If you have been following Georgia news, I presume you have realized that truck accidents are pretty common. These are unsightly occurrences on the roads and can have devastating effects on passengers and other road users. You can incur various injuries from such crashes, and some can lead to long-term impacts and loss of wages.
For this reason, there are stringent laws in the state to regulate drivers and minimize road accidents. Also, if you incur injuries from such accidents, you need a skilled attorney. The professional will guide you in the entire process and negotiate the best settlement with the insurance company.
Common types of truck accidents
There are different types of truck accidents, and some can cause considerable property damage and injuries to the people involved. Due to the size of large trucks, the damage can be catastrophic, but this will mostly depend on the type of accident. If this happens, you should contact an experienced attorney and click here to learn why you need an attorney to guide you.
The common types of truck accidents include;
- Jacknifting-This occurs when a truck driver brakes hard and quickly, causing a big rig to fold itself, causing the cab to form a 90-degree angle with the trailer. This way, the heavy trailer weight brings it against the traction cab.
- Tire blow out-Tire blowout happens when the truck forces the tires uncontrollably in a wayward direction. This poses a danger to the driver and other road users.
- Rollovers– The driver may sometime lose control of the truck, making it roll on the sides, and this causes a rollover.
- Rear-end accidents– Trucks are heavy, and rear-end accidents can pose a lot of damage to neighboring property. They can also cause severe injuries to the driver and sometimes loss of life.
Truck accident laws in Georgia
1. Safety regulations
The federal state has strict regulations to regulate trucks and trailer companies. These are referred to as Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and apply to all motor carriers in the state. These regulations are the same in most states, and Georgia has adapted and applied the rules to its trucking and trailer companies.
The department of public safety is responsible for ensuring that all drives and trucking companies abide by the set rules and regulations.
2. Types of trucks
There are different types of trucks in Georgia. Lightweight trucks are common and don’t qualify as commercial vehicles. If you get involved in an accident involving such a vehicle, your attorney should explain that this is a lightweight truck used to transport property or passengers for compensation.
3. Filing a truck accident claim
Truck accident cases are complex and different from usual auto accidents. In a truck accident claim, the attorney should identify the driver and the trucking firm. This is unlike in car crashes, whereby the attorney isn’t legally allowed to identify the driver’s car insurance.
The truck company is also liable for the driver’s actions and will be expected to compensate victims if the driver is responsible for causing the accident.
In summary
You may incur severe head, neck, and back injuries from a truck accident. You may also incur hefty medical bills and loss of wages after such damages. In this case, you need an attorney to determine whether you qualify to file a compensation claim and guide you throughout the process.
