Jonesboro, Georgia Truck Accident Lawyers

Trucking Cases We Handle

Our truck accident law firm has extensive experience in handling local semi-truck and tractor-trailer accidents.

Specialized knowledge. Interstate trucking cases require knowledge of Motor Carrier Safety Rules and Regulations, electronic logging and data monitoring, business and record-keeping practices, layers of insurance policies and protection, and document discovery. Lawyers who do not practice truck accident law may be unfamiliar or less familiar with these important records.

18-wheeler and big-rig accidents. With interstates 75 (I-75), 85 (I-85), 20 (I-20), 285 (I-285), and 675 (I-675) forming a hub in and near Clayton County, the area has a high number of serious truck accidents. Each year, we handle several serious interstate-highway accidents in this area.

Our office is especially qualified and able to investigate truck accidents quickly. We can get you on the road toward financial compensation before important evidence can disappear forever.

Trucking Injuries We Handle

Throughout more than 29 years of handling truck accident cases, our firm has gained experience working on these injuries and more:

• Head injuries
• Paralysis
• Wrongful death
• Back and neck injuries
• Disk herniations
• Internal injuries
• Facial injuries
• Broken bones
• Many other injuries

How are damages calculated in a trucking accident case?

Truck accident lawyers look for every detail of damages that may entitle you to compensation. You may recover up to all (100%) of your out-of-pocket expenses as well as compensation for other losses.

Damages you can recover are broken down into a few common categories:

• Medical bills, lost pay, and expenses. These are known as economic damages. These damages can include both past and future costs and losses. Short and long-term medical expenses, lost time from work, future pay for inability to continue working, and other expenses directly related to your accident may all be considered economic damages.
• Funeral expenses. This may include all final expenses for the wrongful death of a loved one.
• Other economic damages. You may also be entitled to recover hospital and hospitalization expenses, rehabilitation, physical and cognitive therapy, home health and nursing care, vehicle damage, and future expenses.
• Pain and suffering damages. You are entitled to recover non-economic damages for mental and physical pain. This includes any limitations the accident has caused you, whether temporary or permanent. Loss of your everyday enjoyment of life – whether short-term or for a lifetime – can also be considered.
• Catastrophic injuries. Although technically part of your pain and suffering, truck accidents are known to cause catastrophic injuries such as paralysis, traumatic brain injury (TBI), amputation or loss of limbs, and other permanent injuries. Damage awards tend to be very large – into the millions of dollars – when there is enough insurance coverage.

To properly evaluate an injury, our office obtains all medical records and carefully reviews them with the treating doctors. We will collect reports or take testimony
from your doctors and other medical experts. This will help prove the full effects the injury has had on your life.

What Should You Do After a Truck Accident?

Call the police or make a report. The police will most likely respond to the scene of a commercial vehicle or truck accident. However, some truckers may want to leave the scene without calling the police. Don’t let this happen. You will need the police report for case evidence and for dealing with the trucking company, its insurance company, and your own insurance carrier.

Take photos of the truck and accident. One of the best things you can do to help win your case is take pictures of the damaged vehicles and your injuries. Only if it is safe to do so, take photos or video of the scene of the accident.

Get witness contact information. This will allow you or your attorney to get witness statements in the near future. If you cannot get this information at the scene, check the police report and local 911 call-in records.

Get license plate numbers. If an involved driver leaves the scene before the police arrive, no matter the excuse, be sure to get their license tag information. This can be given to law enforcement for their investigation.

Get medical attention promptly. If you are hurt after an accident, it is best to seek medical care as soon as possible, even if it is just to ensure you are not badly hurt. If you fail to get medical attention for days or weeks, it can be much harder to prove your injuries.

Do not speak with the trucking or commercial vehicle insurance adjuster unless advised to do so by a lawyer. You are under no obligation to give a statement to the at-fault company or their insurance representative. We recommend speaking with an experienced truck accident lawyer first.

Do not post to Facebook or other social media. Anything you post online or to social media, such as Facebook, can be used as evidence. A statement made to reassure your mother or relatives that you are “OK” after a wreck could be used against you. Even if you are just trying to keep your loved ones from worrying about you, avoid doing so in a public forum.

