In McDonough, any accident that involves a semi truck can be extremely serious. Car accidents alone can be very severe, but when a huge 18-wheeler is involved, the momentum of such a large vehicle can cause life-altering and fatal injuries, even death. If you or a loved one has been harmed in a truck accident, you need a good McDonough truck accident lawyer on your side.
At John Foy & Associates, we’re here to help you. For 20+ years, we’ve been exclusively helping personal injury victims get the financial recovery they need to cover their costs and try to move on from the pain of their accident. Starting as small, local law office in our humble beginnings, we’ve now grown to one of the most respected and experienced truck accident firms in the U.S. Let us give you a FREE consultation to go over your case and talk about your options.
Call us today at 404-400-4000, or fill out the form to your right for your free consultation.
How are Semi-Truck Accidents Different from Other Car Accidents?
Semi trucks, when holding cargo, can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. That kind of size and weight can make any type of collision disastrous. Drivers and passengers in the other vehicle can face life-threatening injuries and extreme damage to their car.
Plus, trucks have some disadvantages on the roads that make them particularly prone to bad accidents, including:
- Semi trucks cannot stop easily or quickly
- Truck drivers have limited vision of the vehicles behind and to the sides of their trailers
- Cargo on trucks can often contain flammable materials or other dangerous objects
- Truck drivers are held to very strict schedules that encourage long hours and lack of sleep, leading drivers to drive fatigued
- Maintenance on trucks can be neglected, leading to accidents
All of these factors make truck accidents especially dangerous for other drivers on McDonough roads. It’s all the more reason truck accident victims deserve FULL financial recovery for their injuries and other damages, which are likely astronomical.
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What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Athens?
There are a number of reasons truck accidents occur. The most common problems see routinely see are:
Driver Fatigue
As mentioned above, truck drivers are given strict schedules that discourage proper sleep. Although they are legally allowed time to pull over and rest, many drivers will forgo that time in an effort to meet stringent deadlines given to them by their bosses. This keeps them out on the road for long hours, even overnight, driving while tired and fatigued.
Anyone is at risk of making driving mistakes while in this condition, and it’s especially costly when that driver is operating a vehicle that weighs tons.
Improper Maintenance
The rate of trucks failing roadside inspections has nearly doubled in recent years. If a driver doesn’t have money to put into their truck, repairs are the last area they’re going to spend money on. This is extremely concerning, as it means semi trucks out routinely out on the road without getting the regular repairs and maintenance they require.
Altered Driving Logs
Many truck drivers lie on their driving logs so they can stay on the road longer than they are legally allowed to do. Again, this means they are driving without proper rest and are not in any condition to be operating their vehicle at all hours.
These are just a few ways truck drivers and their companies can be responsible for truck accidents—and why victims are never at fault for the damages that result.
If I’m in an Accident With a Truck in Mcdonough, What Should I Do?
The number one priority after a truck accident is protecting your rights. Trucking companies are required to carry insurance for all of their drivers, but that doesn’t mean their insurer will be willing to pay out everything you’re entitled to in your claim. Insurance companies themselves have a team of people who will look for ways to pay out as little as possible—especially in a costly truck accident.
To protect yourself and ensure ALL of your costs are accounted for from your accident, there are a number of things you can do:
See a Doctor
Truck accidents result in some of the worse injuries. If you or someone else has a life-threatening injury from your accident, your first step should be getting these injuries immediate medical treatment.
If you are well enough to stay at the scene first, following the next steps. And once those are completed, go see a doctor. Even for minor injuries, which are uncommon in truck accidents, you should see a doctor. This will create a record of your injuries and show that a medical professional confirmed them and gave you a treatment plan.
Take Pictures
Use your cell phone to take pictures of your injuries, damage to your vehicle, and the whole accident scene. Visual evidence of the accident and its damages are crucial for your insurance claim.
Take a Video of Suspicious Interactions
If the driver is acting strange, overly tired, or even under the influence, try to get a video of their behavior. Chances are, they are driving while fatigued. If you can get video evidence of this, it can really help prove their negligence.
Get Names of Witnesses
If other people saw the accident happen, talk to them and ask about what they saw. You’ll need to call the police to report the accident, and officers will arrive at the scene. Ask witnesses if they’d be willing to give a statement to the police about what they saw. Also, ask for their name and contact information so you and your lawyer can get in touch with them later.
Get a Good Truck Accident Lawyer
Besides making sure you’re physically okay, the most important thing you can do after a truck accident is to contact a good lawyer. Do not talk to the other driver’s insurance company, accept any money, or admit any fault until you’ve spoken with a truck accident attorney. They will help you avoid any trap insurance companies try to set for vulnerable accident victims—and they’ll help you seek the fullest financial recovery possible for your damages.
Talk to a McDonough Truck Accident Lawyer for Free
Truck accidents can be extremely painful, emotional, and overwhelming. At John Foy & Associates, we want to help you recover as fully as possible. While we know money can’t make up for true damages of the accident, it can help you cover your medical bills and other costs and move on with your life as soon as possible.
For a FREE consultation to talk about your case, contact us today by calling 404-400-4000, or filling out the form to your right.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
