Truck Accidents FAQ

At The Pendergrass Law Firm, we receive many questions about truck accidents, but below are some of the most common ones.

Can I afford an attorney?

People delay in seeking a personal injury attorney because they are afraid that they will not have the money to pay for an experienced and aggressive lawyer. However, at The Pendergrass Law Firm, we work on a contingency basis, so you do not pay us unless we win a fair settlement for you. We take 30% of the total award we win for you and your truck accident case. There is no risk to you in reaching out today to schedule your free consultation. However, there is a risk if you delay. In Georgia, the statuteof limitations on a personal injury claim after a truck accident is two years. The sooner you call, the sooner we can get started on the investigation, and the more likely you will receive the compensation you deserve from the insurance company.

Who is liable for my truck accident?

Your Peachtree Corners, GA attorney will need to conduct a thorough investigation to determine who is liable for your truck accident injuries. There may be multiple liable parties depending on the facts of your case. Typically the liable parties are one or more of the following:

  • The truck driver: drivers are legally obligated to take breaks during mandated times and only operate their vehicle when they are sober and alert. They are also to avoid any distractions that could take their eyes or mind off of the road.
  • The truck designer: If there was a flaw in the truck’s design that made it malfunction despite being properly manufactured, then the automotive company that designed the truck will be liable for the damages. They may also have to recall the defective part.
  • The truck manufacturer: in another situation, the truck manufacturer was designed properly, but there was a flaw somewhere in the manufacturing process that caused a defective component to be installed on the vehicle. When it left the assembly line, the defective vehicle was then put on the road coming to the detriment of the safety of other road users.
  • The trucking company: Some trucking companies have toxic work cultures that encourage drivers to travel longer distances in a shorter amount of time. They discourage breaks because they are focused on their bottom line and keeping their suppliers happy rather than the safety of drivers and other road users.

What are the most common causes of truck accidents?

  • Fatigued Driving Although there are regulations in place to prevent tired truckers from getting on the road, trucking companies may make it almost impossible for drivers to follow the mandates. They may schedule shipments to arrive very quickly and foster a toxic company culture. Individual truckers may also try to drive longer than they should to reach a destination faster.
  • Bad Weather Inclement weather reduces visibility and is a challenge for all drivers, not just truck drivers. But trucks are harder to control on slick roads and have much more mass than passenger vehicles. Due to rain, ice, or snow, slippery conditions can cause a truck to slip on the road. Heavy fog can make it difficult to see vehicles and obstructions in front of the truck.
  • Overloaded Cargo Trucks are supposed to carry only a certain amount of weight to prevent tire blowouts and tip-overs. When a truck carries a larger load than it should, this causes a more significant hazard to other drivers.
  • Limited Visibility At Night Many stretches of the nation’s highways and roads are poorly lit and have limited visibility at night. This makes driving much more dangerous for all drivers, especially truckers who may have difficulty seeing narrow roads, curves, or other road users. Truck drivers drove a combined total of about 430,200,000,000 miles in the year 2020, according to preliminary data from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). They also reported that the fatality rate for the year 2020 was 1.37 fatalities per 1 million vehicle miles traveled, which was an increase from 1.1 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in the year 2019.

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