Being involved in a collision with a commercial vehicle can have devastating results, especially for the driver of the automobile. Sadly, collisions that occur between automobiles and large commercial trucks are quite severe due to the fact that commercial vehicles, like 18-wheelers and huge Mack trucks, far outweigh passenger vehicles, SUVs and pickup trucks. The force of an accident can ultimately crush an automobile and it is not uncommon for drivers and passengers alike to experience substantial injuries or even death.
McGahren Law is a law firm with attorneys who have considerable experience in handling truck accident cases. When you choose to work with our firm, you will receive guidance from a skilled Peachtree Corners truck accident lawyer who understands the seriousness of such accidents.
Beware: Truck Accidents Differ From Automobile Accidents
Make no mistake about it – the laws, discovery process, accident investigation and general technology involved in commercial truck collisions differ greatly from those associated with automobile collision cases. That is why it is crucial for truck accident victims to work with skilled truck accident lawyers. At McGahren Law, we have the ability to competently and effectively represent those injured in a truck crash. We are well aware of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and the body of law governing truckers, and we are familiar with various other aspects of the trucking industry, including insurance coverage issues, trucking technology and the multistate discovery process that is often involved in such cases.
When it comes to handling truck cases, all attorneys are not equal. You would not want to hire an attorney who only handles wills and estates or real estate law to handle your truck crash case. The trucking companies have a staff of attorneys on-call to handle their case once an incident takes place – if you are injured in a collision, you need to be just as prepared.
McGahren Law Will Work Hard For You
Over the years, we have seen the devastating results of truck vs. automobile collisions and unfortunately, we’ve noticed a recurring pattern with respect to the types of truck accidents that lead to major injuries and/or death.
For instance, one of the more dangerous types of truck crashes are head-on collisions. When a small automobile is hit head-on by a huge commercial vehicle, the outcome tends to be deadly. Speed, as well as the mass and momentum of the truck often means that those who are traveling in the smaller automobile will end up facing life-changing injuries, if they survive the crash. Such accidents can occur due to the trucker being pressured to “rush” to make a delivery, or it may be caused by trucker fatigue or distraction. Whatever the cause, McGahren Law is here to help the accident victim and/or his or her family members deal with the legal aspects of the crash.
Our firm is prepared to work hard for you to ensure all potential parties are held responsible for your damages. Quite often, truck collisions are caused by a truck driver’s (or trucking company’s) negligence. Let us help you fight for your rights. Contact McGahren Law today.
Tractor Trailer Accidents
Being involved in an accident with a tractor trailer can change your life forever. Given the size and weight of the big rig, collisions that occur with smaller automobiles, motorcycles, bikes or pedestrians can have deadly consequences. Unfortunately, a Duluth truck accident lawyer often sees these horrible results up close when dealing with accident victims. McGahren Law understands the sensitive nature of tractor trailer accident cases, and we are prepared to help you and your family deal with the after-effects of such incidents.
Understanding the Difference Between Tractor Trailer Accident Cases and Automobile Accident Cases
Contrary to what many people think, all accident cases are not equal from a legal standpoint. There are many variables to a tractor trailer accident case that do not exist in accident cases involving automobiles. In fact, some would say that tractor trailer cases are more difficult and complex than auto cases for a variety of reasons.
For instance, truck companies are governed by the rules set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). That said, when tractor trailer drivers violate those rules, a court may deem the driver and/or truck company negligent per se, which simply means if the rule was violated, the truck company is responsible to some degree.
Also, tractor trailers use computer systems that are similar to the “black box” that’s often sought after in an airplane crash. Some trucks have satellite tracking capabilities, as well as onboard radar that can shed some light on why the accident happened. That being the case, we encourage individuals who have been hurt in a tractor trailer accident to seek legal guidance from an attorney with McGahren Law as soon as possible because the truck company might permit the electronics of the truck (as well as the tractor) to be destroyed if they aren’t stopped in time.
