Truck Accidents
Fry | Goehring successfully helps the injured recover the compensation they deserve.
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Personal Injury
Truck Accident Lawyers Fighting for Justice and Fair Settlements
TRUST OUR EXPERIENCED TRUCK CRASH LAWYERS
Accidents involving trucks, from flatbed freight trucks to commercial trailers, differ significantly from ordinary car wrecks. The injuries resulting from these accidents are often much worse due to the sheer size of the vehicles, and they are more likely to end in a tragic fatality compared to normal automobile accidents.
Even when the unfortunate victim survives, families and loved ones are left to confront a life-changing tragedy that often results in long-term debilitation and exorbitant medical bills.
If you have been injured in such a catastrophe, it is crucial to contact our truck accident lawyers as soon as possible. At Fry | Goehring, we are committed to investigating your case and securing the justice you deserve for your pain and suffering.
Contact us now at (404) 969-1284 to learn more about the next steps to take following a severe truck accident.
What Are The Common Causes of Truck Accidents?
The number of accidents involving “big rigs” and commercial vehicles has significantly increased over the past decade. Many factors are involved in the recent spike in these numbers.
Commercial drivers are frequently guilty of speeding, failing to stay in their lane, following too close, disobeying traffic signs, driving while fatigued or impaired in some manner, and exceeding the maximum hours of service allowed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
What Rules Must Truck Drivers Follow in Georgia?
Every day millions of trucks are on American roads and highways, hauling every type of freight you can imagine. Trucks are necessary to keep our economy moving; they get goods and items where they need to be for manufacturing and commerce.
With so many trucks sharing the roads with typical passenger vehicles, truck drivers must adhere to lane rules in Georgia.
Georgia Truck Driving Rules
According to the Georgia Department of Public Safety, any vehicle equipped with more than six wheels, except buses and motor coaches, must obey the following rules in Georgia:
- On roads, streets, or highways with three or more lanes allowing for movement in the same direction, it shall be unlawful for any truck to operate in any lanes other than the two most right-hand lanes, except when the truck is preparing for a left turn.
- On roads, streets, or highways with two or more lanes allowing for movement in the same direction, it shall be unlawful for any truck to operate in the left-hand lane except when the truck is actually overtaking and passing another vehicle or preparing for a left turn.
Why Georgia Has These Rules
Most drivers have been stuck behind a truck in the left lane of a highway or interstate. More than just irritating, slow-moving vehicles in the left lane can be potentially dangerous. While most truck drivers are safe drivers and follow traffic rules, the sheer size of a truck with more than six wheels makes them different to drive than regular passenger vehicles.
It takes longer for trucks to accelerate and reach the same speed as the flow of traffic. It also takes a truck much longer to come to a complete stop, simply because of its size and weight.
Also, when drivers get stuck behind slow-moving trucks in the left lane, drivers tend to weave in and out of lanes more, as well as slow down and speed up repeatedly. This puts everyone on the road around the lane weavers at risk for a potential accident.
Can the Way a Truck Is Loaded Cause a Truck Accident?
The trucking industry is highly regulated to keep all drivers on the road as safe as possible. The regulations for commercial trucks include restrictions on how much weight can be hauled. According to the Georgia Department of Safety, loaded trucks cannot weigh more than 80,000 pounds.
Weight limits are important because the design of trucks gives them a higher center of gravity. This makes them more unstable than other types of vehicles. An oversized load makes this situation even worse, which may result in a truck accident if it cannot stop in time due to its weight.
Overloading affects steering, braking, and controlling speed. Overloaded trucks must go slower going up and down steep roadways. A truck with an oversized load takes longer to stop than a properly loaded truck. And brakes can fail when placed under undue strain. The proper loading of a truck’s freight is crucial to road safety.
Not only can overloading a truck be hazardous to all on the road, but improperly loaded cargo, even within weight limits, can cause truck accidents. Because of the higher center of gravity, cargo piled up high or heavy cargo on top means a truck is more likely to tip over. These improper loads are most dangerous in curves or if a truck swerves to avoid a hazard in the road.
