FAST FACTS
- In 2014, 1,631 vehicles were involved in fatal crashes in Georgia.
- 8.3% of those vehicles were large trucks.
Take a look over your shoulder the next time you drive down the highway. Chances are good that you will see the remnants of a semi truck’s tires scattered along the pavement. In fact, many of us see this debris on a daily basis and rarely give it a second thought. It’s that common. What if that debris wasn’t the result of a blowout, but the aftermath of a collision?
Smaller vehicles and semi trucks collide on a regular basis, and the results are often devastating. A commercial truck has more power than a passenger vehicle. The majority of the damage is sustained by the passenger vehicle, and the injuries to its occupants can be severe.
Victims of these accidents often find that they are forced to deal with lifelong consequences of their injuries. The aftermath can include financial damage as well as physical and emotional injuries that persist for months, years or even a lifetime.
When you are involved in an accident with a semi truck, you need the experience of an Atlanta truck accident attorney. A legal professional will fight for your rights and ensure that you are protected. If you have any hope of recovering damages after your accident, a knowledgeable lawyer is essential.
While we call them “accidents,” collisions are typically the result of someone’s negligence or error. The majority of accidents can be avoided if someone makes the right decisions. That means that someone is liable for your injuries. In order to establish that liability, causation must be proven in court. An attorney will help determine who should be held liable in your unique circumstance.
Who Can Be Held Liable for an Atlanta Truck Accident?
Most people assume that it is automatically the driver who is held liable in an accident. This isn’t always the case. There are different parties who may be held liable when a semi truck collides with another vehicle.
Let’s take a closer look at who may be named in a truck accident lawsuit.
1. The Driver
Only when the driver was negligent or made some type of error will they be held liable in the accident. The driver may have been distracted, fatigued or impaired. They may not have received adequate training, or they may have loaded the trailer improperly.
If your attorney can prove that the driver of the semi truck was negligent, that is who will be named in your lawsuit as being responsible for paying damages.
2. The Owner
The driver of the semi truck and the owner of the vehicle may be different people. In some cases, an owner could be the person held liable in a collision.
For example, if it was the owner’s responsibility to ensure the truck was properly maintained and failed to do so, they could be held liable if improper maintenance ultimately led to the accident.
3. The Leasee
Some companies prefer to lease vehicles to increase the number in their fleet. Whomever leases the vehicles is responsible for ensuring each truck is safe to drive.
If the leasee is negligent in their duties, they could be held liable for an accident. The leasee may not be held liable on their own and could be named in addition to another party.
4. The Manufacturer
When it is discovered that an issue with the truck caused the accident, the manufacturer may be held responsible.
If a defect was known and not reported to the public, the manufacturer holds responsibility in any accident that defect led to.
It’s important to note that more than one party may be held liable for a truck accident in Atlanta. For example, if the brakes are worn down because the owner didn’t replace them in a timely manner, but the driver was distracted and didn’t engage the brakes in time, both parties could be held liable for the wreck.
Compensation for a Commercial Vehicle Accident
If you or a loved one has been involved in a semi truck accident in Atlanta, you have a right to be compensated for your medical bills, lost wages and more. You may be able to recover money you have spent on repairing or replacing your property as well as any medical bills you have already paid.
You may also receive compensation for medical bills that you may incur in the future. In the most severe cases, you may be unable to return to work. If you are permanently disabled, you may be able to recover a higher amount of damages.
When a fatality occurs, the lawsuit changes from personal injury to wrongful death. If a loved one has been killed in a truck accident, you may have the right to file a lawsuit against the responsible party. Your family could recover the costs of the funeral and burial as well as compensation for lost wages and medical bills incurred prior to the death, if any.
No family should be forced to make difficult financial decisions due to no fault of their own. These catastrophic accidents leave victims in their wake and those victims deserve to be fairly compensated.
Speak to an Atlanta Truck Accident Attorney Today
As Atlanta truck accident attorneys, we know that the weeks and months following a semi truck accident can be devastating to all involved. If you were injured in such an accident or a loved one lost their life, please call our office. We will help you schedule an appointment for a free case evaluation at which time we will review your legal rights and options.
Our entire team is here for you as you and your family work to put your lives back together. We will work closely with you to determine the appropriate next steps in your case. Reach out to our office today for the assistance you deserve.