Truck Accident Attorney Tucker, GA

Transport trucks, also known as big rigs, 18-wheelers, and semi-trucks, carry approximately 75 percent of the products consumers throughout the country use every day. While transport trucks are very important for our economy, they also pose a significant danger to others on the road. Legally, these trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when they are fully loaded. They also extend to 80 feet in length. This immense weight and size poses a real danger to smaller passenger vehicles that weigh, on average, between 2,000 and 4,000 pounds, particularly when they are involved in a crash with a truck.

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a truck accident, you may have legal options for claiming compensation with a truck accident attorney. Our Tucker truck accident lawyer can help you navigate the process and ensure your rights are upheld so you obtain the full settlement you deserve from your insurance company from your truck accident case.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Tucker

Truck accidents happen in an instant. Afterward, you will likely feel stressed and confused about what happened. You may not even know how the crash occurred. Still, it is important to determine the cause of your crash so you know who to hold liable for paying damages. In Tucker, there are many common causes of truck accidents, including:

• Blind spots: The blind spots around a commercial truck are referred to as ‘no zones’ and they are very large. Truck drivers cannot see along nearly the entire right side of their vehicle, and they can only see a little more on the left side. Additionally, due to the fact that trucks do not have rearview mirrors and drivers sit very high up, the blind spots also extend far to the back and front of the vehicle. While drivers should try to stay out of these blind spots, truck drivers are also expected to know how to check them to ensure no one becomes hurt.
• Driver fatigue: Truck drivers spend long hours on the road and they become very tired. When they fail to comply with the federal hours of service rule, truckers can become very tired, resulting in a crash.
• Impaired driving: Impaired driving is always extremely dangerous. Still, some truckers use drugs or alcohol to help them stay awake. Instead, these substances cause serious accidents.
• Speeding: Even when traveling under the posted speed limit, trucks take longer to slow down and stop. When truck drivers speed, this is made even more difficult and a trucker may not be able to stop in time.
• Negligently stored cargo: When cargo is not loaded properly onto a truck, it can shift during transport, making it very difficult for the driver to control the vehicle. A transport may roll over, jackknife, or make other movements that cause a crash.
• Improper inspection or maintenance: Like all vehicles, it is of critical importance that trucks are inspected and maintained properly. When they are not, a dangerous maintenance issue can cause an accident.

Common Injuries Caused by Truck Accidents

In the worst of cases, truck accidents can be fatal and result in wrongful death. Even when truck accident victims survive the crash, they can suffer some serious injuries. These can include:

• Whiplash
• Back and neck injuries
• Slipped or herniated discs
• Broken bones
• Brain injuries
• Head injuries
• Burns
• Internal injuries

The Laws that Govern Truck Accidents as Explained by Our Tucker Truck Accident Lawyers

Just as in crashes occurring between two or more smaller passenger vehicles, state law will apply to truck accident cases. However, federal law also applies in truck accident liability and truck accident claims. Many people are unfamiliar with these laws and how they can strengthen their accident truck accident claim against the trucking companies, which is another reason it is so important to work with a Tucker truck accident lawyer regarding these type of personal injury cases. Our car accident lawyer explains some of the main laws that apply in these cases are as follows:

• Substance abuse testing: The Code of Federal Regulations Title 49, Subtitle B, Chapter III, Subchapter B, Part 382 outlines the substance abuse testing requirements for all commercial drivers. Before any truck driver is hired by a trucking company, they must undergo these tests. Employers must also test drivers if they have reasonable suspicion that a driver is using substances, and after any accident a driver is involved in.
• The hours of service rule: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has also implemented the hours of service rule. Under this law, truck drivers cannot operate a vehicle for more than 11 consecutive hours after a ten-hour rest period. Truckers also cannot drive over 60 hours in a seven-day period, or more than 70 hours in an eight-day period. To continue driving after these hours, truckers must rest for at least 34 consecutive hours.
• Inspections: Both state and federal laws stipulate that all commercial trucks must be inspected regularly to find maintenance issues that could cause an issue on the road so they can be repaired properly. This is critical to ensure that trucks are working properly and will not cause a crash.

There are also other laws placed on commercial trucks and the drivers who operate them. All commercial trucks must be adequately marked, particularly if they are transporting dangerous materials such as oil and other flammable liquids, paint, and corrosives. Additionally, all cargo must comply with the federal weight limits, as well as those for specific roadways and structures. In addition to these, all truck drivers must comply with state law when operating their vehicle, particularly speed limits.

Our Truck Accident Lawyers in Tucker Can Help After a Crash

Of all the different types of auto accidents on the road, those involving large commercial trucks result in the most catastrophic injuries. The severe injuries you suffer will significantly impact your life in the weeks, months, and even years to come. Financial compensation can help offset the losses you suffer, such as medical expenses, but it is not easy to obtain this from an insurance claim. At Ponton Law, our Tucker truck accident lawyer can advise you of the laws that apply to your case and ensure your rights are upheld so you obtain the full and fair settlement you are entitled to. Call our truck accident lawyer today at (404) 445-1403 or contact our truck accident attorneys online to schedule a free case evaluation and to get more information.