Due to the huge size and weight of semi-trucks and 18-wheelers on Woodstock roads, even small accidents involving these vehicles can cause extreme damage and injuries, even deaths. Because of the risk, truck drivers have a huge responsible to drive safely and carefully on the roads. When a truck accident happens, it’s usually the other party or parties involved—such as a car driver or passenger, cyclist, or a pedestrian—who get injured. If you or someone you love was a victim of a truck accident, you shouldn’t have to bear the financial and emotional burden alone. You need to speak with a Woodstock semi-truck & 18-wheeler accident lawyer today.
Our attorneys are well-versed in trucking accidents and the intense aftermath that often results from then. We regularly work with cases that are extreme and complicated, and we know how to help. We’re always on the side of the victims, and we bring more than two decades of experience on these types of cases to the table. Let us give you a FREE consultation to discuss your situation and help you move forward. Call us today at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right for your FREE consultation.
Who is liable in a truck accident in Woodstock?
Fault is complex when it comes to a truck accident in Georgia. The liability could fall on a number of parties, including:
- The truck driver if the accident was caused by their negligence (carelessness) on the road
- The trucking company that owns the semi or 18-wheeler
- The maintenance company that worked on the truck, if the vehicle wasn’t properly maintained before the accident
- The manufacturer of parts for the truck, if one was found to be defective and it led to the accident
When determining liability, the details about what led to the accident matter. Some of the most common reasons Georgia truck accidents happen can include:
- Driver fatigue: Truck drivers are unfortunately often pressured to drive and work long hours so they can reach their destinations faster. This can lead them to not follow trucking company’s guidelines for taking breaks or sleeping in order to meet deadlines. And not sleep enough can lead to falling asleep at the wheel or making simple mistakes due to fatigue. Truck drivers in the United States are usually not monitored, so they can easily not follow rules and end of fatigued behind the wheel.
- Dangerous driving choices: If a truck driver is in a hurry to meet a deadline, they may drive too fast or too carelessly, leading to an accident with other vehicles on the road. They may also try to load their cargo too heavily or ignore traffic signs or rules, such as missing a stop sign. In other cases, a passenger vehicle driver could follow the truck too closely or stay in a truck’s blind spot, leading to an accident.
Other unsafe driving decisions include driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, going too fast on a highway or when weather conditions are bad, or driving recklessly out of anger on the road.
- Truck part defects: If a semi-truck or 18-wheeler was not properly maintained or cheaply made, it may have defects that lead to accidents when out on the highway. Trucking companies are responsible for getting the proper maintenance required to fix any defects and avoid dangerous problems.
- Drivers that don’t follow safety deadlines: Truck drivers in the U.S. are required to follow Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) guidelines to keep their vehicles upgraded with the latest technology. Unfortunately, trucking agencies don’t always enforce these standards or incentivize corporations to upgrade their vehicles, which can result in accidents.
Whether the accident is caused by a truck driver’s negligence or the trucking corporation not keeping up with maintenance or upgrades or forcing their drivers to work too much, the responsible party should be held accountable for their actions that endangered other drivers.
How can a truck accident lawyer help me?
An experienced semi-truck & 18-wheeler accident attorney can help you file a lawsuit to hold guilty drivers or corporations liable for the damage they caused you while getting you the financial compensation you deserve. They can also help you with the investigation process needed to prove fault in the truck accident.
During the investigation, your lawyer will use a number of a techniques like:
- Analyzing the accident scene, police reports, witness statements, and any photographs taken (this is why you should also call your lawyer and document as much as you can after the accident occurs)
- Investigating the truck driver’s licensing and credentials
- Looking at vehicle maintenance logs for the involved truck
- Seeing if the driver followed all traffic laws leading up to the accident
- Looking for any manufacturing defects that may have led to the crash
After your lawyer investigates through the steps above, they’ll work to process your claim and prepare for negotiation of your case. Truck accident lawsuits can take a significant amount of time to process and complete, but an experience attorney can make it as smooth as possible. And if the truck driver or trucking company is found to have been negligent in the accident, the time will be worth it.
Talk to a Woodstock Semi-Truck & 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer for Free
If you were injured in an accident with a truck, having the law on your side can help you recover the money you deserve for the injuries and damage you suffered. Our car accident attorneys know how to work personal injury or wrongful death cases following a truck accident, and we’re always on your side. We’d love to give you a FREE consultation to speak with one of our lawyers and determine your next steps. Call us today at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to your ride for your FREE consultation.