Truck Accident Lawyer in Norcross, Gwinnett County

Commercial trucking is a necessary industry in the United States. Every day, hundreds of thousands of 18-wheelers exceeding 80,000 pounds fill the streets and highways. Driving next to these big rigs is dangerous, but almost unavoidable. If you or a loved one end up in a collision with a large truck, contact a Georgia truck accident attorney at Dermer Appel Ruder for a free case evaluation. Our law firm can fight against trucking companies and insurance companies, holding the responsible parties accountable for your personal injuries.

Why Choose Us?

• Our personal injury lawyers have a combined 80 years of litigation experience, including experience working directly with the insurance industry.
• We take our clients’ needs into consideration through every step of the process, including taking a case to trial if it is necessary to secure maximum compensation.
• We do not charge any fees unless we secure compensation on your behalf.

We can guide you through the steps involved in your unique case and give you sound legal advice along the way. Our trial lawyers will always work with your best interest in mind. An insurance settlement will not be enough to cover your medical bills, property damage, and pain and suffering.

If you have been involved in an accident involving a tractor-trailer, box truck, or other commercial motor vehicles, you need an experienced and skilled attorney to help you navigate the complex legal process. At Dermer Appel Ruder, LLC, our team of truck accident lawyers in Norcross has the knowledge and resources necessary to fight for your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Common Causes of Truck Crashes

Despite being in control of huge, heavy, and extremely dangerous vehicles, truck drivers aren’t always as prudent or careful as they should be. Sometimes, they cut corners and break the rules to make deliveries on time or make their bosses happy. Unfortunately, even one mistake from negligent driving can mean the difference between life and death from behind the wheel of a big rig.

Various factors can cause truck accidents, and understanding these common causes is essential to preventing them from happening in the future. Here are some of the most frequent causes of truck accidents:

• Driver Error: Drivers can make errors that cause significant damage. The consequences of these errors are more severe and often catastrophic due to the sheer size and weight of the truck. Common driver errors in Georgia include speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Equipment Failure and Poorly Maintained Trucks: Trucks are complex vehicles requiring regular maintenance and inspections to ensure they are in safe working order. When essential systems such as brakes, tires, or steering systems fail, it can lead to accidents that cause serious injuries or death. This most often results from a failure to properly inspect and maintain the truck. Many trucking companies cut corners on maintaining the safety of their fleet of vehicles, which can have catastrophic results on the roads.
• Overloading or Improperly Loaded Cargo: Overloading a truck or failing to load it properly can cause it to become unstable, making it difficult to control and increasing the risk of accidents. Cargo that is not adequately secured can also shift during transit, leading to loss of control and accidents.
• Weather and Road Conditions: Poor weather conditions such as rain, snow, or ice can make driving a truck more difficult and increase the risk of accidents. Road conditions such as potholes, construction zones, or sharp curves can also pose hazards for truck drivers. If drivers are not careful and are not properly trained to drive in inclement weather, accidents happen.
• Inadequate Training or Supervision: Truck drivers require specialized training and knowledge to operate their vehicles safely. When drivers are inadequately trained or supervised, they may not know how to handle difficult situations or be unaware of safety protocols.
• Violations of Trucking Regulations: Trucking companies and drivers must comply with various regulations regarding driver hours, cargo weight, and vehicle maintenance, among other things. The regulations also require certain background checks before hiring a truck driver. These regulations include the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.  Often drivers purposefully violate these regulations including working too many hours which puts lives at risk. Employers also violate these regulations in failing to properly investigate drivers’ driving histories before putting them on the road.

Understanding the trucking industry and the common causes of truck accidents, which often include poor maintenance, hiring and retaining of unsafe drivers with histories of driving infractions, and purposeful violation of safety regulation is crucial to bringing a successful claim. If you have been injured in a truck accident, our experienced truck accident attorneys in Norcross at Dermer Appel Ruder, LLC, can help determine the cause of the accident and pursue compensation for your injuries and losses.

No matter what caused your trucking accident and injuries, our Georgia truck accident lawyers can help. Our core beliefs are honesty, integrity, and aggressive representation within the bounds of the law. Our attorneys will become your partner during the civil suit process, guiding your decision-making processes and doing all we can to secure you the best possible compensation award. Contact us for assistance, whether you know exactly what caused your crash or you need a team of investigators on the scene. We’ll take it from there.

