Atlanta, GA Truck Accident Lawyer

Too often truck drivers fail to lookout for other motorists and ignore traffic markings and signs which should put a driver on notice of a potential hazards resulting in catastrophic accidents. If you or a loved one is injured from a truck accident, you need an experienced attorney. The Baer Law Firm has extensive knowledge and expertise in this area and will work diligently to prove your case.

Truck Accident Attorneys in Atlanta Know Their 18-Wheelers

There are many traffic accidents in the Atlanta area. This is hardly surprising, given the downtown tangle of freeways. Atlanta is at the intersection of two heavily trafficked interstates, I-20 and I-85. Moreover, Atlanta is home to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the busiest airport in the United States. A lot of freight is trucked through Atlanta. When the inevitable accidents occur, those who are injured need an experienced truck accident attorney. The Baer Law Firm, in Atlanta, can help you if you are the victim of an accident with an 18-wheeler.

Attorney Bryan Baer founded The Baer Law Firm to help accident victims, including the victims of truck accidents. Mr. Baer received his J.D. from the University of Georgia and became a member of the Georgia bar in 2003. He then defended insurance companies and businesses before deciding to represent the injured in 2011, striking out on his own in 2020. Mr. Baer has been selected to Georgia’s Super Lawyers®. Mr. Baer is also a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

A Truck Accident Can Be Catastrophic

The average weight of a new passenger car in the United States is 3,280 pounds. Midsize vehicles weigh up to 3,989 pounds, while SUVs average 4,800 pounds in weight. These weights might sound large, but they pale in comparison to the weight of an 18-wheeler. A fully loaded 18-wheeler weighs up to 80,000 pounds, or 40 tons. The weight can exceed even that limit when there is an oversize or overweight permit. It is no wonder that when a 40-ton vehicle collides with a two-ton vehicle, the truck accident will be potentially horrendous.

Causes of a Truck Accident

There are many causes of a truck accident, and there can be more than one cars in a particular accident. Some of the more common causes are:

Blind spots

Sometimes a truck accident occurs because the driver cannot see. There are four blind spots on 18-wheeler. The first one is immediately in front of the driver, caused by the size of the engine and hood of the vehicle cab. Behind the truck is another blind spot. Trucks do not have rearview mirrors like cars do because the trailer would block the drivers vision. Finally, there are two blind spots, one on either side of the 18-wheeler, where despite the use of side mirrors other vehicles can be hidden from sight.

Driver fatigue

Like other drivers, truck drivers are subject to driver fatigue. But their fatigue is usually greater than the casual driver because they drive for a living. For that reason, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has set forth some rules on how long a driver may drive. The most important one is that in any fourteen-hour period, a driver may drive no more than eleven hours, followed by at least ten hours off duty.

Failure to Inspect/Maintain truck

Trucking companies are in business to make a profit. Sometimes they cut corners by failing to inspect or maintain their 18-wheelers. It is critical to double check the brakes, the cargo, the mirrors, the steering and the tires along with a host of other things before taking an 18-wheeler on the road, to avoid a truck accident.

Improper loading

Properly loading an 18-wheeler requires skill and experience. The cargo must be distributed according to its size and weight. If the cargo is not distributed correctly, or is not adequately secured, the cargo can shift while the 18-wheeler is moving and cause a truck accident.

Speeding

Then, of course, there is speeding. If an 18-wheeler is moving too fast, it takes longer to bring it to a stop. Also, abrupt braking can cause the trailer to jackknife, leading to a truck accident.

Truck Accident Injuries

A truck accident can cause serious injuries. Among the injuries are:

• Brain injuries, caused by a severe blow and concussion
• Broken bones, potentially all over the body
• Burns, caused by fire or by caustic cargo
• Injuries to the back, including broken vertebrae and even paralysis
• Losing a limb because it was crushed
• Neck injuries, including whiplash

Some types of truck accident injuries are not readily apparent but develop over time.

Compensation

If you are the victim of a truck accident or were injured in a big rig collision, the law permits you to sue for damages. You can receive compensatory damages for financial losses caused by lost time at work and medical expenses. You can also recover for non-economic damages such as compensation for pain and suffering. It is possible to recover punitive damages as well, but they require aggravating circumstances.

If you are injured in a truck accident, you should consult with an experienced Atlanta truck accident attorney, especially before speaking with an insurance adjuster. The Baer Law Firm is ready to help you.

Contact Atlanta Truck Accident Attorney Bryan Baer At The Baer Law Firm

If you or a loved one is seriously injured as a result of a truck accident, you need to hire an experienced attorney. Attorney Bryan Baer at The Baer Law Firm is one of the few injury lawyers in Atlanta, Georgia with extensive knowledge and expertise in this area to obtain results victims deserve. Call 404.THE.BAER (404.843.2237) or fill out our online contact form so we may discuss your case in a free consultation.