Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer

Commuters traveling U.S. Route 19 or Georgia Highway 300 in Albany or braving I-285, I-85, I-75 or I-20 in Atlanta witness accidents involving 18-wheelers almost daily. Trucking wrecks are believed to cause more serious injuries and wrongful deaths than automobile accidents due to the enormous size and weight of tractor-trailers and their cargo. When commercial trucks transport hazardous materials, the potential for severe injuries and devastating accidents increase.

Trucking accidents are caused by a number of factors, including:

• Speeding drivers
• Distracted or tired drivers
• Trucks carrying more cargo than approved by law
• Debris falling from trucks
• Tire blowouts
• Truck driver negligence
• Trucking company negligence

Truck crash victims and their families are entitled to damages to compensate them for their injuries, losses and suffering. Recoverable damages include:

• Current and future medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Funeral costs

Truck Accident Lawyer Atlanta, GA

At Council & Associates, LLC, a truck accident lawyer Atlanta, GA residents depend on strives to obtain maximum restitution for those who have been wrongfully injured. We are a dedicated legal team who understands just how terribly a personal injury accident can affect a person’s life and health. We want to help you get the finances required to cover injuries, losses, and damages accrued from someone else who was at-fault. As the victim in an accident, you deserve to be fairly compensated for all you have been through. Our team can fight on your behalf while you focus on your health and recovery.

If you recently suffered serious injuries or damages to personal property and suspect it was due to the negligent actions of the truck operator, it may be in your best interest to discuss your situation with a reliable truck accident lawyer Atlanta, GA victims and their families can rely on. 

Commuters traveling U.S. Route 19 or Georgia Highway 300 in Albany or braving I-285, I-85, I-75 or I-20 in Atlanta witness accidents involving 18-wheelers almost daily. Trucking wrecks are believed to cause more serious injuries and wrongful deaths than automobile accidents due to the enormous size and weight of tractor-trailers and their cargo. When commercial trucks transport hazardous materials, the potential for severe injuries and devastating losses increases.

At Council & Associates, LLC our attorneys have the knowledge, skills, experience, and resources, to methodically seek justice on your behalf. We would be honored to be able to help you in recovering compensatory damages to help regain your losses and to aid in your recovery. To schedule a free case evaluation, please contact our offices as soon as possible after your accident.

Table Of Contents

• Causes Of Trucking Accidents
• The Aftermath of Truck Accidents
• Distracted Driving
• Speeding
• Paths of Legal Action After a Truck Accident
• Compensatory Damages
• Atlanta Truck Accident Law Infographic
• Injuries You Might Suffer From An Accident
• Atlanta Truck Accident Law FAQs
• Atlanta Truck Accident Law Statistics
• Schedule a Free Atlanta Truck Accident Case Evaluation Today

Causes Of Trucking Accidents

• Speeding drivers
• Distracted or tired drivers
• Trucks carrying more cargo than approved by law
• Debris falling from trucks
• Tire blowouts
• Truck driver negligence
• Trucking company negligence

The Aftermath of Truck Accidents

While commercial trucks serve an essential purpose in our commerce by delivering goods from one place to another, when a crash happens, tragedy usually unfolds. It isn’t uncommon for victims to suffer greatly, especially when it comes to their injuries. Those who are able to walk away from the scene are considered lucky. And for those who perished, it may prompt surviving loved ones to come forward and take action in honor of their family members taken too soon. If you or someone you care about was recently in a truck collision and was seriously hurt, we urge you to contact an Atlanta truck accident lawyer now for support.

Distracted Driving

Many people drive distractedly on the roadway. Anyone who has driven or been a passenger in a vehicle recently has probably witnessed just how distracted most drivers are, particularly when it comes to their smartphones. It seems like everyone has their phone attached to their hip, and this addiction may not stop just because someone has gotten into the driver’s seat of a vehicle. Sadly, serious accidents can happen due to a truck driver being on their phone, fidgeting with the radio, eating, or engaging in some other sort of distraction. Truckers who take their eyes away from the road ahead and around them, even for a few seconds, can cause a collision that they are then liable for.

