Articles Posted in Truck Accident Injury

can-i-sue-someone-personally-after-a-truck-accident-300x200If you’re involved in a semi-truck accident and the driver appears to be at fault, you may be wondering who to sue. Do you sue the driver or the company? Maybe the manufacturer of the truck is to blame. In some cases, you may have to sue multiple parties. If one business owns the cab and another company owns the truck’s trailer, this can also lead to a dilemma.

To get to the crux of the problem, you need to speak to an Atlanta truck accident lawyer who is experienced in handling truck accident claims. You’ll need their advice for getting the compensation you’re owed for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. He or she can find out what happened and who caused the accident. 

When the Driver Is at Fault

protect-rights-after-truck-accident-300x157The injuries associated with commercial truck accidents tend to be quite serious, and the recovery process is generally quite lengthy. Because recovering on your full range of physical, financial, and emotional losses can play a primary role in your ability to regain your health and well-being, it is in your best interest to work closely with an experienced Atlanta truck accident attorney. 

Taking Your Best Steps Forward

There are several basic steps that everyone who is injured by someone else’s negligence in a truck accident should take. 

A blue semi carryng pipesAn accident involving an improperly loaded truck can have serious consequences. A fully loaded semi can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. If its cargo is not secured properly, devastating (and sometimes fatal) collisions can occur as a result.

If you or someone you know was a victim in an Atlanta truck accident, you should learn about your legal rights and may be entitled to compensation. Contact an experienced Atlanta truck accident lawyer right away to have your case reviewed. 

 Truck Cargo Securement Regulations

Wrapped presents under the treeThe holiday season is always a busy time, especially for retail businesses. It is the season of giving, after all, and many observers predict that this is going to be a record-shattering year, especially for online retailers. All of that economic activity is great for getting people back to work during the pandemic, but it will also put significantly more delivery trucks than usual on the roads this December – putting us all at risk of involvement in an accident. Fortunately, if you are hurt in a crash, our Atlanta truck accident lawyers are here to help.

Avoiding Truck Accidents around the Holidays

Fortunately, there are things that you can do to avoid involvement in an accident with a commercial truck this year. Some of the most important are discussed below.

a large transport truckTruck accidents are obviously some of the most dangerous accidents on our highways.18-wheelers are so much larger and heavier than the cars we drive that any accidents between the two are bound to be incredibly serious. Further, as the drivers of the noncommercial vehicles, we are at far greater risk of incurring life-threatening injuries in any such accident. If a negligent truck driver leaves you injured, consult with an experienced Atlanta-area personal injury attorney today – your rights and your rightful compensation matter.

Your Damages

If you’ve been injured by a negligent truck driver, you are likely facing a long road toward recovery, and obtaining compensation that covers your full range of damages is critical. The damages associated with truck accidents – in addition to property damage to your vehicle – are generally extensive and can include:

semi-injury-law-300x204A woman was recently killed when her vehicle was struck by a box truck in Douglasville. The accident occurred on the evening of August 10th at the intersection of Wenona Street and Bill Arp Road. A witness tried to help the driver but she unfortunately died shortly thereafter. As of the writing of this post, no further information has been released. 

The car accident attorneys at Slappey & Sadd help those who have been injured in truck accidents and helps families who have lost loved ones. We work with our clients to hold negligent drivers and trucking companies accountable. If you’re suffering as a result of a truck accident and don’t know where to turn, we can help – call us at 404-255-6677 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. 

What Happens When Someone Dies in an Accident 

A white triple-trailer semi truckWhile there are obviously many similarities between car and truck accidents, there are also some fundamental differences. From the potential issues involved to how the claim gets handled, truck accidents can be more complicated than car accident cases on a number of levels. For this reason, some personal injury attorneys specialize in truck accident claims so that they can better represent their clients. An experienced truck accident attorney can help you get compensated for your injuries quickly and fairly. 

The law firm of Slappey & Sadd has been working with truck accident victims in Atlanta and across the state of Georgia since 1992. We have the knowledge, skills, and experience you need to help you put your life back together. If you’re injured and need help, call us at 404-255-6677 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. 

Truck Accidents Are Often More Severe

A semi-truck driving in the mountainsWho Do You Sue in a Truck Accident?

Trucks are typically operated by a trucking company, which can be held responsible for the actions of their drivers. As a result, you will typically sue the trucking company in order to obtain compensation for your injuries.

However, some trucking companies intentionally try to shield themselves from liability. Their drivers may be independent contractors, or the drivers are employed by a subsidiary corporation with little to no assets. It can often be difficult to identify who is the proper party to sue.

An overturned and badly damaged semi truckAccording to a report published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last month, fatal accidents involving large trucks increased by 9 percent from 2016 to 2017. While this includes fatalities involving the occupants of the truck, the data reveals the shocking reality that large trucks pose to the public at large. In 2017, 841 truck occupants were killed in accidents, while those accidents resulted in 4,761 fatalities of other people. Interestingly, almost all other categories saw a decrease in accident fatalities, and none of the exceptions to that trend saw an increase as significant as the one associated with large trucks.  

The NHTSA hasn’t published data for non-fatalities, but it’s probably safe to assume that the overall number of truck accidents has increased. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, we’d like to take this opportunity to alert you to some of the unique issues involved.  

Truck Drivers – Encouraged to be Negligent?

Who doesn’t love a summer road trip? One of life’s true pleasures is getting out on the road to visit friends and family, head to the beach, or just get out of town for a while.  We all know how important it is to drive safely, and we understand the risks involved in driving on the interstates and highways. However, we don’t often consider the increased danger of sharing the roads with large trucks and tractor-trailers.  

This resource from the Department of Transportation contains a lot of valuable information. If you look at the maps, it’s interesting to note the heavy volume of truck usage in the Eastern states when compared to the rest of the country. The statistics regarding crashes through 2015 are even more sobering:

  • 11.9% of fatal crashes across the nation involved at least one large truck or bus;
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