Commercial drivers in Johns Creek transport heavy and sometimes hazardous materials throughout the country. Although commercial drivers have a higher standard of care, they can still make mistakes. If you were injured in a commercial driver accident, talk to a Johns Creek lawyer about possible compensation.
Commercial trucks and other vehicles are dangerous during an accident. The truck itself is enormous compared to passenger vehicles. Plus, hazardous cargo can cause terrible injuries to victims. But if you were hurt in this type of accident, you have rights.
Commercial vehicles can include:
- 18-wheelers
- Big rigs
- Semi-trucks
- Tractor-trailers
- Box trucks
- Cargo vans
At John Foy & Associates, we can review your case and your legal options. Our attorneys have over 20 years of experience helping accident victims. During that time, we’ve built a strong reputation as a successful injury firm in Georgia.
To learn more during a free consultation, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online. We won’t collect a fee unless we win you compensation.
A Commercial Driver’s Duty of Care
All drivers in Johns Creek have a duty of care to be safe on the road. But commercial drivers have an even higher standard of care, according to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §46-9-1. These drivers should also receive additional training and certification.
If a commercial driver causes an accident, there are consequences. The driver or their employer could be responsible for the damages. If you or a loved one were injured, you have a right to seek financial recovery.
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Causes of Commercial Driver Accidents in Johns Creek
Despite a higher standard of care, trucking accidents are too common. These crashes often happen because truckers or trucking companies fail to follow regulations.
Truck drivers should not drive for more than a certain number of hours without rest. Rest is important because truckers’ schedules are already long and stressful. However, a truck driver might forgo rest to try and meet work deadlines faster.
The most common cause of a commercial driver accident is driver fatigue. Fatigue can lead to negligent behavior like:
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive driving
- Drug or alcohol use while driving
- Poorly-loaded or poorly-secured cargo
- Falling asleep at the wheel
- Excessive speeding
- Failure to yield
- Unsafe lane changes
A driver’s actions are not always to blame. Sometimes, poor road or weather conditions can contribute to an accident. Other times, a trucking company might fail to keep up with vehicle maintenance, leading to issues that cause an accident. Or a loading company might make mistakes that cause loads to shift or fall out.
There are many potential causes of a commercial driver accident. With Georgia’s comparative fault laws, there might also be more than one at-fault party. Since the legal details are often complicated, it’s best to contact a commercial driver accident lawyer.
Poor Driver Training or Experience
Trucking companies must follow guidelines from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). That includes making sure drivers are fit to drive.
A trucking company might hire a driver without properly vetting them first. This puts inexperienced drivers out on the road at all hours, often for very long shifts.
If driver inexperience led to your accident, that means you may have a legal case against the company. You and your lawyer can investigate how the company was at fault. If they were negligent, the company might be liable for your damages.
Strict Commercial Driver Schedules
Commercial driving is a vital business for the country. Unfortunately, the importance of pushing cargo can lead to greedy work practices. Trucking companies might set unrealistic schedules for their drivers.
Drivers often feel pressured to drive faster or take fewer breaks. This easily leads to driver fatigue and unsafe actions on the road. For example, a driver might fall asleep while driving or abuse drugs to stay alert.
Damages from a Commercial Driver Accident
Personal injury damages are any losses you have from an accident someone else caused. As an injury victim, you must prove your damages.
Common damages from a commercial driver accident include:
- Doctor and hospital bills
- Medication costs
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
Some damages are easier to prove than others. For example, you can back up your medical damages with bills and other documentation. But emotional damages like pain and suffering are more complicated.
An experienced Johns Creek lawyer can help calculate your damages. They can assist you in gathering documentation of each loss. That includes using a formula to calculate pain and suffering or emotional trauma.
Severe Truck Accident Injuries
Commercial vehicle accidents are some of the most serious. Often, these collisions lead to injuries that result in death. If a victim isn’t killed, they can suffer from permanent disabilities or other life-long issues.
The injuries from an accident vary by situation. However, some of the most common injuries include:
- Broken bones: Severe crashes can instantly lead to broken bones and fractures.
- Neck and back injuries: These injuries can affect a victim for their entire life. They might suffer from long-term pain that makes it difficult to work or function.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): TBIs are common head injuries from accidents. This type of brain injury can lead to anxiety or depression, confusion, trouble sleeping, and much more.
- Severe burns: Some commercial trucks carry hazardous materials. If the cargo spills out during an accident, it can cause third-degree burns.
- Lacerations: Severe cuts are common during a traumatic accident. Lacerations can cause terrible scarring that someone has to live with forever.
- Spinal cord injuries: Spinal cord damage can leave a victim with permanent paralysis. Tragically, these injuries are very common in truck accidents.
If an injury is severe enough, it can lead to death. If your family lost a loved one in this way, you have rights. You might have a wrongful death claim for compensation.
Talk to a Johns Creek Commercial Drivers Accident Lawyer Today
Commercial drivers can make mistakes that lead to serious accidents. The aftermath can be terrible for all victims. If you or a loved one were injured, it’s important to know your rights.
You might deserve full compensation for your damages. At John Foy & Associates, we can help. Our lawyers have over 20 years of experience helping injury victims.
We do not charge a fee unless we win you money. So, you can get started today at no risk. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online for your free consultation.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form