Every road accident is distressing, but when trucks are involved, the stakes are higher. Such accidents can leave a substantial emotional and financial toll on those involved.
Collisions with semi-trucks and other large commercial vehicles are often fatal for the occupants of smaller vehicles. The average semi-truck is 20-30 times heavier than a passenger vehicle and has a ground clearance high enough for cars to slide underneath. This means that even at slow speeds, the occupants of passenger vehicles are greatly exposed.
Full and proper compensation for damages from a truck accident requires an experienced legal team. These accidents can be legally complex and give rise to substantial rights to compensation. If you’ve been involved in such an accident, take your time in finding the right truck wreck lawyer in Georgia. Just remember, in Georgia, you have a two-year window to make your claim.
Why Truck Accidents Are More Serious
Unlike auto accidents, where injuries can be minor, truck wrecks often cause severe and fatal injuries. Even low-speed collisions with a commercial truck can result in the need for immediate and long-term medical care. While truck drivers can also sustain injuries, occupants of the smaller vehicle usually suffer more seriously, with brain trauma, spinal cord damage, and fatality being common outcomes. According to NHTSA, 72% of fatalities in accidents between passenger vehicles and trucks occur among the occupants of the smaller vehicle.
The Complexity of Truck Accident Cases
Truck accidents happen due to various factors. Some of them directly relate to the driver’s actions, like speeding, driver fatigue, insufficient following distance, and sobriety. Others, such as cargo weight and size, safety equipment, and scheduling, may fall under the purview of the trucking company or other entities.
Accidents involving trucks are more complex than regular car crashes due to specific laws regulating commercial trucking. Building a case that places liability on the trucker, the trucking company, or others in the chain of responsibility requires expert knowledge of federal and state regulations.
But proving cause and liability in truck accidents requires more than just regulatory knowledge. Your personal injury lawyer must also:
- Understand the physics of collision dynamics.
- Conduct a thorough investigation into all aspects of the accident.
- Have the case experience needed to establish a robust path of liability that can withstand legal scrutiny in court.
These steps require an involved process, which includes analyzing the truck’s black box data, driver logs and maintenance records.
Truck Accident Liability Isn’t Always on the Driver
Liability isn’t always solely on the truck driver, even if it initially appears that way. Issues like unrealistic delivery schedules, poorly secured loads, or equipment failure may be the responsibility of people who were a thousand miles away from the incident. This complex network of involvement requires a thorough investigation to identify all responsible parties.
What makes securing compensation even more difficult is that trucking companies and drivers are typically well-prepared with legal representation and insurance to minimize their liabilities. If a trucking company insurance representative arrives on the scene, make no statements. If you are not evenly prepared, you may see little if any of the compensation you deserve.
Seeking Justice and Compensation in Truck Accident Cases
The legal complexities of a truck accident, coupled with the substantial right to compensation it can give rise to, mean you can’t take any chances on your legal representation. If you’re looking for a truck wreck lawyer in Georgia, you want an experienced attorney with a proven track record.
At Lourie, Chance, Forlines, Carter & King, PC, our truck wreck lawyers in Georgia have long experience of pursuing claims against trucking companies, cargo companies and even vehicle part manufacturers. With offices in Atlanta (Two Premier and Druid Hills), Columbia and Augusta, we serve clients throughout Georgia, including Savannah, Columbus, Decatur and more. Our team will leave no stone unturned in preparing your case. See our website for more information about how we protect your interests in a truck accident, and read our blog on truck accidents. Call Lourie, Chance, Forlines, Carter & King, PC at 470-380-0582, or schedule a risk and cost-free case evaluation online. Our team of experienced personal injury attorneys await your call.