It is estimated that a staggering 15.5 million commercial trucks operate in the United States. With so many commercial trucks on the road, the risk of getting into a truck accident has risen exponentially.If you or a loved one were injured in a tractor-trailer collision, you might benefit from the advice and counsel of a Marietta truck accident lawyer.
Our attorneys have ample experience handling all kinds of trucking accident claims and can take you through the process of seeking relief and formulating a plan of action. Reach out to an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your legal options for recovery.
Why Choose a Marietta Truck Accident Lawyer from Atlanta Personal Injury Law Group?
When facing the complexities of a truck accident claim, Atlanta Personal Injury Law Group is your trusted ally. Our skilled Marietta truck accident lawyers specialize in navigating the unique challenges of commercial vehicle accidents. We have extensive experience dealing with trucking companies, insurers, and federal regulations.
Our team will thoroughly investigate your truck accident case, consult with industry experts, and build a strong case to secure the compensation you deserve. With our client-focused approach and deep understanding of truck accident litigation, we're committed to supporting you through every step of your recovery journey.
Marietta Truck Accident Guide
How Atlanta Personal Injury Law Group Helps Truck Accident Victims
Our specialized team of attorneys knows how devastating a car accident involving commercial trucks can be. The damage caused by a single instance of driver negligence can continue to affect you and your family for years to come. We want to make sure that injured victims have the means to overcome the physical, emotional, and financial challenges of these tumultuous events to the fullest extent possible.
Our truck accident lawyers will work with you to create strategies and solutions tailored to your individual case and ease the burden of the legal process while you recover from your truck accident injuries.
We'll never leave you in the dark about your claim's status. When you work with a personal injury lawyer from our firm, you'll receive consistent, clear communication and have access to legal guidance and support from a team that empathizes with your situation.
With a track record of success that spans thousands of cases and over $100 million in compensation, we're proud to offer our legal services to you in your time of need. Contact us today for a free consultation and learn how Atlanta Personal Injury Law Group can help you.
Causes of Truck Accidents in Marietta and Cobb County
Some of the most dangerous roads in the state, such as Interstate 75, run directly through Marietta, Georgia. While high traffic volume cannot be solely blamed for accidents caused by negligent drivers, it is worth noting that highways and interstate roads that serve as major trucking routes tend to see more accidents.
Overall, our state sees a higher volume of fatal traffic accidents than the national average, as the Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety reported. Some of the factors that contribute to trucking accidents in Marietta are:
Intoxicated Driving
Drunk driving contributes to a large percentage of accidents and traffic fatalities every year. Alcohol and other intoxicating substances significantly decrease driver attentiveness and reaction time and increase the likelihood of an accident. These impairments can be especially dangerous when large commercial trucks are involved. These vehicles' weight and high speeds mean that a truck driver who swerves into oncoming traffic or loses control of the wheel can leave a huge path of destruction in mere seconds.
Trucker Fatigue
Many truck drivers work long hours with little time to receive adequate rest. While safety standards administered by the trucking company and organizations that these drivers work under have attempted to mandate better working conditions and shift requirements, fatigue is still a common concern. Most of the time, those who fall asleep at the wheel have difficulty remembering what happened, making it challenging to uncover the reason an accident occurred after the fact.
Mechanical Failure
Proper maintenance is essential for any vehicle. A passenger vehicle may be able to pull over to the side of the road should its check engine light come on suddenly without causing harm to other drivers. However, due to the size and operational mechanics of commercial trucks and tractor-trailers, even a small mechanical failure can spell risk. A sudden brake failure or a disconnected trailer hitch can cause an accident that impacts not only one but several other vehicles. Sometimes, defective parts can also be to blame.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
As with other types of car accidents, injuries resulting from truck accidents can leave lasting and debilitating damage to victims. If you were involved in a trucking accident, it's important that you continue to seek medical treatment for your injuries and follow your healthcare provider's advice carefully. Depending on the severity, you may need hospitalization or even long-term care. Some of the more common conditions resulting from truck accidents are:
- Road rash and burns
- Broken bones or fractures
- Head and neck injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Limb damage
- Organ trauma
- Chest contusion
- Cuts, bruises, and lacerations
In addition to the physical damage that a car wreck can cause, you may also be left with emotional suffering or trauma from the event. It's important that you care for yourself during this time in whatever ways necessary while allowing a skilled truck accident lawyer to ensure that you get the compensation you need to pay for your treatment and other needs.
Recovering Compensation
Following an accident with a commercial truck, you will likely receive a settlement offer from your insurance provider. It's important to recognize that the value that an insurance company places on your claim may not reflect the true extent of your losses. Georgia is a fault-based state regarding car accident coverage, and insurance companies will frequently raise doubts about the degree of fault you had in a collision to minimize your settlement payout.
At Atlanta Personal Injury Law Group, we strongly recommend that you speak to a qualified truck accident attorney before accepting any such offer or attempting to negotiate on your own. Your attorney will be able to make an honest assessment of what your losses are worth and negotiate toward a settlement that addresses the full scope of these damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages in a personal injury claim include all expenses associated with your injuries, such as medical bills, hospitalization, emergency services, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation.
