At Andersen, Tate & Carr, we know how devastating semi-truck accidents can be. Truck accidents often result in destroyed vehicles, severe injuries, and, all too often, death.
We have handled truck wreck cases with individual recoveries of more than a million dollars, and even more than ten million dollars.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in this type of collision, a Lawrenceville truck accident lawyer from Andersen, Tate & Carr can help. Our firm has been helping injury victims get the compensation they deserve for over 30 years. Give us a call at 770-237-9860 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation today.
What Causes Truck Accidents in Lawrenceville?
From 2011 to 2015, there were at least 827 fatal accidents involving semi-trucks in the state, according to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety in Georgia. While weather, road conditions and the behavior of other drivers do contribute to truck accidents, many trucking accidents are caused by the negligence of the trucker or parties responsible for the truck.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), some of the top causes of truck accidents include:
- Vehicle braking problems (27% of all semi-truck accidents)
- Traveling too fast (23%)
- Driving under the influence of over-the-counter drugs (17%)
- Drivers unaware of their surroundings (14%)
- Fatigue (13%)
- Pressure to meet or exceed their schedule (10%)
- Distracted driving (10%)
- Illegal maneuvers (9%)
- Inattentive driving (9%)
- Tire blowout (6%)
- Following too closely (5%)
- Improperly secured cargo (4%)
- Illegal drugs or alcohol use (3%)
Many of these causes are directly related to the truck drivers themselves. However, there are many instances, such as braking problems, that are the result of poor maintenance on behalf of the owner of the truck. Because there are so many variables and parties who can be held liable, it’s important to work with an experienced truck accident lawyer in Lawrenceville to determine your best legal options after a wreck.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Your Injuries?
Nearly every truck accident case is built on the concept of negligence. Essentially, when a party does not act in the way a “reasonable person” would, causing injury and financial loss, they have acted negligently. There are a few different parties that can be held negligent in truck accident cases.
The truck driver may have not been paying attention to the road, may have been drowsy, or otherwise was unsafely operating their vehicle. However, the trucking company itself also faces liability. First, the trucking company may be held liable for the truck driver’s negligence. Second, if the truck accident was caused by an issue with the truck itself, the trucking company responsible for maintenance may be liable. Additionally, commercial trucking accidents are very unique because the injured party may have a direct cause of action against commercial truck company’s own insurance company. This cause of action can be very valuable and needs to be pursued.
In many cases, multiple parties can be held liable for your injuries. It’s important to work with a Lawrenceville truck accident lawyer so your lawsuit can be filed properly and against the right parties.
How a Lawrenceville Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help You
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a truck accident, there’s a good chance you’ll receive some kind of settlement offer from the truck driver’s or trucking company’s insurance provider. The amount you’re offered will likely be a lot lower than you deserve (or even need to cover your bills), but the settlement letter may contain language indicating that it’s the best you’re going to get — so take it or leave it.
This language is intended to bully you into taking their offer, because the moment you do, you forfeit your right to seek greater compensation. So before you accept the settlement offer, speak to a Lawrenceville truck accident lawyer at Andersen, Tate & Carr. We’ll review your case, including your settlement offer, at no cost to you to determine if we can get more compensation for you. The compensation you may be entitled to includes money for:
- Personal Injury
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment in life
- Wrongful death
Our team is here to help you recover financially and start to put your life back together. Give Andersen, Tate & Carr a call at 770-237-9860 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation today.