Nothing is scarier than seeing a large commercial rig like a semi-truck coming into your lane unannounced. Innocent motorists can suffer life-altering injuries when a big truck crashes into them, and the lifetime expenses are enormous. At Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys, we know how to bring an injury claim for accident victims based on a lane departure. Call us to speak with an Atlanta truck accident lawyer in a free, no-risk consultation.
What is a Lane-Departure?
Truck drivers, like other motorists, should stay in their lane. It’s only appropriate to change lanes when passing legally or making a turn. A lane departure occurs when a truck unexpectedly goes into a different lane.
There are some common examples:
- Changing lanes without signaling or checking a blind spot.
- Drifting over the center line and into oncoming traffic.
- Veering into another lane on a multi-lane highway.
Any type of lane departure accident is potentially deadly, especially on the highway when traffic is moving so fast. A smaller vehicle can get crunched when it is run over by a big rig. Injuries are often severe—spinal cord injuries, paralysis, crush injuries, and concussion—among many others!
Common Reasons for Lane Departure Accidents
A careful trucker should stay in his lane and only change after signaling and checking that the coast is clear. There are some common reasons for a lane departure:
- Distraction. A distracted trucker won’t have his eyes on the road. Consequently, it’s easy to drift out of the lane. Most people will go where their eyes are pointed, which leads to accidents. Common distractions include electronic devices like phones but also guests in the cab or even food and drink. A trucker who spills coffee all over himself will likely reach for a napkin and stop watching where he is going.
- Fatigue. Tired truckers get into accidents. They might not see clearly, or they could nod off briefly. It’s easy to make a lane departure when nodding off for even a split second.
- Alcohol or drug impairment. When a trucker is impaired, they can easily depart their lane accidentally. They might have blurred vision, especially at night, or struggle with manual control of the wheel. A loss of coordination is a real threat after even a couple drinks.
- Impatience. A trucker who is in a hurry won’t check their blind spot. They will just turn without signaling and end up running over someone who is already in the lane.
- Tire blowout. Blown tires make rigs harder to control. A loss of control for even a couple of seconds is often enough for a serious accident.
- Poor traction. A truck might be unbalanced and lack traction. The vehicle could jackknife, with the trailer swinging into an adjacent lane.
- Speeding. The risk of losing control increases when the truck is traveling too fast. A truck may lose traction when the roads are slick and collide with other vehicles.
This is a non-exhaustive list. However, in most cases, the trucker did something wrong, or there is a defect on the truck which led to a lane departure.
Are Lane Departure Accidents Preventable?
Yes. In fact, modern trucks are outfitted with various technologies to reduce the risk of lane departure.
For example, advanced driver assistance systems include:
- Lane Keeping Assist
- Lane Centering Assist
- Lane Departure Warning
- Eyelid monitoring
- Blind spot monitoring
- Many other technologies
Of course, truckers can also reduce the risks of a lane departure by driving safer. Obviously, they should not use drugs or alcohol. The federal government also prohibits hand-held cell phones, which are a major source of trucker distraction.
Trucking companies should also train and supervise their drivers. Unfortunately, the trucking industry is undergoing seismic changes, with many inexperienced truckers allowed out on the road. Even the best technology will not prevent wrecks.
What Should You Do after a Lane Departure Accident?
At our firm, we represent accident victims. They call us after a lane departure accident with questions about what to do. They often have massive medical bills, and their car was destroyed at the same time. Some people end up losing their lives in these collisions.
If you survived an accident, we recommend the following:
1. Call an ambulance for anyone who needs immediate medical assistance. Some injuries will be life threatening, and you should prioritize everyone’s wellbeing.
2. Call the police if the trucker doesn’t. A high or intoxicated trucker might be in no condition to call the police. It’s up to you to call.
3. Tell the police officer if you think a trucker is high or drunk. The officer can put the trucker through field sobriety tests or even ask for a breath test.
4. Try to get personal information from the trucker, such as company name, insurance details, and driver’s license. Share your own license and registration with the trucker.
5. Get medical treatment as soon as possible. You might feel “okay,” but adrenaline could mask your injuries. Go to the hospital as soon as you can and tell the physician you were involved in an accident.
These steps will strengthen any personal injury claim. They will also allow you to recover physically and emotionally after a devastating collision.
Speak with an Experienced Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer
Truckers and trucking companies are responsible for many lane departure accidents. You should find an experienced attorney to help with your injury claim. A lawyer at our firm can meet to go over possible compensation. We typically request money for car repairs, medical bills, lost wages, and bodily pain and suffering.
Where a trucker is drunk, we might also request punitive damages as a form of punishment. No one should drive drunk or high. Let us go over the police report and other information to identify the full scope of your rights.Call Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys today to schedule a free consultation, (404) 529-3476. We don’t charge any fees unless we win your case, so there is no risk of picking up the phone and reaching out!