Common Truck Accident Injuries in Georgia

Trucking accidents can cause serious damage to vehicle occupants. Truck accident victims, often in passenger vehicles, can face the following:

These serious injuries can affect your quality of life forever. Aside from causing mental anguish, a trucking accident can cause you to suffer financially from hospital bills, reduced earning capacity, and property damage. We won’t let an insurance company lowball you on a settlement offer. Speak with a Georgia truck accident lawyer today to begin your case to pursue full compensation.

Compensation Available for Truck Accident Victims

If you have been injured in a truck accident in Georgia, you may be entitled to various types of compensation. Here are some potential compensation options available to truck accident victims in Georgia:

• Medical Expenses: If you were injured in a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, including hospital bills, doctor’s visits, medication, and physical therapy.
• Lost Wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages. This may include both past and future income.
• Property Damage: If your vehicle or other property was damaged in the accident, you may be entitled to compensation for repairs or replacement.

Wrongful Death: If a loved one was killed in a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical and funeral expenses, lost income, and loss of companionship.

Truck Accident Statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 179 accident-related fatalities involved large trucks in Georgia in 2016. Only two of these deaths were the occupants of the large trucks. The rest were occupants of other vehicles (or bicyclists and pedestrians). In Gwinnett County the same year, seven people died in large truck accidents. Nationally, there were 475,000 commercial truck accidents in 2016 – 104,000 caused injuries and 3,864 were fatal. Truck drivers and trucking companies often have the power to prevent these accidents.

Trucking Laws in Georgia

Commercial trucks must obey a separate set of traffic laws than regular motor vehicles. Not only due truck companies have to obey rules under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA), but also Georgia’s state-specific statutes. Hundreds of rules exist that trucking companies and their employees must follow, from how to properly load cargo on the back of a truck to hours-of-service regulations. Our attorneys know the most commonly breached trucking laws in Georgia, as well as how to prove that someone broke the law. We can help you get to the bottom of your case and hold the negligent truck driver responsible.

Liability in Truck Accidents: Who is Responsible?

Liability in truck accidents can be a complex issue, as multiple parties may be involved in the truck’s operation and maintenance. Here are some potential parties liable for a truck accident:

• Truck Driver: Driver error is one of the main causes for truck accidents.. If the driver was speeding, driving while distracted, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or acted negligently, they may be liable for any resulting injuries or damages.
• Trucking Company: The company that owns the truck and employs the driver may also be liable for a truck accident. This may be the case if the company fails to properly train or supervise the driver, fails to properly maintain the vehicle, or purposefully violates trucking safety regulations.
• Truck Manufacturer: If a defect in the truck or its parts caused the accident, the manufacturer may be held liable for any resulting injuries or damages.
• Cargo Loading Company: If the accident was caused by improperly loaded or secured cargo, the company responsible for loading the cargo may be held liable.

Determining liability in a truck accident can be a complicated process that requires a thorough investigation of the accident scene, witness statements, and other evidence. Early investigation is key as crucial evidence can disappear with the passage of time. It’s important to have access to the accident scene to photograph it and take measurements.  Preserving and downloading the truck’s data from the event data recorder is crucial to understanding what happened in the moments leading up to the wreck and can help identify the cause of the wreck. Additionally, many trucks are outfitted with dash cameras which record the accidents themselves.  Retaining a knowledgeable Norcross truck accident attorney as soon as possible is crucial to ensure that this evidence is preserved, and the responsible parties are held accountable.

Our Attorney Also Represent the Following Practice Areas:-

• Bicycle Accident
• Boat Accident
• Burn Injury
• Car Accident
• Construction Accident
• Dog Bite
• Foodborne Illness
• Food Poisoning
• Bone Fracture
• Motorcycle Accident
• Neck Injury
• Negligent Security
• Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
• Pedestrian Accident
• Pharmaceutical Injury
• Catastrophic Injury
• Slip & Fall Accident
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Wrongful Death

Why Do You Need a Lawyer?

You need a Georgia truck accident attorney during truck accident claims to maximize your odds of securing financial compensation. Trucking companies have plenty of resources to spend on fighting your lawsuit. They can and will do all in their power to avoid paying you what you deserve. Only help from experienced attorneys such as those at Dermer Appel Ruder have the means and the in-depth understanding of the law you need for a successful claim. Discuss your legal options today during a free consultation.

Let Us Help

Our attorneys at Dermer Appel Ruder, LLC, have a track record of success in truck accident cases and are committed to helping our clients achieve the best possible outcome. Call 404-892-8884 today to schedule your appointment.

Serving Atlanta and all surrounding areas including but not limited to Alpharetta, Duluth, Dunwoody, Gwinnett, Johns Creek, Peachtree Corners & Roswell Georgia.

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