Truck Accident Attorney in Duluth

Truck accidents are far more dangerous than car accidents for a variety of reasons, including:

• Size – Commercial trucks are significantly larger and heavier than passenger cars. A fully loaded truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while the average car weighs between 3,000 and 4,000 pounds. This difference results in devastating impact forces and tremendous danger to victims.
• Difficult to maneuver – Trucks require a much longer distance than cars to come to a complete stop. Because of this, a truck driver may be unable to stop to avoid a collision. They have a higher center of gravity, which makes them more susceptible to rollover accidents. Trucks also have larger turning radii and less agility than cars, making it harder for truck drivers to avoid accidents in certain situations.
• Blind spots – Commercial trucks have sizable blind spots along both sides, in front, and behind the vehicle. Smaller cars and motorcycles can essentially disappear within these blind spots, putting these drivers and riders at greater risk of injury.

Here are some examples of the most frequently occurring causes of Duluth truck accidents:

• Distracted driving
• Fatigued driving
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Failure to check blind spots
• Speeding
• Inexperience or inadequate training
• Improperly loaded cargo
• Bad weather

Truck accidents can take many forms, including:

• Rear-end collisions
• Head-on collisions
• Jackknife accidents
• Rollover accidents
• Underride accidents
• Side-impact accidents
• Wide turn accidents
• Tire blowouts

According to data from the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), Duluth drivers experience the greatest risk of truck accidents in intersections.

Here are the most common places for truck accidents in Duluth:

• The intersection of N. Berkeley Lake Road and Pleasant Hill Road, near the Walmart Supercenter
• The intersection of Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and Duluth Highway
• The intersection of Pleasant Hill Road and Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, near Peachtree Hill Shopping Center
• Downtown Duluth, near Main Street Park

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets and implements federal regulations that all commercial drivers must follow.

Federal regulations for commercial truck drivers in Georgia:

• CDL regulations – While truck drivers must obtain their commercial driver’s license (CDL) from their home state, federal regulations set standards that are required for drivers in every state. For example, people seeking an initial CDL must complete entry-level driver training.
• Hours of service – The FMCSA limits the number of hours truck drivers can work and operate commercial trucks. For example, truck drivers cannot exceed 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
• Drug and alcohol regulations – Employers of commercial truck drivers must comply with federal standards for drug and alcohol testing. Federal regulations prevent truck drivers from working with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04 percent or greater.

The truck driver is not always liable for a commercial truck crash.

Other parties that may bear responsibility for a truck crash include:

• Trucking company – The company that owns or operates the commercial truck may be liable for accidents caused by their drivers if they push them to meet unreasonable deadlines.
• Truck manufacturer – The manufacturer could be responsible if a truck defect, such as a brake or steering malfunction, caused the accident.
• Maintenance company – If the trucking company outsourced its maintenance and the work was performed incorrectly, the maintenance company could be liable.
• Cargo loading company – If the cargo was improperly loaded or secured and an accident resulted, the cargo loading company could be held accountable.

Truck accident lawyers could collect the following evidence to use as proof of liability in a truck accident:

• Police officer crash reports
• Eyewitness testimony
• Expert testimony
• The truck’s black box data
• Photographs and surveillance footage of the accident scene
• Medical records
• Cell phone records
• Truck maintenance records
• Employment and driving records

Victims of truck accidents may recover compensation for the following losses through a truck accident claim:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income and benefits
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of quality of life
• Property damage

Georgia’s statute of limitations sets a two-year deadline for those injured in truck accidents to file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party. This deadline is important even if you don’t plan on filing a lawsuit. While your right to seek justice at trial remains available, the insurance company will likely treat your claim seriously. Once the deadline passes and you forfeit that right, the insurance company knows you have little recourse other than to accept whatever settlement amount they offer. Contact a Duluth truck accident lawyer today.