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Do Law Office: Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer
Legal advice and representation is important after a car wreck. When you need an Atlanta truck accident lawyer, contact the Do Law Office for a consultation.
Atlanta Truck Accident Attorney
Truck transit is one of America’s most preferred modes of shipment because it allows businesses to meet their goals of satisfying customers’ needs. Therefore, truck accidents are very likely to happen at any time throughout the United States and can result in catastrophic injuries which require immediate medical attention.
Fully loaded semi-trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. In comparison, an empty semi-truck without a trailer can generally weigh between 10,000-25,000 pounds. This explains the critical nature of commercial truck accidents today.
Truck crashes can be caused by several factors which may not be visible on the accident scene. They may result from negligence, poor safety practices by trucking companies, or commercial truck drivers in breach of trucking regulations.
Our Atlanta truck accident attorney can provide you with professional legal representation if you are involved in a truck incident.
Atlanta Truck Accident Laws and Regulations
Truck owners and drivers are required by state and federal law to ensure that trucks are in good working condition.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) guide the operation of commercial trucks. On the other hand, the state agency, Georgia Department of Public Safety, oversees the enforcement of traffic laws in the state of Georgia. Its officers also conduct safety inspections of commercial vehicles and the load it carries to ensure that they do not jeopardize the safety of others.
Trucks or tractor-trailers are heavy-duty vehicles with specific rules of operation. For example:
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Truck drivers should have a commercial driver’s license and be at least 18 years old.
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All truck drivers in Atlanta are required to be insured, and their truckload should not exceed the weight limit.
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Drivers cannot exceed the driving hours stipulated by law.
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Trucking companies should keep records of truck maintenance in accordance with the state’s safety laws.
Our Atlanta truck accident lawyer is familiar with state and federal laws that apply specifically to truck companies and other motor vehicles.
Are Truck Accidents Different From Car Accidents?
Truck accidents differ from car accidents in the following ways:
- The size and weight of the truck can have a severe impact on smaller vehicles.
- Truck accident injuries can be life-threatening and catastrophic.
- Truck accidents involve multiple parties who may share the liability.
- Trucking companies are required to abide by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
- Truck drivers are required to obtain a special commercial driver’s license.
- Plaintiffs can sue the insurance company directly through direct action.
How Do You Establish Liability in a Trucking Accident?
Establishing liability in car accidents is usually easier than doing the same for truck accidents.
Determining liability in a truck accident can be complicated and, more often than not, requires a thorough investigation by an experienced attorney.
This is because truck accidents involve multiple parties, including the truck company, the truck driver, the truck manufacturer, a government agency, and other passenger vehicles.
If you or a loved one were injured in an accident with a tractor-trailer, an 18-wheeler, a semi-truck, a big rig, or another large commercial truck, multiple parties might be liable for your damages.
Trucking Company
Most truck or tractor-trailer accidents are caused by companies that force their drivers to remain on the road for long periods without rest.
Companies may also be negligent in carrying out thorough checks on drivers before putting them on the road.
Commercial Truck Driver
Drivers are responsible for obeying both federal and state traffic laws.
Drivers who engage in illegal substance abuse or drunk driving may be liable to compensate the victim.
Truck Manufacturer
Through investigation, a defective part of the vehicle may be discovered, which can be linked to the accident. In such a case, the manufacturing company will be held liable to pay for damages and provide compensation to the victims.
Passenger Vehicles
A truck collision caused by a drunk driver of a passenger vehicle can be as fatal as the one caused by a truck driver.
Drivers of other commercial vehicles who disobey local traffic laws and cause a tractor-trailer accident may be asked to pay a fine, be convicted, or lose their driver’s license.
Government Agency
Where the evidence shows that a poorly built or maintained road or highway is responsible for the truck accident, the state agency may be held liable.
Our Atlanta truck accident lawyers can identify the liable parties, gather evidence, and help you formulate truck accident settlements in Georgia.
Investigation of Truck Accidents
Truck investigations help to uncover evidence regarding the accident.
A review of the truck’s maintenance records and the driver’s safety and equipment checks by a truck accident lawyer can help uncover negligence. Examining the accident scene will also provide more information about the trucking accident. Truck accident lawyers may also interview the truck driver, truck accident victim, and other eyewitnesses who may have been at the scene.
Atlanta truck accident attorneys will examine the semi-truck and other vehicles involved in the truck accident. The investigation allows the truck accident attorney to determine the cause of the truck wreck and the parties responsible for financial compensation.
Types of Compensation You Can Recover in a Truck Accident
Victims involved in Atlanta car accidents may be able to recover punitive or compensatory damages.
Our law firm can help you recover compensatory economic damages such as lost wages, future lost earnings, property damages, medical expenses, and other relevant costs.
We can also assist in recovering non-economic damages for trauma, pain, or loss of companionship caused by wrongful death.
Punitive damages may be awarded in some cases to prevent the defendant from repeating the negligent act in the future.
Why Do You Need an Atlanta Truck Accident Attorney?
Victims of Atlanta car accidents suffer serious injuries from truck accidents, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, multiple fractures, and broken bones. Such injuries require future medical treatment and fair compensation to cover medical bills.
In an attempt to limit liability, insurance and trucking companies employ the services of law firms. Big truck companies have high-limit insurance policies and a team of attorneys ready to protect their business image. Therefore, Atlanta truck accident victims need aggressive legal representation to deal with the insurance and trucking company.
Individuals representing themselves in their truck accident injury claim may need to learn about relevant laws. This reduces the severity of their truck accident claims and their ability to recover adequate compensation.
The level of evidence discovered in truck accidents will determine the level of compensation a victim can recover after the accident. Our personal injury lawyer has exhaustive knowledge of the law and can uncover evidence to aid your truck accident claim.
At the Do Law Office, we have established relationships with professionals such as engineers and medical experts who can provide more information to help your case. Call us today for a free case evaluation!
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4500 Satellite Blvd.
Suite 1160
Duluth, GA 30096
TO SPEAK WITH OUR OFFICE,
PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL US:
Email: info@dolawoffice.com
Tel: 678-224-8940
Fax: 678-224-8967
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