This week a 52 year old Fort Valley, Georgia resident lost his life in a motor vehicle accident that occurred when the man lost control of his pickup truck and swerved into oncoming traffic along Ga. 247. According to a report issued by the Macon Police Department, just after 10 a.m. on Wednesday morning the pick up truck’s driver was headed southbound along Pio Nono Avenue when his vehicle hit the curve and crossed the median into the northbound lanes of Ga. 247. The pickup truck landed onto the path of a loaded 2005 Mack dump truck which was headed northbound when the collision occurred. The dump truck slammed into the passenger side of the pickup truck with such force that the pickup truck’s side mirror penetrated through the dump truck’s headlight. Police reports indicate that the dump truck was carrying a load that weighed nearly 60,000 pounds.

One out of every motor vehicle accident involves a truck.

The National Center for Statistics and Analysis estimates that one out of every eight traffic fatalities involves a truck. More than 5,000 people lose their lives in a motor vehicle accident involving a truck every year.

Overweight trucks have a greater likelihood of being involved in a motor vehicle accident.

Tractor trailer and dump truck weight is an important factor which can impact roadway safety and the severity of motor vehicle accidents. Studies show that overweight trucks have a greater chance of being involved in a motor vehicle accident. This is due in part to the fact that it takes heavier trucks more time and a longer distance to stop. In addition, heavier trucks have a greater chance of rolling over.

Approximately 30 percent of trucks are overweight.

According to some estimates, as many as thirty percent of tractor trailers and dump trucks are overweight. According to Federal and State regulations, tractor trailers are not supposed to weigh more than 80,000 pounds and the weight limit for dump trucks varies from 40,680 and 61,020 depending on their wheel size.

Regulating truck weight has proven to be a challenge for federal authorities.

In recent years, government authorities have ramped up their efforts to reduce the number of tractor trailers and dump trucks who endanger themselves and others on the roadways by exceeding legal weight limits. However, this has proven to be a difficult task. There are several reasons why the enforcement of tractor trailer and dump truck weight limits has proven to be a challenge. The fines for violating these regulations are small, due to economic circumstances government agencies are limited in the number of inspectors that they can commit to monitoring regulations, and Georgia has a strong trucking industry.

If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident involving a tractor trailer or dump truck, or if your loved one has been killed in an accident involving this type of motor vehicle, you should contact an attorney immediately. An attorney will be able to review the facts of your case, determine your legal rights, and help you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and the loss you have suffered.