Large commercial trucks are vital to the economy of the South. They transport Georgia goods and produce out of the state to far-flung locations like Seattle or Boston. However, these trucks are also dangerous—especially if you are a motorist that gets in the way of a big rig.
At MG Law, representing truck accident victims is a key part of our practice. We encourage you to reach out to us if you have questions.

Truck Accident Injuries

Given how large commercial trucks are, they tend to cause more serious injuries after a collision. Our lawyers meet with clients who have suffered devastating injuries, such as:

  • Broken bones. Any bone in the body can shatter. Our clients have broken arms, legs, and cracked their skulls. A broken bone should heal, but they can cause serious complications, such as nerve damage, if not set properly.
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). A hard blow to the head or body can jiggle the brain around, changing how it works. After a TBI, victims can experience difficulty talking, thinking, remembering, and moving. Many also experience changes in personality.
  • Burns. Many commercial trucks are carrying flammable materials, such as fuel. An explosion can cause terrible burn injuries.
  • Spinal cord injuries. The spinal cord connects the brain to the extremities. When the cord is damaged, a person can experience full or partial paralysis.

In addition to physical injuries, many victims suffer severe emotional distress. They might slip into a deep depression or feel anger, anxiety, or hopelessness. Many need counseling to help them manage post-traumatic stress disorder.

Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents are such a cause for concern that the federal government created an agency specifically to regulate the industry—the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This agency has performed studies to identify the causes of truck accidents and found the following were leading causes:

  • Problems with brakes
  • Driver unfamiliarity with the road
  • Speeding
  • Road problems
  • Over-the-counter drug use
  • Driver fatigue
  • Illegal maneuver
  • Driver inattention or distraction

Driver error contributed to the majority of accidents. Defective truck parts also contributed to another large percentage.
Trucking companies can also cause accidents by failing to properly train or vet the people they hire. Trucking companies also have a history of pushing their drivers to do too much and to drive too long. Although federal regulations limit the amount of time a driver can be on the road, some companies try to get around these rules, and the public suffers as a result.

Why You Need an Attorney

Trucking companies realize that accidents can cost them hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more. For that reason, they are anxious to get an investigator to the scene for the crash as soon as possible.

This investigator will be looking for evidence of how the accident unfolded. They will also try to find evidence that pins some of the responsibility for the crash on you. Under Georgia law, a victim will receive far less in compensation if they were partially responsible for their injuries.

By hiring an attorney, you will have someone who is looking out for only your interests. A Rockdale County truck accident lawyer can also go to the scene of the accident to look for clues. Without an attorney, you will need to do all this work yourself—while trying to recover and keep your spirits up.

What are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

Semi-truck accidents occur for many different reasons. Though, with very limited exceptions, these crashes share an important commonality: most truck accidents could have been prevented if only the mandated safety precautions were followed. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has conducted a comprehensive analysis on large truck crash causation. In the overwhelming majority of commercial truck accident cases, human error is cited as one of the primary causes of the wreck. Oftentimes, that error involves negligence on the part of the truck driver or the trucking company. More specifically, the FMCSA has found that some of the most common causes of semi-truck accidents include:

  • Distracted driving;
  • Unsafe lane changes by truckers;
  • Truckers speeding to meet unreasonable schedules;
  • Rear-end collisions;
  • Truck driver fatigue;
  • Tire blowouts;
  • Improperly loaded trailers;
  • Failure to conduct pre and post trip safety inspections;
  • Failure to perform regular truck maintenance; and
  • Manufacturer error.

Following a large truck accident in Rockdale County, GA, it is crucial that there is a full investigation of the crash. Injured victims need to know exactly why the wreck occurred. If the trucking company or the truck driver contributed to causing your accident in any manner, then they must be held accountable. Trucking companies should never cut corners on safety. Profits cannot come before people.

We Offer a Free Consultation

Your choice of attorney matters enormously to your lawsuit. The right attorney will know how to build an airtight case against the truck driver and/or the trucking company. An inexperienced lawyer, conversely, could overlook important pieces of evidence.

To make sure you choose the right attorney, MG Law provides a free initial consultation to anyone who has been injured in a truck accident. You can come to our office and meet with an attorney to describe your case. Based on what we hear, we can estimate whether you have a valid legal claim for compensation.

You can also ask questions during the consultation about anything you want. Many potential clients are interested in how we think the case will settle as well as our billing structure.

Contact a Rockdale County Truck Accident Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, call us now. We have a proven track record of success at getting badly-injured victims the compensation they need after a crash.

You can call or send us an online message. One of our attorneys will be in contact with you to determine next steps.

  • Request a Free Consultation* Required Fields