All vehicles tend to be large, but trucks and eighteen-wheelers take size to a new level. Accidents with trucks are some of the most dangerous, and you might be dealing with intense pain and steep financial costs from the crash.
Truck accidents happen in various ways depending on the circumstances surrounding the case. Jackknife accidents, head-on collisions, and rollover accidents are just a few possibilities, and all of them are seriously dangerous. Your attorney can help make sure the people who caused the accident, like the trucker, the truck company, or other driver, are held legally accountable for their negligence. To do this, we need to find evidence. Witnesses, truck records or logs, video footage, and more should be investigated.
Get a confidential case evaluation free of charge from our truck accident lawyers by calling Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
Different Kinds of Truck Collisions in Suwanee, GA
Trucks are not only large and heavy, but they are also complex vehicles that do not behave the same way as normal cars and trucks. An accident involving a truck might happen in a number of ways. How your accident happened might influence who we hold responsible and how our truck accident lawyers find evidence. Below are just a few examples of truck accidents that might be involved in your case.
Jackknife Accidents
A jackknife accident occurs when the trailer connected to the truck begins moving out of sync with the truck. Usually, the trailer will swivel around the hitch that connects it to the truck uncontrollably. A jackknife accident gets its name because the trailer and truck often form an L-shape like a folding knife.
These accidents tend to happen when truckers are speeding and suddenly hit the brakes. As the truck slows down, the trailer does not slow down at the same rate and swings out one way or the other. The trailer might crash into numerous other drivers, causing extensive damage and injuries.
Head-On Crashes
A head-on collision with a truck is many drivers’ worst nightmare. These kinds of accidents often result in some of the worst injuries and damage, especially when high rates of speed are involved. A head-on collision with a truck might occur when a truck is not where it is supposed to be. Maybe the trucker crosses the median somewhere they are not supposed to. Maybe the trucker somehow loses control of the truck and swerves into the opposite lane of traffic.
Rollover Truck Accidents
One of the most frightening things a driver might see on the road is a large truck tipped over on its side. This kind of accident does not happen often, but when it does, damages and injuries might be catastrophic. Trucks might roll right on top of unsuspecting drivers.
A rollover accident might be caused by improperly loaded cargo. Trucks usually haul very heavy cargo that must be loaded in a way that keeps the trailer balanced. If the trailer is loaded incorrectly, it loses balance and is more likely to tip or roll over if the trucker takes a turn too sharply or hits the brakes too hard.
Parties and People You Can Hold Responsible for a Truck Collision in Suwanee, GA
Truck accidents often involve numerous drivers and vehicles. It can be difficult to determine who is and is not responsible for the crash. Sometimes, only one person or party is responsible. Other times, multiple parties contributed to the accident. A lawyer can help you get to the bottom of this issue and keep your case moving forward.
The Trucker
Many investigations begin with an examination of the trucker. Often, truck drivers are directly responsible for causing crashes. Trucks are enormous and dangerous vehicles. If a trucker makes even a minor mistake, it could have dire consequences for everyone else on the road. Common examples of truck driver negligence include fatigued driving, speeding, and failing to check blind spots.
Fatigued driving is when truckers are way too tired to continue driving but do so anyway. This would not be the first time a trucker has fallen asleep at the wheel because they cannot or will not take rests as needed. Speeding is similarly dangerous. Since trucks are so heavy, they cannot stop very quickly. Many accidents happen because truckers are speeding and suddenly have to hit the brakes to avoid something in the road. On top of all that, blind spots on trucks are enormous. Truckers must be aware of their surroundings, always check their mirrors, and use blinkers when turning or changing lanes.
Trucking Companies
If we sue the trucker, we may also sue the business they work for. The trucking company may be held vicariously liable under a legal theory called respondeat superior. This means that if the employee, while acting within the scope of their job, negligently causes injuries, their employer may also be held responsible.
In some cases, truck companies are more directly responsible. For example, some companies impose such tight deadlines on their drivers that it becomes impossible for them to rest, making for extremely tired drivers on the road. These kinds of unsafe business practices are why truck companies should be held responsible when accidents happen.
Other Parties
A myriad of other people or entities might be involved in the accident. If other drivers caused the trucker to run off the road or swerve into traffic, those other drivers should be included in the lawsuit. If the trucker lost control because their brakes were defective and failed, the manufacturer of the faulty brakes may be included. We should talk to the investigating authorities to determine if other people might have contributed to the crash.
How to Find Evidence to Prop Up Your Claims in a Suwanee, GA Truck Accident Case
Truck drivers must often document various aspects of their trips for their employers. This might include when they stop for breaks, gas up, or pull over to sleep on long-haul trips. These logs might reveal important details about the truck driver that might be useful to your case.
We should also see if the truck was equipped with a black box recording device. These devices are similar to those on planes and record all kinds of data about a trucker’s driving. Speed, brake time, and how long the truck was on the road might all be recorded on the black box.
We live in the digital age, and cameras are a part of our everyday lives. There is a good chance your accident happened near a security camera or traffic camera. Someone could also have recorded the accident with a dashcam in their car. If such footage exists, it might be crucial to prove your claims.
Call Our Suwanee, GA Truck Accident Attorneys to Talk About Your Legal Options
Get a confidential case evaluation free of charge from our truck accident lawyers by calling Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
