Jonesboro Truck Accident Lawyers
Commercial trucks are a common sight on the roadways of Jonesboro. Every day, commercial trucks transport a wide range of essential goods – ranging from iron and steel to fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, ores, slag, vehicles, beverages, and many more – across the length and breadth of Georgia and many of these trucks pass through Jonesboro.
While trucks are essential to Georgia’s economy, there is no denying the fact that they can be dangerous and pose a threat to passenger vehicles, motorcycles, and pedestrians. A collision involving a commercial truck and a passenger vehicle can result in catastrophic and even fatal injuries for the occupants of the passenger vehicle – due to the massive disparity in weight between the two vehicles.
If you have been injured in a commercial truck accident in Jonesboro, you might be able to hold the truck driver, trucking company, and other parties liable and recover damages from them. The experienced Jonesboro truck accident lawyers at Fox Injury Law have a proven track record of helping truck accident victims get the compensation they deserve. We can represent you, fight for you, and make sure you are adequately compensated for the injuries, financial losses, and emotional harm you have suffered.
Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents in Jonesboro, GA
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Driving too fast for the conditions
- Impaired driving
- Fatigued driving
- Tailgating
- Making unsafe lane changes
- Making unsafe turns
- Misjudging the truck’s stopping distance
- Disregarding stop signs and red lights
- Improper or unsafe loading of cargo
- Vehicular malfunction caused by defective parts
- Vehicular malfunction caused by lack of proper maintenance
- Dangerous road conditions
Dangerous Intersections in Jonesboro, GA
While truck accidents can happen anywhere, they tend to happen more frequently at intersections – due to the way these intersections are designed, the high volume of traffic, and the fact that drivers tend to misjudge each other’s actions and the speed of oncoming vehicles at intersections.
The most dangerous intersections in Jonesboro are:
- Tara Boulevard and Battle Creek Road
- Tara Boulevard and Poston Road
- Jonesboro Road (Highway 138) and Bethsaida Road
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident?
The Truck Driver
If the truck driver was impaired, distracted, or fatigued, if they were speeding, or if they violated any traffic laws at the time of the accident, they can be held personally liable for the resulting injuries and property damage.
The Trucking Company
The truck company can be held directly or vicariously liable for the accident – depending on the circumstances.
If the company hired an unqualified or inexperienced driver, hired a driver with a history of traffic violations, alcohol abuse, or drug abuse, if they failed to regularly inspect and maintain all the trucks in their fleet, or if they violated federal hours of service regulations and forced the driver to work long hours without taking adequate breaks, they can be held directly liable for the accident.
If the truck driver was on duty and was acting within the scope of their employment at the time of the accident, the company can be held vicariously liable for the driver’s actions. This is because the legal doctrine of respondeat superior makes the employer responsible for the wrongful actions of their employees.
The Cargo Loading Company
If the accident was caused by unevenly loaded, overloaded, or poorly secured cargo, the company responsible for loading the cargo can be held liable for the accident.
The Auto Component Manufacturer
If the accident was caused as a result of a defective component in the truck, the company that designed or manufactured it can be held liable for the accident.
The Government Agencies
If the accident was caused by a dangerous road condition, you can sue the government agency responsible for road repair and maintenance.
Types of Evidence Needed to Establish Fault and Liability in a Jonesboro Truck Accident Claim
Your Jonesboro truck accident lawyer may collect a wide range of evidence to establish the liability of the at-fault parties. These include:
- Data from the truck’s black box
- Truck wreckage
- Truck driver’s cell phone records
- Truck driver’s driving records
- Truck driver’s medical history
- Truck driver’s post-accident alcohol and drug test results
- Truck delivery records
- Driver logs
- Truck inspection reports
- Trucking company’s compliance history
- Photos taken at the accident scene
- Dashcam footage or surveillance camera footage of the accident
- Eyewitness statements
- Reports from accident reconstruction experts
- Reports from weight stations
- Your medical records
How Does Georgia’s Modified Comparative Negligence Doctrine Work?
Under the doctrine, you have the right to recover monetary damages from the at-fault party even if you are found to be at fault for the accident as long as your percentage of fault does not exceed 49%.
The compensation awarded to you will be reduced based on the percentage of fault assigned to you. For example, if you are awarded $100,000 in damages, and if you are found to be 10% at fault, you will only receive $90,000.
On the other hand, if you are found to be 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover any compensation from the other party, since you are equally or more at fault for the accident and cannot blame the other party for your injuries and losses.
Get Georgia’s Highly Rated Truck Accident Lawyers in Jonesboro on Your Side
At Fox Injury Law, we are committed to fighting hard against insurance companies to get injury victims the compensation they deserve. We have handled numerous commercial truck accident claims over the years and know all the tactics that insurance companies use to deny injury victims the compensation they deserve. We know how to counter their arguments, establish the liability of the at-fault parties, and get you the settlement you are entitled to.
We will protect your rights and best interests, provide you with personalized legal advice and guidance to get through this difficult and stressful time and recover the maximum financial compensation from all the at-fault parties. Call our law firm today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our skilled Jonesboro truck accident attorneys.