When there is a truck accident due to an oversized load, a few different parties may be liable, or even share liability. A truck driver is ultimately responsible for the operation of their truck. But liability can be shared with another party that isn’t even present at the time of the truck accident – the freight loading company. In many instances, truck drivers have no part in loading cargo on their trucks. It is the cargo company that is responsible for loading freight in a safe manner.
How Do You Determine Who Is Liable?
Beyond driver infractions, trucking companies are often negligent in their responsibilities. Many fail to meet federally regulated safety and maintenance requirements, putting others at risk.
Some companies pressure drivers to falsify or destroy their logs and even encourage them to exceed legal driving hour limits. Our experienced truck accident lawyers are prepared to investigate whether other parties, beyond the driver, share responsibility for your suffering.
We will thoroughly examine whether trucking companies have upheld safety standards, including:
- Performing regular truck and cargo inspections
- Repairing or replacing damaged trucks
- Properly maintaining unsecured parts on heavy vehicles like tractors and trailers
- Ensuring correct weight distribution on tractor-trailers
- Securing cargo loads safely
Can You Establish Liability in a Multi-Vehicle Truck Accident?
Commercial truckers, often paid by the mile, face pressure to complete their routes quickly. This can lead to unsafe decisions like speeding, driving while fatigued, tailgating, or making dangerous lane changes. Meanwhile, trucking companies may keep vehicles on the road beyond scheduled maintenance, further increasing risks for other drivers.
Multi-vehicle truck accidents can cause severe injuries or fatalities, and determining liability is complex. Often, multiple drivers share responsibility—for example, one driver may have been following too closely while another was distracted, triggering a chain reaction.
Our dedicated truck crash lawyers have the expertise to analyze your accident, establish liability, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Could I Be Blamed for the Multi-Vehicle Truck Crash?
Contributory Negligence and You
At a time of such pain and suffering, you shouldn’t have to wonder who to turn to for compensation. Least of all, you don’t want to risk being wrongfully accused of being partially at fault, and therefore being denied your just compensation. Georgia law recognizes the legal concept of contributory negligence. In cases such as multi-vehicle accidents, more than one party may be at fault, including the plaintiff. A seasoned Atlanta law firm with solid litigation experience will protect your rights.
What Are the Most Common Truck Accident Injuries?
Truck accidents are a growing concern on our roads. These collisions don’t just cause devastating property damage—they often result in catastrophic injuries.
Due to the massive size and weight of commercial trucks, the force of impact in these crashes is far greater than in typical passenger vehicle accidents. This leads to more severe injuries and higher fatality rates. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a truck accident, an experienced truck accident attorney can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Common Injuries in Truck Accidents
Our truck accident lawyers in Georgia frequently see victims suffering from the following injuries:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): A severe blow to the head can cause skull fractures, brain bruising, internal bleeding, or even death.
- Spinal Cord Damage: Truck collisions can lead to partial or complete paralysis, significantly altering a victim’s life.
- Neck Injuries: One of the most common neck injuries is whiplash, which occurs when the head jerks forward suddenly, straining muscles and ligaments.
- Broken Bones: The impact of a truck crash can pin, crush, or severely fracture bones, sometimes requiring extensive surgery.
- Internal Organ Damage: Injuries to vital organs like the liver, spleen, or pancreas can lead to life-threatening complications and long-term medical treatments.
- Burn Injuries: Victims may suffer severe burns from fires, caustic chemicals, or extreme heat caused by the collision.
If you’ve suffered any of these injuries in a semi-truck crash, the experienced truck crash lawyers at Fry | Goehring are here to help. Victims may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. However, insurance companies often try to deny liability or discredit victims to avoid payouts.
A skilled truck accident attorney near you can fight back against these tactics and help you recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a consultation.
Why You Need Legal Support After a Truck Accident
A truck accident can leave you facing overwhelming medical bills, lost wages, and a long recovery. Insurance alone won’t cover the full cost of hospital visits, treatments, and rehabilitation. Don’t settle for less than you deserve. At Fry | Goehring, our experienced truck accident lawyers are ready to fight for your rights. Let us handle the legal battle so you can focus on healing.
Call us today at (404) 969-1284 or contact us online so our Atlanta truck accident attorneys can help you understand your options and rights for just and fair compensation.
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