Truck accidents are responsible for some of the most devastating injuries in Union City. Recovering compensation after being injured by a truck is often a complex process that can be stressful for victims trying to focus on recovering.
Fortunately, you can recover compensation for the damages caused by a negligent truck driver. Truck accidents occur for various reasons, but sometimes the cause is not so obvious. In many cases, more parties than just the driver will share the blame for your injuries. A trucker’s employer can often be held liable along with their employee. It is crucial to identify each negligent party, so vital compensation is not missed out on.
If you have been injured in a truck accident in Union City, our lawyers can help you hold the negligent parties responsible. Call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 for a free assessment of your case.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Union City, GA
Truck accidents tend to be very complex cases since it can be difficult to determine the exact cause of the accident. Many truck accidents stem from some form of truck driver negligence, like speeding or getting distracted. In other cases, determining the cause is much more challenging. It could require expert testimony to establish in a lawsuit, such as if your accident were caused by poorly secured cargo. Regardless of how you were injured by a truck in Union City, our lawyers can help you recover compensation for the damages you sustained.
Speeding
Speeding is a leading cause of accidents involving trucks in Union City. It gets more difficult to control a vehicle the faster it goes, and this is especially true for most commercial trucks. Most trucks are large so that they can carry large amounts of cargo, making them incredibly heavy. If they are speeding, it will be difficult to keep within their lane and is much more likely to cause a rear-end collision. Trucks traveling at high speeds will not only need more space to stop but are more likely to cause catastrophic injuries if an accident does occur.
Distracted Driving
Accidents caused by distracted driving have risen as more and more technology has made its way into most trucks. Many trucks now have sophisticated communications and GPS systems installed that can easily distract a truck driver at the wrong moment. In addition, trucker drivers can get distracted by more mundane tasks, like eating behind the wheel. Distracted truck drivers are much more likely to cause serious injuries from their carelessness. The following are some common examples of the conduct that tends to distract truck drivers in Union City:
- Entering information into a GPS
- Texting
- Talking on the phone or radio
- Eating or drinking
- Viewing social media
- Changing the radio station
If a distracted truck driver injured you, it could be possible to recover evidence that clearly illustrates their negligence. For example, suppose a trucker was texting or posting on their social media accounts when an accident occurred. In that case, our lawyers can obtain records during discovery that show their posts were made at the same time your accident happened.
Fatigued Driving
Tired truck drivers account for many accidents in Union City. Many truck drivers are forced to work long hours and are pushed to drive for long periods of time to meet an increasingly demanding shipping schedule. However, The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has set standards for how long truckers can be on the road before taking a break for a specified period. Unfortunately, some trucking companies disregard federal and state rules and can be held liable if their drivers cause an accident while driving long hours. The law requires trucking companies and drivers to keep detailed shipping logs, which our lawyers can obtain in your lawsuit to prove a trucking company’s negligent practices.
Improperly Loaded Cargo
Lastly, improperly loaded cargo is a type of accident particular to trucks. Devastating accidents can occur when cargo is negligently loaded. Cargo will begin to shift within the trailer if not it is not stored in direct contact with each other, which can easily cause a truck driver to lose control of the vehicle. In the most catastrophic examples, a truck will jackknife, in which the trailer turns perpendicular to the direction of travel. These types of accidents can also occur if properly rated tie-downs are not used to secure the cargo.
Determining who to sue for an accident caused by improperly loaded cargo can be difficult since the driver will likely be responsible. Still, if another company loaded the cargo, they could also be held liable. Our lawyers are ready to help you recover compensation if a negligent truck driver injures you.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Union City, GA Truck Accident
As mentioned, lawsuits for injuries caused by truck accidents can be challenging because it is not always obvious who should be held responsible. In most cases, the truck driver will be named in your lawsuit since it is likely that their conduct caused or at least contributed to causing your injuries. However, a negligent trucker’s employer can usually be sued, as well.
If a truck driver caused an accident while on the job and working within the normal scope of their job duties, the trucking company that employs them can be held vicariously liable. A trucking company can also be held directly responsible for its own negligence if it can be shown that it hired or retained a driver it knew to be dangerous or had a history of reckless driving.
Many truck accidents involve multiple vehicles. It is possible that several parties could have been negligent in causing the accident and can be sued. For instance, if a trucker was speeding when they were cut off by another driver, causing the truck to crash into you, each party can be held liable for their share of the accident. Our attorneys can review your case to ensure that every party responsible for your damages is identified and named in your lawsuit.
Our Union City, GA Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help
If you were hurt in a truck accident in Union City, seek support from our lawyers to recover the compensation you are entitled to. For a free case review, contact Howe Law today at (844) 876-4357.
