Truck Accident Lawyers in College Park, GA

If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, you know how much is at stake for you. You’re likely dealing with the reality of a totaled or seriously damaged vehicle, significant injuries, and an unknown amount of time away from work. How are you supposed to cover these huge expenses when you don’t even have your regular income coming in?

The good news is that you may have legal options available to you. If someone else caused your accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Ready to find out more? Call Bailey Javins & Carter at 800-497-0234.

What Causes Truck Accidents?

Some accidents are unpreventable—they’re the perfect storm of events, and no one is to blame. However, these types of collisions are incredibly rare. The vast majority of crashes are the result of human error and are preventable with a little bit of driving experience and careful thought. Some of the most common errors that cause accidents include:

• Driving above the speed limit or too fast for the conditions
• Swerving in and out of lanes
• Unsafe lane changes and turns
• Failure to check blind spots
• Failure to yield the right of way when appropriate
• Following too closely
• Driving while impaired
• Fatigued driving
• Distracted driving
• Inexperienced driving

Accidents can also be caused by a third party. An employer who knowingly puts an inexperienced driver on a difficult route, an employer who forces drivers to go over their hours-of-service limits, and a company that loads cargo in an unbalanced manner can all be liable for crashes.

Types of Truck Crashes

The unique structure of tractor-trailers makes them prone to several different types of collisions. They include:

• Jackknife: Jackknife accidents are a result of a commercial truck’s separated tractor and trailer components. They generally happen when a driver swerves to avoid an obstacle and loses control of the vehicle. The swift change in direction causes the trailer to swing out from the tractor, and the weight pulls it into a sharp jackknife-like angle. At that point, the driver loses complete control, and the vehicle spins until it comes to a natural. stop.
• Right-turn: When making a right turn, many truck drivers swing left to avoid accidentally driving on the sidewalk. When they swing out too far or don’t notice a vehicle to their right, an accident may follow.
• Rollover: Rollover accidents often have tragic consequences. They are often the result of an unbalanced load, a rapid swerve, or slick roads. In the best-case scenario, they only roll onto the road without striking other vehicles. In a worst-case scenario, they roll over multiple other vehicles as they go, often causing severe and fatal injuries.
• Sideswipe: Sideswipe collisions may occur when a vehicle is in a truck’s blind spot when the driver attempts to switch lanes. These accidents may be relatively minor if the truck driver returns to their lane as soon as they hit the other vehicle, but in more severe accidents, the other vehicle may get stuck under the side of the truck.
• Underride: Underride accidents are among the most severe types of truck collisions. When a driver behind a truck hits the back of the truck, they may get wedged underneath the truck.

What You Need to Do After an Accident

Although the general steps are the same for any type of vehicle accident, truck accidents are particularly dangerous and costly to victims, so you will need to move swiftly to protect yourself. We recommend:

• Calling the police immediately. While you may not need to call emergency services for minor accidents, a truck collision is never a minor accident. Call emergency services immediately and let them know about any injuries that you see on you or anyone else in your vehicle.
• Following the operator’s instructions. Truck collisions may involve hazardous chemicals or other dangerous materials. Listen to the emergency operator and follow their instructions to keep yourself safe.
• Taking photos and videos if possible. If you are physically able to do so, take videos and videos of the entire crash scene. If you are not, make sure that someone does it on your behalf. This evidence may be very important in your accident claim.
• Connecting with eyewitnesses. There are generally a number of eyewitnesses on any truck accident scene. Make sure you exchange contact information in case your attorney needs to talk to them.
• Talking to the police. The police must hear your side of the story so they can include it in the accident report. Include all of the details you can.
• Seeking medical care. A full checkup is absolutely necessary after a serious crash. Consider local facilities like Atlanta Medical Center, Swift Health Urgent Care Center, or Piedmont Urgent Care.
• Reaching out to an attorney. The sooner you reach out to a lawyer after a truck accident, the better. The costs associated with truck accidents are incredibly high, and you definitely want a dedicated advocate on your side.

Why You Need Bailey Javins & Carter

Getting fair compensation after an accident is an uphill battle. You have to go up against insurance companies that have no real interest in what’s right for you—only their profit margins. To them, it doesn’t matter if you have been left with thousands of dollars in medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. They simply want to limit their own losses. This is particularly true with truck accidents, which generally cause far more damage than passenger vehicle collisions.

You need an attorney who is ready to conduct an investigation, build a solid case on your behalf, and put pressure on the insurance company to deliver a full and fair settlement. That’s where we step in. We know what it takes to force insurance companies to take you seriously, and we’ll be with you every step of the way.

Contact Bailey Javins & Carter Now to Get Started

If you’re ready to move forward with your accident claim, we’re ready to help. Let’s sit down and talk about what comes next. Just call us at 800-497-0234 or send us a message online to schedule a consultation.