Commercial trucks account for a large number of serious and fatal accidents on Georgia roads every year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides data on large truck crashes in the United States. According to the latest available data from the NHTSA’s 2019 report, there were a total of 4,415 large trucks involved in fatal crashes in the United States in 2018, resulting in 4,862 fatalities. In addition, there were 112,000 large trucks involved in crashes with non-fatal injuries, and 346,000 large trucks involved in crashes with only property damage.
While large trucks represent a relatively small percentage of vehicles on the road, they can cause significant damage and injuries when involved in crashes. When truck drivers and companies fail to adhere to safety regulations and cause a truck accident, our personal injury lawyers are prepared to help at Burnside Law Firm.
At the Augusta, Georgia, law firm of Burnside Law Firm, we represent people and the families of people in Atlanta and throughout Georgia seriously injured or killed in an accident involving a semi or other large trucks in Georgia.
If an 18-wheeler wreck or other commercial truck accident was the cause of the injuries that you or your family member suffered, contact one of our Augusta truck accident attorneys for a free initial consultation.
Tractor Trailer Accidents ∙ Semi Crashes ∙ 18-Wheeler Accidents
When 80,000 pounds on wheels is traveling down the highway with other vehicles, proper precautions are necessary to prevent hazardous conditions that could cause a serious or fatal highway crash. Too often, truck driver negligence or negligence of the trucking company puts other drivers on the road in danger.
Driver fatigue, an improperly loaded semi-trailer or tractor trailer, a defective safety precaution or a traffic violation are some of the factors that contribute to a truck accident. Many of these accidents are completely preventable. The desire to carry more loads in less time pushes truck drivers and trucking companies to violate federal trucking regulations to protect innocent drivers.
Top Causes of Truck Accidents in Augusta
At Burnside Law Firm, we recognize the many reasons why large truck accidents or tractor trailer collisions occur. If you’ve been injured in a vehicle wreck due to any of the following factors, our truck accident attorneys are prepared to fight for your rights at every turn:
- Driver fatigue: Truck drivers often work long hours and may suffer from fatigue, which can impair their ability to react to changing road conditions.
- Speeding: Truck drivers may exceed the speed limit or drive too fast for current road or weather conditions, which can cause accidents.
- Distracted driving: Truck drivers may become distracted by cell phones, radios, or other electronic devices while driving, which can take their attention away from the road and increase the risk of an accident.
- Improper maintenance: If a truck is not properly maintained, its brakes, tires, or other parts may fail, causing an accident.
- Overloaded or improperly loaded cargo: Overloading or improperly loading a truck can cause the truck to be unstable or difficult to control, leading to accidents.
- Driving under the influence: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious issue that can impair a driver’s judgment and reaction time.
- Aggressive driving: Truck drivers who engage in aggressive driving behaviors, such as tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, or cutting off other drivers, can cause accidents.
- Weather conditions: Inclement weather, such as heavy rain, snow, or ice, can make driving more difficult and increase the risk of accidents.
It is important for truck drivers and trucking companies to adhere to safety regulations and for other drivers to be aware of the potential dangers of sharing the road with large trucks. If you have been injured in a truck accident in Augusta, Georgia, it is important to seek the advice of one of our experienced personal injury attorney at Burnside Lawn Firm to help protect your rights and pursue fair compensation.
Serious Injuries Can Result from Trucking Accidents in Georgia
In an accident with a large commercial truck, an occupant of a passenger vehicle is likely to be seriously hurt. Substantial economic and non-economic damages can be incurred from the following types of common trucking accident injuries:
- Traumatic brain injuries: These injuries can occur when the head is struck or violently shaken during a trucking accident, leading to concussions, skull fractures, or other brain injuries.
- Spinal cord injuries: These injuries can result in paralysis or partial loss of sensation and movement due to damage to the spinal cord.
- Neck and back injuries: These injuries can result from the force of the impact, causing strains, sprains, or fractures in the neck or back.
- Broken bones: These injuries can occur when the body is thrown or crushed during a trucking accident, resulting in fractures or breaks in bones throughout the body.
- Internal injuries: These injuries can occur when the body’s internal organs are damaged by the force of the impact, leading to internal bleeding or other serious medical conditions.
- Burns: These injuries can occur if the truck catches fire or if chemicals or other hazardous materials are spilled during the accident.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): These injuries can occur as a result of the emotional trauma of the accident, leading to anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions.
It is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible after a trucking accident, even if you do not immediately notice any symptoms, as some injuries may not be immediately apparent. A prompt call to a truck accident lawyer is also crucial. Our personal injury attorneys in Augusta can help you gather evidence, prove negligence and recover the compensation you deserve after serious or life-threatening truck accident injuries.
What Am I Entitled to After My Truck Accident?
No matter if dangerous highway conditions, inattentive drivers or driver negligence actions caused your accident, you are no doubt left wondering how you will cope with your losses.
Since 1978, our firm has been filing claims on behalf of injured drivers and the families of those lost in fatal truck accidents throughout Georgia. We prepare thorough personal injury or wrongful death claims in order to obtain full compensation for:
- Medical expenses (past, present and future)
- Lost wages, future loss of income and loss of earning potential
- Pain and suffering damages
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
Who Can Be Held Responsible in a Semi Truck Accident?
In Georgia, multiple parties may be liable for a truck accident, depending on the circumstances of the accident. Here are some of the potentially liable parties in a truck accident:
- The truck driver: If the truck driver was negligent or reckless in their driving, such as driving while fatigued or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they may be liable for the accident.
- The trucking company: If the trucking company did not properly train, supervise, or monitor their drivers, or if they failed to maintain their vehicles properly, they may be held responsible for the accident.
- The truck manufacturer: If the accident was caused by a defect in the truck, such as faulty brakes or a defective steering mechanism, the truck manufacturer may be liable for the accident.
- Other drivers: If another driver caused the accident by driving recklessly or negligently, they may be liable for the accident.
- Government entities: If the accident was caused by a hazardous road condition, such as a pothole or malfunctioning traffic signal, the government entity responsible for maintaining the road may be held responsible for the accident.
Determining liability in a truck accident can be complicated, and it often requires a thorough investigation of the accident scene, review of medical records, and interviews with witnesses. These can be sensitive and detailed steps of the legal process that can drastically impact your compensation. Our Burnside truck accident lawyers are prepared and qualified to help.
Contact Us for Georgia Tractor Trailer Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed in a tractor trailer accident or other large truck accident in Georgia or Waynesboro, you should contact a Georgia tractor trailer accident lawyer at the law office of Burnside Law Firm for a free initial consultation.
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