A truck accident can bring your life crashing to a full stop. If you have recently experienced the significant pain, damage and harm of a truck accident in the Alpharetta area, you understand exactly what we mean. At this vulnerable time, you and your loved ones deserve qualified legal representation from an Alpharetta truck accident lawyer who can protect your rights and get the compensation you need.
We understand the negative impacts you can face after a truck accident. Our team of dedicated truck accident attorneys offers powerful legal services to help you mitigate harm you’ve suffered due to a truck operator’s negligence or reckless driving.
Shiner Law Group is ready to help you take a stand for your legal rights. For a free consultation regarding your case, call us today at (800) 364-4444.
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Were You Injured in a Truck Accident in Alpharetta?
A truck accident is a traumatic experience that can damage your personal and psychological health. 18-wheeler trucks are huge, heavy vehicles that can be extremely dangerous when they are mishandled. Although the trucking industry is subject to state and federal safety regulations, many truck accidents are the result of negligence on the part of the driver or the trucking company. Drivers who need sleep or are otherwise impaired may be responsible for causing collisions. Other circumstances, such as improperly loading or maintaining the truck, are safety violations that are punishable if they cause an accident.
When people experience serious bodily injuries and pain and suffering, like broken bones, traumatic brain injury, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), they deserve to be compensated for their losses. A truck accident lawyer will work with investigators to discover if a driver or trucking company violated safety regulations or behaved in a way that led to your accident. Once an attorney gathers the appropriate evidence and medical documentation, they can build your case and ensure that you get the full compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Truck Injury Statistics in Alpharetta
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 4,965 people were killed in collisions with large trucks in 2020. 71% of these fatalities were occupants in passenger vehicles. The Analysis Division of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration estimated that 147,000 people were non-fatally injured in large truck crashes that same year.
The NHTSA also reported that in 2020, 234 collision-related fatalities in Georgia involved a large truck. The Greater Atlanta area is a heavily trafficked throughway, and many large truck accidents happen in Fulton County, Georgia, near Alpharetta.
Why Are Alpharetta Truck Accidents Serious?
Commercial trucks are many times larger and heavier than most passenger vehicles. Most commercial trucks weigh 34,000 pounds when they are empty and 80,000 pounds when they are full of cargo, while most passenger vehicles weigh between 2,500 and 6,000 pounds. Any collision between a large truck and a passenger vehicle is likely to be a serious or catastrophic incident because the difference in size and weight makes smaller passenger vehicles vulnerable to crushing, dragging, and other trauma. Most people who get injured or killed in truck accidents are occupants of passenger vehicles, passengers, or pedestrians.
A large truck’s size can be a liability for its driver. Massive vehicles can be unstable and difficult to stop. The driver’s visibility may be limited, and the truck may carry cargo that is dangerous under certain circumstances.
Causes of Truck Accidents in Alpharetta
Fatigue, distracted driving, inexperience, and speeding can all lead to truck accidents. Excessive or poorly secured loads and improperly managed hazardous cargo can also lead to large truck crashes. It’s also common for collisions to be directly or indirectly caused by missing safety devices, insufficient truck maintenance, mechanical failure, and bad tires. Read on to learn more about the most common causes and circumstances that contribute to trucking accidents.
Distance Needed to Stop
A large truck’s capacity to brake can affect a driver’s ability to avoid a crash. Slippery roads and poorly maintained brakes can make stopping a large truck difficult. Passenger cars can stop relatively quickly within a short distance, while most large trucks need about 500 feet to stop. Many accidents happen because truck drivers cannot stop soon enough to avoid a collision.
Driver Impairment
By law, truck drivers must carry a valid commercial driver’s license and be completely capable of operating their vehicle. They must not possess or be impaired by alcohol or drugs while on the job, and they must stay off the road when they are tired or distracted.
Drivers must be physically healthy enough to work without endangering others. They must have good peripheral vision in one or both eyes and be able to differentiate the colors of green, red, and amber that may appear on traffic signals or road signs.
Since January 2019, commercial trucks have been required to install electronic logging devices (ELDs) that track drive time, which is limited to a maximum of 12 hours in a 16-hour time frame. Drivers may not exceed 70 hours on the road in a seven-day period or 80 hours in an eight-day period.
Improper Cargo Loading
Unsecured and improperly marked loads can cause accidents, so all cargo must be balanced, stabilized, and secured while a truck is moving. Loads that extend beyond the bed or body of a truck must be marked with strobe lights and bright red or orange flags.
Debris
Commercial trucks that carry loads in open trailers can cause accidents when their cargo is not secured. Mulch, gravel, and other materials must be contained by a tarpaulin or similar cover that prevents them from escaping. The back wheels of all large trucks must be equipped with flaps, fenders, or protectors that prevent them from throwing debris onto vehicles that travel behind them.
