Truck wrecks are usually more devastating and legally complex than any other type of motor vehicle accident. Though federal and state laws may set strict guidelines on the maintenance and operation of semi (18-wheeler) trucks compared to standard passenger vehicles, truck accidents occur far too often and with catastrophic consequences for those involved, despite these strict regulations.
Call us today to discuss your case during a free consultation. Learn more about your legal options and how our Columbus, GA, personal injury lawyers can help you and your family pursue maximum compensation for your recovery.
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Proving Liability in a Tractor Trailer Accident
At the Law Offices of Gary Bruce, success is based on the service we provide for our community. Our team of truck accident lawyers, staff, and associated experts will thoroughly investigate every detail of your collision to identify the responsible parties, which may include:
- Driver of the truck
- Truck owner
- Company leasing the truck
- Company responsible for loading the cargo
- Manufacturer of defective parts
Trucking companies and their insurance companies will do everything they can to protect their own interests, not the well-being of you and your family. They have lawyers, experts, and investigators on their side. So do we.
Since these accidents happen all too frequently, our truck accident lawyers are prepared to quickly investigate the true cause of your wreck and identify all parties potentially responsible for your injuries. Unlike many motor vehicle collisions, liability in tractor-trailer wrecks can involve multiple parties. Trucking operations involve not only 18-wheeler drivers, but also mechanics, design engineers, and owners.
Our Columbus truck accident attorneys are passionate about protecting the rights of our clients, and we won’t back down to these powerful opponents. We know how these companies work, and we will not stop pursuing the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Gary Explains: What to Do After a Truck Accident
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
With more than 35 years of experience, our attorneys have developed long-standing relationships helping truck accident victims. We have seen several common causes of truck accidents time and time again.
“When it comes to trucking companies, you’re always dealing with big companies, whether they’re insured by a big company or they are a big company. They get to the scene immediately with their experts. They document everything. We believe you have to fight fire with fire. That’s why we hire our own experts and get to work immediately for our clients.”
—Attorney Gary Bruce
Thousands of truck wrecks occur every year, and they can be caused by several factors, such as:
- Driver fatigue: One of the most common causes of truck-involved crashes in the U.S. is truck driver fatigue. Although Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations stipulate the amount of off-time and rest truck drivers must take, employers and big rig operators often disregard these safety standards to shorten drive times and increase profits.
- Distracted driving: All motor vehicle operators are susceptible to the myriad potential distractions available today. When drivers fiddle with GPS devices, text while driving, or do anything that takes their hands, eyes, or mind off the road, they pose a serious threat to themselves and others.
- Reckless driving: Despite strict safety guidelines, the pressure to meet deadlines can affect a truck driver’s judgment. Reckless driving can include excessive speeds, unsafe lane changing, tailgating, and disregarding traffic signs and signals.
- Drug use: Typically, when a truck operator is driving under the influence, the cause is often amphetamines rather than alcohol. Truckers will take these stimulants to stay awake and alert behind the wheel. However, drug abuse of any kind puts both truck operators and other drivers at considerable risk.
- Improperly secured cargo or oversized loads: Improperly secured cargo can affect a truck’s handling. Shifting cargo can change the vehicle’s center of gravity and increase the likelihood of a rollover. Likewise, when a commercial truck’s storage compartments exceed their recommended capacity, this too can disrupt the trailer’s center of gravity and increase the risk of a wreck.
- Inexperienced or poorly-trained truck drivers: In an effort to cut corners and save time, some trucking companies fail to ensure their drivers are properly trained. Unqualified drivers sent out on the road behind the wheel of a large 18-wheeler can contribute to an accident.
- Poor truck maintenance: Semi-trucks can haul up to 80,000 pounds and are driven tens of thousands of miles every year. These long, heavy hauls take a toll on trucks, and parts constantly wear out and need replacing. When trucking companies, mechanics, and drivers fail to perform regular inspections and maintenance, accidents happen.
Evidence is crucial in truck accident cases. Trucking and insurance companies will do whatever they can to limit their liability and reduce the amount of compensation an injured person receives. These companies are big, well-funded, and experienced. That’s why we advise injured victims to consult an attorney. Our Columbus truck accident attorneys can fight for your right to fair compensation.
