When truck accidents happen, there is a very good chance that anyone in other vehicles involved is going to get badly hurt. The sheer mass and weight of commercial trucks tend to stack the odds against the ordinary person driving their vehicle during their commute, on an errand, or for any other reason. Safety features can be rendered moot by the laws of physics, and occupants of vehicles hit by trucks often suffer serious injuries that require expensive medical care. All this can make a truck accident seem unfair and hopeless.
If you were in a truck collision near Acworth and do not know where to turn, we can help. Our attorneys have represented numerous clients injured in truck accidents, so we know how to deal with these cases in an effective, professional manner. We will not stop fighting until you get the justice and compensation you deserve or all legal avenues have been pursued.
To get a free analysis of your case from our truck accident attorneys, call Howe Law at the number (844) 876-4357.
Causes of Truck Crashes in Acworth, GA
There are many different reasons that a truck accident can happen. It is important to the success of your case to get to the bottom of what caused your accident because that informs who you ultimately take to court. Therefore, going over your case in detail with our attorneys to figure out the causes of your accident is a critical step in your lawsuit.
Driver Error
Many truck accidents are the result of a mistake the trucker makes. Not all truck drivers receive the proper training they need to drive trucks, so they may not be sufficiently familiar with operating large vehicles and consequently get in an accident.
Additionally, there is a real problem with truckers falling asleep at the wheel. Truckers work long hours and travel long distances. Moreover, they are incentivized to get their deliveries where they need to go as quickly as possible to either get off work faster or move on to the next delivery and get paid more. Accordingly, truckers may elect to stay behind the wheel longer than it is safe to do so. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has rules in place regarding how long a trucker is allowed to stay behind the wheel in one sitting. If a trucker violates these rules, they can open themselves up to liability in court if they cause an accident.
Finally, truckers can be negligent and cause accidents in the same ways any other driver can. Speeding, running red lights, aggressive driving, and other traffic infractions are just as dangerous in a ruck as they are in a regular sedan, so truck accidents can happen for those reasons.
Defective Vehicles
Sometimes, truck accidents happen because there is something wrong with the truck itself. In those cases, you can sue the truck designer or manufacturer for your injuries, depending on what entity is responsible for the defect that caused your accident.
Design defects are problems that are “baked into” the design of the vehicle. In other words, even if the truck is built “correctly,” it will still have a problem that leads to injury. Examples of design defects include poorly designed engines, creating an overall top-heavy vehicle that is likely to tip over, and suspensions that are not rated to withstand supporting a heavy vehicle like a truck.
Manufacturing defects, on the other hand, are the result of deviations from the expected design that will cause problems. Examples of manufacturing defects include faulty electrical wiring and improperly installed airbags.
Poor Road Conditions
Finally, some truck crashes are the result of unacceptable road conditions. Dangerous potholes, defective guardrails, and strewn-about debris can make trucks get into accidents that otherwise would not have happened.
When you file a lawsuit to get compensation for an accident allegedly caused by poor road conditions, there is a very good chance you are going to be suing a government entity. There are some different rules our truck accident lawyers may need to follow in those instances, so you should discuss that prospect with us when you explain your situation.
Compensation in Acworth, GA Truck Accident Lawsuits
The compensation you get from a successful truck accident lawsuit is called “damages.” Damages are how courts attempt to return plaintiffs to the condition they were in prior to the accident they were in happening. Depending on the extent of your injuries, turning back the clock on things may not be literally possible. Therefore, financial compensation gets used instead.
You can request damages for medical bills, lost income from your job, and damage to your vehicle. The way you show that you are owed these damages is through evidence like medical records, bills, receipts, and other physical proof of these injuries.
Also, you may be awarded damages to compensate you for things with less immediate tangible value. As an example, if you experience chronic pain because of your injuries, you can get financial compensation for that pain, even though something like “pain” will not have a receipt attached to it. Each case is different, so you will have to work with our lawyers to figure out what these kinds of damages are worth in your claim.
Finally, you can get what are called “punitive damages” if the defendant’s conduct is especially bad. Courts do not give out punitive damages in every case, so you should have a plan to seek them early on when you develop your claim with the help of our attorneys.
Speak to Our Truck Accident Attorneys from Acworth, GA About Your Case Now
Howe Law’s truck accident attorneys are ready to help you when you call us at (844) 876-4357.
