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Sandy Springs Truck Accident Lawyer
Intimidating, massive, and loud are all words we can use to describe the 18-wheelers with which we share our roads. When passing one of these large trucks, we often tighten our grip on the wheel and hold our breath until we scoot on by–and for a good reason. If you were to be in an accident with one of these giants, it could result in catastrophic injuries racking up a lifetime of debt–or worse, death.
If you have recently been involved in a Sandy Springs truck accident, you’ll need the assistance of an experienced Sandy Springs truck accident attorney to ensure you’re receiving full and fair compensation from your truck accident case. Call the truck accident lawyers at Ashenden & Associates today.
How Many Truck Accidents Happen in the U.S. Every Year?
Unfortunately for many Americans, the grim reality reported by the NSC is that more than 107,000 large or commercial trucks (excluding motor homes or buses) were involved in accidents in 2020, with 4,965 people passing away with fatal injuries.
If you’ve been involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler, commercial truck, or tractor-trailer, you’ll need an experienced Sandy Springs truck accident lawyer by your side. As a truck accident victim, you deserve to recover fair financial compensation for your losses and injuries.
At Ashenden & Associates, our Sandy Springs truck accident lawyers have helped Sandy Springs truck accident victims for over 50 years. Call our personal injury law office today for a free case evaluation.
Why Are Semi-Trucks More Dangerous Than the Average Car?
The semi-trucks running our American highways alongside us are dangerous and should be cautiously approached. Around these monsters, anyone driving a typical passenger car has to be hyper-vigilant and ready to put their foot down on the pedal – but why exactly are 18-wheeler trucks and tractor-trailers more dangerous than other vehicles?
Here’s a list below of why:
Size of the Semi-Truck
The sheer size of an 18-wheeler, commercial truck, or tractor-trailer alone is enough to make anyone shudder, but these vehicles also have the weight to back that up. The NSC reports that the gross vehicle weight must be greater than 10,000 pounds to classify the vehicle as a large or semi-truck. This weight applies to commercial or non-commercial vehicles.
Also, because of this weight, truck drivers have a challenging time slowing down or stopping their vehicles, especially in an urgent situation.
Blind Spots
Even if you are a passenger vehicle owner, you are no stranger to blind spots. However, the common blind spots we experience in passenger vehicles that could cause an accident or fender bender is magnified exponentially on a semi or commercial truck. Not only do they have much larger blind spots on each side of the tractor-trailer, but they also have one in the back and front, making the chances of colliding with passenger cars much more likely.
Hazardous Materials and Cargo
It has already been stated how the size, weight, and peripheral vision of a semi or 18-wheeler truck all make them dangerous counterparts to share the interstate roads with.
But the truth is that they could additionally be carrying something that is far more hazardous. Commercial trucking companies are often responsible for transporting harmful chemicals, giant massive logs or timber, or industrial building materials. These types of cargo could easily lead to catastrophic injuries or wrongful death if you’re involved in a truck or tractor-trailer accident.
If you believe you have a valid truck accident claim in Sandy Springs, Georgia, call an experienced truck accident lawyer at Ashenden & Associates today.
Human Error
The final reason to err on the side of caution when it comes to big rigs is simple: truck drivers. Commercial truck drivers operate large trucks or tractor-trailers for extended periods of time, for several days or weeks at a time to make their dollar.
Because of this, the truck driver can often become complacent, experience driver fatigue, or not stop for routine maintenance. All of this, factored in with typical human error of the truck driver, make the risk of truck accidents much higher. If you are in need of a Sandy Springs truck accident lawyer, please call Ashenden & Associates as soon as possible to get it handled the right way.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Atlanta, GA
There are many causes for truck or tractor-trailer accidents in Sandy Springs, GA. The most common causes of Georgia truck accidents include the following:
Distracted Driving
Drivers now live with more driving distractions than ever. The most common distraction is our cellular devices, but there are many distractions that a passenger vehicle or truck driver could experience. Eating, drinking, tuning the radio, inputting navigation, and not paying attention–are all ways one could be distracted while driving and cause truck accidents.
Tired, Sleepy and Fatigued Driving
While commercial truck drivers must operate under state and federal laws, trucking companies often require their drivers to work long hours or drive for extended stretches. Operating a commercial vehicle on any long stretch of open highway is enough to make anyone tired, but if a truck driver falls asleep at the wheel, this could lead to more serious injuries than if a passenger vehicle operator did the same.
