Accidents involving trucks can result in severe injuries and even fatalities. Life can change at the drop of a hat, and truck accidents can be the cause. If you or a loved one has been in a serious truck accident a Fairburn truck accident lawyer can help.
Possible Causes of Truck Accidents in Fairburn
Trucks are heavy and much more challenging to bring to a stop than smaller vehicles. They must be cautious driving in traffic or on curvy or mountainous roads. Accidents can happen to the most vigilant drivers.
These are some common causes of truck accidents:
- Brake malfunctions account for 30% of accidents involving commercial trucks, according to the Large Truck Crash Causation Study.
- Over-the-counter cold medicines can cause the driver to become drowsy. A drowsy driver is an unsafe driver.
- Prescription medications and illegal drugs can impair a driver’s ability to manage a vehicle safely.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol causes many accidents on our roadways.
- Driving in unfamiliar areas causes motorists to be more susceptible to accidents since they are not anticipating upcoming obstacles and hazards.
- Distracted driving is likely at the heart of most truck accidents.
- Fatigued driving is the root of many accidents.
- Speeding or traveling too fast for conditions causes way too many accidents.
- Unbalanced and overfilled cargo can cause trucks to be unmanageable.
- Driving on unfamiliar roads means the driver does not know when to anticipate curves or other hazards, which can cause accidents.
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Steps to Take After a Truck Crash in Fairburn
When a crash occurs, the following steps you take can be vital to your safety and the safety of the other people involved in the accident and other motorists traveling in the area. These actions are considered best practices after an accident:
- Immediately call emergency services. The sooner you call 911. The sooner medical help will be on the way.
- If it is safe and you can check on the other accident victims. Report their injuries to the 911 operator.
- Do not leave the scene. This is a crime and could lead to trouble for you.
- Move cars out of the motorway if they are hazardous to oncoming traffic.
- Seek medical attention even if you believe yourself to be uninjured. Some injuries are not immediately evident.
If you feel secure, take note of the details of the accident in a journal or a note-taking application on your telephone. Include photographs and videos of the accident scene, tag numbers, and contact information of those involved. Eyewitness accounts can be helpful to document as well.
Advice for Dealing with Authorities and Insurance Companies
To ensure you are not used as a scapegoat on which to blame the accident, it’s best to keep your answers to police officers short. If you were hit from behind, simply say that. Additional commentary may be harmful to your case down the road.
You should limit your communication with those at the scene and the police since you are unqualified to assess the accident, and your words could be used against you later. It is best to limit contact with those at the scene, and under no circumstances should you admit fault.
Insurance companies may pressure you to settle things. Do not feel compelled to sign any paperwork from the insurance companies. Feeling rushed to do so can cause you to forfeit restitution that you may be entitled.
Types of Damages Available Following a Commercial Truck Accident
Three types of damages may be accessible to someone injured in a truck accident. They are as follows:
- Economic damages will cover medical expenses, including tests, doctor’s appointments, medical tests, medications, and treatments. They also envelop things like loss of income and loss of future wages.
- Non-economic losses, while hard to quantify, figure heavily to truck accident injury settlements. They include mental stress, pain and suffering, and psychological issues caused by the accident.
- Punitive Damages are not always available. But, when they are, they act to punish negligent and reckless behavior.
Your truck accident lawyer in Fairburn understands the ropes when dealing with insurance claims. They are ready to fight for their clients so that they can secure the compensation you need.
How Can a Truck Accident Attorney in Fairburn Help You?
John Foy & Associates is ready to exercise “The Strong Arm” for you. We know the right questions to propose. Questions about all aspects of the accident need to be answered to determine who is responsible and to establish a strong case.
Questions Concerning the Conditions of the Accident
Some factors that cause accidents are conditions that none of the drivers could have anticipated or navigated. Some critical questions about the scene are:
- Was the road well maintained?
- Were the proper signs and signals in place?
- Were the speed limit and other important directions adequately marked?
- Did the weather contribute to the accident?
- Was there ice on the road?
- Was it foggy out?
All of these factors will be considered as we build your case.
We Investigate to Find Out Who Is Liable for Your Injuries
It is essential to know the condition of the driver and the truck involved in the accident. If they were under the influence of drugs or alcohol, this could be the reason the accident took place. The police may or may not have noted sobriety at the scene.
The state of the truck could also have contributed to the accident. The trucking company’s insurance does not want you to know certain things. Like, if the brakes were well maintained on the truck and if the driver had had the mandated amount of rest that day. We know the questions to ask and how to demand the answers.
A Fairburn Truck Accident Attorney Is Prepared to Fight for You
At John Foy & Associates, we value our clients. We understand how destructive an injury from a trucking accident can be. Our team can help you recover the financial security you lost in the accident.
Let us resolve your case for the maximum benefits that you are owed. Contact us now. We are ready and waiting to fight for you.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form