Compensation in Truck Accident Cases
Georgia law allows truck accident victims to recover compensation for their losses, and many face long recoveries and lifelong losses. Due to their massive weight and size, 18-wheelers are involved in some of the most destructive accidents on today’s roads. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), semi-truck collisions account for a higher rate of severe injuries and death than wrecks that only involve passenger vehicles.
Common truck accident injuries include disfigurement and scarring, loss of limb, burn injuries, spinal cord injuries, neck and back injuries, and severe brain injury. The consequences of severe injuries extend far beyond just the cost of medical bills and rehabilitative expenses. Depending on the circumstances and severity of your truck wreck, compensation could include:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation
- Ongoing long-term care
- Home modifications
- Lost income
- Diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
The legal process can be intimidating, especially in complex cases such as trucking accidents. Let us help reduce the stress of your recovery by ensuring all of your medical costs are covered, from your initial hospital visit to extended care, if necessary.
Recovering Compensation for Victims in Our Community
Medical debt is often cited as a leading cause of bankruptcy in America, but with the right personal injury lawyer at your side, you have an opportunity to avoid the burden of debt that many unrepresented injury victims must endure. We have helped clients receive compensation such as the following:
- $5.5 million for a pedestrian run over by a truck driver who failed to keep a proper lookout
- $1.07 million for the victim of an 18-wheeler collision
- $1.05 million for a victim struck by a large commercial truck
Don’t put your future in the hands of an insurance company. Contact our firm today to discuss the true merits of your case for free. Reach out to the Law Offices of Gary Bruce today for your free case consultation.
Fatal Columbus 18 Wheeler Accidents
Tragically, some truck accidents result in death. With more than 35 years of experience fighting on behalf of families affected by a wrongful death, Attorney Gary Bruce and our team of attorneys understand that no amount of monetary recovery can undo the harm of this tragedy. However, we also know that you shouldn’t bear the weight of someone else’s negligence alone, and compensation can help you cover end-of-life expenses and begin to rebuild your life.
Compensation also gives you the opportunity to hold the responsible party accountable and, hopefully, help prevent similar negligence in the future. Depending on the details surrounding your wrongful death claim, you may be entitled to recover compensation for damages such as:
- Medical expenses
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of future earnings and benefits
- Loss of companionship
Only specific people are eligible to file a wrongful death claim, primarily the dependents or immediate relatives of the deceased. Like any personal injury lawsuit, there is a two-year statute of limitations to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
It is imperative that you contact us as soon as possible. Exceptions in your case could shorten your deadline or extend it. Our lawyers can determine whether you still have time to file a claim, but you must reach out today.
Federal Trucking Regulations
FMCSA trucking regulations can add an additional layer of complexity to big rig accident cases. The trucking industry is bound by a number of strict laws regarding:
- Operation hours of drivers
- Driver qualifications
- Truck maintenance
- Cargo limitations, as well as other aspects of trucking
- Insurance requirements
- Rules of driving: inspection, schedules, alcohol use, fatigue
- Hazardous materials
When truckers or their employers ignore industry regulations, the risk of accidents and injuries increases. Our attorneys possess comprehensive knowledge of the state and federal guidelines that regulate the trucking industry in Georgia.
We are passionate about helping injury victims recover the full and fair compensation they deserve. Our goal is to inform, educate, and alleviate any uncertainty you may have. We want to make things better for you and your family, not add any anxiety about what is happening.
We Are Here for Our Military and Their Families
We proudly offer legal services to military families who are facing any type of personal injury case, including trucking accidents. Wrecks that involve service members, whether on base or in other areas of the community, involve a special set of skills and experience.
The Law Offices of Gary Bruce has extensive experience with the complexities of military-involved accident claims and can help you effectively navigate the process of your claim.
Call Now to Discuss Your Truck Accident Case for Free
If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident in Columbus, don’t wait. Contact the Law Offices of Gary Bruce today online or by phone. We can discuss your case for free over the phone, in our office, at your home, or in your hospital room. Our law firm believes in providing you with legal options that solve your problems and give you peace of mind.
As servants to this community on both sides of the river, we welcome clients from Columbus, Phenix City, Fort Benning (formerly Fort Moore), and the surrounding areas.
