Woodstock, GA Truck Accident Lawyers

The damage caused by a truck accident can affect a community for weeks, months, or even years. A fatal truck accident leaves a community struggling to grieve and move on, wondering what they could have done to make their roads safer. Trucks are an important part of the nation’s economy, and the vast majority of long-haul trips are uneventful. But when something goes wrong, the fallout can be serious.

Have you been injured in a Woodstock truck accident? You could be entitled to compensation from the liable party. Learn more now by calling Bailey Javins & Carter at 678-981-5370. We’ll help you explore your legal options.

The Risks of Truck Collisions

It’s hard to compare truck accidents to car crashes. Even though they’re both vehicle collisions, the damage they can cause is so different that they’re barely in the same category. A car accident can be minor enough not to even cause property damage, fatal, or anything in between. However, there are few truck accidents that don’t cause at least some major property damage. Far more lead to severe or even fatal injuries. There is a large size disparity between trucks and typical passenger vehicles, and as a result, the occupants of passenger vehicles bear the brunt of the force in a crash.

One risk of truck accidents that is rarely spoken about is exposure to dangerous cargo. When a hazardous materials truck is involved in a crash, there’s a risk of exposure to toxic liquids or gasses. This can result in serious illness or chemical burns. In extreme cases, these chemicals may mix, become unstable, and cause explosions.

What You Need to Know About Truck Accidents in Woodstock

In Cherokee County, there were 118 tractor-trailer accidents in 2022. As a result, one person lost their life and nearly three dozen were injured. Crashes were most common on some of the busiest roads in Cherokee County, including I-575 and Georgia State Route 20. A significant number of these collisions are attributed to probable fatigued driving, a known problem in the trucking industry. 

Some of the main contributing factors to Cherokee County collisions include improper backing, failure to yield the right of way, improper turns, misjudging distance, obstacles on the road, and inattentive driving.

Regulations Impacting the Trucking Industry and How They Affect Your Claim

The FMCSA strictly regulates every aspect of the trucking industry. This is due to the serious dangers that commercial vehicles pose to regular drivers. By limiting who drives these vehicles, when they drive, and how they drive, the FMCSA hopes to reduce accident risks and support smooth travel on America’s roads.

Some of the regulations managed by the FMCSA focus on truck drivers’ hours of service. The longer a driver is behind the wheel, the greater their risk of fatigue. Fatigue is a risk factor for drivers, significantly increasing the likelihood of an accident. The FMCSA determines how long drivers can be behind the wheel without a break, how many hours they can drive in a seven- or eight-day period, the maximum workday length, and how long breaks between drives must be.

There are also numerous regulations in place regarding cargo loading. When cargo is properly secured, it is less likely to shift during transit or force the back of a truck open. As a result, it’s easier for drivers to maintain control of their trucks and prevent cargo from being littered across the highway. Their regulations focus on how many securements must be used for loads of different sizes and which types of securements are appropriate.

Other regulations focus on how often inspections occur and what they must cover, the proper transportation of hazardous materials, and drug and alcohol testing.

Are You Owed Compensation?

If someone else’s negligence caused your crash, you could be entitled to compensation. Personal injury settlements often include compensation for a wide range of losses, including:

• Medical bills and related expenses

• Lost wages

• Property damage

• Pain and suffering
• Disability and disfigurement

Trucking accidents generally result in far larger settlements than accidents only involving passenger vehicles. Because of the damage they can cause, tractor-trailers have much larger insurance policies than personal vehicles. This allows victims to have a greater chance of recovering their losses after a crash. It’s important to document as much as you can after a collision to keep track of your accident-related losses. You may want to track days away from work, medical bills, over-the-counter supplies, and any outside help you require.

How Bailey Javins & Carter Can Help You

At Bailey Javins & Carter, we understand how devastating a truck accident can be. Through our clients, we have seen how it can upend your financial security, career, and psychological health. We strive to help victims like you get the compensation they need to get back to life as normal.

Trucking companies and insurance providers do not make it easy to get the settlement you deserve. Remember that they are in the business of making money—and an easy way to keep more money in their pockets is by denying claims like yours. If they can convince you that the accident was your fault, attribute your injuries to preexisting conditions, or downplay your injuries, they are in a much better negotiating position.

We have seen the numerous tricks that Woodstock insurance companies use to deny victims the compensation they’re owed. Thanks to our years in personal injury law, we also know how to fight these underhanded tricks to do what is best for our clients. Hold off on contacting the insurance company and call us instead. While you concentrate on recovering, we’ll handle communication with the insurance adjuster and fight for you.

Start Your Claim with Bailey Javins & Carter Today

The team of Woodstock truck accident attorneys at Bailey Javins & Carter is here to help you pursue full and fair compensation. Let’s get started now. When you call us at 678-981-5370 or fill out our online contact form, you’re on your way to claiming your free case evaluation.