Fayetteville, GA Truck Accident Lawyers

Truck drivers go through extensive training before hitting the road, and trucking companies are trusted to hire only the best and safest drivers. When a company hires the wrong drivers or the training they provide just doesn’t cut it, preventable accidents are sure to follow. Trucking is a very important industry in the United States, serving communities of all sizes. However, these trucks can easily weigh dozens of times more than a passenger vehicle, giving them the potential to cause catastrophic damage in a collision.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a truck accident, it’s time to talk to an attorney. Our team of Fayetteville truck accident lawyers is here to support you through this process. Call Bailey Javins & Carter at 678-210-3292 to get started.

Truck Accident Statistics

Truck accidents are a serious problem that cause thousands of deaths every single year. Per the FMCSA, nearly 5,000 trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes in 2020. Although this marks a small decrease from the year before, it still represents thousands of lives that should not have ended so soon. Fatal crashes increased overall by 31% between 2010 and 2020 after a long period of decreasing fatalities, leaving many experts wondering what this decade will bring.

The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety maintains data on fatal crashes in Georgia. Fatalities since 2017 have generally trended upward, with a low of 192 in 2018. The most recent data for 2021 indicates a five-year high of 244 deaths.

Across the board, truck collisions cause far more damage than passenger vehicle crashes. They have the potential to cause massive property damage to other vehicles, their own cargo, medians and guardrails, road signs, and more. Furthermore, people involved in truck crashes are at heightened risk of severe or fatal injuries. If a truck is carrying hazardous materials at the time of the collision, the likelihood of serious injuries, explosions, and fatalities increases.

What Causes Truck Collisions?

A wide range of issues can lead to truck crashes, including:

• Fatigued driving: Truck drivers work long hours and are tasked with a mentally exhausting job. Unfortunately, fatigue dramatically increases the risk of an accident.
• Driving too closely: Some passenger vehicle drivers don’t know how large a truck’s blind spots are. The blind spots are on all four sides, and staying too close to a truck can be disastrous when they slow down, speed up, or switch lanes.
• Failing to consider road, weather, and traffic conditions: It’s crucial to drive safely around a large truck. Drivers that weave in and out of traffic, tailgate, or otherwise take unnecessary risks in heavy traffic or poor weather are being careless with their own safety.
• Speeding: Speeding is a primary cause of all traffic accidents, not just truck collisions. Unfortunately, speeding can make truck collisions significantly worse.
• Poorly loaded cargo: When cargo is overloaded or unevenly loaded, a truck can be very difficult to drive. The chance of a rollover goes up dramatically.
• Improper truck maintenance: Due to the amount of use they get on a weekly basis, trucks have substantial maintenance needs. When truck drivers or trucking companies fail to keep up with a truck’s maintenance schedule, they risk avoidable accidents.

Types of Truck Accidents

There are several types of truck collisions you may see on the roads of Fayetteville, including:

• Rollover: Rollovers can occur with any type of vehicle, but top-heavy vehicles—such as tractor-trailers—are at far greater risk. A tractor-trailer may roll over if it is overloaded if it is unevenly loaded, or if it’s subject to intense weather conditions.
• Jackknife: Jackknife collisions are unique to tractor-trailers. They often happen when a driver swerves to avoid an obstacle. This causes the trailer to swing out and away from the tractor at a 90-degree angle. The weight of the trailer pulls the tractor along, forcing the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
• Underride: Underride crashes are among the most dangerous types of truck accidents. They occur when a smaller vehicle runs into the back of a tractor-trailer and gets stuck underneath its undercarriage. At this point, it’s impossible to get out and the top of the smaller vehicle may be torn off. Fatalities are quite common in this type of collision.
• Rear-end: Rear-end accidents are quite serious when they involve a commercial truck. They are likely to happen when another driver swerves in front of a truck and brakes without giving the truck driver enough space to stop safely. They can also be caused by a driver that gets too close to the front of a tractor-trailer and stays in their blind spot.

Fighting for Compensation in Georgia

You could be entitled to compensation for a number of losses after a Fayetteville truck accident. Victims often receive compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages and income
• Pain and suffering
• Disability and disfigurement
• Property damage

Those with severe or permanent injuries may also receive money for future medical expenses and future lost earning opportunities.

Since trucks are capable of causing more serious accidents, they carry much larger insurance policies than passenger vehicles. This makes it easier for victims to get the money they are owed.

How the Team at Bailey Javins & Carter Can Help

Our team of truck accident lawyers in Fayetteville understands how devastating a truck collision can be. Depending on the details of your accident, you may be facing severe or catastrophic injuries, a totaled vehicle, significant mental trauma, and an unknown amount of time away from work. Unfortunately, the truck company’s insurance provider will push back on a fair settlement for your losses.

With a personal injury attorney fighting for you, you can avoid the underhanded tactics used by insurance companies to deny victims fair compensation. We’ll handle everything, from investigating your accident and building a case to negotiating and even going to court if necessary.

Reach Out Today for Help with Your Fayetteville Truck Accident

Our team is ready and waiting to help you as you navigate your truck accident claim. Set up your free consultation now by calling us at 678-210-3292 or connecting with us online.