Imagine driving around Clarkston, following the speed limit and other traffic rules, when suddenly you are in excruciating pain. When you get your wits about you, you discover your car is destroyed, and you see a commercial truck is the culprit.
The truck driver’s negligent actions led to your damages, and they must pay. Now you’re left with medical bills, no car, and confusion about what to do next. Do not fret because the Clarkston truck accident lawyer at John Foy & Associates is here to help you navigate this difficult time.
Speak with our Clarkston personal injury lawyer today for more information about your claim.
Why Truck Accidents Happen in Clarkston
Driver error or negligence is Clarkston’s leading cause of commercial truck accidents. Driver fatigue is one of the biggest reasons why truck accidents happen. Truck drivers have federal and state regulations to adhere to regarding travel times.
When they do not adhere to those rules, drivers become fatigued, reducing reaction times. Drivers and companies who adhere to the rules are not as tired and can react appropriately. Common causes of truck accidents also include the following:
Inadequate Truck Maintenance
Faulty brakes and steering contribute to truck accidents. There must be regular truck maintenance. Unfortunately, trucking companies only conduct truck maintenance once they are due for a state inspection meaning trucks are on the road with faulty parts.
Failure to Maintain Their Lane
Blind spots are even more dangerous in a commercial truck accident. Truck drivers have the training to navigate these areas and when to signal their lane changes. When they do not, they are violating their training and putting people in danger.
Distracted Drivers
All drivers face dangerous distractions, but when truck drivers take their eyes off the road to text, they can make an egregious mistake.
Impaired Driving
Truck drivers must undergo regular drug and alcohol testing and have rigorous regulations regarding use outside work hours. Even so, they will still drive under the influence. Some drivers use substances to stay alert on the road, but the result is the opposite.
Aggressive Driving
Truck drivers can become aggressive on a deadline and pass unsafely, speed, or tailgate behind passenger vehicles. Truck drivers cannot participate in any of these activities and must stay in the slower lane.
Trucking Regulations
There are three areas where truck drivers have special regulations to follow: health, hours of service, and qualifications. Federal laws require a commercial driver’s license to operate a commercial truck which requires truck drivers to undergo special training and exams. Health regulations require drivers to have the following:
- Pass a physical exam
- Good hearing
- 20/40 vision with or without corrective lenses
Many issues arise in hours of service violations because trucking companies are pushing drivers to the brink, and drivers want more work and money. Hours of service regulations in Clarkston include:
- Maximum of 11 driving hours after one consecutive off-duty hour and a 14-hour workday limit
- A 30-minute break after eight continuous driving hours
- Maximum of 70 hour work week on average
- 34 consecutive hours off per week
These are the standard, and regulations can be stricter but never more lenient than these regulations.
Injuries from Truck Accidents
Commercial trucks weigh nearly 18,000 pounds compared to passenger vehicles, which average 3,000 pounds. The difference is weight causes devastating injuries for victims. Most often, victims suffer the following injuries:
- Facial injuries: scars and disfigurement requiring plastic surgery
- Quadriplegia: paralysis from the shoulders down from spinal cord damage
- Paraplegia: spinal cord damage leading to paralysis of the lower body
- Traumatic brain injury: cognitive impairment
- Eye injuries: loss of vision and lifelong disability
- Broken bones: severely broken bones require surgery or result in permanent disability
- Organ damage
- Amputations: lost limbs requiring prosthetics and lifelong care
- Arm, hand, and wrist injuries
- Sexual dysfunction
- Leg, foot, and ankle injuries: more challenging to heal and result in loss of mobility
Every truck accident results in different injuries, and getting medical attention and having an accurate prognosis for your future care is critical. It is challenging to mitigate the severity of truck accident injuries because they require additional time to brake and have more significant blind spots.
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Distance is no obstacle. We work with clients across the country and make sure every one of them feels taken care of, no matter how far the call travels.
Parties Responsible for Truck Accidents
Commercial trucks have many people working in, on, and around them. There are vehicle maintenance technicians, cargo loaders, trucking companies, and truck drivers. Through an investigation, our attorneys will uncover the cause of your accident and who to hold responsible.
While the truck driver is the primary person responsible for causing the accident, the truck company is responsible for hiring and training. When a truck driver gets behind the wheel, they act on behalf of their employer. If the cargo loader incorrectly loaded the cargo, they are also responsible.
There are many outcomes, and you need a lawyer who understands the complexities of these claims.
Compensation Awards for Truck Accidents
An insurance claim aims to recover money for your current and future losses. The impact the truck accident has on your life will vary, and so will your settlement. A truck accident lawyer in Clarkston, GA, will review your losses and ask for compensation that covers the following:
- Physical therapy
- Lost wages
- Surgeries
- Property damage
- Medical expenses
- Ambulance transportation
- Occupational therapy
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
You must work with a truck accident attorney in Clarkston, GA. The truck driver and their insurance company will pay for your losses resulting from their negligence. You can also recover punitive damages from the liable parties in cases of egregious actions.
You are eligible for these and other compensation awards, depending on your circumstances.
Speak to a Clarkston Truck Accident Attorney
After a commercial truck accident, you need a lawyer who will fight for you. Insurance companies have lawyers ready to fight against you and ensure you do not get the money you deserve for your damages. They will race to the scene and send out the preservation of evidence notices before you have the chance to get out of the hospital.
The Clarkston truck accident attorneys from John Foy & Associates are here to fight back and get you the compensation you deserve. Call the Strong Arm immediately.
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