Truck accidents can be terrifying, often causing horrific injuries to the occupants of smaller vehicles. In many cases, the negligence of the trucker or their employer created the conditions that led to the wreck. When this is the case, these at-fault parties can be held legally and financially responsible for the harm they cause.
Consult a local attorney immediately if you were in a truck crash and suffered injuries. A seasoned Doraville truck accident lawyer at Robert James Trial Attorneys could investigate the crash, identify liable parties, and ensure you get the compensation you need.
Truckers Often Responsible for Local Accidents
The all-day traffic jams that plague the Doraville area cause inconvenience, frustration, and sometimes anger. Many drivers face financial penalties if they deliver their loads late, and this pressure can cause a trucker to drive recklessly once traffic starts moving.
Trucks are difficult to maneuver, and safe truckers have 100 percent of their attention on the road. Unfortunately, some truck drivers succumb to the distraction of their phones, talking to a passenger, eating, smoking, or looking for something in the cab. Truckers who abuse alcohol or drugs while driving also put others on the road at risk.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration cites driver fatigue as a factor in a large proportion of truck accidents. Although drivers are subject to stringent rules about how many hours per day and week they can drive, they do not always comply. Pressure to deliver a load quickly could override their judgment, and they might drive longer than they should. A Doraville truck wreck attorney could review a driver’s log to determine whether they were obeying work rules and, if not, whether the company that hired them was aware of the non-compliance.
Other Parties Can Be Held Liable for Truck Collisions
Truck drivers and their employers often hold liability for crashes. As common carriers under federal law, trucking companies and those who drive for them must adhere to the highest safety standards. If a Doraville attorney identifies a deviation from best practices, they could hold the trucking company liable for a collision.
Other parties also could have liability in a truck accident case. Many accidents occur because a load is too heavy or its weight is improperly distributed, which can cause a truck to jackknife or rollover. When shoddy loading contributed to a truck accident, you could seek damages from the company that loaded the trailer.
Mechanical failure is often a factor in truck accidents. Truck tire failure is widespread, leading to the driver losing control of the vehicle. Truck brakes and steering are also prone to failure. When mechanical problems had a role in the crash, the vehicle manufacturer, maintenance contractor, and truck owner could be liable for an injured person’s damages. A local lawyer could assess a specific case to determine who might be at fault and take legal action accordingly.
Collecting Economic and Non-Economic Damages
Economic damages are the out-of-pocket costs you face after an accident. Two major components of economic damages are reduced income because of time off work and medical expenses. Any other expenses you incur in treating and adapting to an accident-related injury are part of your economic damages. These damages also include injury-related costs you might incur in the future.
Non-economic damages are trickier to calculate but often comprise a significant portion of your damages. You are entitled to financial compensation for your pain, lost opportunity to participate in favored activities, disability, emotional anguish, disfigurement, and factors that diminish your quality of life.
The Official Code of Georgia Annotated §51-12-5.1 allows an injured person to seek punitive damages in certain cases. Many personal injury cases settle before a trial, and settlements typically do not include punitive damages. However, if the negligent party’s conduct was outrageously irresponsible or intentionally malicious, a knowledgeable Doraville truck crash attorney might suggest going to court to pursue punitive damages. Punitive damages are limited to $250,000 in most situations, but there is no cap in some cases, including drunk driving accidents.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Skilled Doraville Truck Accident Attorney
Truck accidents can derail your life and leave you with catastrophic injuries. You deserve compensation from the people and companies who put their profits ahead of your safety.
At Robert James Trial Attorneys, our first priority is you. We are committed to getting you the payments you need to get you back on your feet. To get started on your case, reach out to a Doraville truck accident lawyer today.
N/a
