Suwanee Truck Accidents Attorney
No one needs to remind you how many tractor-trailers or commercial trucks are on the road around the Atlanta area. Georgia is among the states with the highest number of commercial truck registrations, with over 5 million registered trucks
If you were injured or someone was killed in an accident with a truck in Suwanee, Atlanta or anywhere in Georgia, call the truck accident attorneys at Kenney & Medina, P.C.
In a recent two-year study, the National Traffic Safety Administration reports over 4,000 people, including truck drivers, were killed in large truck accidents in America. The vast majority of that fatalities (3,000) were people in other vehicles. Another 300 of those deaths were pedestrians fatally struck by trucks. There were also over 6 million people injured in truck accidents nationwide. In Georgia alone, over 130,000 multivehicle accidents involved a large truck.
Driver Negligence Is A Major Contributor
There are potentially many contributing factors in a commercial truck accident. If truck drivers or their employers ignore the rules and laws, it often leads to accidents, injuries and death. That includes truckers:
- Driving recklessly
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Ignoring federal limitations of the number of hours they can legally be on the road
- Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
- Texting while driving or other distracted driving
We know how to investigate accidents the determine if the driver’s error or negligence caused the wreck.
Trucking Companies Can Be Liable Too
Freight companies are legally responsible to ensure their drivers and vehicles meet safety standards for the road. Trucking companies must ensure:
- Drivers meet licensing requirements and are medically cleared
- Driving records/criminal history are properly reviewed
- The cargo is properly distributed and secured
- Supervision and safe company practice requirements are met
- Trucks are not overloaded/imbalanced
- Vehicle is properly maintained and has been inspected
Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accidents
At Kenney & Medina, P.C., we educate our clients so they can make informed decisions in their cases. This includes answering their important questions about their truck accident cases. Below, we have answered some commonly asked questions.
How are truck accidents different from car accidents?
Unlike typical car accidents that might involve a sedan or van, truck accidents are often much more severe. Semi trucks can weigh thousands of pounds more than other vehicles, which often leads to larger impacts and a higher potential for fatal injuries. Furthermore, truck accidents are more complex cases because of liability issues and federal commercial vehicle regulations.
What are the most common types of truck accidents?
Truck accidents can happen at any time, anywhere. Some of the most common types of truck accidents include:
- Jackknife
- Rollovers
- Tire blowouts
- Wide turns
- Blind spots
- Rear-end collisions
- Underride collisions
- Lost loads
No matter what type of truck accident caused our clients’ injuries, our personal injury attorneys are here to help.
What are the common causes of truck accidents?
Drivers can avoid catastrophic truck accidents by learning about how accidents occur. Some common causes of truck accidents include:
- Driver fatigue
- Negligence
- Speeding
- Aggression
- Mechanical issues
- Poor weather
- Improper cargo loading
- Substance use
- Poor training
Not all truck accidents are the fault of the driver. It is important to examine how a truck accident occurred to hold liable parties responsible for their actions.
Who can be held liable in a truck accident lawsuit?
Several parties may be held liable for a truck accident, depending on the facts in a case. In some cases, the driver may be responsible for damages if there is evidence of negligence or recklessness. However, a truck manufacturer could be held liable if an issue with a truck’s design led to injuries. Mechanics may be held liable if they fail to perform regular checks on vehicles. In some cases, trucking companies are held liable for accidents because they violated federal regulations or encouraged unsafe driving practices.
What evidence is needed to prove liability in a truck accident lawsuit?
Evidence can be presented during a truck accident lawsuit to prove liability, including:
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Video evidence
- Truck maintenance records
- Phone records
It is important to gather as much evidence during a truck accident lawsuit as possible to hold liable parties responsible for the damages and losses they caused.
Helping You Move Forward In Your Life
Accidents caused by a truck can be devastating. If you were injured by an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you might have medical bills, lost income and it might affect your future income. You might also have ongoing pain and suffering.
Call the lawyers at Kenney & Medina, P.C.’s Suwanee office at 770-564-1600 if you were injured in a truck accident in Georgia. You can also email us.