How We Can Help
McGahren Law has a thorough understanding of the regulations that govern truckers and truck companies. As noted above, the FMCSA provides rules with respect to hiring requirements and the overall hiring process, annual driver safety reviews, maintenance and inspection requirements for both tractors and trailers, alcohol and drug testing, breakdown safety and procedures, and the length of time the truck company must keep its records.
When a person is hurt in an accident involving a tractor trailer, it is important to have an attorney on your side who will carefully scrutinize each and every aspect of the collision, as well as look into possible violations of the rules. For example, a common issue that often plays a huge role in truck collisions concerns the number of hours a trucker can legally drive.
Truckers are only allowed to drive a certain number of hours each day/per week. In fact, under current law, truckers cannot drive “more than 11 cumulative hours following 10 consecutive hours off duty.” They are also not allowed to drive for any amount of time after the end of their 14th hour after returning to duty following 10 consecutive hours off duty.
As you can see, just the rules regarding hours can be tricky for individuals to understand, and it is not uncommon for trucking companies to “fix the books” in an effort to keep their product moving and income flowing.
Anyone who has been hurt in a truck accident or has lost a loved one in a truck crash is encouraged to call McGahren Law today. Time is of the essence and we want to help you make sure justice is served in your case.
Truck Driver Operator Errors
Truck driver errors cause many of the truck accidents that occur in Georgia and all throughout the country. Many people may not realize that, for years, Georgia has been among the top five states for fatal collisions involving commercial vehicles. If you have lost a loved one in a truck accident or have sustained injuries from a truck crash, the truck attorneys at McGahren Law are here to help.
Whenever someone is hurt in a crash with a commercial vehicle, it is important to conduct an investigation as soon as possible. Our firm is prepared to handle your case, conduct an investigation of the accident and closely look at the truck driver’s and/or truck company’s role in the collision. While most people tend to automatically place all of the blame on the truck driver, his or her trucking company may also bear some responsibility – particularly if the company permitted an incompetent driver to operate the truck or if the company neglected to abide by federal rules with respect to the number of hours their driver can operate the vehicle.
Common Truck Driver Errors
According to a study done by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), commercial truck drivers themselves are 10 times more likely to be the cause of a truck collision – not road conditions or the weather. That same study noted that among the mistakes committed by truck drivers, fatigue, distractions, road unfamiliarity and prescription/over-the-counter drug use are quite common. No matter the reason for the crash, McGahren Law will help ensure that you, the victim, obtain all the compensation to which you may be entitled.
Trucker Fatigue
Federal regulations require truck drivers to abide by specific “hours of service” rules to ensure drivers get the rest needed to operate their trucks safely. When truckers are tired, their fatigue often translates into the driver falling asleep while behind the wheel or becoming less attentive to roadway signage and the rules of the road. Fatigued truckers also may experience an altered reaction time, such that he or she may over (or under) react to a given scenario.
Anyone involved in a collision with a truck is encouraged to contact one of our truck accident lawyers as soon as possible – especially if you believe the driver fell asleep while behind the wheel.
Over-the Counter/Prescription Drug Use
Truckers are not allowed to use controlled substances of any type, unless it has been prescribed by a doctor who is aware of the trucker’s medical history, as well as the type of work he or she does. Knowing what the trucker does on a routine basis will help the doctor make an accurate determination as to whether the prescribed drug will have an adverse effect on the trucker’s ability to operate the commercial vehicle safely.
Regulations require truck companies to perform drug and alcohol tests on their drivers prior to employment, as well as periodically while they are on duty (and after a driver has been involved in a collision that resulted in a fatality).
One of the keys to successfully handling a truck accident case is to gather as much evidence as possible about the accident, which will include obtaining information from the truck’s data recorder. Often times, the technology onboard a truck will reveal a great deal about what took place within the truck that may have led to the accident.
Obtaining such information can be tricky and needs to be done quickly after an incident occurs, as some trucking companies work hard to get rid of potentially harmful information. McGahren Law has the know-how and skill to obtain and review the evidence, assess the facts and details, and use the evidence to ensure all those responsible for the collision are held accountable. Call our office today to get the help you need to resolve your case.