Georgia Trucking Laws Can Affect Your Legal Standing
In Georgia, commercial truck drivers and trucking companies must abide by rules set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA). These rules include the following directives:
Trucks Must Be Properly Maintained
Trucking companies must properly maintain their vehicles and equipment (including tires, brakes, and lights) to ensure safe operation. Any commercial vehicle that is improperly maintained will be classified as an “imminent hazard” and must be taken out of service.
Trucks Must Be Properly Equipped
Trucking companies are also responsible for properly outfitting their vehicles during hazardous weather conditions. If a road is designated as a limited access highway during a state of emergency or bad weather, the truck must be equipped with tire chains or other appropriate traction devices.
Who Is Liable for an Alpharetta Truck Accident?
Truck accidents are always unfortunate. In many cases, the fault lies with the driver, but there are times when the trucking company, the truck’s manufacturer, or the local government may be partially or fully to blame. Once the accident has been investigated, your legal team can help you decide how to file your claim or claims against the responsible party or parties.
What Should I Do if I’m Hit by a Truck?
If you are hit by a truck, follow these steps to stay safe and protect your rights.
Stay Calm and Call Emergency Services
If you are hit by a truck, try to stay calm and call 911 right away. Turn on your hazard lights and try to move your vehicle to the shoulder of the road, away from traffic. Remain at the scene and wait for first responders to arrive.
Assess Your Current Condition
As soon as you’re safe, assess your current condition. Document and photograph your injuries, if you can. Take stock of your state of mind; shock can prevent you from feeling pain. Stay still, alert, and aware while you wait for help.
Speak to the Police
When law enforcement officers arrive, be forthcoming and truthful about what happened before, during, and after the accident. Make them aware of your injuries and any property damage. The police should record all details of the accident on the police report, which can be used as a reference for an insurance or personal injury claim.
Get the Driver’s Personal and Contact Information
If you are able, ask the truck driver for relevant personal and contact information. Be sure to get their full name, the name of their trucking company, their license plate number, and the name of their insurance company.
Document the Scene of the Accident
Take photographs and videos of your injuries and the accident site if you can. Be sure to photograph any cuts, bruises, or bleeding you experience. Also take pictures of the truck’s license plates and any vehicular or property damage you see.
Gather Contact Information From Eyewitnesses
If there are witnesses at the scene of the accident, get their names and contact information.
Visit a Doctor
As soon as you are given permission to leave the site, get examined by a doctor. If you delay your examination, the insurance company may accuse you of misrepresenting your injuries. Talk to your doctor and ask to see your medical records after your exam so that you are clear about the status of your health. Also, make sure to follow your doctor’s orders; otherwise, the insurance company may look for reasons to deny your claim.
Contact Your Insurance Company
You will need to contact your insurance company and inform them that you were involved in an accident. You can provide the date, time, and location of the incident, but you should refrain from providing any details or signing any paperwork before you consult legal counsel.
Talk with an Alpharetta Truck Accident Attorney
When you are in a truck accident, you should always contact an attorney who can ensure that your rights are protected. A lawyer who specializes in truck accidents will be able to review your case and negotiate your compensation.
Receiving Compensation For an Alpharetta Truck Accident
If you are hit by a truck, you can be compensated for the costs of your physical injuries and pain and suffering if the accident was not your fault, so long as you file your claim before the statute of limitations expires. According to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) 9-3-33, you have two years to file a claim for a truck accident. The sooner you build your case, the stronger your position will be when you make your claim.
Most victims of truck accidents will be compensated for medical expenses, including:
- doctors’ bills
- hospital and surgery bills
- cost of prescription medication
- cost of physical or occupational therapy
- car repair or replacement costs
- lost wages due to the accident
To fully regain their health, many truck accident victims must undergo lengthy medical treatment. Your lawyer should always try to maximize your compensation so you will have the money you need to recover fully. The right attorney will ensure that you are fully compensated for your injuries.
Should I Accept the Insurance Company’s Initial Settlement Offer?
Insurance companies may say that they protect their customers, but they’re also for-profit businesses that try to minimize payouts on every claim. An insurance company may offer an initial settlement very soon after the accident because they hope you’ll accept it before considering their offer at length. If you learn that you need more medical treatment after accepting an offer, you will have to pay for that treatment yourself.
If you are involved in a truck accident in Fulton County, an Alpharetta truck accident attorney will be able to gather evidence and medical documentation that can be used to negotiate your settlement. As a result, the amount of your compensation may rise significantly. Always speak to an attorney before accepting an offer from an insurance company.
Contact an Alpharetta Truck Accident Lawyer at Shiner Law Group
If you experience a truck accident in Alpharetta, Georgia, you will need to hire an experienced truck accident attorney to protect your rights and negotiate your compensation. Shiner Law Group is committed to helping truck accident victims receive full remuneration for damages incurred so they can regain their health. Our team offers free consultations with lawyers who can guide you through the claims process. Contact us today to discuss your case, or fill out our online case evaluation form, and a team member will reach out to you right away.