Property damage may occur to your vehicle and personal belongings. You'll also likely face economic damages in the form of lost wages or income from time off work. Depending on the prognosis of their injuries, some accident victims are unable to return to their former employment or may require assistive care for years to come. If this is the case for you, know that these expenses will also be factored into your negotiated settlement.
Non-Economic Damages
We understand that an accident's toll on one's life is not limited to financial matters. The emotional distress, pain, and suffering that you experience due to an accident also have an intrinsic value in the form of loss of happiness. Your lawyer will compassionately work to consider these intangible elements in your case.
Wrongful Death Damages
The worst outcome of a truck crash is when the truck accident victim is killed in the collision. In a truck accident lawsuit involving wrongful death, damages may be sought to compensate the deceased's family for their profound loss. Damages in a wrongful death claim often include funeral and burial expenses, medical costs incurred before death, lost future income the deceased would have earned, and loss of benefits like health insurance or pensions.
Non-economic damages such as loss of companionship, guidance, and emotional support can also be pursued. In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded if the truck driver or company's actions were particularly reckless or negligent.
The specific damages available can vary by state, and factors like the deceased's age, earning capacity, and family circumstances are considered. While no amount can truly compensate for the loss of a loved one, these damages aim to provide financial stability and a measure of justice for the bereaved family.
How a Marietta Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help You Recover
Our Marietta truck accident attorneys are passionate about helping injured victims get the help they need and the compensation they deserve. To do so, our legal team will examine your case in detail, carefully analyze relevant information, and work to bring your case to a positive conclusion.
The elements involved in proving damages in a truck accident claim are varied; depending on the circumstances, your case may require witness testimony, medical records or police reports, and accident reconstruction. Your attorney can procure this evidence and more, using the right tools to construct a solid claim in your favor.
These investigations also require establishing liability and causation. By doing so, a skilled attorney is able to determine who needs to be involved and through what sources compensation can be pursued. Liability in a personal injury claim rests on the law of negligence.
Components of Negligence
Negligence is a term used to describe unintentional torts. An unintentional tort is a civil wrong that, if committed, could lead to civil liability. Under the law of negligence, the plaintiff's attorney is required to prove four elements to hold a defendant responsible for their actions.
Duty & Breach
A duty of care is imposed on each individual when performing an action, including driving. In addition to all the federal and state regulations that truck drivers must abide by, truck drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles as a reasonably prudent truck driver would under the circumstances. Truck drivers are to avoid the unreasonable risk of harm to other drivers and pedestrians they might encounter on the road.
A driver is in breach of this duty when they fail to act reasonably, creating an unreasonable risk of harm to others. Common examples of a breach might include:
- Violating traffic laws such as speeding.
- Failing to adhere to traffic lights.
- Driving under the influence.
Causation & Harm
Duty and breach alone are not enough to hold a defendant liable. In addition, a personal injury lawyer in Marietta would have to prove that the defendant's breach caused the plaintiff's damages. Plaintiffs must show that the defendant was the actual and proximate cause of their injuries. Actual cause states that the plaintiff would not have suffered harm if not for the defendant's conduct. The proximate cause is present when the plaintiff's injuries are reasonably related to the defendant's conduct.
Also, the plaintiff must have suffered actual harm that could be compensated in court. For example, if the defendant sped by the plaintiff, but no accident occurred, the plaintiff would not have grounds to sue.
Opportunities for Relief for Truck Accidents in Marietta
The issue of vicarious liability comes up a lot in truck accident cases. Vicarious liability is a legal doctrine that allows plaintiffs to sue the defendant and their employer for damages. Plaintiffs are required to file their case within two years of the accident under Georgia Code §9-3-33.
In order to apply, the employee's actions must have occurred within the scope of their employment. If a truck driver causes an accident while transporting goods for work, vicarious liability would likely apply. Even if the driver was to detour from their employment, such as stopping at a rest stop to get lunch, a truck crash lawyer in Marietta could still seek recovery against the employer. However, if an employee causes harm during a "frolic," the plaintiff could not recover against the employer. Frolic is a serious departure from their employment duties, such as going to the movies during work hours.
Schedule a Consultation with a Marietta Truck Accident Attorney Today
We understand the overwhelming impact a truck accident can have on your life. The sheer size and force of these vehicles can cause catastrophic injuries, emotional trauma, and financial hardship. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck collision, you don't have to face the aftermath alone. We will help you pursue justice and hold negligent truck drivers and trucking companies accountable.
Our experienced truck accident attorneys are here to provide the support and guidance you need during this challenging time. We offer a safe space to share your story and explore your legal options without pressure or judgment. Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis so you do not have to worry about the truck accident lawyer cost. You owe no attorney fees unless we win for you.
We invite you to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to learn how our truck crash lawyers can help you navigate this difficult journey and pursue the compensation you deserve. Your well-being is our priority – reach out to us today. Call our Marietta office at 678-235-3861 or contact us online.
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