Truck accidents, while less frequent than car accidents, can cause much more severe and sometimes fatal consequences. The victims of such accidents are often left with extensive medical needs, resulting in overwhelming losses that can be difficult to cope with.
Fortunately, our team has extensive experience in holding truckers and their employers accountable for their actions. Trucking companies and their drivers are held to much higher standards than typical drivers and must observe a host of regulations. While gathering evidence can be challenging, our attorneys have been fighting for years for our clients’ rights against the trucking industry.
For a free case review with our Atlanta truck accident lawyers, contact Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
Potential Causes of Truck Accidents in Cartersville, GA
Truck accidents are not uncommon in Cartersville. These accidents can be caused by a range of factors. Fortunately, our experienced truck accident attorneys know how to determine liability in these complex cases. The following are the most common causes of truck accidents in Cartersville:
Truck Driver Error
Truck driver error is one of the most common causes of truck accidents. This can encompass a wide range of behaviors, including speeding, reckless driving, distracted driving, and driving under the influence. Fatigue also plays a significant role, as truck drivers often work long hours and might not take adequate breaks, leading to decreased alertness and slower reaction times.
Furthermore, some truck drivers might lack proper training or experience, resulting in errors in judgment or an inability to handle challenging road conditions. Because of the size and weight of the truck, what might seem like a minor mistake can quickly escalate into a serious accident.
Negligence Committed by a Trucking Company
While it is easy to place the blame solely on the truck driver, the trucking company can also be held responsible for an accident. For instance, if a trucking company fails to conduct proper background checks or hires drivers with a history of traffic violations, they might be held liable for negligent hiring practices.
Similarly, if a trucking company pressures its drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines, leading to excessive speed or insufficient rest periods, it could be held accountable for promoting unsafe driving practices. Additionally, failure to maintain its fleet of trucks adequately can also lead to accidents, making the company liable for negligence.
Defective Truck Parts
Defective truck parts are another common cause of truck accidents. This could include faulty brakes, steering components, tires, or any other part that contributes to the safe operation of the vehicle.
If a defect in a truck part leads to an accident, the manufacturer of the faulty part might be held liable under product liability laws. In such cases, it is essential to preserve the damaged vehicle as evidence, as expert analysis might be necessary to prove the existence and impact of the defect.
Other Negligent Drivers
Truck accidents can also be caused by the negligence of other drivers on the road. For example, a car driver might cut off a truck, not realizing that trucks require a longer distance to stop because of their size and weight.
Similarly, drivers who fail to respect a truck’s blind spots, follow too closely, or engage in other reckless behaviors can inadvertently cause a truck accident. In these situations, the negligent car driver might be held liable for the resulting damages.
Overloaded Cargo
Overloading a truck with cargo can significantly impact its stability and maneuverability, increasing the risk of an accident. An overloaded truck is more difficult to steer and requires a longer stopping distance, which can lead to severe collisions.
Moreover, improperly secured cargo can shift during transit, causing the truck to tip over or lose control. In such cases, the party responsible for loading the cargo might be held liable for any resulting accidents.
Compensation that Can Be Recovered in a Cartersville, GA Truck Accident Lawsuit
You could be entitled to considerable damages after being injured in a truck accident. The following is the compensation you can claim in a lawsuit:
Medical Bills
Medical expenses are one of the most significant costs that victims of truck accidents face. These costs include immediate medical care, such as emergency room visits, surgeries, and hospital stays. However, they also encompass future medical expenses, such as ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, and any necessary assistive devices.
In determining these costs, it is essential to consider not only past medical bills but also projected future medical needs. This often requires consultation with medical experts to accurately estimate the long-term impact of the injuries.
Lost Wages and Future Income
Lost wages represent another significant loss for truck accident victims. This includes income lost because of time off work for recovery and medical appointments. If the victim’s injuries prevent them from returning to their previous job or working in the same capacity, they might also be entitled to compensation for loss of future earning capacity.
Calculating lost future income can be complex, often requiring input from financial experts to account for factors like inflation, promotion prospects, and retirement benefits.
Physical Pain
Physical pain is a non-economic damage that compensates the victim for the physical discomfort and suffering caused by the accident. While these damages are more subjective and harder to quantify than economic damages, they often represent a significant part of the overall compensation.
In Georgia, there is no set formula for calculating pain and suffering damages. However, some attorneys use a “multiplier method,” where the total economic damages are multiplied by a certain number (typically between 1 and 5) based on the severity of the injury.
Emotional Suffering
Truck accidents can also lead to significant emotional distress, including conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. These emotional suffering damages compensate the victim for the psychological impact of the accident.
As with physical pain, quantifying emotional suffering can be challenging. Factors that might influence these damages include the severity of the mental anguish, the impact on the victim’s lifestyle, and the victim’s age and health prior to the accident.
Property Damage
Property damage is another common form of compensation in truck accident lawsuits. This includes the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the accident.
The amount of property damage compensation typically depends on the repair cost, the damaged property’s value, and whether the property was completely destroyed.
Punitive Damages
Finally, punitive damages might be awarded in cases where the defendant’s conduct was particularly reckless or egregious. Unlike other types of damages, designed to compensate the victim for their losses, punitive damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.
However, punitive damages are not awarded in every case, and specific legal standards must be met to justify this type of award.
Our Cartersville, GA Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help
Contact Howe Law by calling (844) 876-4357 for a free case analysis with our truck accident lawyers.
