18-Wheeler Truck Accidents in Atlanta
A fully loaded 18-wheeler truck may legally weigh up to 80,000 pounds, outweighing typical passenger cars by 76,000 pounds and looming over smaller vehicles sharing the roadway. Unfortunately, they also have extended blind spots, require lengthy stopping times, and make wide turns, leaving other motorists vulnerable to devastating accidents. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), about 70% of truck accident injuries occur to those in other vehicles, not the truck driver, causing 5,837 fatal crashes in a single recent year.
What Are the Most Common Causes of 18-wheeler Truck Accidents?
18-wheelers and other freight-carrying commercial vehicles often cross state lines, leaving them subject to federal regulation by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The many entities responsible for putting a safe truck on the road with a balanced load and well-trained driver have a legal duty to follow FMCSA regulations and take all reasonable measures to avoid causing accidents and injuries to others on the road. Unfortunately, it only takes one individual to breach this duty of care for an accident to occur. Common causes of 18-wheeler truck accidents in Georgia and elsewhere include:
- Unsafe lane changes
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive driving
- Speeding
- Tire blowouts
- Tailgating
- Traffic violations
- Swinging wide for a turn
- Improper merging
- Failing to yield the right of way in an intersection
- Improper passing
- Drowsy driving
- Fatigued driving
- Sudden shifts of improperly secured or unbalanced loads
- Mechanical defects
- Improper maintenance
- Impaired driving
In some cases, other entities could be responsible or share fault for an 18-wheeler truck accident. For instance, if a road planning agency created a dangerous intersection or a negligent road construction crew left obstacles or debris in the road.
A skilled 18-wheeler commercial truck accident attorney in Atlanta carefully investigates all aspects of the accident and pursues every avenue for obtaining compensation for a client’s damages.
Injuries in 18-Wheeler Truck Accidents
An accident involving a large commercial truck often causes catastrophic injuries to those in smaller vehicles. Even when motorists are fortunate enough to escape with relatively minor injuries, they may face a large emergency room bill and days of lost pay. More severe injuries can have life-altering adverse impacts. Common injuries in 18-wheeler accidents include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Broken bones, including limbs, hips, ribs, pelvis, or spinal vertebrae
- Facial and dental trauma
- Soft-tissue injuries like sprains and torn muscles
- Internal organ injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burns
- Traumatic limb loss
- Lacerations
- Contusions
- Abrasions
Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for 18-wheeler accidents to end in one or more fatalities. If you lost a loved one in a truck accident, you may be able to recover wrongful death benefits through an Atlanta wrongful death claim.
What Can I Get From a Truck Accident Lawsuit After an 18-Wheeler Crash?
After an investigation to determine the liable party, a successful 18-wheeler truck accident claim can recover common damages such as medical expenses, anticipated future medical expenses, lost earnings, diminished future earning capacity, and fair compensation for pain and suffering. Depending on the unique circumstances of a case, other damages are available for compensation such as in cases of disfigurement, loss of limb, the loss of one of the senses, or diminished quality of life.
Can an 18-Wheeler Truck Accident Lawyer In Georgia Help My Case?
It takes a deep investigation by an experienced Atlanta truck accident lawyer to determine the cause of the accident, pinpoint the liable party, and make a claim against one or more insurance companies to maximize the compensation an injury victim receives. Call the 18-wheeler accident lawyers at Piasta Walker Hagenbush, LLC so we can begin a strategy to obtain the most favorable result in your claim. Our skilled team of injury attorneys in Atlanta are ready to undertake your financial recovery so you can focus on your physical recovery.