Decatur Truck Accident Lawyer
If you ask a Decatur truck accident lawyer about a collision in which you suffered injuries, they will likely tell you that a successful claim hinges on determining liability. In a typical truck accident, there are many factors that can complicate the process of proving fault. Very often success is dependent on working with an experienced truck accident lawyer Decatur motorists trust. The Law Offices Of Andrew Lynch is such an attorney. When working with clients who were injured in a truck accident, he knows how to quickly discern who was at fault, and who should be held responsible. He offers victims a brief, no-cost case review. This is an opportunity to learn more about whether or not he feels you have a valid claim and who might be held responsible for paying your accident-related damages.
Why You Need a Decatur Truck Accident Lawyer
Busy highways are typical in Decatur, and teeming with large commercial trucks and tractor-trailers. With an increase in the number of large trucks operating on busy roadways comes a greater possibility of severe or life-threatening motor vehicle accidents. Unfortunately, truck drivers have deliveries and deadlines, and often have a financial incentive to drive fast. However, when truck or tractor-trailer drivers operate their vehicles carelessly or recklessly, they can trigger serious accidents, which in turn lead to extensive injuries and damages.
You May Need to File a Lawsuit
If you or a loved one has an injury due to a truck accident, you may be able to recover monetary compensation. The first step is to file a claim against the trucking company. If their insurance company refuses to offer a sufficient settlement amount for your injury claim, you may need to file a lawsuit against both the negligent driver and trucking company. The attorneys and legal professionals at The Law Offices Of Andrew Lynch have fought trucking companies and their insurance companies for years and we can advocate for you to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. For a consultation with a Decatur truck accident lawyer, call our firm today.
How Truck Drivers Could Be Negligent
Careless truck drivers put everyone else on the road at risk. Some of the common ways in which truck drivers are negligent include:
Breaking the law. Truck drivers may violate traffic laws by exceeding the posted speed limits, running red lights, or failing to yield the right-of-way at the appropriate times.
Distracted driving. Truck drivers often drive for hours on end, alone in their vehicle. As a consequence, they might make phone calls or text while driving. Distracted driving turns a driver’s attention away from the roadway, and that can be a recipe for disaster.
Driving while intoxicated. Truck or tractor-trailer drivers cannot lawfully operate their vehicles under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Alcohol or drug use can significantly impair a truck driver’s mental state and reaction time. In addition to consulting a Decatur truck accident lawyer about a lawsuit, if driving under the influence is a factor, criminal charges might be filed against the driver.
Cutting curves too sharply. Trucks and tractor-trailers typically need extra room to negotiate sharp turns and corners. Accidents can result when truck operators fail to follow the roadway markings or miscalculate a turning radius.
Fatigue. Many hours behind the wheel can lead to fatigue. Truck operators can also fall victim to “highway hypnosis” and may fall asleep at the wheel.
Abrupt lane changes. Large trucks have numerous blind spots and limited visibility. When truck operators try to change lanes too quickly, they can cause accidents.
Failing to assess road and weather conditions. When truck drivers fail to acknowledge road and weather-related hazards while operating their vehicles, they can significantly increase the chances of colliding with another motor vehicle.
Disobeying the state and federal motor carrier regulations. State and federal motor carrier regulations are in place to keep drivers safe and to keep unsafe vehicles off the road. If a driver violates these regulations, dangerous accidents can occur.
It is difficult to know what the cause of an accident is without investigating all of the details and mitigating factors.This is why it is so important to retain a Decatur truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.
If you have been involved in a truck or tractor-trailer accident, schedule a consultation with a Decatur truck accident lawyer from The Law Offices Of Andrew Lynch. Our team of lawyers and legal professionals are ready to answer your questions and help you to understand your options.
The Damage That Truck Accidents Can Cause
Consulting with a Decatur truck accident lawyer may reveal just how common trucking accidents are in this country. In fact, in the last 20 years the occurrence of truck accidents has increased by about 20 percent. This results in thousands of deaths and even more injuries every year. While truck accidents only account for a small percentage of all motor vehicle accidents that cause injuries, the size and weight of the average truck can result in more devastation.
