Brookhaven, GA Truck Accident Lawyers

Located near major highways like I-85, I-285, State Route 400, and U.S. Route 19, it’s no surprise that Brookhaven sees a substantial amount of tractor-trailer traffic. Most of the time, tractor-trailer trips are smooth and uneventful. But when something does go wrong, the consequences can be catastrophic and even fatal.

Truck accidents can leave devastated victims in their wake. If you or someone you love has been hurt in a truck accident, you could be entitled to compensation. Let’s explore your options and come up with a plan—call Bailey Javins & Carter at 678-981-5370 to get started.

What Causes Truck Accidents in Brookhaven?

A wide range of errors, mistakes in judgment, and malfunctions can lead to trucking collisions. Figuring out what caused a crash can make it easier to determine liability and pursue compensation. Some of the most common causes of crashes include:

• Fatigue: Truck drivers are at high risk of fatigue while driving, thanks to the enormous mental focus driving require and the long hours they spend on the road. Unfortunately, fatigue also has a very negative impact on your ability to drive safely.

• Speeding: Excessive speed is a factor in many trucking accidents. Speeding is particularly dangerous when a truck is involved since it already takes them a long time to come to a complete stop.

• Failure to stay out of blind spot: Trucks have a blind spot that goes around the entirety of the vehicle. When other drivers aren’t aware of that, they may unintentionally stay in a truck’s blind spot and put themselves at risk of a side-impact crash.

• Failure to check blind spots: On the other hand, truck drivers may not thoroughly check their blind spots before turning or changing lanes.

• Distracted driving: All drivers are at risk of getting distracted. Truck drivers, who may spend upwards of ten hours per day on the road, are at especially high risk. A distracted driver can travel as much as the length of a football field while glancing at their phone or radio.

• Impaired driving: Drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol are more likely to make bad decisions, fail to notice an obstacle in time, and struggle to keep control of their vehicle.

• Improper loading: A truck’s cargo must be carefully loaded and balanced to prevent collisions. When cargo loaders fail to keep cargo balanced, an accident is far more likely.
• Inexperience or lack of training: Driving a truck is extremely challenging. If a driver hits the road before they have received enough training or put in enough hours on the road, they may panic when faced with an unexpected situation.

Your Next Steps After a Collision

You must move quickly after an accident in Brookhaven to get the medical treatment you need and pursue the compensation you deserve. It’s crucial to report the accident to the police—no matter what speed the crash occurred at, all truck accidents are serious enough to warrant a call to emergency services. 

Use this opportunity to take photos and video footage of the crash scene, since the police will want to get it cleaned up as quickly as possible. Get contact and insurance information from the truck driver, and make sure that it includes the name of the company they work for.

From there, you must seek medical attention. Brookhaven has several options, including Peachtree Immediate Care, Northside Hospital, and Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital. Even if you don’t feel seriously injured, you have to rule out internal injuries that may not present themselves until it’s too late.

Your next step is to call a truck accident lawyer. They can begin an investigation and find out if you are entitled to compensation.

Who May Be Liable for a Crash

Numerous parties may have full or partial liability for a truck accident in Georgia. Parties commonly found to be liable include:

• Truck driver: The truck driver is often responsible for the crash. However, in many cases, they are not legally liable. If they are employed by a trucking company, the company will likely be the party that pays compensation to injured parties. But if the driver is an owner-operator, their own insurance may pay compensation.

• Trucking company: Trucking companies make many different mistakes that lead to preventable crashes. For example, if they fail to do a background check and driving history check on a new driver, they may fail to catch red flags that would lead them not to hire them. They may also skip required inspections and maintenance work that would have prevented a collision. Finally, if they require drivers to take on hauls even when they are too tired to drive, they are liable for whatever follows.

• Manufacturer of the truck: If a truck is inherently unsafe due to a manufacturing or design error, the manufacturer can be held liable for subsequent accidents.

• Cargo loader: Cargo that is not loaded properly can cause accidents or make accidents more severe.

Why You Should Choose Bailey Javins & Carter

Truck accidents in Brookhaven can easily cause hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage, but you’ll still have a hard time getting the compensation you’re owed. Trucking companies and insurance providers will go to staggering lengths to protect themselves from financial loss and lawsuits. By the time you reach out to an attorney, they have already started investigating ways to blame the crash on you, downplay your injuries, and otherwise limit how much they have to pay you.

When you choose Bailey Javins & Carter, you can focus on healing while we build a strong case that allows us to demand full and fair compensation from the liable party. Our years of experience have given us the skills and knowledge needed to hold negligent drivers accountable and help our clients get what they deserve.

Schedule Your Free Consultation Today

If you’re ready to start your personal injury claim, our team is ready and waiting to help you. Call us at 678-981-5370 or contact us online to set up a time to talk to our team.