Following a serious accident with a commercial truck, people are curious as to who can be held liable for the injuries and other damages suffered. An I-85 truck accident in Atlanta can be traumatic, and the injuries are often severe. Ensuring you recover your due compensation means holding the right party, or parties, liable, and an experienced truck accident lawyer can help identify those parties.
At Hall & Lampros, LLP, we are here to help individuals who have been injured in a truck accident along Atlanta’s I-85.
What Parties You May Hold Liable for a Truck Accident Along I-85 in Atlanta
I-85 spans the entire width of the state of Georgia and is the main thoroughfare into North and South Carolina. This is also a popular trucking route, and with commercial trucks carrying nearly 72.4% of American freight every year, these trucks are an essential part of our economy. They can also pose a severe threat to other drivers when operated or maintained negligently or recklessly.
When you are struck and injured by a commercial truck along I-85, you may wonder who you can hold liable. Holding the right party, or parties, liable is essential to recovering full compensation. At Hall & Lampros, LLP, we’re here to review your case and identify who can be held liable, including parties such as:
- The truck driver. You are likely able to hold the driver of the truck liable in cases where the crash was caused by speeding, impairment, or distracted driving.
- The trucking company. The company that employs an at-fault driver may also be liable. They can face liability for hiring untrained or unqualified drivers, neglecting to adhere to strict truck maintenance regulations, or failing to enforce federal safety regulations, such as rest breaks.
- Third-party maintenance contractor. If the accident is caused by inadequate truck upkeep or negligent inspections, then a third-party maintenance contractor could be held liable for your damages.
- Cargo loaders. When a truck is not properly loaded or cargo is not correctly secured, it can cause the load to become unbalanced and lead to rollover or jackknife accidents. In the U.S., overloaded trucks account for around 65% of all fatal commercial truck accidents.
- Truck parts manufacturers. When a commercial truck experiences tire blowouts or a faulty braking system, you may be able to hold the manufacturer of the truck liable in a defective product claim.
- Government agencies. If poor roadway conditions are a factor in a commercial truck accident, then you may be able to hold the local municipalities in charge of roadway maintenance liable for damages.
It is important to keep in mind that in cases where the truck driver is operating as an independent contractor, their personal insurance may be liable to pay your damages rather than the policy held by the trucking company.
About Hall & Lampros, LLP
At Hall & Lampros, LLP, our attorneys have over 60 years of combined experience when it comes to representing clients in a litany of personal injury claims, including those that involve commercial trucks. We are well aware of how these truck drivers, their employers, and their insurance providers often do everything in their power to shift blame onto your shoulders. We won’t stand for that.
No matter your color, creed, race, or national origin, our team is here for you. With fluent Spanish speakers employed at our firm, we take great pride in our ability to help individuals from all walks of life. Whenever tragedy strikes, we are there ready to help you get back on your feet.
FAQs
What Steps Should I Take Following a Truck Accident on I-85?
If you are injured in a truck accident along I-85, there are certain steps you can take to protect your physical health and the credibility of your future claim. First, move yourself and your vehicle, if possible, out of the main flow of traffic and dial 911. It is important that you seek medical attention and obtain a copy of the police report. You also need to exchange information with the truck driver, but do not discuss fault.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Trucking Accidents?
Trucking accidents are rooted in a variety of different causes, all typically boiling down to some form of human error. Truck drivers are held to tight schedules, and drowsy or fatigued driving is known to cause 30-40% of all commercial trucking accidents. Other common causes include impaired driving, distracted driving, speeding, and poor truck maintenance.
How Much Compensation Can I Recover in a Truck Accident?
In a truck accident, the amount of compensation you can recover generally depends on the extent of property damage and injuries suffered. Because truck accidents are typically severe, these injury claims tend to be worth more than your average car accident claim. You are often owed compensation for all related medical costs, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
What Are the Most Common Injuries in a Collision with a Commercial Truck?
In a collision with a commercial truck, there are several injuries that you can suffer. Due to the sheer weight and size of these vehicles, injuries are often severe and can even prove deadly. The most common injuries include broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, internal bleeding, amputations, severe burns, whiplash, and nerve damage.
Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer Serving Atlanta Residents Today
If you have been injured or someone you love has died in a collision with a commercial truck along I-85, don’t wait to seek legal help. Hire a truck accident lawyer in Atlanta from Hall & Lampros, LLP as soon as possible. These injury claims are complicated, and the trucking companies, their insurance providers, and their brokers usually act quickly to limit their liability and offer you a lowball settlement. Don’t fall for this predatory behavior. Instead, contact our offices to schedule your free case consultation and learn more about how we can recover the full amount of compensation available in your claim.
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