companies, but also against municipalities, and construction companies.

Wrongful Death Lawsuits Involving Work Zones

When it comes to work zones, there are three potential victims. There is the individual driving the truck, another vehicle that they strike, or the workers who are working in the work zone. Each of these individuals can file lawsuits against an allegedly at-fault party, but there is at least one barrier to those who are working on the job.

Since workers’ compensation plays a role in making those injured on the job whole while they are performing their labor, those injured in work zones may not have recourse to sue their employers. That, however, doesn’t prevent them from suing the trucking company or their driver.

On the other hand, truck drivers may have recourse to file suits against the city or county for the inadequate safety protections. In very busy work zones, the city is expected to have their own drivers slow down traffic through the corridor while there are folks working. If a truck driver injures himself, he may be able to argue that the work zone was inadequately maintained.

If another driver (other than the truck driver) is injured in a work zone, they can file a lawsuit against any of the other parties. That includes the truck driver, the trucking company, the construction company, and the city.

The same holds true for those who are killed in work zones. The only notable difference is that instead of an injured party bringing a lawsuit on their own behalf, their family and estate file the lawsuit on behalf of their loved one.

For a free legal consultation, call (770) 792-1000

When Are Truck Drivers to Blame?

Truck drivers and the companies that employ them have a duty of care to ensure that others are safe on the road. This means ensuring that their drivers are fit and trained, performing periodic drug screenings, and making sure that the trucks themselves are roadworthy. These requirements are placed on trucking companies at the federal level. There is a minimum standard getting a CDL and there are mandatory regulations regarding the inspection of trucks prior to leaving for delivery. Truckers are also required to inspect their trucks at the end of every 24-hour period.

In addition to federal regulations, there are best practices for navigating work zones that truck drivers need to be aware of. Since their vehicles often carry loads upwards of 80,000 lbs. and it takes much longer for a truck to stop at high speeds than a car, truckers must be aware of the road conditions and work zones. When an accident occurs, it may be the trucker’s fault if:

  • They failed to pay attention to obvious signs;
  • They failed to adhere to the instructions of the flagger;
  • They failed to leave enough space between themselves and the vehicle in front of them;
  • They failed to anticipate a situation in which they needed to brake;
  • They did not maintain road awareness while traffic was moving more slowly; and
  • They failed to anticipate the need to merge and another car ended up in their blind spot (no-zone).

Where possible, it is best for trucks to avoid work zones entirely.

Most Common Types of Accidents in Work Zones

According to the Federal Highway Safety Administration, the most common type of work zone accidents are rear-end accidents. While these accidents are typically known for being fatal, debris from the collision can fly off and strike workers. Additionally, large trucks have what is known in the industry as “no zones.” These zones account for the massive blind spots that truckers are required to deal with. These include areas directly behind the truck and areas toward the back of the truck on either side that truckers cannot see with their mirrors. Today, blind spot detection technology has reduced the occurrence of these types of accidents, but trucking companies are not required to use this technology.

Side-swipe accidents are infinitely more dangerous when they involve large trucks. While the technology exists to reduce or eliminate what are known as “underride” accidents, not all trucking companies employ this technology. Today, trucking companies must install underride guards in the rear end of large tractor-trailers. However, trucking companies are not required to install underride guards on the sides of their trucks. While you will see some trucking companies installing underride guards, they are not required by law to do so. Because these accidents are often deadly and because these accidents are preventable, those injured by a truck that did not have an underride guard can argue that the trucking company did not employ technology that could have prevented serious injury or fatality. A lack of underride guards has formed the basis of several wrongful death and personal injury lawsuits involving tractor-trailers.

Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today

Talk to a Georgia Trucking Accident Attorney Today

If you’ve been injured by a large commercial truck or injured in a work zone, the attorneys at the Ghai Law Firm can get you the injury justice you deserve. Our team of dedicated attorneys has negotiated million-dollar settlements and secured multi-million-dollar jury verdicts for our clients. Give us a call or talk to us online to set up a free consultation.

Call or text (770) 792-1000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form

Personal Injury Blog Posts:

Driver Shortage Crisis Exacerbating Truck Accident Issue

[caption id="attachment_1343" align="alignright" width="300"] Kennesaw Georgia car crash lawyer [/caption] When it comes to truck accidents, the statistics are nothing short of alarming: According

Distracted Driving Continues to Pose Major Problem

In 2015 alone, close to 3,500 people were killed and 400,000 injured in car accidents involving distracted driving. According to the National Safety Council, every year, the nation experiences

Holding Makers of “Roundup” Accountable

Hundreds of plaintiffs around the country are suing agricultural products giant Monsanto, claiming that their widely-used weed-killing product “Roundup”—advertised as completely safe—has

Car Accidents in Kennesaw: Tips For Improving Your Safety While Driving

We here at the Roger Ghai Law Offices want you to be safe on I-75 and the roads around Kennesaw. If you are in a car wreck through no fault of your own, please call us because we can help you

Free Case Evaluation

Convenient and Confidential

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Bankruptcy FAQ

    Bankruptcy FAQ

    Can You Keep Your House If You File For Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

    Can You Keep Your House If You File For Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

    Can Creditors Be Sued For Trying To Collect Debt After You File For Bankruptcy

    Can Creditors Be Sued For Trying To Collect Debt After You File For Bankruptcy

    Let Ghai Law Fight For You.

    We’re here to provide help when you need us. Fill out this form below and I’ll reach out to discuss your case.

      Ghai Law Firm
      Call for a free consultation:
      (770) 792-1000

      Office Location

      LAW OFFICES OF ROGER GHAI

      1301 SHILOH RD NW STE 430

      KENNESAW GA   30144

      Mon-Fri: 9AM - 6PM

      Important Links

      • About
      • Practice Areas
      • Areas We Serve
      • Contact

      Practice Areas

      Personal Injury Lawyer Bankruptcy Attorney

      Ghai Law Firm

      Cobb County, Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth

      "The Attorney"

      Site Map
      © Copyright 2023 Law Offices of Roger Ghai
      • ABOUT
        • Testimonials
        • Join Us
      • Practice Areas
        • Personal Injury
          • Pedestrian Accident
          • Car Accidents
            • Speeding Accident
            • Drinking and Driving Accidents
            • Left Hand Turn Accident
            • Rear-End Collision
            • Reckless Driving Accident
            • Uber Accidents
            • Hit-and-Run Accidents
            • Texting and Driving Accident
              • Texting and Driving Under 18
          • Truck Accident
            • Lane Usage Accident
            • Traumatic Brain Injury
          • Product Liability
            • Defective Drugs
            • Defective Medical Device
          • Premises Liability
            • Slip and Fall Accidents
          • Wrongful Death
          • Dog Bite
        • Bankruptcy
          • Debt Relief
          • Credit Card Debt
          • Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
          • Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
          • Foreclosure Bankruptcy
          • Free Legal Case Review
          • Medical Bills Bankruptcy
          • Rebuild Your Credit
          • Wage Garnishments
      • Areas We Serve
        • Kennesaw Personal Injury Lawyer
          • Kennesaw Bankruptcy Lawyer
        • Acworth Personal Injury Lawyer
          • Acworth Bankruptcy Lawyer
        • Marietta Personal Injury Lawyer
          • Marietta Bankruptcy Lawyer
        • Smyrna Personal Injury Lawyer
      • FAQs
      • Blog
      • Videos
      • Contact