Report the truck accident to your own insurance company. After any wreck, you must report the accident to your own insurance company. If it was not your fault, you should have nothing to worry about. Failing to report your accident could result in violating your insurance policy.

Special Factors Involved in Truck Accident Cases

You are best served by lawyers who routinely handle truck accident cases.

Truck accidents are not simply “big” car wrecks. Both state and federal regulations govern trucks, buses, and transport vans (such as Medicaid, Medicare, transit, and Marta vehicles). These cases are much more complex than car accidents.

Catastrophic damage. The injuries that truck accidents cause can be devastating or catastrophic because of the vehicles’ size and weight. Trucks weigh as much as 80,000 pounds They can cause enormous damage when they collide with a 3,000 to 5,000 pound car, pickup truck, or SUV.

Trucks are federally regulated. Trucks and drivers are subject to special rules and regulations. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations control trucking across the Country.

Standard of care. Truckers and their companies are required to follow specific rules, including hours of driving and rest, maintenance and inspection, and health requirements. These federal rules help establish a standard of care for trucks that is much higher than for regular private cars, pickups, and SUVs.

Common FMCSA driving violations. Truck driver fatigue from driving too many hours and improper maintenance are among the most common FMCSA violations. They are often found as the main cause of negligent truck and bus accidents.

Other common FMCSA rule violations by companies. Companies themselves can also be held accountable if their trucker causes an accident. Violations may include allowing unqualified drivers to operate big-rigs, failing to properly monitor drivers to ensure they’re not driving more hours than legally allowed, and failing to audit driver logs to confirm the driver is inspecting the vehicle and not keeping false or dual driving logs.

Passing the blame. Trucking companies are notorious for attempting to pass the blame. They may pass complete fault to you and claim the company did nothing negligent to cause the wreck. In reality, trucking companies are often responsible and the main cause when a trucking crash happens. This is because trucking companies frequently violate the FMCSA rules and regulations or allow their drivers to do so.

Trucking companies vs. independent-owner operators. Some trucking companies falsely claim their drivers are not employees. They do so because unless the trucker is truly an independent contractor, the trucking company is likely responsible for its driver’s actions through vicarious liability or respondeat superior. This means you can hold the company accountable for the driver’s careless or negligent actions.

Multiple companies may be responsible. Even a simple truck accident case may involve as many as three or more persons or companies. Of course, there is the at-fault truck driver. But, the trucking company, freight company, broker, loading company, maintenance company, and other drivers who may have contributed to the wreck may also be to blame. Knowing how to identify these other potential defendants and how they may also be at-fault is critical to success in your injury or wrongful death case.

Special insurance considerations. Should you trust the insurance company? This is a question every person injured in a truck accident should ask. Most trucking cases and claims are covered or paid by insurance policies and companies. And, while you have most likely seen the clever advertising designed to make insurance companies appear friendly and willing to pay when you need them, the reality is quite different.

Because trucking cases are often large, insurance companies are likely to resist paying a fair settlement value until and unless they see that you have retained a qualified truck accident lawyer. You should show you are prepared to take them to court if necessary.

What are the legally-required truck insurance limits?

Trucking companies that operate in more than one state, known as interstate trucking, must typically have at least $750,000 in bodily injury, or liability, insurance. As of June 2020, Congress is considering increasing the minimum required trucking insurance to $2 million.

How We Prove the Negligent Cause of A Truck Accident

Trucking accident claims and cases are based on fault. However, the root cause of a truck accident involving a tractor-trailer or large box or delivery truck may be deeper than simply proving a truck driver made a mistake and crashed into you.

Thorough investigation may show other types of negligence, such as a careless trucking company or third party, which also contributed to the accident. This is what is known as a “system failure.”

The Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Georgia:

Failure to Adjust to Road Conditions

In the Large Truck Causation Study by the FMCSA, analysis showed that nearly one-half of big truck accidents were the result of drivers failing to adjust for road conditions. These accidents occurred due to curves in on-off ramps, loads being carried, and the road surface and condition of the brakes.

Mechanical or Equipment Failure or Malfunction

Post-accident investigations may show that a trucker or trucking company negligently failed to maintain the truck. This could result in bald tires, worn or defective brakes and braking systems, missing reflectors, dim or non-working head or tail lights. After a serious wreck, a truck accident lawyer almost always has the truck and other involved vehicles examined for mechanical defects by an accident reconstruction expert.

