Macon
Freight Truck Accident Lawyer

Freight must move across the country to ensure it reaches businesses and consumers. It is common to see a slew of freight trucks statewide. With so many trucks, it is also common to see many truck accidents occur. 

There are stark differences between trucks and passenger vehicles which often leads to catastrophe. You must contact a Macon freight truck accident lawyer from John Foy & Associates if you are involved in a collision.

Since our law firm was founded in 2003, we have helped many injury victims receive the compensation they need to rebuild their lives. Our truck accident lawyers in Macon will fight for maximum compensation on your behalf. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.

Common Causes of Freight Truck Accidents 

The first step a Macon personal injury lawyer will take is to investigate the cause of the collision. The investigation will uncover if there was negligence and help to preserve evidence that can prove negligence and cause. With the prevalence of truck accidents, some reasons are more common than others.

Some of the common causes of freight truck accidents are:

• Negligent hiring: employers must ensure the drivers they hire do not have a substance abuse history and review their driving records.  
• Commercial rule violations: truckers must follow state and federal rules regarding work hours, registration, training, etc.  
• Inadequate truck maintenance: trucks must undergo regular inspection and maintenance to ensure they are road ready. Employers and drivers are responsible for truck maintenance.  
• Driver error: distraction, intoxication, fatigue, and more can impact how a driver reacts to the road. They can veer out of their lane, speed, or fall asleep at the wheel.
• Lack of training: truck companies must train drivers to ensure they are aware of regulations, proper driving techniques, etc. 

Some causes are the employer’s fault, and others are the truckers. Depending on who the culprit is, your compensation recovery will be impacted. You need freight truck accident attorneys in Macon who will uncover the truth.  

Unique Differences in Truck Accidents 

Freight trucks have many more differences to contend with than other collisions. You will want to work with a freight truck accident lawyer in Macon, GA, with experience handling these fundamental differences. There are many unique factors to consider, but the top five include the following:

Injury Severity 

While injuries are possible in all accidents, the likelihood of suffering an injury is higher when a freight truck is involved. Some people are fortunate to walk away with minor or no injuries, and others will have permanent disabilities. When injuries require lifelong care or result in a permanent impairment, it can complicate a compensation claim further. 

The Complexity of the Crash

Commercial vehicles in collisions typically have complex insurance processes. Liability is challenging because it can be put on the trucking company, driver, or a third party who failed to follow the law. There are laws regarding these trucks’ operation, which is another complex topic. 

Cause of the Accident 

With many parties involved in the freight process, determining the cause is a complication. The cause of the accident can take extensive research to determine, and that will impact the entirety of the claim. Sometimes several factors at play result in multiple parties being responsible. 

People Involved 

The process can be straightforward with one passenger vehicle and one truck. However, the claim becomes complex when other cars or people are involved. You will often see these complications when there is a pile-up or there are occupants in the passenger vehicle. 

Challenges of Obtaining Compensation 

You know the truck was the cause of the accident, you suffered injuries, and now you want compensation for your losses. It sounds simple, but the insurance company disagrees. 

They have teams of lawyers to fight your claims and work to give you nothing. They will have the audacity to blame the victim for the crash instead of taking responsibility for their actions. 

Freight Truck Regulations 

The biggest hurdle in freight truck accidents is the trucking laws and regulations. There are federal regulations drivers must adhere to, as well as state-specific ones. The laws are strict, and the driver and employer must be aware of and follow them. 

If a regulation is violated in an accident, it is evidence of negligence that you can use to prove your case. Driver impairment rules are stricter, with a max .04% BAC instead of the standard .08% for most drivers. 

Every aspect of the freight truck has a regulation or law attached. Some regulators mentioned in previous sections involve inspections, maintenance, licenses, hours of service, repairs, and much more. Drivers must have a commercial driver’s license and adhere to hours of service limits. 

There are other endorsements they may need depending on the freight they carry. Suppose they are transporting hazardous waste. They need an endorsement for transporting these chemicals.

The Compensation Process 

There are many steps to recovering compensation, and you should discuss these steps thoroughly with a freight truck accident attorney in Macon, GA, and how they apply to your claim. The first step is the investigation which is essential to providing negligence. 

During the investigation, you should work to determine if the vehicle was adequately maintained and review the driver’s credentials and logbooks. Evidence collection is vital to showing who is negligent in the truck accident. 

After gathering all the information and evidence necessary for your case, your Macon freight truck accident attorney will create a claim stating your injuries, showing negligence, and who is responsible for your damages. The claim will also ask for compensation. 

Next, negotiations will be ongoing between the insurance company and your freight truck accident lawyer in Macon.

The Compensation You Can Obtain

Your claim aims to recover compensation for your current and future losses. You can seek economic and noneconomic losses. Some items you can include are:

• Medical bills 
• Property damage
• Lost wages
• Mental anguish 
• Loss of consortium 
• Disability 

You Deserve the Strong Arm Approach 

Do not handle the complex freight truck process alone. Many times freight truck accidents result in the loss of a loved one. Families have options if their loved ones die from another person’s negligence. 

If you suffer an injury and need legal representation, you need the Strong Arm in your corner. John Foy & Associates have been helping injury victims and their families for over two decades. Contact us for a consultation with our Macon freight truck accident lawyer.