Lawrenceville, GA Truck Accident Lawyers

Tractor-trailers are a common sight on State Route 8, State Route 20, U.S. Route 29, and other major roads that run through this Atlanta suburb. Most of the time, they’re nothing more than a sight—you pass them and go on with your day. But when you cross routes with a driver who’s distracted, fatigued, or driving an unsafe truck, you are at grave risk of a serious truck accident in Lawrenceville.

These accidents can cause catastrophic injuries, fatalities, and unbelievable amounts of property damage. As a victim, you may be entitled to compensation. Find out now by calling Bailey Javins & Carter at 678-981-5370 and setting up a consultation.

Common Types of Truck Accidents

Some types of truck accidents are also common in collisions between passenger vehicles. For example, trucks are also involved in rear-end collisions—but they are generally far more severe. They are also often involved in sideswipe accidents, thanks to their large blind spots. However, some crashes are unique to tractor-trailers. They include:

• Rollover: Rollovers aren’t technically unique to commercial trucks. Any vehicle is capable of rolling over, but it is far more common among tractor-trailers, due to their size and high center of gravity. A rollover collision can leave cargo thrown across the road and crush smaller vehicles in the vicinity.
• Jackknife: Jackknife accidents often happen when a driver has to make a swift maneuver. Trucks simply aren’t built to handle quick changes in direction, and as a result, the driver may lose control of the vehicle. The trailer of the truck swings away from the tractor, pulling it along for the ride. The truck may collide with other vehicles in its path, hit guardrails, or simply continue sliding across the road until it comes to a natural stop.
• Underride: Underride collisions are often fatal for those in the smaller vehicle. They occur when a smaller vehicle gets stuck under the side or bottom of a tractor-trailer—generally because the driver of the smaller vehicle is not paying attention. The smaller vehicle is mangled and the driver loses control of it.

What Causes Lawrenceville Truck Accidents?

Unraveling the factors that lead to these devastating collisions can help drivers like you avoid dangerous truck drivers and protect themselves and their families. Common causes of accidents include:

• Fatigue: Fatigue is a huge problem in the trucking industry. Truck drivers often work impossibly long hours, drive on minimal or low-quality sleep, and struggle with the mental demands of their jobs. This is the ideal setting for fatigue to develop. Fatigued drivers are far more likely to cause collisions than other drivers.
• Impairment: Impaired drivers are a danger to themselves and everyone around them—this is even more true when a truck driver is involved. A driver in charge of tons and tons of cargo can cause multiple fatalities and catastrophic property damage while impaired.
• Speeding: Speed is a common factor in many collisions, and it has a particularly strong association with fatal accidents. While many tractor-trailers have speed locks, there are those that can exceed the speed limit without issue. This significantly lengthens a truck’s already long stopping distance.
• Inexperience: Truck driving is very challenging, and it takes a lot of training and practice to become a skilled driver. When trucking companies force new drivers onto hauls before they are ready, they are at a heightened risk of collisions.
• Improper loading: Cargo must be properly balanced and loaded to stay safe during a trip. When cargo is too heavy for the truck or unbalanced, it may lead to accidents.

Why Severe Injuries and Property Damage Are Common

The dangers of truck accidents are rooted in trucks’ massive size. When a truck is fully loaded, it can easily be more than a dozen times heavier than a standard passenger vehicle. This type of vehicle takes a long time to stop, which on its own can lead to devastating accidents. 

Additionally, these trucks have massive blind spots that extend in front of, behind, and to the sides of a tractor-trailer. Even if a driver thinks they are in a truck’s safe zone, there’s a good chance they’re in a blind spot if they are close to a truck.

When a large tractor-trailer collides with a smaller passenger vehicle, the occupants of the passenger vehicle generally suffer the worst outcomes. The force of the crash can cause catastrophic or fatal injuries.

What about property damage? Simply put, tractor-trailers are large enough to bulldoze almost anything in their path. Bridges, guardrails, medians, and buildings can be destroyed in one clean sweep.

How Bailey Javins & Carter Can Help You

How can you protect your best interests after a truck accident? First, make sure you get the medical care you need. Lawrenceville is home to facilities like Peachtree Immediate Care and Northside Hospital Gwinnett. Truck accidents can cause serious injuries, and you must get checked out right away.

After that, talk to the Lawrenceville truck accident lawyers at Bailey Javins & Carter. Our team understands the complexities of these collisions, and we know just how much is at stake for you. You’re likely dealing with the reality of multiple injuries, a totaled vehicle, and unwelcome time away from work. Each of these on their own is a lot—handling all of them at once is mentally draining. 

While you focus on recovering from your injuries, we will address the legal side of your accident. That means investigating the accident, learning more about the trucking company and if the driver was compliant with FMCSA regulations, and building a case. Most cases settle during negotiations with the insurance company, but if necessary, we will take your case to court.

Contact Us to Fight for Full and Fair Compensation

Ready to start your Lawrenceville truck accident case? It’s time to talk to the team at Bailey Javins & Carter. Call us at 678-981-5370 or fill out our online contact form to set up a consultation with our team.