Five nursing students from Georgia Southern University were killed in a serious tractor-trailer accident in Southeast Georgia last month. According to officials, the 18-wheeler failed to slow down, smashed into several cars and a tanker truck, and caused a significant fire. Three victims were also injured in the crash, and road crews took more than six hours to clear the wreckage.
Although investigations into the cause of the accident are still ongoing, the tragic incident has been covered widely by national news media. In their investigations, reporters have discovered that the company which owned the tractor-trailer – Total Transportation of Mississippi, LLC – had one of the worst safety records of any trucking company in the U.S.
The numbers regarding Total Transportation’s safety record speak volumes about the company’s chronic and documented record of unsafe driving practices – and it places them among the 90 th percentile for violations. Here are some of the more alarming details based on data from the past two years:
- · 85 crashes in multiple states across the country
- · 929 violations, which include:
- · 247 unsafe driving violations
- · 120 violations for speeding
- · 9 violations for drivers using mobile devices
- · Dozens of lane violations and violations for failing to obey traffic controls
Despite the numbers, Total Transportation of Mississippi had an overall satisfactory rating from the federal government before last month’s fatal incident. This has created widespread scrutiny over government agencies’ oversight of the trucking industry and whether tougher regulations should be passed.
At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., we have helped many victims and families after they have been injured in auto accidents involving commercial trucks. We believe last month’s fatal 18-wheeler accident involving Total Transportation of Mississippi, LLC shows a clear need to better identify unsafe trucking companies before they cause preventable injuries and deaths on public roads.
Although the cause of this particular accident is not yet known, truck accident victims do have a right to pursue compensation for their damages when trucking companies or drivers act negligently. If you have questions about your rights after an 18-wheeler accident, contact our firm for a FREE case review.
