Truck Accident Attorney in Stone Mountain
A semi-truck is about 15 times the size of a regular passenger car, and if you drive on Georgia’s highways, you know that the state has no shortage of them. It doesn’t take much knowledge of physics to know that if a larger vehicle hits you, you and your car will bear the brunt of the damages.
Truck accidents can result in devastating injuries and death. When you are injured in an accident with a truck, you may have to endure multiple doctor’s appointments and painful physical therapy. You might have to take medications that are addictive, damaging to the liver, or both.
A collision with a truck can leave you permanently disabled. If you lose a loved one in such an accident, you may be emotionally devastated and in a state of financial distress. Our law firm will work diligently to make sure you get the amount of money you need to pay your bills and move forward in your life.
Insurance in Georgia
There are two different types of insurance laws in the U.S.; fault and no-fault. In a fault state, the person responsible for the accident will also be responsible for its associated bills. In a no-fault state, a driver’s own insurance company will pay their bills no matter who is at fault. Georgia is a fault state.
If the driver who hit you is more than 50% at fault for an accident, they will be responsible for paying the bills associated with the crash. If you are hit by a truck, and the truck driver was at fault, their insurance company should pay your bills.
If your bills exceed the amount for which you are covered, you should be able to sue the trucker or the company for which they work. If you have been permanently disabled or disfigured, you may sue for pain and suffering. This can include:
- Disruption to bodily health and vigor
- Past and Future income
- Loss to quality of life
- Disruption to Normal Life
- Fear that an injury may cause
Can I Sue a Trucking Company?
Trucking accidents are a bit different than accidents with non-commercial vehicles as truckers may be held to a higher standard, and the company they work for is often considered to be responsible for their actions.
Suing the trucking company can be worthwhile if you can prove that it was negligent in its practices. There are a few reasons they may be considered negligent.
They Did Not Ensure the Employee was Qualified
The state of Georgia, like all other states, has certain criteria for qualifying as a professional truck driver. There are also certain interstate laws that truck drivers must follow. Trucking companies are obliged to hire qualified drivers. To do this, they must have a means of checking a driver’s background, training, and licensing.
A commercial driver in Georgia must have a Commercial Drivers License and pass an annual physical exam. They are not allowed to use radar detectors, and they must have drug tests.
They did not Provide Training
Although a trucker may have a Commercial Drivers License and pass all the necessary background checks, they still need to receive specific training from their company. Different types of hauls require different safety measures. They should ensure the driver is trained in all the specific details of their vehicle and the safest way to load their cargo.
If a trucking company fails to train its driver properly and that driver causes an accident. The company may be held responsible.
They Overworked the Driver
Federal law limits the number of hours that a commercial driver can be on the road. Drivers cannot work for more than 60 to 70 hours a week. Short hall drivers in the Peach State can drive no more than 11 hours a day.
Fatigue causes many an accident. If a trucking company overworks a driver and that driver hurts you, we can discuss a lawsuit against them.
Poor Maintenance Practices
Commercial vehicles include busses, trucks, and anything that is used to transport hazardous materials. Any company that operates these vehicles must make sure they are in good working order. They must inspect the components of their car daily and get an annual certification.
Common Types of Truck Accidents
A truck can get into many of the same accidents a car can. However, they can have roll-over accidents in which they can damage multiple cars at once and cause a chain of collisions on the highway. They can also have underride accidents. This takes place when a small vehicle rear-ends a truck and ends up rolling under it.
Why You Should Hire Us
We have a team of trained personal injury professionals who are well versed in trucking and insurance laws. We can negotiate with insurance companies for you and represent you in court if it becomes necessary. Give us a call for a free consultation today.