Truck Accident

Spend any time driving through Georgia, and you’ll find that semi trucks dominate the city’s roads. These drivers are trained to handle their vehicles safely and properly, but unfortunately, their training is not always consistent. Accidents happen, and when those accidents involve passenger vehicles, the results are often tragic.

It all comes down to simple physics. Passenger vehicles weigh around 3,000 to 5,000 pounds. Semi trucks, on the other hand, weigh up to 80,000 pounds when they’re fully loaded. When this massive vehicle hits a much smaller car, it will almost always cause catastrophic damage. That means accidents with semi-trucks can result in terrible and, often, fatal injuries.

In 2014, there were 1,631 vehicles involved in fatal accidents. Of those vehicles, 135 were semi trucks. Whether a truck accident results in injuries or results in death, victims and their families have legal rights. One such right is being able to seek compensation.

Trucking companies often hire highly experienced lawyers to help them get out of any liability for injuries incurred in a collision. That’s why it’s so important to speak with an truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after a wreck. Contact LawyerUp now to consult an experienced truck accident attorney.

Truck accidents can be caused by the actions of a trucker, the actions of other drivers or, in rare instances, natural causes. When truck drivers themselves cause the accident, they may do so because they were being inattentive, were speeding, had poor training, or they were just tired. Though federal regulations do mandate that drivers rest for a certain amount of time, tight deadlines mean drivers often ignore these rules.

When other drivers cause the accident, it’s very often because they were in the truck’s no-zone. No-zones are the massive blind spots in front, behind and along the sides of the truck. When drivers linger in the no-zones, trucks may brake or change lanes without being able to see the other vehicles near them. Driving too closely in front of a truck or suddenly cutting them off is especially dangerous since big rigs have difficulty stopping quickly due to their weight.

In some cases, weather and road conditions may cause semi trucks to wreck. However, this is much less common than the above causes.

If you are considering filing a personal injury lawsuit after a truck accident, you may believe that the truck driver is solely at fault for the wreck. However, there are multiple parties that may be held liable. Working with your truck accident attorney in Georgia, you may be able to name multiple defendants in your lawsuit, which may increase your chances of getting the full compensation you deserve.

The driver, of course, could be held liable if they made a mistake that caused the wreck. For instance, if they lost control of their rig because they were driving too fast along a curve, that’s a mistake on their part. The same could be said if they were checking their social media messages while they were driving. If the driver is an employee of a trucking company and not an independent contractor, their employer may also be held liable.

While truck drivers often own their truck, in some cases, they don’t. The owner of the truck is responsible for maintenance and upkeep of the vehicle. If the owner did not properly maintain the semi truck, and that lack of maintenance caused the wreck (such as the brakes failing), the owner may be held liable. The same applies to companies who lease out trucks to drivers and their employers.

Finally, if the truck suffers a mechanical error due to the way it was manufactured, such as a chassis that malfunctions at weights under which it’s rated, the manufacturer could be held liable.

Semi-trucks are not the only commercial vehicles with which you can get into a wreck. However, these accidents often result in the most severe injuries and damage. If you’ve been in a wreck with a big rig, you have legal options. A semi-truck accident attorney can help you figure out what your best next steps are.

After the wreck, you may get a settlement offer from the insurance company. It’s important to know that you don’t have to accept that offer. An experienced lawyer can review your case for free and help you decide whether it’s worth pursuing further compensation. However, once you accept that offer, you forfeit your right to seek greater damages.

Before accepting any settlement offer you receive, speak to an experienced truck accident lawyer. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation by reaching out to LawyerUp today!