Untrained, Underqualified, or Inexperienced Drivers

Drivers must be properly trained and qualified to drive large commercial vehicles. Underqualified drivers may make serious errors, like driving too fast for conditions, improper turning or changing lanes, or incorrectly using the brakes or trailer brakes. These mistakes increase the risk of rear-end collisions and jackknifing.

Additionally, trucking companies have a legal duty to screen drivers before hiring them. This process includes drug and alcohol testing, ensuring the driver has a valid medical DOT certificate and checking the driver’s employment history and driving record.

Tired, Fatigued, or Drowsy Drivers

Driving more hours than allowed by the FMCSA regulations can lead to drowsy driving, poor decision-making, and slow reaction times. Federal rules require that truckers drive no more than 11 hours during a given 14-hour period.

Drivers must have at least 10 hours of rest after driving 11 hours or after working for 14 hours. Drivers are also not allowed to drive more than 60 hours during seven consecutive days or more than 70 hours over eight days.

Unrealistic delivery scheduling

Some commercial truck and delivery truck accidents happen because drivers are forced by their companies to make deliveries too quickly. The result of an unrealistic schedule is speeding and taking chances with the safety of the truck and other drivers. Drivers who may struggle to keep up, or get stuck in traffic may feel forced to speed.

Bad Weather and Driving too Fast

Truck drivers may overestimate their ability to control their vehicle in inclement weather. Rain, snow, and fog decrease visibility and make the roadways wet and slippery. After a crash, the driver’s file and safety record should be reviewed to see whether they were properly trained to operate in all road conditions.

Tailgating and Aggressive Driving

Who hasn’t looked in their rearview mirror during a rainstorm and been shocked to see the rearview filled with the grill of a semi-truck? The reason this is frightening is that it is common knowledge that trucks cannot stop as quickly as passenger cars and trucks. Tailgating, speeding, and aggressive driving are leading causes of accidents when traffic suddenly slows. An estimated 9,000 truck crashes happen each year due to tailgating and aggressive driving behavior.

Negligent Loading or Securing of a Load

Trucks carry cargo that, if not loaded properly, can shift during transit. Improperly loaded items can fall onto the roadway or cause an imbalance that results in loss of control. Any accident caused by the loss of a load or an unsecured load should be investigated to learn why the issue occurred. This investigation should also review who loaded the cargo and whether any negligent shipping, loading, or cargo companies were involved.

Failure to Perform Inspections

Truck drivers must perform daily inspections and keep a log of doing so. The Georgia Department of Public Safety lists failure to do a pre-trip inspection as one of the most common trucking safety violations. The inspection includes checking the truck’s safety equipment, wheels and tires, lights, brakes, trailer attachment or coupler, and more. Always review the daily inspection reports to determine if the trucker was doing this important part of his or her job properly.

Substance Use and Abuse

Use of alcohol, marijuana, or other sedating drugs can slow a driver’s reaction and impair his or her judgment. Use of stimulants can make a driver aggressive or overconfident and may be a sign that the driver is exceeding his or her lawful in-service hours. Post-accident drug and alcohol testing is a requirement of the FMCSA. Driving logs and trucking records of drug and alcohol testing should be obtained after any truck accident. Driving a truck while intoxicated is extremely dangerous and careless and can lead to an award of punitive damages.

Texting and Distracted Truck Driving

Just like drivers of passenger vehicles, truck drivers are not immune to electronic distractions. Texting and driving are prohibited by the Department of Transportation, along with a number of other distracted driving behaviors. These include looking at GPS screens, eating and drinking, using a cell phone without being hands-free, and other similar distractions.

Improper Lane Changing

A substantial number of interstate highway truck accidents happen when a trucker moves into another lane of traffic, “pinching” a smaller vehicle. These accidents occur when a truck driver is tired, distracted, unqualified, or improperly trained. Truckers often blame the motorist for “darting” into their blind spot, but this is seldom the cause of the wreck. Careful investigation can prove the truck driver made an error, not the passenger car driver.