In addition to getting medical treatment immediately, it’s important to start the process of getting reimbursement right away. Filing a claim or lawsuit can be a time and energy consuming process. A skilled lawyer such as The Law Offices Of Andrew Lynch will work to get you the maximum amount of compensation as quickly as possible. This can enable you to get the treatment you need without having to pay for it.
Truck Accidents and Liability
When you speak with a Decatur truck accident lawyer about your case, you may find that there are several potential parties who might be held responsible for your injuries. Every case is different, but some might include:
- The truck driver.
- The truck owner.
- The company or person who leased the truck from its owner.
- The manufacturer of the vehicle, the tires, or any other parts whose malfunctioning may have led to the accident.
- Anyone responsible for the cargo, especially if improper loading led to the accident.
- Learn more about Truck Accident Claims and Lawsuits
A skilled Decatur truck accident lawyer from our firm can build a case on your behalf against every party who contributed to causing your injury. This may include revisiting the accident scene and examining all related evidence. The Law Offices Of Andrew Lynch can determine who should pay for your damages, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost income or wages.
Unsafe Truck Driving Behaviors
Truck drivers are held to a higher standard of driving, due to being responsible for controlling a vehicle that can weigh 80,000 pounds when at full cargo capacity. Unsafe truck driver habits can put other vehicle drivers at a high risk for a wide range of mental, physical, and emotional injuries if an accident occurs. If a truck driver commits a violation of safety protocols, this should not go unreported. Truck drivers must take breaks after the maximum driving hours are reached, be certified in operating commercial vehicles, never drive impaired, and perform regular maintenance. If a truck driver fails to abide by these rules and causes an accident, a Decatur truck accident lawyer might advise filing a lawsuit.
How are truck drivers supposed to prevent falling asleep at the wheel?
Truck drivers are required to rest after driving a maximum amount of hours. Breaks can help prevent fatigue or falling asleep at the wheel. Many drivers feel pressure to meet deadlines, and may skip a rest or two. Since their supervisors are probably not riding in the truck along with them, there is nobody to enforce the break requirement. To hide a violation of this safety protocol, a truck driver may record a false entry into their log book when having driven more hours at one time than they should have.
What kinds of certification does a truck driver need?
Truck drivers in Decatur must pass a series of tests including drug testing, a medical exam and obtain legitimate certification. If a driver is suspected to not have the qualifications to drive a commercial truck, he or she should be reported immediately. A driver lacking skills can be a serious threat to others when carrying heavy and potentially hazardous cargo, as any truck accident lawyer in Decatur likely knows.
What happens if a truck driver drives while under the influence?
Unfortunately, some truck drivers operate a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In an effort to not fall asleep during the long hours, a driver may appeal to the idea of using illegal stimulants in order to stay alert. Those who are caught with drugs in their system while driving can face large fines and will likely have their commercial truck license revoked.
Are truck drivers responsible for regular upkeep of the truck?
The driver must seek regular maintenance and only use properly working equipment. The trucking company is also responsible for performing regular truck checkups and fixing any parts that need repairing. By driving a truck with imperfections or engine flaws, it will not only endanger the driver, but is also putting everyone else on the road in danger of harm. If a malfunctioning part leads to an accident, injured victims may want to speak with a Decatur truck accident lawyer about which parties could be held liable.
What should I do if I see a truck driver behaving unsafely?
If you see a truck driver swerving, appearing unstable, or not driving safely in any other way, call 9-1-1 and report the incident right away. Try to take down the license number if you can and get as far from the truck as possible so you are not in danger. Many trucks may have a sticker on the back of the trailer that lists a number to call to report driver recklessness. When witnessing a risky truck on the road, call authorities so the driver can be stopped before causing a serious and potentially fatal collision.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in Decatur Who May Help
When it comes to injury and accident claims, it’s important to work with an experienced legal representative. Your attorney should come prepared not just with the experience to help ensure you get the compensation you deserve, but also with genuine concern. For an attorney with these qualities, consider working with The Law Offices Of Andrew Lynch To schedule a free consultation with a Decatur truck accident lawyer whose results speak for themselves, call him today.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of a Truck Accident and needs a Decatur Truck Accident Attorney, it is best to speak with someone who has experience in that area. Attorney Andrew R. Lynch is an Decatur Truck Accident Lawyer with both experience in the courtroom as well as receiving outstanding results for his clients. Attorney Andrew R. Lynch is a Decatur Truck Accident lawyer with skills in litigating, trying, and attaining excellent outcomes on behalf of his clients. If you have been involved in, or know someone who has been involved in a Truck Accident, make sure they speak with a skilled attorney.
