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Accidents involving large trucks (gross vehicle weight rating
greater than 10,000 pounds) are among the most serious and
deadly in the United States. Large trucks -- also called semis,
Mack trucks, 18-wheelers or tractor-trailers -- are so much
heavier and longer than a passenger car or truck they can
exert many times the force of other smaller vehicles in an
accident. In a high-speed crash between a large truck and
a family vehicle, the smaller vehicle will almost always be
crushed by the sheer force of the truck’s weight and
speed. For the occupants of the smaller vehicle, the result
is likely to be death or permanent disability from a serious
head, spine or internal injury.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of these large trucks collide
with other passenger vehicles with horrific results. Thousands
of those collisions result in death. Accidents involving large
trucks account for a significant percent of all the traffic
fatalities and catastrophic injuries on our roads and highways.
The unique factors and dynamics of these accidents make them
very different than other vehicle collisions, and require
specialized knowledge and experience in dealing with them.
At Dozier Law Group, we know that handling these cases requires
a thorough understanding of commercial vehicle regulations
on both the federal and state level. Because large trucks
can be so dangerous, trucking companies are required to follow
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations concerning equipment
and drivers' hours of service. In Georgia, the department
of motor vehicle safety is also charged with adopting regulations
regarding the safety of motor carriers. O.C.G.A. § 40-16-2.
Unfortunately, these regulations are often ignored by companies
and drivers more interested in making a profit than public
safety. Some may falsify their logs and keep driving without
getting enough sleep. Some may even turn to illegal stimulants
to stay awake. Some drivers haven’t even obtained a
valid trucking license, posing an additional danger to themselves
and all other drivers on the road with them. When poorly trained,
under-regulated, sleep-deprived or impaired drivers and their
companies make mistakes, the results can devastate a family
physically, emotionally and financially.
Trucking companies often encourage or require their drivers
to operate beyond allowable limits. As a result, driver fatigue
is a common problem, as hours of service regulations are routinely
violated. Careful examination of records after an accident
often shows serious and even fraudulent violations of those
safety regulations. Notably, trucking companies are only required
to maintain certain records for six months. Without obtaining
those records before they are destroyed, the injured person
or survivors of a person killed in a truck collision has a
much more difficult time proving the trucking company's negligence
and misconduct.
Beware the company representative
Highway crashes with large trucks are life-altering events
for most drivers, but for trucking companies, they’re
just part of doing business. After an accident, trucking companies
or their insurers may send representatives to speak with victims
right away. Their job is simple: to minimize the company’s
legal and financial responsibility for the accident. The representatives
may offer what they call a “fair” cash settlement
to encourage accident victims to sign away their legal rights
in exchange for a quick payment before they consult with an
experienced attorney. Typically, there is nothing “fair”
about these offers at all, and they only benefit the trucking
company and its insurer.
Our Georgia truck accident attorneys strongly advise accident
victims to decline these offers and contact us to protect
your rights. If accepted, these supposedly “fair”
cash settlements can prevent accident victims from pursuing
valid claims in court and recovering all compensation allowed
by law for their injuries. Instead, accident victims should
contact an experienced Atlanta truck accident lawyer at Dozier
Law Group to protect their legal rights. Rest assured, the
trucking and insurance companies have lawyers working to protect
their interests.
Call (404) 949-5600 to speak directly with Managing Principal
Brad Dozier, an experienced and dedicated personal injury
attorney, or
. The initial consultation is free of charge. We encourage
you not to delay seeking legal representation, as personal
injury cases must be brought within the statute of limitations
and can be lost forever if not pursued timely.
Personal
Injury | Auto
Accidents | Trucking
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Dozier Law Group represents clients in and around the Atlanta
metro area, including Alpharetta, Fairburn, Roswell, Sandy
Springs, Decatur, Lithonia, Druid Hills, Dunwoody, Tucker,
Marietta, Smyrna, Vinings, Duluth, Acworth, Fayetteville,
Marietta, Kennesaw, Lawrenceville, Norcross, Chamblee, Snellville,
Woodstock, Gainesville, Morrow, Carrollton, College Park,
Peachtree City, Riverdale, Newnan, Conyers, Covington, Canton,
Milton, John's Creek, Stockbridge, McDonough, Douglasville and other cities throughout the state of Georgia.
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