Truck Accident Lawyers in Decatur, GA

There are hundreds of thousands of truck accidents every single year. While some only cause property damage, there are thousands that leave victims with serious or fatal injuries. Unfortunately, it’s very hard for victims to get fair and full compensation. Truck companies often have solid legal teams behind them, fighting to make sure they never have to pay what they should.

That’s why you need Bailey, Javins & Carter if you’re hurt in a Decatur truck accident. We fight aggressively on behalf of clients like you because we think you deserve better after an accident. Find out how we can help you now by calling us at 800-497-0234.

Troubling Truck Accident Statistics

The FMCSA conducts extensive research into traffic accidents, including truck collisions. They report an average of 415,000 crashes per year, 1% of which are fatal. Nearly one-quarter of all truck accidents cause injuries.

Rural areas are at the greatest risk. Over half of all fatal truck accidents occur in rural areas, and just over one-quarter happen on interstate highways. Almost all crashes, both fatal and non-fatal, occur Monday through Friday.

What time of day is riskiest? Roughly 37% of fatal crashes occur between the hours of 6:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M. This might not seem significant since it’s fewer than half of all fatal crashes. However, traffic levels are far lower at nighttime than during the day. The fact that there are so many fatal nighttime crashes indicates a disturbing trend.

Finally, know that you are at serious risk in a crash. In 83% of all fatal truck accidents, the fatality was not someone in the commercial truck.

Common Types of Truck Accidents

Several types of truck accidents make up the majority of all collisions. Trucks are prone to many accident types that you don’t see amongst other vehicles, thanks to trucks’ large size and unusual shape. Some truck accidents you may see on Georgia roads include:

• Jackknife: When the trailer of a truck pulls in a different direction than the cab, the trailer often wins that battle—it’s far heavier than the cab. This is most common when a driver is swerving to avoid an obstacle. The truck then spins out of control, generally not stopping until it runs out of momentum. Along the way, the truck may hit other vehicles, fixed structures along the roadway, and other obstacles.
• Rollover: Rollover collisions are sadly quite common among tractor-trailers, due to their top-heavy structure. These collisions can result in fatalities, as cars to either side of the truck are in danger of being crushed.
• Underride: Underride collisions are among the most dangerous types of truck. accidents. They occur when a smaller vehicle crashes into the back of a truck. The smaller vehicle gets wedged underneath the truck and is pulled along with the trailer. A growing number of trucks now have built-in underride prevention.
• Tire blowout: Tire blowouts occur because of the significant strain placed on truck tires. When trucks aren’t properly maintained or inspected, tires may become worn down before anyone notices. This generally leads to the driver losing control of the truck, and a serious crash may follow.
• Blind spot: Trucks have sizable blind spots on their left and right sides. If a car stays in that spot too long, the risk of a blind spot accident increases. While a truck driver may pull back to their lane immediately after impact, that’s still enough to cause serious injuries and plenty of property damage.

Damage Caused by Collisions

Truck accidents leave a lot of damage in their wake. Victims are at serious risk of injuries, including broken bones, amputations, traumatic brain injuries, and crush injuries. It’s not uncommon for an accident victim to rack up tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills, and that’s before you consider the lost wages and property damage they also have to cover.

Property damage is almost inevitable when a truck accident occurs. It’s common for passenger vehicles in these collisions to be totaled. Trucks also cause substantial damage to medians, guardrails, overpasses, road signs, curbs, and sidewalks.

Fighting for Fair Compensation

As a victim of a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Due to a truck’s ability to cause more damage than smaller vehicles, trucks carry much larger insurance policies. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical bills and related expenses, such as travel costs, tolls, and parking fees
• Lost wages, even if you were able to use sick pay or vacation pay to cover your time away
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Other expenses incurred as a result of your injuries

If you’re ready to start pursuing the compensation you deserve, hiring the right personal injury attorney is an excellent first step.

How the Team at Bailey, Javins & Carter Can Help You

At Bailey, Javins & Carter, our team is committed to helping accident victims seek fair compensation from insurance companies. We know that the odds are stacked against accident victims—truck companies often have significant legal representation supporting them, while the average victim has minimal to no guidance. This puts truck companies in the perfect position to downplay a victim’s injuries, ignore their attempts at communication, and try to spin the situation in their favor.

This puts you at a significant disadvantage. We’re here to combat that. By analyzing the evidence available to us, learning more about your injuries and prognosis, and fairly estimating the costs associated with your accident, we put ourselves in the ideal position to demand full compensation from the insurance company. Rather than worrying about the legal side of your accident and trying to tackle everything at once, let us take care of your legal needs.

Contact Us Today

The sooner you connect with our team, the quicker we can begin building your claim. Let’s set up a consultation where we can learn more about your accident and get you on the right track. Call us at 800-497-0234 or fill out our online contact form to get started.