Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer

The severity of an accident and its aftermath is often determined by the size and velocity of the vehicles involved. For these reasons, someone who has been injured in an accident involving a truck, tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler, or another large commercial vehicle will be at much higher risk for serious injury than if they were in an accident with another car. Knowing when to reach out to an Atlanta truck accident lawyer can help make sure that you have the resources available to get on the road to recovery as soon as possible.

WHEN SHOULD I CALL AN ATLANTA TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER?

The laws and regulations governing commercial truck drivers, the maintenance of their vehicles, and the conditions under which they can drive are more expansive than typical vehicular laws regulating non-commercial drivers. This means that anyone who has been injured in a truck accident involving a commercial vehicle will need to undergo a more complex process to receive a thorough investigation and ultimately compensation.

With this in mind, you should call an Atlanta truck accident lawyer as soon as you can following an accident involving one of these commercial trucks. A lawyer with experience in these specific kinds of cases will be able to get the case moving quickly and know how to navigate filing a personal injury claim.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A TRUCK ACCIDENT?

Following an accident involving a commercial truck, both the driver and the vehicle will be subject to investigation to see if there was a violation of any regulations regarding the conduct of the driver or the safety of the vehicle.

An investigation will look into possible causes for the accident that may be traced back to the driver’s negligence:

• Driver fatigue– If the driver had not gotten the requisite amount of sleep between trips, it could be a violation.
• Driver distractedness– A driver who is looking at a cell phone or otherwise inattentive to the road is a liability.
• Driver impairment– If the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, it would be a huge liability.

The investigation will likely also look into the business practices of the company overseeing the driver’s employment:

• Irresponsible incentive programs– Some companies that use commercial trucks will reward drivers for faster delivery times, but these policies can promote dangerous behavior such as speeding or passing when it is not safe.
• Insufficient training– Companies are responsible for ensuring their drivers have the training necessary to take to the road safely.

Investigations may also explore the truck itself for potential causes:

• Overloading– If the driver was carrying a load that exceeded the truck’s recommended capacity, it could be a liability.
• Poor maintenance– Faulty brakes, steering components, or other mechanical issues may be part of the cause of the accident.
• Construction flaws– The truck itself may have a faulty design or construction flaw, pointing liability to the original manufacturer.

In some cases, there may be a combination of these factors that contributed to the accident.

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON TRUCK ACCIDENT INJURIES?

A truck accident can be particularly devastating because of the speed and size of the vehicles involved. Here are the most common injuries a victim may sustain during a truck accident:

WHIPLASH

Whiplash is the colloquial term for an injury sustained when the neck moves back and forth very rapidly. It can be a painful condition that impairs function and mobility with long-lasting impacts.

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

When a person is in a high-impact accident, they are at risk for traumatic brain injury, which occurs when the brain is subject to a forceful blow. The traumatic impacts of these kinds of injuries can be long-lasting and multi-faceted, impacting not only physical abilities, but cognitive ones as well.

BROKEN BONES

Any high-impact accident has the potential to cause broken bones. Ribs, vertebrae, arms, legs, hands, and feet are all common sites of bone breaks during truck accidents. These injuries may require surgery and/or long recovery times to restore mobility and function.

INTERNAL INJURIES

The soft tissue and organs of the body may sustain internal injury during an accident. These injuries are not always immediately obvious and will require medical examinations to fully understand and treat.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MY TRUCK ACCIDENT INJURIES?

The responsibility for the injuries sustained in a truck accident can vary.

Like any accident investigation, your own driving behavior will be subject to review. If you are found to not be at fault for the accident, then the responsibility can lie in a variety of places. The truck driver, the company that oversees the driver, any party responsible for training of the driver, any party responsible for overseeing the safety and maintenance of the truck, and the original truck manufacturer may all face liability.

It is possible that a case involving a truck accident will have more than one defendant as multiple parties may be found liable for the damages.

TOP-RATED ATLANTA TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER NEAR YOU

As you can see, the details of a truck driving accident are often more complex than an accident involving non-commercial vehicles. Contacting a top-rated Atlanta truck accident lawyer will give you the tools you need to insist on a full and thorough investigation that brings the cause of the accident to light and holds those liable responsible for the damage they’ve caused.

Reach out right away to schedule a free consultation.