By: Georgia Truck Accident Lawyer Michael Thompson with McArthur Law Firm (MLF) and Super Lawyers Rising Star
Trucking companies, their drivers and their training and safety programs are crucial for road safety. All members of that trucking team must keep their trucks in good condition. If they fail to do this, they can be held responsible for accidents that result in personal injury or wrongful death.
It’s not only the drivers of the trucks that need to exercise caution while driving. The company that sends out a driver of the CMV (commercial motor vehicle) must ensure that their drivers are trained and licensed. Poor training and not checking if their drivers are following safety rules can lead to serious, even deadly, problems on the road.
Trucking Company Liability in Georgia and Your Legal Rights
When trucking accidents happen, the police and the crash experts hired by the parties will look closely at the driver and the trucking company. They will check who is responsible for the crash. They look at how well the company oversees its drivers.
Knowing your rights is important if you are a victim of negligence. You may deserve compensation for many different categories of damage.
This article by our Georgia truck accident lawyers is written to let you know how a truck crash lawyer can help you to understand how your legal team will seek to hold a trucking company responsible.
How Things Work at our Three Injury and Accident Law Office Locations
Katherine L. McArthur, Georgia truck accident attorney since 1980, leads a well-trained team of personal injury lawyers at MLF. When a prospective client calls our Team, the first goal is to give that person relief from the confusion, the medical journey and the troubling financial stress caused by the accident.
They also verify whether drivers adhere to Federal regulations following an accident. Negligence may be attributed to the truck’s owner or lessee if maintenance logs reveal inadequate care, falsified records, or potentially flawed hiring procedures.
By hiring top legal talent to litigate your case, you send a message to the trucking company’s insurers about being serious about getting to the bottom of the negligence that impacted our victims. Our Georgia accident truck legal firm knows exactly how to uncover lax maintenance practices and falsified hourly log records that may have contributed to the tragedy that later unfolded.
Failure to comply with FMSCA Regulations can become the focal point of a legal case against the truck’s driver, owner, or lessee. Lapses in maintaining and servicing large trucks can significantly influence the outcome of a negligence or wrongful death lawsuit.
The Dangers of Semi Trucks and Tractor Trailers on Georgia Roads
Semi-trucks and tractor trailers have unique risks on the road because of their size and weight. Their large size makes it hard to maneuver, which raises the chance of accidents. Also, their weight means crashes often cause serious damage.
These vehicles need more time to stop, which can lead to rear-end collisions. The risk is higher in bad weather, where the stopping distance is longer. This can be dangerous for other drivers on Georgia roads.
Additionally, the high center of gravity raises the risk of rollovers. Sharp turns or sudden movements can make these trucks tip over, putting nearby drivers in danger. It is important for all road users to understand these risks.
Types of Compensation for Truck Accident Victims
Victims of truck accidents can seek different types of compensation. These compensations help cover the losses a victim may face. Knowing these can help in making a good claim.
Key areas of compensation include:
- Medical Expenses: This covers current and future medical costs from the accident.
- Lost Wages: Victims can recover income lost because they cannot work.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress.
- Property Damage: Covers the repair or replacement of damaged personal property.
- Loss of Consortium: Compensation for the effect on a relationship with a spouse.
Finding all relevant damages is important for a fair claim. Each category helps reduce the financial and emotional stress on victims. A skilled attorney can help victims get full compensation.
They make sure no possible source of compensation is missed. This thorough approach is key to achieving justice and closure.
This attention to detail is largely responsible for Kathy McArthur and her Team being able to report that this resulted in over $490 million recovered, so far. Their verdicts and settlements for medical malpractice and motor vehicle collisions have often set records in many Georgia counties. Her unparalleled success is why (for the year 2024) Super Lawyers named her to be their Cover Story profile attorney, from Georgia’s 33,100 attorneys.
Atlanta GA truck accident lawyer Lindsey Macon is the MLF partner who manages the downtown Atlanta office location. Michael Thomson and Holly Stephens are both Super Lawyers Rising Stars at this MLF location and provide a FREE lawyer consultation on incoming calls about serious bodily injury claims or a wrongful death case.
This short video by MLF partner Jessica Edmonds epitomizes the determination of our MLF litigation attorneys. My covering all of Georgia, our litigators are ready to come to you, if you are disabled, or too badly injured to come to see us at one of our 3 office locations.
Identifying the Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Georgia
Truck accidents in Georgia are often complex. Various elements contribute to these mishaps. Understanding frequent causes of truck accidents can aid in their prevention.
Driver fatigue poses a significant issue in the trucking industry. Extended hours with insufficient rest diminish concentration, significantly heightening the risk of road accidents.
In the past two decades, various avoidable accidents could have had different outcomes if safety had been put first in these situations:
- A fatal Gwinnett truck accident I 85 Georgia
- A fiery I 95 Georgia truck accident where a car burst into flames
- A deadly truck accident I20 Georgia
- Recently, a FedEx truck accident Atlanta resulted in both a human death and a dog’s death
Weather conditions can also be a critical factor when a driver pushes on despite limited forward visibility or accumulating ice on the roads. Rain, fog, and ice can affect visibility and traction. Truck drivers need to be careful in bad weather.
Here is a consistent list of common causes of truck accident cases:
- Driver inattention to the road, fatigue or distractions
- Inclement weather conditions
- Equipment failure
- Exceeding the posted speed limit or engaging in reckless driving
- Improper cargo loading and not bracing, anchoring, tethering and securing loads so shifting does not occur
Equipment failure is a big problem. Faulty brakes or tires can cause serious accidents. Regular maintenance checks are important for safety.
Speeding and improper cargo loading are also major issues in many truck accident claims. They can affect control and stability. Knowing these causes shows how important safety and rules are in trucking.
The Role of a Truck Accident Attorney in Your Case
A truck accident attorney is key to building your case. One of their main jobs is to investigate carefully. They gather important evidence like accident reports and witness statements. This helps show who is at fault.
They know the complex legal system well. They can read a Georgia State Patrol SCRT Team report. This report details a client’s vehicle that caught fire after a serious crash with a careless truck driver. Their knowledge helps protect your rights.
Attorneys also talk with insurance companies. This is important because insurers often try to pay less. With their skills, attorneys work for a fair settlement that shows the true value of your claim.
Start by calling 1-855-WARRIOR now. This vanity number translates to 1-855-927-7467, if you were injured in a truck accident.
When you hire a trucking accident attorney, you don’t have to figure out what caused the crash. They help you get the most money possible for your recovery.
Attorneys provide clear guidance. They explain each step of the legal process, making it easier to understand. Their support reduces your stress and lets you focus on getting better.
Our firm has 3 locations across Georgia, one in Macon, Atlanta, and Warner Robins.
More Georgia Trucking Accident Resources
If you’d like to learn more about truck accidents in Georgia, read some of our informative articles below. We explore all the different ways the Georgia trucking accident attorneys from McArthur Law Firm can help you.
- Truck Accidents in Georgia
- Deadliest Highways for Truck Accidents in Georgia
- Georgia Truck Crash Attorney
- Tractor Trailer Accident Attorney in Georgia
- Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer
- Macon Truck Accident Lawyer
- Warner Robins Truck Accident Lawyer
- Marietta Truck Accident Lawyer
- Truck Accident FAQ
- Trucking Company Negligence
