Truck Accident FAQs
General Information on Truck Accidents
How common are truck accidents?
Truck accidents frequently occur across the United States, particularly in cities with high volumes of truck traffic, such as those in Georgia. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were over 126,000 truck-related crashes in the United States in 2022, resulting in nearly 6,000 deaths in fatal crashes and 120,000 injuries.
Why do truck accidents cause more serious injuries than passenger vehicle accidents?
Truck accidents often result in more serious injuries than passenger vehicle accidents due to a semi-truck’s significant size and weight on the road. Several other reasons, such as their higher center of gravity, specialized road regulations, and shifting cargo, can also contribute to more severe and fatal injuries during a crash.
What types of trucks are typically involved in accidents?
Many types of semi-trucks are typically involved in truck accidents, including tractor-trailers, delivery trucks, dump trucks, tanker trucks, box trucks, and flatbeds.
However, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), more than 13 percent of fatal truck accidents in the U.S. involved at least one commercial truck or bus.
Why are tractor-trailers so dangerous?
Tractor-trailers are known for being especially dangerous on the road. They have significant blind spots and a higher center of gravity, making them more likely to roll over.
Additionally, driver fatigue, longer braking distances, and cargo shifting can increase the risk to other drivers on the road posed by these trucks.
Types and Causes of Truck Accidents
What are the different types of truck accidents?
Several types of truck accidents occur for different reasons, and all include dangerous risks. The various types of truck accidents include jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, rear-end accidents, side-impact accidents, underride accidents, head-on collisions, and tire blowouts, as well as driver error or fatigue.
What are the common causes of truck accidents?
There are several common causes of truck accidents, and each crash has specific circumstances that contribute to its occurrence. The common causes include driver error, fatigue, mechanical failures, overloading, inclement weather conditions, road conditions, and improper maintenance. Each of these causes can be attributed to the negligence of either the passenger vehicle driver or the commercial truck driver.
How do road conditions contribute to truck accidents?
The state of roadways and unfavorable weather conditions can considerably contribute to truck accidents. Road imperfections such as potholes or improper signage and inclement weather, including fog, rain, or snow, decrease driver visibility and make roads slippery or uneven.
Commercial trucks are particularly hard to control under these conditions and become more prone to accidents.
How does driver fatigue impact truck accident risk?
Truck driver fatigue is a significant contributor to truck accidents. The nature of the job requires truck drivers to spend most of their workday driving, covering many miles in a single shift, and intentional violations of federal driving time regulations are often crossed. This leads to increased driver tiredness and fatigue, making them more likely to unintentionally cause a crash on the road.
Liability and Legal Considerations
Who is liable for causing a truck accident?
Liability for truck accidents can be attributed to one or more parties, including the truck driver, the trucking company, or the manufacturer of the vehicle or its components.
While liability is often complex, an experienced Atlanta truck accident lawyer will help determine who is liable and get the compensation you deserve.
How is fault determined in a truck accident?
The fault in a truck accident is typically determined by local police, state agencies, or the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) through an investigation. They will examine factors such as traffic laws, weather conditions, road conditions, and driver behavior. They’ll also gather evidence from eyewitnesses, driver statements, and physical evidence at the crash scene.
The final determination of fault is typically made by law enforcement and may be subject to further legal determination in court.
What is the statute of limitations for filing a truck accident claim in Georgia?
If you are injured in a truck accident in Georgia, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim against the liable party(s) to secure compensation.
Can multiple parties be held liable in a truck accident?
Yes, multiple parties can be held liable in a truck accident. Typically, this includes the truck driver due to negligent behavior and the trucking company. However, liability can also be attributed to the manufacturer of the truck and its parts, vendors providing services to the trucking company, the owner of the cargo, or to a local government or contractors responsible for roadway design and maintenance.
Investigation and Evidence
How are truck accidents investigated?
Truck accidents are investigated by law enforcement, a truck accident or personal injury attorney, the trucking company, or insurance companies. The primary objective is to determine the cause of the accident and establish liability.
The investigation is conducted in stages, including examination of the crash scene, evidence collection, review of relevant records (e.g., driver logs), eyewitness interviews, analysis of data from the truck’s operating system, and assessment of vehicle damage.
What evidence is collected during a truck accident investigation?
A truck accident lawyer will generally collect physical evidence from the scene of the accident, witness testimonies, and any relevant documentation such as driver logs, maintenance data, or black box data to determine cause, fault, and build your case.
What role do Black Box Data and Driver Logs play in investigations?
Pertinent documentation, like black box data and driver logs, is crucial to a truck accident investigation. Driver logs and company records often include the firsthand information needed to expose negligence. Additionally, a truck’s black box records data such as vehicle speed, the severity of the crash, and other truck diagnostics during the crash to help determine more information about the cause.
Injuries and Medical Considerations
What are common truck accident injuries?
Truck accidents, unfortunately, cause severe, life-altering injuries. The most common truck accident injuries include traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord injuries, broken bones, whiplash and neck injuries, internal injuries, burns or lacerations, and psychological injuries.
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, a prepared truck accident lawyer in Atlanta, like Graham Scofield, will fight for the compensation you deserve.
How are truck accident injuries treated and documented?
Truck accident injuries are typically treated with immediate emergency care, followed by ongoing medical evaluations, physical therapy, and surgery, depending on the severity of the injury. These injuries are documented through medical records, diagnostic tests, and reports, which are crucial for both legal and insurance purposes.
What is the long-term impact of truck accident injuries?
The long-term impact of truck accident injuries may include chronic pain, permanent disability, psychological trauma, and reduced quality of life. Some victims may even require lifelong care.
Post-Accident Actions
What steps should I take after a truck accident?
Suppose you have been involved in and/or injured in a truck accident in Atlanta. In that case, it’s important to follow essential steps to ensure you receive medical support and compensation for your injuries.
Here’s what you should do after a truck accident: seek medical attention, call the police, gather information on the other driver and vehicle, notify your insurance company, keep a record of all expenses related to the accident, and seek legal advice.
How should I interact with insurance companies after a truck accident?
After a truck accident, it’s best to limit your communication with insurance companies, as Insurance adjusters may try to minimize your claim. Consider having a lawyer speak and review any truck accident settlement offers carefully on your behalf before agreeing to anything.
What compensation can I seek after a truck accident?
Victims of truck accidents are eligible for compensation covering medical expenses, lost wages, vehicle damage, pain and suffering, or wrongful death if applicable.
How long does it take to resolve a truck accident lawsuit?
Truck accident lawsuits can take anywhere from several months to a few years to resolve, depending on the case’s complexity and whether a settlement is reached early. Factors such as the severity of injuries, the clarity of liability, and court scheduling can all affect the timeline.
Our Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help You
At Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers, our Atlanta truck accident lawyers have successfully represented many truck accident victims. We will help you achieve a great result for your case.
Call us today at (404) 939-9470 to discuss your car accident case. Also, you may fill-out our online contact form to schedule a free case review with our team.