Common Types of Truck Accidents
A truck accident refers to any collision or incident involving a truck, which can vary in size and type, including semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, delivery trucks, and more. These accidents can result in severe damage, injuries, or fatalities due to the size and weight of trucks involved.
Common types of truck accidents include:
- Rear-End Collisions: When a truck hits the vehicle in front of it, often due to sudden stops, distractions, or tailgating.
- Jackknife Accidents: This occurs when a truck's cab and trailer fold in on themselves, resembling a partially closed jackknife. It often happens due to loss of control, slippery roads, or sudden braking.
- Rollovers: These accidents involve a truck tipping onto its side or rolling over. Rollovers can happen due to various factors, including excessive speed, sharp turns, overloading, or road conditions.
- Underride Accidents: When a smaller vehicle gets trapped underneath the rear or side of a truck. This typically occurs if the truck suddenly stops or if visibility is poor.
- Blind-Spot Accidents: Trucks have larger blind spots than regular vehicles, and accidents can occur when a truck driver is unaware of a car or motorcycle in these blind spots, leading to collisions when changing lanes or making turns.
- Cargo Spills: Improperly secured cargo can lead to spills or debris on the road, causing accidents for other vehicles.
- Tire Blowouts: Sudden tire blowouts on trucks can lead to loss of control, potentially causing accidents, especially at high speeds.
- Wide-Turn Accidents: Trucks need more space to make turns, and misjudgment by either the truck driver or other drivers can result in collisions.
These accidents can result from various factors such as driver error, mechanical failures, weather conditions, road hazards, or a combination of these elements. Due to the size and weight of trucks, accidents involving them can be particularly severe and have significant impacts on both property and human lives.
Seeking Compensation for Truck Accident Injuries
A truck accident can result in severe injuries and financial hardships. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Alpharetta, it's essential to seek legal representation to help you recover the compensation you deserve. Our experienced Alpharetta truck accident attorneys at Morrison & Hughes Law can help you navigate the complex legal process and fight for your rights.
Types of compensation that may be available in a truck accident case include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Loss of consortium
Don't delay in seeking legal help after a truck accident. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help you pursue the compensation you need to move forward with your life. Time is of the essence in these cases, and we're here to act swiftly on your behalf.
Who is Liable for a Truck Accident?
One of the most important things to determine in a truck accident case is who is liable for the victim’s injuries and losses. In some cases, the truck driver is at fault. In others, the trucking company is to blame. In still others, a third party is responsible. In many cases, multiple parties share liability for the accident.
Some of the most common parties that are liable for truck accidents include:
- Truck drivers: Truck drivers are often at fault for truck accidents. They may be driving while fatigued, distracted, or impaired, or they may be speeding or driving recklessly. In some cases, truck drivers are inexperienced or poorly trained, which can also lead to accidents.
- Trucking companies: Trucking companies are often liable for truck accidents. They may be responsible for the actions of their drivers, or they may be liable for their own negligence. For example, if a trucking company fails to properly maintain its fleet, and a truck accident occurs as a result, the company may be held liable for the victim’s injuries and losses.
- Third parties: In some cases, a third party is to blame for a truck accident. For example, if a truck’s cargo was not properly loaded or secured, and the cargo falls off the truck and causes an accident, the company that loaded the cargo may be liable for the victim’s injuries and losses.
How Our Alpharetta Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help
Truck accident claims are often more complex than other types of motor vehicle accident claims. For example, trucking companies are required to carry more insurance coverage than the average driver, which means there is often more money available to compensate the victim. However, this also means that the insurance company will fight harder to avoid paying a large settlement.
Additionally, trucking companies are required to follow strict state and federal regulations. If a trucking company fails to follow these regulations, and a truck accident occurs as a result, the company may be held liable for the victim’s injuries and losses. However, proving that a trucking company violated a state or federal regulation can be challenging.
At Morrison & Hughes, our Alpharetta truck accident lawyers have extensive experience handling complex truck accident claims. We know how to investigate these cases and gather the evidence needed to prove liability. We also know how to calculate the full extent of the victim’s damages, including their future medical expenses and lost wages.
Our team is prepared to fight for you and your recovery. We will not back down from a challenge, and we will not settle for less than you deserve. If the insurance company refuses to make a fair settlement offer, we will not hesitate to take your case to court.
Call our office today at (470) 260-9417 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our team.
Helpful Resources
Commonly Asked Questions
What are some common parties that may be liable for a truck accident?
In addition to the truck driver, other parties that may be liable for a truck accident include the trucking company, the cargo loading company, the truck's maintenance team, and the manufacturer of a defective truck component.
What are some key federal regulations for truck accidents?
Key federal regulations for truck accidents include Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations, Driver Qualification Requirements, Vehicle Maintenance and Inspection rules, Weight and Size Limits, Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) usage, Drug and Alcohol Testing requirements, Hazardous Materials Regulations, and Safety Fitness Procedures.
How do federal regulations aim to enhance the safety of commercial trucking operations?
Federal regulations aim to enhance safety by limiting driver hours to prevent fatigue, ensuring driver qualifications, mandating vehicle maintenance and inspection, setting weight and size limits, tracking driving time accurately with ELDs, conducting drug and alcohol testing, regulating hazardous materials transportation, and evaluating carrier safety fitness.
Why is compliance with federal trucking regulations crucial?
Compliance with federal trucking regulations is crucial to avoid legal issues, ensure the safety of all road users, prevent accidents, and maintain the overall safety and efficiency of commercial trucking operations.
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