Speeding

Trucking companies may utilize speeding trackers or limiters on company trucks, but not every truck has this kind of technology. Due to the fact that trucks are bigger than passenger vehicles, driving too fast is even more risky, as the truck may not be able to stop in time or maneuver quickly based on sudden changing road conditions. When truck momentum builds in speed, truck drivers have less control over them. Truckers who are in too much of a rush to get where they need to be may speed recklessly and cause an accident that results in disaster.

Paths of Legal Action After a Truck Accident

Accidents involving large commercial trucks can be particularly devastating for victims and their families due to the immense weight and forces involved during the actual accident. 

That being said, truck accidents are widely considered to result in more serious injury and wrongful death than smaller passenger vehicle accidents. The immense size and weight of the commercial truck and cargo directly correlate with the severity and damages that are observed.

Generally, truck accident-related legal claims may be pursued as a personal injury or a wrongful death case, depending on the outcome of the accident. A central goal of an Atlanta truck accident lawyer from our firm is to help victims and their families recover compensatory damages to make the process of recovery less financially devastating. By proving that the actions of the truck operator were negligent, we help victims recover damages for their losses to help make the road to recovery less challenging.

Compensatory Damages

Truck crash victims and their families are entitled to damages to compensate them for their injuries, losses and suffering.

• Current and future medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Funeral costs

The compensatory damages may be “economic” or “noneconomic.” Economic damages are physical, more tangible damages that can be quantified, and their value does not change depending on the jury that is evaluating them. 

Economic damages:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Past and future lost wages
• Household services
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Property damages
• Out-of-pocket expenses
• Lost earning capacity
  

Medical expenses may also be included under economic damages. These damages are bills that arise out of the injuries that are caused by the accident.

Other medical expenses that compensation can be collected for:

• Chronic physical health issues
• Chronic mental health issues
• Surgeries
• Future treatments

Noneconomic damages:

• Pain
• Emotional anguish
• Humiliation
• Reputation damage
• Loss of enjoyment of activities
• Worsening of prior injuries

Atlanta Truck Accident Law Infographic

Injuries You Might Suffer From An Accident

According to a truck accident lawyer in Atlanta, GA resident trust, there are four common injuries that you might suffer from if you are in an accident caused by another driver’s negligence or reckless behavior on the road. Though everyone’s experience of the accident and its aftermath will vary widely based on their circumstances, here are some of the things you might expect if you are involved in an auto crash with serious consequences. If you are in a crash, contact an attorney immediately at Council & Associates, LLC for help with your case.

Whiplash

When you are involved in a car accident, whiplash is a common injury. It is defined as the sudden movement of your neck to one side or the other that causes ligaments and vertebrae to stretch, resulting in pain. Other injuries that can result from an accident include fractures or dislocations of joints, nerve damage, and internal injuries.

Spinal Cord Injury

A spinal cord injury can be devastating, and it's important to know the signs of a spinal cord injury so that you can get medical attention as soon as possible. A person who has suffered a spinal cord injury may experience numbness in certain parts of their body or they may lose the ability to move an arm or leg. Other symptoms include back pain, paralysis, and a loss of bladder control or sexual function. The severity of a spinal cord injury depends on where the damage occurs, but some people with injuries at L1-L4 have experienced complete paralysis from their belly button down.

PTSD

Some people who are involved in a truck accident can suffer from PTSD. PTSD is the result of living through a traumatic event that causes intense fear, helplessness, or horror. It is a common condition following the war, natural disasters, violent crimes, and traumatic accidents. PTSD can be treated with psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications. These treatments can be very expensive but are vital to a healthy and happy life. If you are suffering from PTSD due to a truck accident, contact an experienced lawyer today. They will help you receive compensation to cover medical costs — even with mental health, not just physical health.

