One person was killed and several others were injured in a multi-vehicle crash on I-285 in Fulton County early Friday morning. According to a report from Fox 5, the accident occurred near Riverdale Road, where a police officer had stopped to assist a semi-truck driver who had lost their load on the interstate. Several other vehicles crashed into the semi and patrol car. The officer was a member of the Stockbridge Police Department, who reports that their officer was not injured in the accident.
In another incident, a tractor-trailer fell from a bridge near the Downtown Connector, causing significant disruptions and highlighting the dangers of large vehicles on Georgia roadways.
The crash resulted in the closure of all eastbound lanes of I-285 in proximity to Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport for several hours. Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport has consistently been named the busiest airport in the world. WSB Radio notes that in addition to the 47-year-old man who died in the accident, there were four other individuals who sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to the hospital.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) — which is the federal agency tasked with regulating and overseeing the U.S. trucking industry — has rules pertaining to the proper securement of cargo. Unsecured or improperly secured cargo presents a number of risks for the truck driver and others on the roadway, including a higher likelihood of rollovers due to a shift in cargo, or hazards to other drivers as a result of cargo spilling out onto the roadway or striking other vehicles. Around 6,000 commercial trucks are involved in accidents each year as a result of cargo shifts, accounting for about 4 percent of all commercial truck-involved crashes.
If you find yourself in such a situation, it’s crucial to know what to do if you’re hit by a commercial truck in Atlanta to ensure you take the right steps for your safety and legal protection.
If you were injured or lost a loved one due to an accident that involved a commercial truck, an experienced attorney from Cambre & Associates can help you understand your legal options for seeking compensation for the expenses and impacts of your injury or loss. For more detailed guidance, you can also refer to our resource on what to do if you are in a truck accident in Atlanta, Georgia. Contact us for a free case evaluation.