You have the right to drive down Atlanta’s roads and highways safely. When reckless or negligent truck drivers operate their vehicles unsafely and cause a collision, you can hold them legally responsible for the costs of their choices.
Crashes caused by large trucks can be devastating and destructive ordeals. Trucks are much heavier than passenger cars. Big rigs can weigh up to 80 tons. In a crash, they can inflict severe damage to surrounding vehicles and the people inside.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, you need an attorney who knows Georgia’s large vehicle accident laws. Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. will make sure your right to fair compensation for your injuries is protected. Call us today at 770-282-8357 for a free evaluation of your case with one of our Atlanta truck accident attorneys.
Why You Need a Lawyer for a Truck Accident Case
Truck accidents can be complex and difficult affairs because of all the money involved. Trucks can be owned or employed by large concerns willing to defend their coffers to the hilt. The crashes can also cause catastrophic injuries, resulting in high medical bills and ongoing costs that the insurer should pay.
Determining negligence can be complicated because there may be parties other than the driver who at fault, like the trucking company or an equipment manufacturer. When millions of dollars in compensation and damages are at stake, the multiple insurance companies involved will fight hard to avoid costly payouts.
A lawyer can untangle all of these complications. It’s always a good idea to speak to an experienced lawyer before talking to insurance company representatives. You don’t want to risk saying something that could put your claim in jeopardy. A good accident attorney, like ours at Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C., is essential to a successful claim.
Why Hire Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C.?
Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. has been helping clients in Atlanta and throughout Georgia recover compensation from their injuries for thirty years. Our team of seasoned legal professionals understands Georgia accident law, so we’ve won money for our clients in the toughest of cases. You can read about some of our victories here.
Put our experience to work for you. We treat each client like a member of our own family and give their case the attention it deserves. When you hire our firm, your success will be our top priority.
Typical Causes of Truck Accidents
Some of the most common causes of truck accidents are extremely preventable. That’s why Georgia personal injury law allows you to seek compensation. The trucker or other responsible party should have prevented your crash, but they didn’t. They should pay for their negligence.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Large Truck Crash Causation Study found that the truck driver was contributed to 87% of the accidents they documented.
Some of the ways in which truck drivers cause truck crashes include:
- Fatigue – Commercial truck drivers often work long hours in order to make deadlines and fail to get the proper amount of rest. Federal law requires truckers to take regular breaks and limits the time they’re allowed to spend behind the wheel. Some carriers ignore these regulations and push their drivers in the pursuit of higher profits.
- Alcohol and drug use – Any driver that gets behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol or drugs poses a risk to others on the road. Driving drunk or impaired by drugs reduces the brain’s ability to react to changing traffic conditions, and can severely alter a driver’s balance and perception. This can cause the driver to behave erratically or fail to react in the moments before a crash.
- Speeding and reckless driving – Trucks are much bigger than the typical passenger car, and the largest of them require long distances to stop. Truck drivers are trained to use the specialized braking mechanisms that stop such heavy machines, but these safety features don’t make the trucks more maneuverable. Tailgating or moving in and out of a truck’s blind spots poses a serious risk of causing an accident, especially in bad weather or low visibility.
- Inadequate training – Large trucks require specialized knowledge and skills to operate safely. Drivers must learn how to operate the braking system, balance their loads properly, and react to the much smaller vehicles around them. A poorly trained driver can pose a serious risk to others on the road.
Besides driver error, mechanical failure can sometimes lead to a major accident. Commercial trucks are complex machines, so it’s essential that the mechanical equipment onboard is functioning properly. A defect in the braking system, the tires, the warning lights, or the trailer can cause a catastrophic and deadly accident.
Carriers are required to inspect their fleets regularly, but it’s easy to miss flaws, especially if the company doesn’t keep up with required maintenance. Inclement weather and low visibility can compound any of these problems and make an accident more likely.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
The injuries resulting from truck collisions are often more severe and life-threatening than those caused by ordinary car crashes. The machines’ massive weight means greater impacts and more damage to other vehicles. Drivers and passengers in a car may be maimed or killed.
Some of the most common injuries include:
- Lacerations, or deep cuts, from glass and metal debris
- Back and neck damage, such as whiplash
- Broken and fractured bones
- Burns and smoke inhalation from fire or hazardous chemicals
- Broken ribs, which can puncture the lungs and other internal organs
- Crushed arms and legs
- Injuries to vertebrae, sometimes leading to paralysis
- Head and brain trauma, which can cause permanent brain damage
It’s crucial to see a doctor as soon as possible after a crash. Never refuse medical care, even if you don’t think you need it. You may have hidden internal injuries that require urgent attention. You’ll need a doctor’s diagnosis to move forward with any claim for compensation based on your injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accidents
After being injured by a truck crash, you probably have a lot of questions. Your attorney can give you a better idea of the specifics of your case. Until you can ask your questions in a free consultation with Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C., here are some answers to the general truck crash questions to help.
How Long Do I Have to File an Insurance Claim or a Lawsuit?
The State of Georgia sets a statute of limitations of two years for most accidents. If a government agency was involved in the accident, the deadline might be short as six months. Get started with your claim as soon as possible by contacting a lawyer. Your attorney will need to conduct an investigation, which can take time. They’ll make sure you meet every deadline, whether set by the insurance company or by the courts.
How Long Will My Case Take to Resolve?
The answer to this question depends on a number of factors: the level of injury and other damages, negligence on the part of the drivers, and which other parties are involved. Truck accidents are often complicated. Several entities, including multiple insurance companies and the federal government, may need to complete investigations of the crash. The entire process may take between a few months and several years to be resolved.
How Do I Prove the Other Driver’s Negligence?
It’s important to hire an experienced truck accident attorney to perform a thorough investigation of the crash in order to prove negligence. They’ll analyze the facts of the accident, including the damage to vehicles and the environment. Then they’ll review the trucking company’s records to determine whether the driver had a history of poor driving or worked longer than allowed. Your attorney can synthesize this evidence, gather your medical records, and hire expert witnesses to make a solid case for the compensation you need for your hospital bills and other damages.
What Compensation Can I Expect After a Truck Accident?
The type and amount of compensation you receive will depend on the specifics of your case, such as the severity of your injuries and the level of negligence of the at-fault parties that caused the crash. Compensation can often come in the following forms:
- Payment to cover medical and hospitalization bills
- Reimbursement for prescription drugs and painkillers
- Wage repayment for time away from work
- Damages for mental and physical pain and suffering
- Replacement of damaged or destroyed property
- Long-term physical care and rehabilitation
- Loss of income in the case of a wage earner’s permanent disability
- Funeral or burial expenses, in the tragic case of a death
Your attorney will review how the crash has affected your life and the details of your accident to determine the level of compensation you should seek.
Talk to an Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer As Soon As Possible
If you or a loved one has just been injured in an Atlanta truck crash, your focus should be on what matters most: your recovery and your family’s well-being. Recovering from an accident is painful and stressful, so you need someone by your side who will work tirelessly to protect your rights.
You emerge from this experience as financially unaffected as possible so that you can move forward with your life. Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. has the experience in Georgia highway accident claims you need. We help people every day facing the same circumstances as you. If you were injured by a reckless or negligent truck driver, you could be owed significant compensation. Call us at 770-282-8357 today or fill out our contact form to set up a free consultation.