Trucking accidents are a serious issue because they involve large commercial trucks that weigh 20 to 30 times more than other vehicles on the road, and they can produce some severe consequences.
Why are trucking accidents a serious issue? The extreme size and weight of commercial trucks mean that when collisions happen, results may be devastating, including serious injuries, loss of limbs, or even death. The financial costs related to pain, injuries, or death can be heavy as well.
Also, more parties can be held liable in a commercial trucking accident. The truck driver, trucking company, and the trucking company’s insurance provider will need to pay for the damages that occurred, based on who is at fault for the accident.
Additionally, different types of serious accidents can happen with a tractor-trailer truck.
The Nature of Commercial Trucks
Commercial trucks are those that weigh over 10,000 pounds and are used for commercial purposes. You must have a special license to drive them (a commercial driver’s license or CDL). Truckers operate under additional rules and regulations to keep the other drivers safe from the additional weight and size hazards that come with sharing the road with such a large vehicle.
Not all commercial trucks weigh 80,000 pounds. Commercial trucks can be tow trucks, moving trucks, garbage trucks, in addition to tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, or “big rigs”.
More Parties Are Involved
After a commercial trucking accident, there is a lot on the line. A truck driver, the trucking company, and the trucking company’s insurance provider can face severe consequences, especially when it is clear that they are liable for a majority or all of the damage.
As a result, the trucking company’s insurance adjuster is paid to help reduce costs and keep the case out of court. The insurance adjuster may make low settlement offers to the victim(s), but victims don’t need to accept low settlement offers.
If you do decide to pursue a lawsuit against the trucking company, the lawsuit will be a very serious occurrence since much is at stake for the defending party. The court will thoroughly look into the case from every angle, and more damages can be claimed, meaning more costs for the trucking company and related parties.
Lawsuits can go on and on outside of court, and mediation can go back and forth for months. While there is no exact time frame for a truck accident, Mike Rafi will be with you through it all and can lead you to success in a trial if necessary, claiming the compensation that is rightfully yours.
Accidents Can Be Catastrophic
When the average car weighs under 3,000 pounds and the average SUV weighs around 5,000 pounds, it is easy to see how a collision with a semi-truck or 18-wheeler that weighs 10 to 30 times more can be catastrophic.
Not all trucking accidents are catastrophic, but when high speeds, multiple vehicles, cargo, or other extreme conditions exist, catastrophes happen. Many people can be seriously injured and in critical condition, or a person can be killed.
Different Types of Accidents Happen
Certain types of trucks, such as tractor-trailers, can produce different types of accidents and hazards. While we are all familiar with the severity of head-on and multi-vehicle collisions, jackknife and underride truck accidents can be extremely frightening and even fatal. Accidents involving truck cargo becoming loose and falling out can put many other vehicles on the road at risk.
Jackknife truck accidents happen when a truck’s cab and tractor-trailer fold into a 90-degree angle. When a vehicle gets trapped within the fold, it can be crushed. Underride accidents happen when a truck driver abruptly stops and a vehicle rolls beneath. The vehicle can get stuck, which can be deadly.
Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit
A victim may decide to file a truck accident lawsuit when settlements outside of court are not going anywhere. A truck accident lawsuit may be your best bet to get the full compensation you are entitled to when you are less than 50% at-fault for the accident. If you are 50% or more at-fault for the accident, you won’t be able to collect compensation through a lawsuit in Georgia.
To find out if filing a truck accident lawsuit is your best bet to recover compensation for damages, meet with a top Atlanta truck accident lawyer like Mike Rafi. Mike Rafi has achieved big success in truck accident cases – check out recent truck accident case results.
Get Your Free Consultation Today
Leading Atlanta truck accident lawyer Mike Rafi is ready to learn about your case and help you plan the best path forward. No matter the details of your truck accident, Mike would love to meet with you to discuss your case during a free, no-obligation consultation.
Call Mike now at 404-948-3311 or send us a message now to get the ball rolling.