Reckless Driving or Driving Under the Influence
It should go without saying that driving recklessly (like speeding or not obeying local traffic laws), drinking alcohol, or using illicit drugs while driving are all incredibly dangerous behaviors without throwing a 10,000-plus-pound vehicle into the mix. These behaviors endanger not only the driver but everyone around them. Tragically, reckless driving is something that happens every day and could be the cause of a major truck accident.
Inclement Weather
Snow, ice, heavy rain, heavy fog, extreme winds, etc., can all play a factor in the road’s conditions and could potentially cause a major trucking accident.
Incorrectly Loaded Freight
Because semi-trucks are responsible for carrying thousands of pounds of freight, it is imperative that everything is loaded down and secured correctly, or the consequences of such an oversight can cause catastrophic injuries or cost someone their life in a disastrous trucking accident.
Improperly Trained Drivers
Sometimes a trucking company will cut corners to get cargo out on the roads to their destinations. This can cause a truck driver to be improperly trained for operating a larger commercial vehicle. This poses an increased risk of a truck accident.
Truck Maintenance
Additionally, improperly trained or even seasoned drivers may also not complete routine truck maintenance and may not stop to check for malfunctions, worn tires, equipment failure, or leaks, regardless of whether or not the trucking company encourages proper truck maintenance or not.
Common Truck Accident Injuries in Sandy Springs and Atlanta
Semi-truck accident victims can suffer anything from serious injury to wrongful death. Some of the most common trucking accident injuries include the following:
- Back and spinal cord injuries that could sometimes lead to partial or total paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Neck injuries
- Amputations
- Burns, road rash, bruises, gashes, scrapes, contusions
- Internal injuries (bleeding internally, punctured organs, etc.)
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Broken bones
- Mental and psychological health problems, such as PTSD, anxiety disorders, etc.
- Wrongful death
If you have experienced any of these serious injuries and would like to speak with a Sandy Springs truck accident attorney about your potential truck accident claim, please don’t hesitate to call the knowledgeable and caring injury lawyers at Ashenden & Associates.
The truck driver’s insurance company will have professional legal representation and adjusters whose goal is to limit your compensation as a truck injury victim. In order to recover compensation for current medical bills and future medical treatment, you’ll need a professional fighting on your behalf as well.
How Are Truck Accident Cases More Complicated Than Car Accident Cases in Atlanta, GA?
The average car crash between two individuals seems complicated enough, but 18-wheeler trucking accidents create a far more complex situation.
There are usually multiple parties involved, not just the driver and the trucking company.
If you were to file a lawsuit for your Sandy Springs truck accident, you most likely would not only have to sue the driver, but also the driver’s employer, the truck manufacturer, the owners of the cargo being transported, and whoever else may be involved.
Additionally, these trucking companies usually have big insurance policies with much higher policy limits than the average driver due to the nature of how dangerous a wreck with a large truck can be.
Truck Wreck Evidence
One colossal factor in why 18-wheeler accident cases are more complicated is that there is a huge amount of evidence necessary to be successful in winning the case. On top of you acquiring the police report and photographs from the accident scene, you also have to obtain other evidence, including but not limited to the following:
- Maintenance records
- Cargo weight tickets
- Truck driver documentation of service hours
- A drug test from the driver
- Truck inspection records
Unfortunately, a lot of this information is hard to obtain for any other vehicle involved because it is usually in the possession of the trucking company or independent contractor.
This is why you need an aggressive and experienced Sandy Springs injury law firm ready to stand by your side while you fight for the compensation you deserve.
When looking for a group of Sandy Springs truck accident lawyers you can trust, you need to look no further than Ashenden & Associates.
Damages for Truck Accidents
A truck wreck attorney at Ashenden & Associates can help you recover fair compensation for any serious injuries sustained.
The most common truck accident damages include but aren’t limited to:
- Lost wages
- Loss of quality of life
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Medical bills
- Future medical treatment
- Disfigurements and disabilities
- Property damage
- Loss of consortium (loss of a loved one)
- Rehabilitation programs (physical, occupational, mental, etc.)
- Inability to earn your previous level of income
- And many, many more.
Georgia Statute of Limitations for Truck Accidents
Georgia state law gives 18-wheeler accident victims two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This seemingly short timeline is to encourage victims to file their cases while the memory of events is still fresh. If the victim waits until they are outside the statute of limitations for their truck accident case, they risk having their case thrown out altogether.
Sandy Springs Truck Accident Attorney
If you need a Sandy Springs truck accident lawyer, call or message the team at Ashenden & Associates now.
Our Sandy Springs truck accident injury lawyers have over 50 combined years of experience litigating on behalf of injured victims. We have also recovered more than $6.75 million in trucking accident settlements for our injured clients. Call our law firm at 770-394-8909 for a free consultation today.
