Every year, large truck accidents happen on highways in Georgia and throughout the U.S. These accidents often result in catastrophic injuries or deaths. An accident may happen if a driver of a passenger vehicle fails to take extra caution when driving near a large truck or if certain circumstances cause the truck driver to lose control of the vehicle. Repercussions of large truck-related wrecks may be more severe in nature than consequences of a wreck between two passenger cars due to the large, heavy structure of trucks. Even minor errors made on the roadway could cause major damage to an individual who collides with a commercial vehicle. A division of the U.S. Department of Transportation has indicated that large truck accidents may take place more frequently than people might realize. There were 333,000 traffic accidents that involved a commercial vehicle in 2012. That same year, large truck accidents resulted in…

Some Georgia residents may be unaware that commercial motor vehicle drivers must comply with a set of federal regulations known as Hours of Service rules. This applies to, among others, truck drivers traveling in tractor-trailers that weigh at least 10,001 pounds or that transport enough hazardous material to require placards. All transportation companies must ensure that their drivers are following Hours of Service rules. Pursuant to these regulations, drivers are limited to, per day, 11 hours of driving and 14 hours of work altogether. Moreover, drivers may not work more than 70 hours per week on average, and once this maximum is reached on any given week, the drivers must rest for at least 34 consecutive hours, within which must pass two nights. The Hours of Service rules also call for drivers to take a half-hour break within the first eight hours of each shift. These new rules reduce by…

Four softball players from North Central Texas College lost their lives when the team bus was hit by an 18-wheeler in Oklahoma on Sept. 26. The team bus, carrying 15 players, was being driven home by the coach following a scrimmage against Bethany's Southern Nazarene University. The crash happened late in the evening approximately 60 miles north of the Gainesville campus on Interstate-35. Three of the women reportedly died at the scene, and a fourth later succumbed to her injuries in a Sulphur, Oklahoma, hospital. Two other players remained in Norman Regional Hospital the following day, one in critical condition, while the coach and nine other players were treated and released. The sides of the bus sustained severe damages as a result of the crash. Oklahoma police were unsure as to why the semi-truck veered across the median and into the path of the bus. The investigation into the accident…

Local authorities reported that an accident involving two semi-trucks in McDuffie County left one driver dead and the other with minor injuries on August 11. The former driver was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. According to the Georgia State Patrol, the accident occurred at approximately 11:00 p.m. at the intersection of Wire Road and Highway 17. Authorities said a 28-year-old man driving a semi-truck westbound on Wire Road failed to stop at the sign located at the intersection and struck another semi-truck driven by the victim, a 40-year-old man. The news source did not mention any speculation from authorities as to why the surviving truck driver ran the red light. However, the Georgia Department of Public Safety said that charges could be filed against him pending the findings of an investigation by it Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team. When a family suffers the loss of a loved one…

Unfortunately, residents of Macon know as well as anyone else that accidents happen everywhere without warning. Sometimes, fatal accidents can occur as well, which is a tragedy that could potentially end in jail time for some depending on the situation. Accidents involving children can be some of the most heartbreaking ones to read, especially if the fatal accident is a result of potential negligence. This may be the cause with one woman who has recently been accused and charged of child neglect and endangerment and second degree manslaughter in addition to other drug-related charges such as allowing ingestion of meth with a child and storing meth near a child. Reportedly, the woman’s 7 week old daughter fell off of the bed after the woman got up to feed her and fell asleep. She then suffocated face-down on the floor, according to police reports. While police were investigating, it was also revealed…

No one really needs to be told drunk driving is something that should be avoided. During the last 30 years, there has been an endless stream of studies examining and explaining the dangers of drunk driving. Additionally, the penalties for drunk driving have been ratcheted up, year after year, with significant fines and severe punishment likely outcomes of any DUI arrest and conviction. With tonight being St. Patrick's Day, announcements again have been made by the Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety to warn residents that Georgia state troopers, county sheriffs and local police will all be out in force on the roads to prevent drunk driving accidents. The death, destruction and mayhem caused by alcohol impaired driving are truly staggering. In 2013 alone, the number of people killed in Georgia in alcohol-related collisions increased by six percent to 161. Many people may dismiss 161 as rather insignificant compared with the population…