Truck Wrecks
Tractor-trailers, dump trucks, straight trucks and other large commercial vehicles are a necessary but potentially deadly presence throughout Metro Atlanta and Georgia. Unfortunately, truck accidents occur daily, causing thousands of injuries and deaths every year across the nation.
If you’ve been involved in an accident with a tractor-trailer, dump truck, straight truck or other large commercial vehicle -- or lost a loved one in such an accident -- you’re likely to be facing some difficult times now and in the future. TothLaw is here to help you. Call us at (404) 250-1564 or email us at waynetoth@waynetothlaw.com for a free consultation.
Legal action is vital for getting compensation from the negligent parties involved in your wreck. An accident survivor can be awarded compensation for medical expenses; including hospitalization, medication, physical therapy, surgery, and more. Accident victims may also be awarded compensation for lost earnings and benefits due to time away from work. Compensation can also be obtained for pain and suffering, and other forms of physical, mental and emotional duress.
In a wrongful death claim, surviving family members may receive compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of consortium, loss of future wages and benefits, pain and suffering of the deceased before he or she died, and other damages related to the loss.
Why do Truck Wrecks Happen?
Tractor-trailers, dump trucks, straight trucks and other large commercial vehicles cause accidents every day in Georgia. Because these vehicles are so large, typically weighing as much as 20 times more than a car, a collision with a truck can have devastating consequences. Due to the difference in size -- and physics -- the driver and passenger(s) of the car always fare much worse. Tractor-trailers, dump trucks, straight trucks and other large commercial vehicles are hard to drive and maneuver, so truckers must exercise reasonable care not to injure others while rolling down the highway.
Tractor-trailers, dump trucks, straight trucks and other large commercial vehicles are subject to special laws. These regulations are designed to protect the public and minimize the risk of accidents. State and federal laws require trucks to be routinely inspected and properly maintained. In Georgia, there are also specific regulations related to the size and weight limits of trucks, and the freight being carried. In addition, truckers must also comply with specific rules — they must have special licenses, complete log books and abide by hourly driving limits.
In spite of these rules and regulations, tractor-trailers, dump trucks, straight trucks and other large commercial vehicles are often involved in accidents resulting from:
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Trucking company negligence
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Improper maintenance
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Truck driver mistakes
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Trucker fatigue
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Distracted truck driving
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Adverse weather and road conditions
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Overweight trailers
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Unsafe or unsecured loads
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Transportation of hazardous material
One of the leading causes of tractor-trailer, dump truck, straight truck and other large commercial vehicle accidents is the failure to properly maintain these vehicles. The trucking company may be negligent when maintenance is not sufficiently performed. While state and federal law impose hourly driving limits, truckers often drive many hours over long distances, and are faced with strict delivery deadlines. For this reason, truckers often lack adequate sleep, become tired, fatigued, and easily distracted, any of which can lead to tragic consequences for someone driving a car.
How TothLaw Handles Truck Wrecks
The experienced attorneys at TothLaw know that trucking companies have their own adjusters, investigators and lawyers who will conduct an analysis of the accident. Their goal is to deny you compensation at all costs. If you are involved in a truck wreck you have options, especially if the accident was not your fault. It is crucial to contact TothLaw now so we can thoroughly investigate the matter as soon as possible.
We will fight the trucking company and the insurance company to ensure you obtain the compensation you deserve. If the trucker violated traffic laws or hour limits, or the truck company was negligent for failing to maintain the vehicle, we can pursue a lawsuit against the company. Contact TothLaw today if you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a truck accident. Call (404) 250-1564 or email us at waynetoth@waynetothlaw.com for a free evaluation of your case.