Atlanta is a vital hub of commerce, with thousands of trucks and semi-trailer trucks making their way through the city each year. With the number of trucks on the road, devasting accidents are more likely to occur. The injuries you suffer in a truck accident can be catastrophic and often requires expensive treatment.
A truck accident can happen for many reasons, and multiple parties could be responsible for your injuries. Fortunately, an Atlanta truck accident attorney can be helpful when deciding if a lawsuit is the appropriate next step to recover compensation. How your accident occurred will significantly impact who could be held liable in a lawsuit.
If you were injured in a truck accident, our Atlanta truck accident attorneys can help you recover compensation from the responsible parties. For a free case assessment, call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Atlanta, GA
There are many reasons truck accidents happen in Atlanta. Establishing how your truck accident occurred will help determine who should be named in your lawsuit. Our Atlanta truck accident attorneys can review the facts of your case to identify the exact cause of your truck accident.
Driving in a Truck’s No-Zone
Many accidents happen when a driver is in the truck driver’s no-zone. The no-zones are the various blind spots around the truck. Trucks have many areas that are not visible to the driver because of the truck’s size and the length of the trailer they are towing. Sometimes these no-zones can encompass entire lanes of traffic, depending on the truck’s size. No-zone accidents can be terrible or even fatal as the truck driver might not know you are there before it is too late.
Speeding
Speeding is an all-too-common cause of truck accidents in Atlanta. Speeding trucks are highly dangerous, and the accidents they cause can be deadly. Speeding truck drivers might not be able to stop in time to avoid an accident and are more likely to jackknife and rollover. Fortunately, most trucks contain black boxes that record logistical data for the vehicle, including its speed.
Driver Fatigue, Distraction, and Impairment
Tight schedules and long shipping routes can lead to accidents caused by a truck driver’s fatigue. A fatigued driver will usually have a slow reaction time and might not make the best decisions when reacting to an emergency.
Distracted drivers can also cause serious accidents. GPS, radio communications, and eating are just a few things that can distract a driver while on their route.
Another cause of truck accidents is driver impairment. Like any other driver, truck operators must not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Some truck drivers feel compelled to take certain drugs to keep them awake and driving. But these substances can seriously affect a driver’s ability to operate their truck safely.
Failure to Properly Inspect and Maintain a Truck
Drivers and trucking companies are responsible for maintaining their vehicles so they are safe on the road. State and federal laws require drivers and companies to document routine maintenance checks and make the necessary repairs. Companies and drivers should check brakes, steering, tires, mirrors, and many other systems as part of their inspections.
Improper Loading
Improperly loaded cargo can cause significant accidents. Cargo that is not loaded properly can shift in transit, making the truck incredibly difficult for the driver to control. If the cargo is exposed to others on the road, the improper use of cargo straps can cause the cargo to come loose, with devastating results.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Truck Accident in Atlanta, GA
There are many parties responsible for the transportation of a product. The truck driver is just one party in a long chain of those that could be liable for your injuries.
Truck Driver
Many accidents are the result of truck driver negligence. Speeding, driving under the influence, and improper lane changes are just a few examples of how a driver can negligently cause an accident. Truck drivers can also be liable for not inspecting their vehicles and addressing any necessary repairs that need to be made.
Driver’s Trucking Company
The trucking company can also be held liable in certain circumstances. Like the driver, trucking companies must inspect and maintain their trucks. However, trucking companies can also be held liable under a legal theory known as vicarious liability. Employers are vicariously liable for the negligent acts of their employees if they were done during the normal course of their work. This can usually be shown if the truck driver was negligent during delivery or other normal job functions. Negligence can also be shown if they violate traffic laws or state/federal trucking regulations to cause the accident.
Trailer Owner
There are many situations where an accident is caused by an issue with the trailer being towed. Many trailers are owned by third-party companies, not the drivers or trucking companies. Thus, trailer owners must inspect and maintain their trailers for any defects. That does not mean that the driver and trucking company are not also possibly liable for the trailer. It simply provides another means of recovering compensation, if available.
Manufacturers of Defective Truck Parts
There are many parts and systems that are built into modern trucks. These parts are usually designed and manufactured by entirely different parties than the trucking company or its driver. If a truck accident is caused by a defective truck part, the designer or manufacturer could be held accountable for the injuries their dangerous parts caused.
Trucking Company’s Insurance Provider
Georgia law also allows truck accident victims to file what is known as a direct-action lawsuit. A direct-action lawsuit permits you to name the truck driver’s commercial insurance as a defendant in your lawsuit. Also, a direct-file lawsuit can be filed separately from your trucking accident lawsuit. Our Atlanta truck accident attorneys can help you determine if multiple parties should be held responsible for causing your injuries.
Our Atlanta, GA Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, our dedicated Atlanta truck accident attorneys are ready to provide you with a free case review. Contact Howe Law today at (844) 876-4357.