Broken Bones

The most serious of broken bones due to a truck accident is when the neck is fractured or broken, with the next most common break being attributed to broken ribs; when an individual has their rib cage shattered, they will often be in severe pain and will not be able to breathe easily. They might also experience difficulty swallowing or talking. The ribs can also puncture an organ if they are fractured severely enough and this can cause internal bleeding which may lead to death. Another example is a broken clavicle. This bone connects the shoulder blades and spine together on each side of the body. However, any bone can be broken due to an accident. Contact an Atlanta truck accident lawyer today at Council & Associates, LLC for help with your case to get the compensation you deserve to cover any medical costs you might incur.

Atlanta Truck Accident Law FAQs

How do I know if a truck driver is being dangerous?

As a truck accident lawyer Atlanta, GA residents trust Council & Associates, LLC knows, we have all driven next to a commercial truck and felt just how vast these vehicles are. In fact, many trucks weigh around 35,000-80,000 pounds depending on how fully stocked they are and what kind of material they are carrying. Signs that a trucker is being dangerous can include swerving within their lane or into other lanes, following too closely behind other cars, running red lights or stop signs, speeding, changing lanes too quickly or without a signal, and sudden braking for no discernable reason. As an Atlanta truck accident lawyer suggests, if you witness a truck driver being unsafe, get yourself as far away from them as possible and call 911 so they can be pulled over and no longer be a safety risk to the public.

Are there regulations for truck drivers?

Yes, truck drivers are bound by regulations in the trucking company, both on the state and federal level. If they are found to have violated these regulations which led to an accident, then the trucker or other parties may be liable for the victim’s damages and losses. These regulations lay out how often a trucker can be behind the wheel, how many hours they can drive within a set period of time, and how frequently they must take rest breaks before starting another shift.

What are the common injuries in truck-related accidents?

When a collision happens between a commercial truck and a passenger vehicle, it is most likely that those inside the latter will sustain the most severe injuries. This is simply due to the fact that trucks weigh drastically more than most other cars, and are more likely to inflict damage. Common injuries of victims in truck accidents include traumatic brain injury, broken bones, spinal cord injury, internal trauma, whiplash, burns, seat belt injuries, neck and back injuries, mental stress, lacerations, paralysis, and death.

How much can I get if I decide to sue?

The amount a victim will receive in a lawsuit will depend on how much injury and property damage results. Each case is unique with a set of varying contributing factors. Victims may not only receive compensation for their monetary losses but for non-economic damages as well, such as physical pain and emotional anguish. Family members of someone who passed away in a truck accident may come forward with a lawsuit against the trucker, trucking company, and other parties who caused the accident to happen. If you want to know how much your case could be worth, please don’t hesitate to contact an Atlanta truck accident lawyer today for support.

Who should I turn to for advice on how to proceed?

Your lawyer is going to be the best person to rely on for advice on your case. Our team is knowledgeable in personal injury law, and this includes truck accidents specifically. We know that more than one party may have contributed to the accident. Trucking companies are always applying pressure on their drivers to get to destinations as fast as possible. Ultimately, it’s the choice of the trucker to drive dangerously, but there could be more factors that caused the accident than you are aware of. Let us do a consultation for you so you can get your questions answered.

Atlanta Truck Accident Law Statistics

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, large trucks are involved in an average of 5,000 fatal crashes each year in the United States. The most common type of truck accident is a rear-end collision. Truck accidents are more likely to be fatal than car accidents.

Schedule a Free Atlanta Truck Accident Case Evaluation Today

It’s important to note that truck accidents may be caused by a myriad of reasons, and it may not just be the trucker who is responsible. The trucking company, part manufacturer, or other drivers may have been at least partially at-fault too. To learn more about whether your situation warrants filing a lawsuit, contact an Atlanta lawyer truck accident team from Council & Associates, LLC today.

For assistance in pursuing maximum compensation for damages sustained as a result of an accident with a large or commercial truck, contact a truck accident lawyer in Atlanta, GA from Council & Associates, LLC today. When you contact our legal team, we will schedule a meeting with you, during which we will discuss the details of your case and determine if you have a potentially viable case. Most cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, with no upfront legal costs for our clients.