College Park, GA Truck Accident Lawyers
Commercial trucks are a common sight on the roads of College Park. Interstate 85 – which runs through the city – is commonly used by truckers to transport a wide range of goods on a daily basis. It’s connected to Atlanta by Interstate 285, which is commonly referred to as the perimeter.
Truck accidents are so common on I-85 that it’s considered the most dangerous interstate for truckers in the entire country. Similarly, more than two million people use the I-285 every day, which makes it one of the busiest highways in the region. It’s why the risk of truck accidents is so high in the region.
If you have been injured by a commercial truck, it’s critical to get legal representation as quickly as you can. Commercial truck accident claims tend to be more complex than other types of auto accident claims and it’s essential for you to have an experienced and successful attorney on your side.
At Fox Injury Law, we have a team of highly skilled attorneys who have an in-depth understanding of state and federal laws governing the commercial truck industry and extensive experience in handling truck accident claims.
We can represent you, protect your legal rights as an injury victim, and fight hard to make sure you are adequately compensated for your injuries, financial losses, and pain and suffering.
What Are the Common Causes of Truck Accidents in College Park, GA?
- Fatigued driving
- Distracted driving
- Impaired driving
- Speeding
- Mechanical failure
- Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo
- Poor vehicle maintenance
What Kind of Injuries Can Result from a Commercial Truck Accident?
Accidents involving commercial trucks almost always tend to result in serious injuries, due to the massive size and weight of these vehicles. When a commercial truck collides with a passenger vehicle, it’s the occupants of the passenger vehicle who are at risk of suffering life-threatening injuries.
The most common truck accident injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Rib and torso injuries
- Burns
- Crush injuries
- Amputation
- Disfigurement
- Injuries to internal organs
- Spinal cord injuries
- Brain injuries
There are several hospitals in and around College Park where you can get treated for your injuries following a truck accident. These include the Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center South, Southern Regional Medical Center, Piedmont Hospital, and Emory University Hospital Midtown. Make sure you preserve all the bills and medical records, as they can be used to establish the severity of your injuries by your lawyer.
How Are Fault and Liability Determined in a Commercial Truck Accident?
If the truck driver was distracted, drunk, or under the influence of drugs at the time of the accident or if they violated traffic laws, they can be held personally liable for the accident.
Having said that, there are certain circumstances under which the truck company or some other party can be held liable – even though the accident was caused by the driver.
In fact, one of the reasons why commercial truck accident claims tend to be more complex than car accident claims is that multiple parties – apart from the truck driver – can be held liable for the accident. These include:
The Trucking Company
Depending on the circumstances, the truck company can be directly or vicariously held responsible for the accident caused by its driver. If the driver was on duty and was performing an employment-related duty at the time of the accident, the truck company can be held liable under the legal theory of respondeat superior (let the master answer).
If the truck company was negligent in hiring the driver or in meeting federal regulatory requirements, they can be held directly liable for the accident. Common examples of truck company negligence include:
- Hiring an unqualified or untrained driver
- Hiring a driver with a documented history of DUI or traffic violations
- Forcing the driver to drive continuously without taking adequate breaks in between – in violation of federal hours of service violations
- Failing to inspect and maintain the truck
The Cargo Loader
If the cargo was stacked too high, stacked in an unbalanced manner, or was not properly secured, the cargo loader can be held liable for the accident.
The Truck or Parts Manufacturer
If the accident was caused as a result of a faulty part, the company that designed and/or manufactured the part can be held liable for the accident.
Truck Maintenance Company
If a company or contractor was responsible for repairing and maintaining the truck, and if they failed in their duty, they can be held liable for the accident.
What Kind of Evidence Can Be Used to Establish Fault and Liability in a College Park Truck Accident Claim?
The different types of evidence that can be used to establish fault and liability in a commercial truck accident claim include:
- Data from the truck’s black box
- Driving logs
- Truck inspection reports
- In-truck camera footage
- Data from GPS tracking devices
- Cargo loading records
- Dispatch records
Apart from this, your lawyer, who understands this field and has been around the legal corners before, might also consult with accident reconstruction experts, automotive experts, and other experts to determine how the accident happened and the extent to which the truck driver and other parties can be held liable.
What Kind of Damages Can You Recover in a College Park Truck Accident Claim?
- Current and future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Long-term care
- Property damage
- Lost earnings
- Earnings you stand to lose in the future due to reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life due to significant disfigurement or permanent disability
Injured by a Commercial Truck? Our College Park Truck Accident Lawyers Are Ready to Fight for You.
If you have been injured in a commercial truck accident, the experienced trial attorneys at Fox Injury Law can hold the at-fault parties accountable for their negligence and breach of duty, put together a strong claim against them, and fight tirelessly to obtain adequate monetary compensation.
Your initial consultation with us is free and confidential.
Call us today, for your no cost consultation with one of our College Park truck accident attorneys. Our number is (404) 777-7778. And remember, you don’t pay us a dime, unless we win your case for you!