There are huge disproportions in the size of the vehicles when discussing an average vehicle and a fully-loaded Truck Accident. Because of this, it is very likely that in Truck Accidents, the damage done to a victim in a smaller vehicle can be extremely devastating. Larger sized vehicles have a far more difficult time braking, turning, and even accelerating, not to mention the driver’s visibility may be slightly limited when compared to average sized vehicles. Since there are several possible outcomes regarding a Truck Accident, it is best to speak with a Decatur Truck Accident Attorney, such as attorney Andrew R. Lynch, who has knowledge working with insurance companies and negotiating settlements.
Due to the size of the vehicle, the expectation for truck drivers’ roadway etiquette is far higher than other drivers. If there is a Truck Accident of any sort, the trucking company and its insurance company will be held liable, and will therefore be responsible for reimbursing you for any accumulated injuries, loss wages, and possibly pain and suffering.
According to statistics gathered by the Bureau of Transportation there were an estimate of 4,847,000 truck crashes, 833,000 injured persons, 10,480 fatalities in the year of 2015. Since there are several things that can cause a Truck Accident, the truck driver may not always be deemed at fault. Many are in fact caused by unanticipated road hazards or even the carelessness of another driver. Amongst those factors, at times the size or cargo being carried may increase the dangers of the accident.
Smaller car accidents may cause similar injuries to Truck Accidents. However, because of the many factors involved in trucking accidents, the injuries accrued can be far more extreme, sometime permanent, and there are larger chances of death.
Common Truck Accident injuries are:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Serious head injuries
- Serious broken bone injuries
- Internal injuries
- Seat Belt injuries
- Toxic exposure injuries (spilled cargo)
- Wrongful Death
Cases such as these are many times catastrophic. Catastrophic injuries cause severe and occasionally permanent damage to the body. What this means is that the long-term effects of a Truck Accident can cause loss of mobility, and also loss of your basic motor skills. Your life may suffer significant changes, in addition to several surgeries and rehabilitation after the accident. In these cases, it is best to have experienced counsel. While they will seek compensation for the unforeseen needs of the injured, the right attorney will help pursue financial relief to the family immediately affected by this tragedy. With thorough work and commitment, Truck Accident Attorney Andrew R. Lynch will ensure those affected recovers what was loss to them. Attorney Andrew R. Lynch has a great deal of knowledge in catastrophic personal injury cases. Due to the enduring injuries succeeding Truck Accidents precisely, it is best to speak with a Decatur Truck Accident Attorney such as Andrew Lynch. He will guarantee you proper representation and will work diligently to help you or your loved one receive the coverage and compensation deserved.
No matter the amount of money obtained in these sorts of cases, there is no dollar amount that can undo what you have suffered. However, having a skilled attorney fight for you and represent you in your time of recovery can lessen the extremities of the pain when concerning any hurt or inconvenience found in your Truck Accident. Money will not take the hurt and physical or emotional trauma away, but it can be the closest thing to making a Truck Accident victim feel whole again. Having a Decatur Truck Accident Attorney that can negotiate settlements or claims with the insurance company of the liable person or entity, will assist with much unexpected and overwhelming financial obligations. Medical expenses are just one unforeseen responsibility of many when concerning a Truck Accident. A successful settlement could handle previous and ongoing medical expenses, as well as compensate you and your family for any loss income, and materialistic repairs that have also been affected in your Truck Accident.
