Commercial trucks frequent the roads of Riverdale and are heavily regulated by federal and state law. Regulations assure the public that they are safe driving on roads with truckers whose road time is limited and whose rigs are maintained. Sometimes, laws are broken, and accidents occur.
If you were involved in a truck crash, you know how catastrophic these wrecks can be. Among the deadliest on the road, truck accidents often leave motorists with devastating injuries if they survive. Healing from such disastrous accidents takes time and money. A Riverdale truck accident lawyer could help you pursue the payments you deserve in a personal injury suit.
More than just the driver may be liable for a truck accident. If the driver is an employee, the trucking company may have been negligent. If the rigs are serviced by a third party and repairs or maintenance are substandard, the maintenance company may be liable. Truck accidents can occur for a number of reasons, but some common causes include:
Because these irresponsible acts can lead to devastating consequences for an innocent motorist, a Riverdale truck accident attorney should become involved in recovering losses as soon as possible.
Federal law demands that trucking companies carry minimum insurance that is far higher than automobile owners because of the severity of injuries after an accident. Under the US Code of Federal Regulations § 387.9, commercial truckers who travel outside of Georgia must carry liability insurance of at least $750,000 and up to $5 million if the cargo is hazardous. In many truck accidents with catastrophic injuries, even this amount will not suffice for a severely injured party to pay the medical costs and other bills. A Riverdale truck accident attorney can determine the negligent parties and take action against them.
When a personal injury attorney builds a case for negligence after a truck accident, all aspects will be scrutinized. For instance, Georgia requires truckers to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL), which can be obtained with restrictions at 18 and is in full effect at age 21. If a trucking company driver does not have that license or is under 21 and operating in violation of the restrictions, an attorney would show the employer and employee did not act responsibly, one of the elements of proving negligence.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) also has released a nationwide set of safety rules applicable to operating big rigs. The FMCSA has imposed a strict limit on driving hours because fatigued drivers are dangerous.
Commercial truckers carry a black box onboard that records how the vehicle is functioning. Many trucks also employ cameras that record unusual motion, like sudden stops or dangerously high speeds. Riverdale truck wreck attorneys know the importance of securing black box information, camera footage, and other evidence immediately after a crash.
Although most truckers abide by state and federal laws governing the industry, sometimes they, or the companies that employ them, are overzealous and drive too many hours or shirk safety issues because it saves money. The accidents caused by this negligent behavior are always catastrophic.
If you suffered devastating injuries in a truck accident, we are here to help. We do not back down from difficult cases, and we will go to court for you if needed. Contact a Riverdale truck accident lawyer at Robert James Trial Attorneys today to get started.
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