Overweight Trucks

Trucks that weigh more than the legally allowed limit can take a dangerously long time to stop. According to the truck safety coalition, as many as 30 percent of dump-trucks and semi-trailer trucks are overweight. After a truck has hit cars on the highway or at a controlled intersection, the load should be examined. What kind of product was it carrying? Does the manifest show the weight of the load? Negligent and overweight loading is a factor that should not be overlooked.

Jonesboro’s Roads and Highways Have a Trucking Problem

Because we are located near the world’s largest airport and four major interstate highways, many large trucking and transport companies are located around our area. This means that Jonesboro, its interstate highways, and state highways, such as 19/41, Highway 401, and Highway 23 are filled with a great number of big-rig and semi-truck traffic.

Many serious crashes happen because drivers and companies are unfamiliar with the highways and exit-ramps. A typical trucking accident may occur at the Cloverleaf exits on Interstate 75 and I-285 in Jonesboro. Large trucks often run over or rear-end cars and pickup trucks. Other wrecks, such as rollovers or tip-overs occur from taking a ramp too fast. Accidents involving serious and catastrophic injuries take place on a weekly basis near Jonesboro. They are often the result of truck-driver error, negligent training, or poorly maintained brakes.

Jonesboro, Georgia, Trucking Laws

In addition to state regulations and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act, the City of Jonesboro also its own laws and ordinances that commercial vehicles and trucks must follow.

Uniform rules of the road. Jonesboro has adopted all of Georgia’s uniform rules of the road for the operation of trucks and other commercial vehicles. City Code, Sec. (74-41)

Truck, defined. The City of Jonesboro defines every motor vehicle that has six or more wheels and is designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transport of property as a “truck.” (74-91)

Truck routes. The city has established certain truck routes to redirect truck traffic away from city streets. (Sec. 74-94) However, the city generally does not enforce its ordinances to interfere with the normal delivery of goods and services. (74-92)

Trucks with more than six wheels. Trucks with over six wheels are prohibited on certain streets inside of the City of Jonesboro. Such streets are marked with traffic control devices. (74-95)

Truck and commercial vehicle storage. Trucks may not be stored overnight in a front yard of an M-1 district or light industrial district. Commercial vehicles of all types generally may not be parked in a residential district, except under certain conditions. (86-108) and (Sec. 74-3)

How We Investigate and Work on Jonesboro-Area Trucking Accident Cases

Your first call to our law office. Contact our Jonesboro law firm for a free consultation regarding any 18-wheeler, tractor-trailer, semi-truck, or other commercial vehicle accident. We will consult with you on the phone or in-person at no charge.

Your information is confidential. Anything you tell us, and our advice to you, is totally confidential. We abide by the code of professional responsibility and ethics not to reveal anything you say to us.

Our legal advice to you: We will advise you about the law, consult about your injuries and the potential value of your case. If we decide to work together, our firm will immediately begin to investigate.

Sympathy, caring, and fast action: Injuries are often much more serious in a truck accident than a typical car accident. During your consultation, we’ll provide a clear plan of action and advice about how to deal with your injuries, medical care, and employment. We will also explain how your case will be investigated. Our firm will use our local relationships with Jonesboro and Clayton County police, medical offices, first responders, and accident reconstruction experts to get your case onto a solid foundation.

Your Trucking Case Questions Answered

Who can be sued in a trucking or commercial vehicle accident?

There may be several at-fault defendants in a truck crash case. Typically, these include the driver, the truck’s owner or the trucking company, the company that hired or employed the driver, any company that negligently maintained the truck, other drivers that contributed to the crash, and sometimes a negligent car or truck manufacturer.

What if the trucking or insurance company wants to settle quickly?

Sometimes self-insured trucking companies or their insurance carriers will tempt accident victims with a quick-settlement offer. For instance, they may offer to pay your medical bills right away. Most likely, they are trying to get you to settle and agree to accept full payment before you can hire a lawyer who may tell you the case is worth much more. Should this happen, we recommend speaking with a truck accident attorney to determine whether quick settlement is in your best interest. (Hint … it usually is not.)

What is the burden of proof in a trucking case?

You may have heard of the “guilty beyond a reasonable doubt” standard. That is the standard or burden of proof in a criminal case. Trucking and commercial vehicle injury accidents are civil cases. The burden of proof in a civil case is “preponderance” or “more likely than not,” which is an easier standard to meet.

