Truck Accident Lawyers in Georgia
Semi-truck accidents can be among the most dangerous types of motor vehicle accidents. A fully loaded semi-truck outweighs a smaller passenger vehicle by 80,000 lbs or more. When a passenger vehicle and a semi-truck collide, the passenger vehicle occupants receive the brunt of the impact. The drivers and passengers in passenger vehicles can suffer serious injuries, including spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries. If you have been injured in a semi-truck accident, you need an experienced attorney on your side. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) conducted a study to determine the most common causes of semi-truck accidents. The most significant risk factor for these types of accidents involves brake problems. When the brakes of a semi-truck fail, it can cause the driver to lose control and collide with a vehicle in front of it or cause a T-bone at an intersection. Passenger vehicles cannot withstand the force of a semi-truck colliding with them, and the results are often catastrophic.
The majority of truck accidents are preventable. Most involve a negligent driver, mechanic, or trucking company. An overweight truck with cargo that has not been loaded properly can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Additionally, many semi-truck accidents are caused by driver negligence, including:
- A semi-truck driver traveling too fast for the condition
- A lack of familiarity with the road
- Failure to drive cautiously in bad weather conditions
- Over-the-counter and prescription drug use
- Illicit drug use or driving while under the influence of alcohol
- Truck driver fatigue due to work pressure from the trucking company
- Driving while distracted by electronics, eating, or drinking,
Common Injuries from Truck Accidents
A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh over 80,000 lb. As a result, even truck accidents at lower speeds can still cause serious and sometimes fatal injuries. Some of the most common injuries victims sustain and truck accidents include the following:
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Broken bones and fracture
- Spinal cord injuries, such as spinal stenosis
- Back and spine injuries
- Burns
- Injuries that caused partial or permanent paralysis
- Neck injuries, including whiplash
- Internal bleeding or organ damage, such as a ruptured spleen or lacerated kidney
If you have been involved in a semi-truck accident, it is crucial that you receive medical treatment, even if you are not sure how seriously you are injured. Go to your primary care provider, an urgent care clinic, or an emergency room for diagnostic tests. You should tell the doctor about any symptoms you have, even if they seem insignificant. Follow up with your doctor, take off your prescription medication, and keep all of your medical records. Doing so will help you prove that the truck accident caused her injuries when you make a claim for compensation.
Determining Liability in a Tractor Trailer Accident
If you are injured in a semi-truck accident, there are two main ways to obtain compensation for your injuries. First, you can pursue a claim for compensation through the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Truck drivers have commercial auto insurance policies in most cases. If you can prove that the truck driver’s negligence caused the accident, you can obtain compensation through an insurance settlement.
You also have the option to pursue compensation through a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver or drivers. In both of these scenarios, you will need to prove that the at-fault party caused the truck accident. There may be multiple parties who are liable for damages depending on the facts in your case. You may be able to recover compensation from one or more of the following:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The shipping company
- The truck manufacturer
- A broker
- A third-party individual who may have contributed to the truck accident
Why You Need an Attorney on Your Side
Serious truck accidents involving semi trucks, 18-wheelers, big rigs, tractor trailers, and other large vehicles are typically complicated. Even though a commercial vehicle will probably have a high-value insurance policy, they may also have teams of attorneys prepared to avoid paying out a settlement to victims. If you decide to pursue compensation, you need an attorney who can evaluate the fax near case, determine who is liable, and develop a strategy for aggressively pursuing compensation.
What to Do After Being Injured in a Semi Accident
Being seriously injured in a truck accident can be a jarring and stressful experience. The last thing on your mind may be pursuing a lawsuit for compensation. You may feel confused and shaken up. However, one of the most important things you can do is remain calm and think about what you need to do to preserve your compensation claim. The first thing you need to do is call 911 and request an ambulance and a police officer. The police officer will be able to write a police report that can be valuable as you tried to claim compensation. If the paramedics suggest that you go to the hospital, follow their advice.
If you can safely do so, gather information about the trucker, the company they work for, and their insurance company. Obtain contact information for witnesses to the accident. Do not talk about the accident with the truck driver or anyone else involved because anything you say could be used against you. Use your phone to take photos of the accident and write down everything you remember, including the date, time, weather conditions, location, and other important details immediately before, during, or after your crash.
Reach Out to an Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer Today
If you or your loved one have been seriously injured in a truck accident in Atlanta, attorney James Rice is here to help. After carefully reviewing your case, he will help you understand your legal options. He has a proven track record of recovering millions of dollars of compensation for clients like you. The sooner you reach out, the sooner he can begin developing a legal strategy to obtain the compensation you deserve. Contact Rice McGowan & Brandt, today to schedule your free initial consultation.
