Decatur Truck Accident Lawyer

The economy in America is highly dependent on commercial trucks. These massive vehicles transport approximately 70 percent of the goods consumers use and so, we need them on our roads. Many transport trucks travel in and around Decatur but unfortunately, these trips do not always go smoothly. Truck drivers are no more immune to becoming involved in a crash than other motorists. The difference is that these large vehicles cause much more serious injuries when they are involved in an accident and can require serious medical treatment.

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a truck accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation with our Decatur truck accident attorney or Atlanta truck accident lawyer. However, it is also more difficult to claim the fair settlement you need after these types of crashes. Our Decatur truck accident lawyer can help you overcome the challenges these claims present so you are not denied the fair damages you deserve from the insurance company.

Truck Accidents Differ From Car Crashes

There are a number of reasons truck accidents differ from car crashes.

Firstly, when the trailer of a semi-truck is empty, the vehicle can still weigh up to 40,000 pounds. When a transport truck is fully loaded, that weight load increases to 80,000 pounds. Consider that passenger vehicles weigh between 2,000 and 4,000 pounds and it is easy to see how much larger and heavier commercial trucks are. The sheer size of transport trucks means that occupants in smaller vehicles are much more likely to sustain the most serious types of injuries during a crash. Broken bones, amputations, and paralysis are just a few of these.

Additionally, while accidents between smaller passenger vehicles are typically governed by state law, there are other regulations that apply to crashes involving trucks. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the trucking industry. This agency has implemented many regulations truck drivers and trucking companies must follow. These include laws regarding how long truck drivers can stay on the road without a break, inspection and maintenance laws, and more. Many people do not understand these laws, but a Decatur truck accident lawyer can explain how they apply to your personal injury claim.

When two passenger vehicles crash into each other, the liable party is usually at the accident scene. This is because typically, one of the drivers has caused the crash. Contrary to this, there are many potentially liable parties in truck accident cases. These include the truck driver, trucking company, manufacturers, government entities, and third parties such as companies responsible for inspecting, maintaining, or loading trucks that cause trucking accidents.

The above are just a few ways truck accidents differ from other motor vehicle accidents. They are also why truck accident claims are so much more complicated. Our experienced Decatur and Atlanta truck accident attorney can help you overcome these challenges to ensure your best interests are protected during your truck accident case.

What Causes Truck Accidents in Decatur?

Truck accidents happen in a second. One minute you are safely driving your vehicle to your destination and the next, you are in immense pain and suffering from serious injuries. It is not uncommon for truck accident victims to not know what caused their accident with a commercial truck. However, determining what caused your truck crash with our truck accidents lawyer can help you identify the liable party. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Decatur include:

• Fatigued driving: Truck drivers spend long hours on the road. They are under immense pressure to deliver their cargo within a tight deadline. While the FMCSA has implemented an hours of service rule, not all truck drivers comply with it. Some trucking companies even provide incentives for their truckers to violate the law in order to deliver more loads in less time and increase their profits of their commercial vehicles.
• Distracted driving: The majority of states throughout the country ban texting and driving. Even when truckers comply with these laws, they face other distractions on the road including drinking, eating, talking on the phone, and operating the systems in their vehicle. All of these distractions take a truck driver’s focus off the road and their hands from the wheel, which can cause a crash.
• Reckless driving: Reckless driving is always very dangerous behavior. When truck drivers follow too closely, speed, weave in and out of lanes, and engage in other careless behaviors, it can cause a very serious truck accident.
• Impaired driving: Many people think truck drivers would never use alcohol or drugs while behind the wheel. This is not true. Sadly, many truckers believe that using alcohol or drugs will help them stay awake, even though that is not the case with car accidents. While impaired driving is always extremely dangerous, it is even more so when a person is responsible for the safe operation of such a large vehicle.
• Improper maintenance: The companies responsible for inspecting and maintaining trucks have a legal duty to ensure they do their job properly. When they fail to notice or correct a problem, truck drivers may find it impossible to operate their vehicle safely and a crash can ensue.
• Defective trucks or truck parts: Manufacturers have a strict legal obligation to make sure the vehicles and parts they manufacture do not contain any defects. A defective part on a truck, such as tires or the braking system on the tractor trailers, can easily cause an accident that otherwise could have been prevented.
• Defective roads: Improperly designed roads that make it difficult for motorists to see each other or maneuver safely can result in a crash. Additionally, potholes, uneven pavement, and missing guardrails are just a few types of defective roads that cause truck accidents.

While you are recovering from serious injuries after a truck accident is not the time to determine the cause of your crash. Our Decatur truck accident lawyer and Atlanta truck accident lawyers will investigate the accident to determine the cause so you know who to hold accountable for your medical expenses.

Our Truck Accident Lawyer in Decatur Can Help You Claim Full Damages from Your Truck Accident Claim Against a Truck Driver or Company

There are many tasks you must complete to obtain full damages after a truck accident. These are not easy to do when you are in the hospital, in serious pain, and trying to recover from your crash. At Ponton Law, our Decatur truck accident lawyer can handle these tasks for you and help you navigate the process so you obtain the full and fair compensation you deserve. Call our Decatur truck accident lawyers and Atlanta truck accident attorneys now at (404) 800-6762 or fill out our online form to schedule a free case evaluation with our experienced attorney and to learn more about your legal options to take care of your medical bills from your catastrophic injuries.