An Experienced Georgia Truck Accident Lawyer

Driving on most major highways across Georgia is a different experience than it once was as the freedom of the road, and its relative safety has been negatively impacted by an increasing number of trucks. Semi-trucks and 18-wheelers are gigantic vehicles that are driven by employees who may be overworked or drowsy, pushed to the limit to meet deadlines in support of their employer’s profit margins. Often, these circumstances result in accidents.

Accidents between traditional motor vehicles and large trucks often involve more serious injuries than those involving only passenger vehicles, as trucks are heavier, taller, and more difficult to maneuver. If you have been injured in a trucking accident, you could have a claim to recover compensation for your injuries. A Georgia truck accident lawyer from Michael M. Day Law Firm, LLC can help you determine if you have a claim and how much it might be worth.

Large Trucks and Buses are a Leading Cause of Motor Vehicle Crash Injuries and Fatalities

Data collected from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) determined that in 2020 alone, there were 4,998 large trucks involved in fatal accidents, while there were 120,000 accidents involving large trucks that resulted in injuries. There were 327,000 large truck accidents that resulted in property damage alone during this year as well. Between 2009-2020, the number of injury crashes that large trucks rose from 60,000 to 108,000, exhibiting the growing dangers associated with large trucks on the road.

Due to their greater weight and size, trucks are unable to respond to changes in road conditions and other demands as quickly as other vehicles. This can lead to rear-end collisions in which the larger trucks collide with smaller passenger vehicles, resulting in the likelihood of significant injury to the occupants of the passenger vehicle.

Truck Rollover Accidents Lead to Serious Injuries and Fatalities for the Occupants of Passenger Vehicles

The drivers of large trucks have an increased level of responsibility to other drivers on the road, given the greater height and weight of trucks. These factors make the trucks more likely to drive over a passenger vehicle in the event of an accident, pinning the passenger vehicle beneath the weight of the truck. It also leads to significantly greater rates of serious injury and death for the occupants of the passenger vehicle and highlights the importance of truck drivers being safe and responsible in their driving.

Falling Cargo from Trucks Cause Accidents

If you have been injured in a trucking accident caused by falling cargo, you may have a claim for your damages. Falling cargo is often a result of cargo being ineffectively secured, typically by an employee of the trucking company. When the actions of a trucking company caused your injuries, you should be able to file a claim against their insurance company to recover the damages associated with your injuries. At this point, you might be wondering, how do you prove the cause of a trucking accident? The key is evidence.

Evidence Determines When Safety Procedures Were Not Followed

Identifying the cause behind why the semi-truck or 18-wheeler hit you is essential to recovering compensation for your damages. This is possible through the collection of evidence, including work records and police reports, as well as the use of legal instruments, including requests for production and depositions. Having the truck driver questioned by a Georgia truck accident lawyer in a deposition is important to understand whether they were being overworked or if the truck they were driving was safety-checked before departing.

Determining the cause of the accident that led to your injuries and collecting the evidence needed for a successful case while trying to recover from your injuries can be difficult. Trucking companies often maintain careful records of their driver’s activities in support of tracking and profitability and this same information can be used to prove your case. The best way to ensure that all evidence possible is collected in support of your case is by working with a local Georgia truck accident lawyer.

Truck Drivers Must Drive Safely and Responsibly

Getting behind the wheel of a semi-truck or 18-wheeler is a big responsibility, which is why commercial truck drivers are required to obtain commercial driving licenses to demonstrate their ability to safely operate their monstrous vehicles. A Georgia truck accident lawyer can verify a truck driver has all the necessary credentials. However, even with the best training and skills, trucking accidents do happen.

Losing a Loved One to a Trucking Accident Can Entitle You to a Wrongful Death Claim

Under  Georgia Code Sec. 51-4-2, the following persons can bring a wrongful death action:

• The surviving spouse of a person killed in an accident
• The parent of a person killed in an accident
• A child or children of the deceased if there is no surviving spouse

The loss of a loved one entitles these family members to compensation that represents the “full value of the life of the decedent, as shown by the evidence.” Determining the full value of an individual’s life requires the calculation of their financial contributions in addition to their household contributions, emotional support, and other factors.

While no amount of money can bring a loved one back from a fatal accident, the purpose of a wrongful death action is to help minimize or eliminate the financial strain caused by the accident and resulting loss. To determine the value of your personal injury claim from a truck accident or what you could be entitled to through a wrongful death claim after the loss of a loved one, reach out to a local Georgia truck accident lawyer to explore the options available to you.

Connect with a Georgia Truck Accident Lawyer

Hurt in a truck accident? Reach out to our experienced Georgia truck accident lawyer at Michael M. Day Law Firm, LLC. You can reach us by calling (404) 480-4284 or via our website.