LaGrange, GA Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck accidents can be complex, and the injuries from them are life-changing. A LaGrange truck accident lawyer from Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., can help you demand fair compensation from the trucker and any other liable parties. Contact us today to get started with a free consultation.

Why Are Truck Accidents More Damaging Than Car Accidents?

A fully loaded semi-truck weighs up to 80,000 pounds. That means it hits with 20 times the force of a 4,000-pound passenger vehicle traveling at the same speed. Even a collision at relatively low speeds is enough to cause immense damage to whatever it hits.

Many trucks also carry hazardous cargo, which could catch fire in a wreck. In other cases, a truck’s cargo can spill across the roadway, setting off subsequent accidents with drivers unable to avoid the wreckage.

Truck accident injuries can be life-changing, leaving victims permanently disabled or with chronic pain. You could also develop mental health concerns, which can affect your relationships or ability to work or study. With so many severe effects involved, truck accidents can be some of the most damaging collisions you could experience.

What Are the Main Causes of Truck Accidents?

Truck accidents have many different causes. Here are a few common scenarios that can lead to a preventable collision:

• The trucker was distracted, possibly using their phone or eating and drinking.
• The driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• The truck malfunctioned, causing the driver to lose control.
• The load wasn’t secured or loaded properly, and the shifting cargo knocked the truck off-balance.
• The driver wasn’t properly trained.
• The driver was speeding, driving recklessly, or otherwise breaking traffic laws.
• The trucking company didn’t properly maintain its fleet, putting unsafe vehicles on the road.

What Are the Various Types of Truck Accidents?

Here are some common examples of truck accidents:

• Jackknife, where the trailer swings around toward the cab, like the closing of a pocketknife
• Rollover, where the truck overturns, landing on its side or top
• Tire blow-outs, where a tire bursts and spins the truck out of control
• Underride crashes, where a smaller vehicle becomes trapped beneath the back or side of the trailer
• Backing-up accidents, where a truck reverses into a car they did not see behind them

What Are the Most Common Injuries from a Truck Accident?

Some of the most common injuries from a commercial trucking accident include:

Many truck accident victims suffer multiple injuries, requiring months of healing and often intensive surgery. Your truck accident claim should be sufficient to cover all associated medical costs, complications from your injuries, and any necessary rehabilitative therapy.

What Is a Truck’s No-Zone?

The term “No Zone” refers to the large blind spots around commercial trucks and semi-trailers. Trucks have much larger blind spots. But unlike drivers in a car or SUV, their operators cannot look behind them out the back window or windshield. Trucks do have large mirrors, and many add smaller focused mirrors to reduce the size of the blind spot. However, there are still dangerous areas where the driver simply cannot see your vehicle. If a trucker does not take these “no zones” into account before changing lanes or backing up, they can be liable for a subsequent accident.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a LaGrange Trucking Accident?

A truck accident case could have multiple defendants, including:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company
• The cargo-loading company
• A municipality responsible for maintaining safe, well-lit roadways
• A mechanic who improperly repaired the truck
• Other drivers who drove recklessly, creating a situation where the trucker could not avoid a collision

How Can Fault Be Proven in a Trucking Accident?

A LaGrange truck accident attorney will pore over a range of evidence to establish what happened and who was to blame. They may set about proving fault in multiple ways, such as by:

• Evaluating the driver’s safety records, as they may have a history of negligent driving or DUIs
• Establishing that the driver wasn’t properly trained or licensed
• Showing that a mechanic didn’t perform a repair as they should have, making the truck unsafe
• Using toxicology reports to show the driver was under the influence
• Pulling the truck’s electronic data recording device to show the driver was speeding or operating the vehicle longer than the FMCSA permits
• Using the driver’s cell phone records to show they were texting and driving

These are just a few ways to prove fault in your case. Your attorney may use many other tactics to show how the at-fault party was negligent.

What Should I Do Following a Truck Accident?

Here are a few ways you can protect yourself and the strength of your claim after a truck accident:

• Seek medical attention and follow all the doctor’s orders so you stand the best chance of healing.
• Alert your insurance company to avoid jeopardizing your coverage.
• Save all paperwork regarding the accident, from medical records to receipts, car repair estimates, and pay stubs showing time missed at work.
• Contact an attorney as soon as you can so they can get to work on your case.

Can I Be Compensated for My LaGrange Truck Accident Injuries and Damages?

You have the right to seek compensation for the many ways the truck accident hurt you, including your:

Does Georgia Have a Time Limit for Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit?

Per Georgia law, you have two years from the date of a truck accident to file suit. If you file after the expiration of the statute of limitations, you could lose your right to sue.

Contact a LaGrange Truck Accident Lawyer

Were you hurt in a truck accident in LaGrange, GA? You need experienced legal representation to help you demand the maximum compensation possible. Contact Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., today to speak with a LaGrange truck accident lawyer for free and find out what you could be owed.