What if the trucker does not have enough insurance?

Commercial vehicles typically carry $100,000 to well over $1 million worth of insurance. However, in the most serious cases, unless there is an excess or umbrella policy, even this may not be enough. Therefore, it is important to review other possible sources of insurance. These can include parent trucking companies, businesses that hired or loaded the truck, companies that maintained the truck, and other individuals or companies that contributed to the wreck, such as roadway defects or other drivers.

Are trucking companies automatically responsible for a crash?

As in any other type of accident, this depends on a few things. First, was the truck driver at fault? If so, was the driver on the job when the wreck happened? Also, was the driver an employee of a trucking company or an independent contractor? In some cases, trucking companies or freight brokers may not be held accountable for an independent driver’s actions. The answer to this question can be complicated. It’s difficult to answer without a detailed investigation into the nature of the business relationship, the lease, the contract, and other terms of the trucker’s employment.

Do trucks have a “black box” with data about the crash?

In most cases, yes! Almost all modern tractors and commercial vehicles are equipped with a device known as an event data recorder, or “black box”. This recorder saves data about the vehicle, including speed, braking, and steering of the truck at and prior to the time of a crash. Most modern cars have a similar recorder onboard as well. Data from these devices can provide information about the cause of a crash.

What if I did not hire an attorney right away, is it too late?

In Georgia, you will have up to two years to file a lawsuit under O.C.G.A. 9-3-33. This is known as the personal injury statute of limitations. If your truck accident was many months ago, it might not be too late. Even though it is best to begin investigating right away, your attorney can still get the police report, SCRT report, and other records that may prove your case.

Is it better to file suit or settle a trucking case?

This varies greatly from case to case. Generally speaking, if it is possible to receive a fair settlement or the limits of available insurance, then filing suit may not be necessary. However, in many trucking cases, the full extent of insurance or the circumstances leading up to the collision cannot be fully known without filing suit and using the power of the court to compel information from the trucker and company.

Most trucking cases, even when suit is filed, are settled without a trial. And, statistics show that larger settlements are more likely after suit has been filed and the trucker, the trucking company, and the insurance company are facing the threat of a trial.

Things You May Want to Know When Choosing a Truck Accident Lawyer in Jonesboro, GA

Selecting the best attorney matters. Local experience matters.

Some advertising law firms you may see are “national” firms located many miles or states away from where your crash happened. Firms advertising on TV with catchy slogans like “Call me (name your state)” or “fighting the powerful” may not even be headquartered in Georgia. When a case involves a commercial truck, bus, or van, fast investigation and local knowledge are often necessary. This may not be possible or desirable with a distant or high-volume law firm.

The Millar Law Firm has been in the area for over a quarter-century. Our offices are located near some of the busiest interstates, roads, and highways in Georgia. We regularly (and successfully) handle trucking and bus accident cases. We can respond quickly and effectively when large truck, big-rig, and other serious crashes happen. Put local knowledge and actual resources – not advertising hype – to work for you.

How can a South Atlanta truck accident attorney help you and your family?

We handle local and state-wide truck accident cases near you on a daily basis. Investigating a truck accident is not as simple as getting a police report and contacting the insurance company. Truck wrecks often involve multiple law enforcement and government regulatory departments. If you are not familiar with investigating and finding the relevant information, this can harm your case.

Additionally, knowing who to make your claim against and who to sue is critical. Understanding who you can sue and identifying all the potential defendants, such as the trucking company, parent companies, and brokers, are critical skills.

Let our attorneys fight the insurance and trucking company, so you don’t have to

We are on your side. Our job is to get you as much money as possible to take care of your medical, physical, and emotional needs after a truck accident.

You need a trustworthy truck accident attorney to look out for your rights and best interests, above all. The insurance company is in business to profit by paying as little as possible on your claim. We handle Jonesboro trucking and commercial accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means our interests are the same as yours: To help you recover as much monetary compensation as possible.

Perhaps the best thing about hiring a local personal injury trucking accident attorney is knowing that you have a team on your side and close at hand. We want you to focus on other things, like recovering from your injuries. Our office will take this burden off you, and keep you updated as your truck crash case progresses.