Victims of Truck Accidents are equally entitled to receive compensation for all damages just as a victim in any personal injury case, and even for pain and suffering. In addition to physical pain and associated bills that were accumulated, victims may also be awarded recovery for any form of emotional distress and simple loss of peace. Loss of peace varies from raising your children, your sexual relationship with your spouse or partner, playing sports, or engaging in everyday social and normal activities. Anything that you or a loved one lost as a result of the Truck Accident you should be rewarded for. While these things cannot be measured, working with an experienced Truck Accident Attorney like Andrew R. Lynch, all of these aspects will be considered throughout the negotiation process. Attorney Andrew R. Lynch will help you or your loved one gain financial compensation for your Truck Accident injuries and affects, so that you and your loved ones can work toward moving forward.
Attorney Andrew R. Lynch is a well-qualified Truck Accident Lawyer in Decatur that has had many efficacious cases that have been negotiated and even tried on behalf of his clients. While you will never be able to predict the extent of any probable injuries involving private motorists or commercial vehicles, Truck Accident injuries and cases are very demanding and therefore require you will need a demanding attorney.
While there are many dangers posed by large commercial vehicles, the driver of the commercial vehicle does not cause every accident. Some are the fault of other motorists, while some are based on the maneuverability of the trucks. Often, when concerning a Truck Accident, the responsibility is frequently placed on the truck driver due to the simple fact that there are multiple factors that can lead up to an accident. The truck driver may be suffering from sleep deprivation, insufficient training, and impractical schedules that may rush the driver.
Drivers of average vehicles sometime have the tendency to change lanes without giving notice, they may also change lanes in front of a truck with very little notice, more often than not there are also cases when drivers ride in the blind spot of these larger vehicles. There is an increased risk of accidents being caused with larger trucks by average motorists when these seemingly minor things happen. Due to various influences of a Truck Accident, you will need a Decatur Truck Accident Attorney, such as The Law Offices Of Andrew Lynch, who is familiar will every aspect of these sorts of accidents.
As a result of Truck Accidents and the injuries that may cause, many of the claims are often settled without ever going to a courtroom. Insurance companies that are held liable would rather control the amount of their losses that go into a courtroom and risk the possibility of a larger verdict. If you or a loved one has suffered an awful injury and needs a Decatur Truck Accident Attorney, it is best to speak with someone with experience as soon as possible.
Brown v. Swift Transportation: A Landmark Case Georgia Truck Accident Victims
The case of Brown v. Swift Transportation is regarded as a landmark case for truck accident victims as an experienced Decatur truck accident lawyer says. In this case, a Decatur man was killed in a truck accident caused by a fatigued truck driver. The man’s family was able to recover a multi-million dollar settlement from the trucking company.
The case was significant because it established that trucking companies can be held liable for the negligence of their drivers. In the past, trucking companies often tried to argue that they were not responsible for the actions of their drivers, but the Brown case overturned this precedent.
The case also sent a strong message to trucking companies that they need to take steps to prevent fatigue-related accidents. Trucking companies have a duty to ensure that their drivers are well-rested and that they are not working excessive hours.
The Brown case was a victory for Decatur truck accident victims and their families. It showed that trucking companies can be held accountable for their negligence and that victims can recover the compensation they need to move on with their lives.
How Our Firm Can Help
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Decatur truck accident, it is important to contact a Decatur truck accident lawyer. A lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and options, and they can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
A lawyer can help you in a number of ways, including:
- Investigating your accident. They will investigate your accident to determine who was at fault and what caused the accident. This investigation will involve gathering evidence, such as police reports, witness statements, and medical records.
- Filing a claim. Once the lawyer has investigated your accident and determined who was at fault, they will file a claim on your behalf. The claim will be filed with the trucking company’s insurance company.
- Negotiating a settlement. If the trucking company’s insurance company is willing to negotiate a settlement, your lawyer will negotiate on your behalf to get you the highest possible settlement amount.
- Going to trial. If the trucking company’s insurance company is not willing to negotiate a fair settlement, your lawyer will take your case to trial. At trial, your lawyer will present evidence to prove that the trucking company was at fault for your accident and that you deserve compensation for your injuries.
Legal Assistance is Available
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Decatur truck accident, it is important to contact our firm today. We can help you navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Decatur truck accident, don’t wait. Call The Law Offices Of Andrew Lynch today for a free consultation. Our experienced Decatur truck accident lawyers will help you get the compensation you deserve.