Brunswick Truck Accident Attorney

In most types of car accidents and motorcycle accidents, the negligent driver is typically the only party liable for damages. Truck accidents work a bit differently, as multiple parties may be legally responsible. 

Depending on the circumstances of the truck accident, you may be able to recover compensation from:

• The truck driver
• The truck driver’s employer
• The truck’s owner
• The manufacturer of a defective truck component
• The cargo loading company
• The trucking company’s insurance company

The cause of the accident will help determine who is liable for your accident-related injuries. For example, if a truck’s improper loading results in a crash, the cargo loading company may be liable for the accident. Similarly, if a trucking company requires its employees to meet certain quotas that inevitably result in fatigued driving and related accidents, you may be able to hold the trucking company accountable for negligence. 

Every truck accident is different, but the stakes are always high. Our team at Mayfield Law, LLC, can analyze the facts of your case, determine liability, and advise how to move forward.

Understanding Truck Accidents

Truck accidents are often the result of various factors, making them more challenging than standard automobile accidents. Some common reasons truck accidents happen include:

• Driver Fatigue: Long hours on the road can lead to tired truck drivers, increasing the risk of accidents.
• Inadequate Training: Inexperienced or poorly trained truck drivers may struggle to handle their vehicles safely.
• Distracted Driving: Just like any driver, truckers can become distracted, leading to accidents.
• Speeding: Excessive speed is a common factor in truck accidents.
• Mechanical Failures: Poorly maintained trucks can lead to catastrophic accidents.
• Overloaded or Unsecured Cargo: Poorly secured or overloaded cargo can cause trucks to become unstable, leading to accidents.

Types of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents come in various forms, each with its own challenges and legal implications. These accidents may include:

• Jackknife Accidents: The trailer of a truck swings out at an angle, resembling a folding jackknife.
• Rollover Accidents: The truck rolls onto its side due to factors like speeding and shifting cargo.
• Rear-End Collisions: When a truck crashes into the rear of another vehicle, often due to inadequate braking distance.
• Underride Accidents: Smaller vehicles may become wedged beneath the rear or side of a truck.
• Override Accidents: Occur when a truck drives over the rear of a smaller vehicle.
• Wide Turn Accidents: Trucks require extra space to make turns, potentially causing collisions.

Tactics Employed by Trucking Companies

Trucking companies and their insurers often employ various tactics to avoid liability or minimize compensation. These tactics may include:

• Quick Settlement Offers: Insurers may pressure victims into quick settlements, often offering far less than deserved.
• Evidence Preservation: Trucking companies may attempt to destroy or hide evidence that proves their negligence.
• Blaming the Victim: Insurers may attempt to shift blame onto the victim to reduce their liability.

Trucking Law and Regulations 

Because trucks can cause such catastrophic damage to other motorists in the event of an accident, there are many laws commercial truck drivers are required to follow both on and off the road. One of these rules is called the hours of service regulation. The purpose of these set of rules is to prevent fatigued driving, a major cause of truck accidents. Thus the laws are aimed at ensuring that truck drivers get an adequate amount of sleep and rest each day, and are not overworked. The hours of service regulation states that:

• Truck drivers can work a maximum of14 hours in a workday. Of these 14 hours, however, truckers can only drive for 11 hours, with the remaining time spent on rest or meal breaks
• Truck drivers must rest for at least 10 consecutive hours before beginning a new workday.
• Truck drivers are required to take days off work at regular intervals

Unfortunately, whether due to truck driver negligence or pressure from the trucking companies driver’s work for, these rules are not always followed, which can lead to a much higher chance of an accident occurring. If you have been injured, contact our firm today to talk to an attorney about your options. 

Schedule an initial consultation by contacting us online or calling (912) 455-2045. We offer our legal services in English and Spanish.