Stone Mountain, GA Truck Accident Lawyers

Commercial truck drivers are expected to follow high standards while behind the wheel. They go through extensive training and testing, and as a result, they generally have lower accident rates than personal drivers. But when they are involved in collisions, the fallout is catastrophic. Truck accidents can leave multiple fatalities, hundreds of thousands of dollars of property damage, and serious injuries in their wake.

That’s why it’s so important for victims of truck accidents to take action and protect themselves after a collision. At Bailey Javins & Carter, we help victims of Stone Mountain truck accidents fight for full and fair compensation. Call us at 678-981-5370 to set up a consultation now.

Commercial Trucks: A Common Sight on Georgia Roads

In and around Stone Mountain, you’re likely to cross paths with tractor-trailers every single day. Georgia is home to nearly 400,000 CDL holders, showing just how important trucking is to Georgia’s economy. Since Stone Mountain sits just half an hour outside of Atlanta, you’re likely to see even more tractor-trailers than others in Georgia—Atlanta is a commerce hub in this region.

What does this mean for you? It’s crucial that you always put safety first when you get behind the wheel. Know where trucks’ blind spots are, how long it takes them to come to a complete stop, and how to navigate safely around them. In many cases, these accidents are the result of drivers forgetting how much larger and more dangerous tractor-trailers are than other types of vehicles.

If you are involved in a crash, you must take action immediately to protect yourself and your right to seek compensation. 

Factors That Make Truck Accidents More Dangerous Than Other Collisions

Why are truck accidents so much more dangerous than other types of crashes? There are many reasons that truck accidents tend to cause more property damage, lead to more serious injuries, and cause more fatalities. They include:

• Size disparity: When it’s fully loaded, a tractor-trailer could weigh dozens of times more than the standard passenger vehicle. At any speed, this size disparity can lead to devastating outcomes for those in the smaller vehicle. Any mistake made by the person driving the larger vehicle could cause life-threatening injuries.
• Dangerous cargo: In some cases, trucks are carrying dangerous cargo when they crash. This can take an already hazardous situation and make it even worse. Imagine a truck carrying unstable hazardous chemicals or liquids. The truck crashes and the cargo spills out onto the highway. The chemicals may interact with other chemicals in the vicinity, cause explosions, or contaminate the groundwater for miles around. Even if a truck is just carrying standard physical cargo, if it falls out of the truck during a crash, it can cause secondary crashes as it spreads across the road.
• Lack of experience: Many personal drivers don’t know how to drive safely around tractor-trailers. While this is covered in drivers’ education, people tend to forget as they get more comfortable behind the wheel. Because of this, people drive too closely to trucks, and cut them off in a way that doesn’t give them enough time to stop and stay in their blind spots. In these circumstances, crashes are nearly inevitable.
• Increased pressure on drivers: The trucking industry has changed drastically in recent years, with a shrinking number of drivers taking on a growing number of loads. Drivers are under intense pressure to drive faster, have fewer incidents, take fewer breaks, and essentially do the work of multiple people for the same amount of pay. Under this type of pressure, drivers are at much greater risk of collisions.

Navigating Your Claim

Time is of the essence after a truck accident. There are many types of evidence that are only available immediately after a crash, and if you miss this window, you may lose it forever. Additionally, you are up against a lot with this type of claim. You go against the trucking company, their insurance provider, and their legal team.

That’s why it’s important to begin working with a Stone Mountain truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Your attorney can gather necessary evidence, take over communication with the trucking company, and start building a claim for you. They will negotiate on your behalf in an effort to secure a fair settlement. Should negotiations fail, your lawyer will take your case to court and advocate for you in front of a judge and jury.

Potential Compensation—and How We Can Help

Depending on the circumstances of your case and the extent of your losses, you could be entitled to several forms of compensation after a Georgia truck accident. Victims may be compensated for:

• Medical expenses, including bills, equipment, copays, and transportation costs
• Lost wages, even if you were able to use sick pay or paid time off to cover your days away from work
• Lost future earning opportunities if your accident leaves you permanently unable to work
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Disability and disfigurement
• Mental trauma

Proper documentation of your losses can help you maximize the compensation you’re able to receive. This is another benefit of working with an experienced Stone Mountain truck accident lawyer. They can gather the right evidence to prove the extent of your losses and hold the negligent party accountable.

When you choose Bailey Javins & Carter for your truck accident claim, you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing your case is in good hands. Our team has handled a wide range of truck accident claims throughout the Atlanta area, giving us the experience needed to fight for every dollar you deserve. We have seen firsthand how a truck accident can devastate victims’ lives and the lives of their loved ones. Truck companies must be held accountable when they put unsafe drivers on the road or force them to operate under unsafe conditions.

Reach Out to Bailey Javins & Carter Today

When you’re ready to start your truck accident claim, it’s easy to set up your free consultation with Bailey Javins & Carter. Just give us a call at 678-981-5370 or send us a message online to get started.