By: Macon truck accident lawyer Jordan Josey, Georgia Super Lawyer, and Partner in McArthur Law Firm
Due to their substantial size and weight, truck accidents can result in severe injuries or fatalities for individuals in smaller vehicles. A fully loaded tractor-trailer rig can tip the scales at over 80,000 pounds, which is 20 times the weight of an average car or truck.
The latest data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) indicates that close to 14 million big commercial trucks are registered in the the United States, carrying billions of tons of goods daily. These large numbers are anticipated to increase in the future, as the demand for truck-related transportation is expected to increase following the COVID pandemic.
The FMCSA says that 17% of deadly crashes in the US involve big trucks or buses. These crashes don’t just kill truck drivers, but also put other drivers, walkers, and bikers in danger. About 71% of the people who die in these crashes are in other vehicles or walking.
The substantial dimensions and heaviness of commercial buses and trucks render them especially hazardous in case of a crash. Their immense size and weight can lead to disastrous destruction and serious injuries during accidents. Elements like driver exhaustion, over-speeding, inattentive driving, and inadequate upkeep can all play a part in the elevated frequency of deadly collisions involving these large vehicles.
It’s vital for everyone using the roads to be careful and obey traffic rules to avoid these devastating incidents. Furthermore, truck and bus drivers need to comply with stringent safety rules and receive appropriate training to guarantee their own safety and that of other road users. By collectively advocating for safe driving habits and awareness, we can contribute to decreasing the frequency of fatal accidents involving large trucks and buses in the United States.
Check out this blog post on large truck accident lawyer to understand the common reasons for these accidents and the strategies our eight truck accident lawyers at McArthur Law Firm in Macon employ to gather evidence and manage these important cases. Jessica Edmonds (show above) is a truck accident attorney in Macon who joined Mrs. McArthur’s legal team after law school over a decade ago.
One of our newer attorneys, Quintesha Reynolds, is fully involved in preparing these trucking cases at McArthur Law Firm for all stages of the litigation process. The Mercer University School of Law honors grad has immersed herself into trucking rules and regulations, to know when a driver has violated federal standards.
Different Types of Impacts in Trucking Accidents
- Making a right-hand turn: Truck drivers should be cautious when making right turns because they are tighter than left turns. If there isn’t enough room, trailers can swing the wrong way and hit other vehicles nearby. In addition, many of the pedestrian deaths occur during right turns, while the trucker’s visibility is altered, during these maneuvers.
- Back-end crashes: If a large truck hits a smaller vehicle from behind, the latter can be severely damaged due to the impact. Big trucks require more time and distance to decelerate, particularly in adverse weather conditions or at high velocities.
- Overturning: Heavy-duty commercial vehicles have a higher center of gravity than regular passenger vehicles, necessitating careful handling during sudden swerves or sharp turns. An incorrect maneuver could result in the truck tipping over and rolling onto its side.
- Direct Impact Crashes: These types of accidents can occur when hefty trucks veer off their designated lanes and move towards the oncoming vehicles. Other instances include not yielding the right of way at crossroads and traffic lights.
- Jackknife trailer accidents involving tractor-trailers occur when the front cab brakes or skids, causing the trailer to swing sideways, like a large squeegee. Many of these crashes occur on wet roadways or icy highways.
- Sideswiping another vehicle: A sideswipe happens when two vehicles, moving in the same direction and parallel to each other, collide. This can be particularly hazardous when it involves large trucks, as the impact can thrust the other vehicle into a different lane or into the path of approaching traffic.
- T-Bone crasheshappen at intersections when one vehicle hits another from the side, forming a “T” shape. These violent accidents, also called broadside crashes, can be particularly dangerous, when a smaller vehicle is impacted by the much larger truck.
The size of the trucks and lack of a protective barrier make injuries more likely in these types of crashes. Drivers and passengers should be cautious at intersections to avoid T-Bone accidents.
The Types of Damages Sought in Truck Accident Litigation
After you tell your insurance company, their adjusters will check the situation. They will decide whether to say no to your claim or suggest a payment.
This can be hard because the money may not pay for everything. You might still have health issues from your injuries even after getting the money. After you tell your insurance company, their adjusters will check the situation.
They will decide whether to say no to your claim or offer a payment. It can be hard because the money may not pay for everything. You might still have health issues from your injuries even after getting the money.
Adjusters often offer low settlement amounts to people who represent themselves. It’s important not to sign anything or accept these offers without advice from experienced lawyers.
Lawyers can work with insurance companies to negotiate fair settlements, usually resulting in an agreement. If an agreement can’t be reached, the next step may be going to court. In Georgia, there is a two-year time limit to file a personal injury lawsuit after a truck accident.
Adjusters may offer low settlement amounts to self-represented individuals. It is crucial to not sign or accept these offers without consulting with experienced lawyers. Lawyers can assist in negotiating fair settlements with insurance companies, typically leading to an agreement.
If an agreement cannot be reached, the case may proceed to court. In Georgia, there is a two-year time limit to file a personal injury lawsuit following a truck accident. The responsible parties may include the truck driver, the trucking company, the truck or parts manufacturer, or the maintenance providers.
Should the legal action succeed, the plaintiff could potentially receive a full-value settlement to offset their medical expenses, income loss, and psychological trauma.
Truck Accident Attorney Kathy McArthur is the 2024 Super Lawyers Cover Story Lawyer
Unfortunately, it’s frequently the case that the person contacting our legal firm after a truck crash is a surviving partner or another family member. Moreover, the high frequency of severe injuries from truck accidents makes these cases particularly difficult, especially for those trying to handle them on their own.
Kathy McArthur, a truck accident attorney in Macon, has been pursuing legal actions against trucking companies and their drivers for 44 years. Along with her team of seven other attorneys specializing in semi-truck accidents, she can represent you in your truck accident case, whether you need a wrongful death lawyer or are seeking compensation for serious injuries from a collision in or around Macon, Georgia.
Macon truck accident attorneys continue to support clients even after the case has been settled. The client testimonial at the end of the page is just one of hundreds for our Firm.
One Former Client’s Attorney Rating for an Accident Where She Lost an Arm
“What happened to bring me to Miss Kathy was in 2005 I was rear-ended on the interstate, on I16 in Laurens County, by a girl text messaging and lost my left arm. I felt like Miss Kathy really cared, her and her staff. She doesn’t act like a lawyer when you visit with her. I mean she treats you like family. She kept me informed and updated on everything that went on. Miss Kathy absolutely fought for me and I would recommend her to anybody.”
– Debra Ford
Case Overview
Our client was involved in a car accident that left her with injuries that required medical attention and care.
More Macon GA Truck Wreck Resources
If you’d like to learn more about truck wreck attorneys in Macon GA, read our informative articles on Macon truck accident attorneys below. We explore every aspect of Macon GA truck accident cases McArthur Law Firm handles.
- Car Accidents & Truck Wrecks in Macon GA
- Macon GA Truck Accident Attorneys
- Deadliest Highways for Truck Accidents in Georgia
- Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accidents
