In a truck accident, victims often face more severe injuries compared to the driver of the truck. When it comes time to pay for medical bills or deal with the effects the accident has on their day-to-day lives, these victims often need substantial compensation so they can afford their treatments and get their lives back on track. That is where we come in.
Our attorneys can help you and your family get compensation for the injuries you faced, as well as the other economic effects and lost wages the accident caused you. We can fight truckers and the trucking companies they work for to get you fair compensation for your injuries.
For a free review of your injury case, call the truck accident lawyers at Howe Law now at (844) 876-4357.
Injuries for Truck Accident Victims in Brookhaven, GA
Victims of truck crashes can face serious injuries. Nearly any injury can happen in a trucking accident, and the massive size and weight of a tractor-trailer often means that it is the occupants of smaller cars, trucks, and SUVs that face injuries, not the truck driver.
If you were involved in a collision, you could face any injury, from cuts and scrapes to broken bones to internal injuries and even severe spinal cord injuries and brain injuries that could leave you with life-long disabilities. Even in accidents that might not seem too severe, like low-speed or rear-end crashes, victims can face back injuries and whiplash injuries that might still leave them with long-term discomfort or force them to miss time at work.
Broken bones, cuts, scrapes, lacerations, and other injuries like these might often seem mild or moderate, but severe forms of these injuries – or a combination of many mild injuries – can leave you laid up and unable to go back to work for days or weeks while you heal.
In any case, our truck accident lawyers might be able to help you get compensation for the injuries you faced and any medical expenses and care needs that stem from the injury.
Getting Compensation for Truck Accident Injuries in Brookhaven, GA
After a crash, you can often sue the truck driver and the trucking company for injuries. While many drivers might turn to an insurance claim, that might not cover their injuries in full. Georgia uses a “fault” insurance system, which means that the at-fault driver’s insurance covers the crash, but it also means there is usually no restriction on your right to go to court if you need to. That means that filing both an insurance claim and a lawsuit could be the best route, as it gives you a chance to use a neutral court to decide your case if the insurance company is not being fair to you.
When you sue for compensation or file an insurance claim, you need to prove that the other driver was at fault before damages can be issued. This means showing that they committed a violation of traffic laws, trucking regulations, or simple safe-driving practices. When it comes to civil injury cases, speeding, failing to check their blind spots, drunk driving, or even violating hours of service regulations for truckers can all be considered violations for the purposes of a lawsuit.
In many cases, you can sue the trucker alongside the trucking company they work for. If they are an employee at a company, then that trucking company can be held liable in place of the driver. This only applies when the crash occurs within the trucker’s duties and scope of their employment; accidents during joy rides or personal errands would not typically allow a lawsuit against the driver’s employer.
Trucking companies can also be sued as a separate party if their own actions or inactions contributed to the crash. This happens in cases where the trucking company allowed equipment issues to go unnoticed or was responsible for negligent hiring or retention practices that kept a dangerous driver on staff.
In cases where truckers are self-employed owner-operators or work as independent contractors, the trucking company usually cannot be sued, and the driver and their commercial driver’s insurance will pay for your injuries.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Brookhaven, GA
Trucking accidents can be caused by a number of different factors. Speeding is often an important factor in causing a crash, as is driver inattention. These, along with equipment issues, are some of the most common causes of truck accidents.
Along with these causes, truck accidents can happen because of problems with the weight or loading of the truck. Trucks are supposed to be loaded a certain way, with best practices and official federal trucking regulations requiring tie-downs and proper weight distribution. If the weight is distributed wrong or cargo shifts during transit, the truck could sway, potentially “fishtailing” into other lanes. In serious cases, the truck can “jackknife” and fold on itself, essentially crashing into its own trailer and causing a bigger pileup.
Drivers also succumb to fatigue after hours on the road and might even use drugs or alcohol to try to keep themselves “buzzed” and alert. Tired driving, drunk driving, and drugged driving are all dangerous.
Additionally, bored drivers might try to use their phones or text and drive, which is also illegal. This and other distracted driving are common causes of truck accidents, too.
Call Our Truck Accident Lawyers for Help with Your Case
If you have been injured in a truck crash, reach out to the truck accident lawyers from Howe Law today for a free case review by calling (844) 876-4357.
