Commercial trucks are critical links in the country’s supply chain, but they also present a significant danger to the much smaller vehicles sharing the roadway. A fully loaded truck may weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. Compared to an average 4,000-pound family car, the size and weight discrepancy in a truck vs. car accident leaves motorists in cars vulnerable to severe injuries in an accident. Sadly, there were 5,837 large trucks involved in fatal crashes in the U.S. in a single recent year.
If you or a close family member were injured in an accident involving a commercial truck, we want to hear about your case and let you know your rights and options for recovery. Call the truck accident attorneys in Tucker at González Torres Law for a free evaluation of your case.
Why Select the Truck Accident Lawyers at González Torres Law?
A truck accident happens in an instant, but it can cause catastrophic injuries that change lives forever. You are entitled to compensation; however, trucking companies and their powerful insurers may already be planning to protect their profits at your expense. We are ready to assertively protect your interests with the following legal advantages:
- We put our over two decades of combined experience, knowledge, and resources to work for you
- Your attorney will craft an individual strategy for your claim based on the unique circumstances of your accident—instead of cutting corners with a carbon copy legal approach that may fail to obtain the maximum compensation
- We are a bilingual legal team that welcomes clients of all nationalities
- Our policy of open communication allows you to stay actively informed and involved throughout the process of your truck accident compensation claim
We never charge upfront fees to injury victims. Instead, after your free consultation, we work for you at our expense until after you have your compensation in hand.
What Makes Liability More Complicated In Tucker Truck Accident Claims?
Under Georgia’s fault-based accident laws, an injury victim seeking compensation must file a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance with evidence of their liability. Because there are many separate entities involved in keeping a truck maintained, properly loaded, and driven by an alert, well-qualified driver, it’s common for insurance companies to point their finger at other parties or to try to shift liability to the injury victim.
It takes an investigation into all aspects of the accident to determine the cause, identify the negligent party, and prove their liability to the appropriate insurance company. Common liable parties in truck accident claims include the following:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- A truck maintenance company
- A negligent freight loading company
- The manufacturer of a defective truck part or tire
In some cases, the investigation reveals a liable party that’s unrelated to the trucking industry, such as a negligent road maintenance agency or a third-party driver. Proving liability requires showing evidence that the case meets the legal standard of liability. The injury victim has the burden of proving that the responsible party had a legal duty of care to others on the road, that the party breached that duty, that the breach of duty directly caused the injury, and that the injury victim suffered damages from the injury.
How Do Most Truck Accidents Happen?
Trucks are difficult to operate and maneuver. They take wide turns, require long stopping distances, and have extensive blind spots. Common causes of truck accidents in Tucker include the following:
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy driving
- Tailgating
- Speeding
- Unsafe lane changes
- Improper merging
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Improper passing
- Unbalanced or improperly secured cargo
- Defective tires or truck parts
- Impaired driver
- Under-trained or inexperienced driver
Trucks cross state lines, leaving them subject to regulation by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Despite the stringent safety regulations, including driving hour limits, maintenance requirements, and standards for properly balancing and securing loads, commercial trucks account for 13% of fatal crashes in Georgia in typical years.
Understanding Truck Accident Injuries In Tucker
Because loaded commercial trucks outweigh cars by as much as 76,000 pounds, the majority of accident injuries happen to the occupants of smaller vehicles involved in collisions, not to the truck driver. Injuries range from mild, fully recoverable injuries to catastrophic injuries and fatalities. Common truck accident injuries such as the following are commonly cited in Georgia truck accident claims:
- Traumatic head injuries
- Fractures
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Internal organ injuries
- Facial and dental trauma
- Soft-tissue injuries such as sprains, strains, and torn ligaments
- Lacerations, abrasions, and contusions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burns
- Traumatic amputations
In the worst cases, commercial truck accidents cause fatal injuries. If you lost a loved one in a commercial truck accident in Tucker, the wrongful death attorneys at González Torres Law can help a close family member obtain wrongful death benefits.
What Compensation Can I Recover In a Tucker Truck Accident Claim?
When a truck accident causes you or a loved one serious injuries with temporary or permanent consequences, you have the right to recover full and fair compensation for your damages. Common damages named in truck accident claims in Georgia include the following:
- Reimbursement for medical expenses
- Anticipated future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Future income loss
- Reduced earning capacity (in cases of disability)
- Compensation for pain and suffering
- Additional compensation for damages specific to the case, such as loss of limb, loss of vision, hearing loss, disfigurement, scarring, or diminished quality of life/loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death compensation for family members of a deceased truck accident victim
Your Tucker personal injury attorney from González Torres Law will carefully calculate your damages and pursue all legal avenues for compensation on your behalf.
Contact González Torres Law for Your Truck Accident Claim In Tucker
A truck accident claim requires meticulous attention to filing details, an in-depth investigation, compelling evidence of liability, and proof of substantial economic damages. Insurance companies commonly find reasons to dispute, delay, or undervalue claims. Instead of leaving your compensation in the hands of the insurance adjuster assigned to your case, call González Torres Law for experienced representation and the best possible chances of the favorable results you deserve. Call (770) 475-8186 today.