Large trucks and other commercial vehicles can cause devastating injuries in Roswell. The damages can stay with someone for life, leading to disabilities, enormous medical bills, and more. If you or a loved one were a victim, it’s important to speak with a Roswell commercial driver accident lawyer.
John Foy & Associates has been helping accident victims for over 20 years. We have become one of the largest personal injury firms in Georgia. As the “Strong Arm,” we fight hard for the rights of our clients.
Contact us today if after injuries from a commercial driver accident. We’ll discuss the details and determine your recovery options.
Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online for a FREE consultation.
The Definition of Commercial Drivers
Commercial drivers operate vehicles that are used for business purposes. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), drivers must obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to drive these vehicles.
Examples of commercial vehicles include:
- Tanker trucks
- Semi-trailers
- Tractor-trailers
- Fuel trucks
- Big rigs
- Passenger vehicles
Commercial drivers should have special training and skills. If the driver works in Georgia, they must have a state-issued CDL.
According to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §46-9-1, commercial drivers must use “extraordinary diligence” on the road. Compared to regular drivers, commercial drivers have a higher duty of care. If one of these drivers causes an accident, they are often found to be at fault.
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Why Commercial Driver Accidents Happen
Commercial vehicles are often much larger than other vehicles. The size and weight of these trucks make them unsafe when someone operates them improperly. Most of the time, a commercial driver accident happens due to driver negligence.
Negligence is a lack of care on the road. It means a driver has been careless in some way. If that carelessness leads to an accident, the driver is liable for the damages.
After your accident, you’ll need to know the cause. If someone’s actions were the cause, you might have grounds for a legal claim. Some common causes of these accidents include:
Distracted Driving
Commercial drivers might have many distractions while working. A driver can become distracted by:
- Cell phones (such as texts, emails, or phone calls)
- GPS systems
- Getting lost in thoughts
- Passengers
- Work radio messages
- Changing the radio or streaming music
Driver Fatigue
Commercial drivers have some of the most grueling schedules. Truck drivers often work long hours, and they must take rest breaks to stay safe. If a driver forgoes rest or the trucking company pressures the driver too much, the fatigue can be overwhelming and very dangerous.
Truck Blind Spots
Large vehicles have really big blind spots. If a trucker isn’t careful or another driver stays too long in a blind spot, it can lead to an accident.
Faulty Truck Parts
Mechanical or parts failures can lead to instant and deadly accidents. When a commercial truck loses control, the damage is often catastrophic. Severe or fatal injuries are incredibly common.
Trucking Company Negligence
A trucking company might fail to properly vet or train a driver. Inexperience can lead to careless mistakes, which can cause accidents.
There are many potential causes of a commercial driver accident. The details will depend on each specific accident. To get to the bottom of what caused your crash, contact an experienced commercial driver accident lawyer.
John Foy & Associates can help investigate your accident and the causes. We’ll go over everything during a free, no-obligation consultation. Call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get started.
Injuries from a Commercial Driver Accident
When a commercial driver gets into an accident, the injuries tend to be more severe. Common injuries we’ve seen include:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Lacerations
- Internal organ damage
Tragically, many truck accident injuries result in death. If a loved one died in a commercial driver accident, you might have a wrongful death claim. You can seek compensation on behalf of your deceased loved one. Call an experienced lawyer today about filing this type of claim.
You Might Deserve Full Compensation
The at-fault party in an accident is responsible for the damages. If another party was responsible for your accident, you can seek compensation through a personal injury claim or lawsuit.
The responsible party could be:
- The commercial driver
- The trucking company
- A maintenance company
- A truck manufacturer
First, you’ll need to determine who is at fault. Since Georgia is a modified comparative fault state, there may be more than one at-fault party. After that, you’ll need to file a case against the at-fault party.
The damages from a commercial vehicle accident tend to be higher than other accidents. As an injured party, you might have damages like:
- Medical bills
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy or rehabilitation costs
- Vehicle damage
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
Serious injuries often require ongoing medical treatment. It’s best to see a doctor as soon as possible after your accident. If you were hurt severely enough, you’ll probably receive treatment at the scene of the accident. However, don’t delay going back to your doctor if you have more pain or worsening injuries.
A serious injury will prevent you from returning to work. You might even need to take on a lower-paying job because of your injuries. In extreme cases, victims cannot return to work at all. This can be devastating for those who earn money for their families.
Don’t get stuck paying for damages you didn’t cause. Talk to a lawyer today about fighting for the money you deserve.
Talk to a Roswell Commercial Drivers Accident Lawyer Today
John Foy & Associates has been helping clients throughout Georgia for over 20 years. We treat each case like our own, and we are not afraid to “Strong Arm” the insurance companies. If you or a loved one were injured in an accident, call us for a free, no-strings-attached consultation.
We only work on a contingency-fee-basis. That means you pay nothing upfront and don’t pay us at all unless we win you money. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online for a FREE consultation with an experienced lawyer.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
