Augusta Truck Accident Attorneys

Claims & Lawsuits Against Trucking Companies

Jamie Casino Injury Attorneys helps the people of Augusta seek compensation after being in a truck accident. We have the skill, experience, and tenacity needed to confidently file claims and lawsuits against major insurance companies and nationwide trucking companies alike. If you are feeling under pressure because the opposing party is trying to blame you for the crash, then there is no time to lose. Take action and stand up for yourself by getting us on your side.

Dial (706) 719-7177 or contact us online. Case reviews are free.

What is Considered a Truck Accident?

A truck accident is a vehicular incident involving a large commercial truck, such as a semi-truck, tractor-trailer, or big rig, and it typically results in damage to property, injuries, or even fatalities. These accidents can occur for various reasons and often have serious consequences due to the size and weight of commercial trucks.

Common types of truck accidents include:

• Rear-End Collisions: These occur when a truck collides with the vehicle in front of it. These accidents can result from the truck driver's failure to brake in time, road conditions, or driver distraction.
• Jackknife Accidents: A jackknife accident occurs when the trailer of the truck swings out to the side, forming an angle with the cab. This can happen when the truck brakes suddenly or loses control, causing the trailer to skid.
• Rollover Accidents: Rollover accidents happen when a truck tips over onto its side or roof. These accidents can be caused by factors like speeding, sharp turns, or an unbalanced or improperly loaded cargo.
• Underride Accidents: Underride accidents occur when a smaller vehicle slides underneath the rear or side of a truck. These accidents often have devastating consequences for the occupants of the smaller vehicle.
• Override Accidents: An override accident happens when a truck collides with a smaller vehicle from behind and rides over it. This can occur due to driver inattention or following too closely.
• Blind Spot Accidents: Trucks have significant blind spots, and accidents can occur when a smaller vehicle is in a blind spot and not seen by the truck driver. This can result in lane change accidents or collisions during turns.
• T-bone or Intersection Accidents: These accidents occur at intersections when a truck collides with a vehicle traveling from a different direction. Failure to yield the right of way or running a red light can lead to such accidents.
• Runaway Truck Accidents: Runaway truck accidents happen when a truck's brakes fail, causing it to lose control and potentially crash into vehicles, structures, or embankments.
• Tire Blowouts: Tire blowouts on a truck can lead to a loss of control, causing accidents. Debris from the blown tire can also create hazards for other vehicles on the road.
• Cargo Spills: Improperly secured or loaded cargo can spill onto the road, creating hazardous conditions and potential accidents.
• Fatigue-Related Accidents: Truck drivers often face long hours on the road, leading to driver fatigue, which can impair their ability to operate the vehicle safely and react to changing conditions.
• DUI Accidents: Accidents involving trucks driven by individuals under the influence of alcohol or drugs can result in severe consequences.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents can occur for various reasons, and they often have severe consequences due to the size and weight of commercial trucks. Common causes of truck accidents include:

• Driver Error: The most common cause of truck accidents is driver error, which can involve various factors, such as:
  • Distracted Driving: Truck drivers using mobile phones, eating, or engaging in other distractions can lose focus on the road.
  • Fatigue: Long hours on the road, tight delivery schedules, and insufficient rest can lead to driver fatigue, impairing their ability to react to changing conditions.
  • Speeding: Excessive speed reduces a driver's ability to react to sudden obstacles or changes in traffic.
  • Aggressive Driving: Tailgating, weaving between lanes, and other aggressive behaviors can increase the risk of accidents.
  • Impaired Driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or prescription medication can significantly impair a driver's judgment and reaction time.
• Inadequate Training: Truck drivers should receive proper training and have the necessary skills to operate these large and complex vehicles. Inadequate training can lead to accidents, especially when drivers are unfamiliar with handling the specific challenges of commercial trucks.
• Mechanical Failures: Mechanical failures in the truck's components, such as brakes, tires, and steering systems, can lead to accidents. Regular maintenance and inspections are essential to prevent these issues.
• Overloaded or Improperly Loaded Cargo: When a truck is overloaded or the cargo is not properly secured, it can affect the vehicle's stability and handling. This can lead to rollovers, cargo spills, and other accidents.
• Poor Weather Conditions: Adverse weather conditions, such as rain, snow, ice, fog, or heavy winds, can reduce visibility and traction, making it more challenging for truck drivers to operate safely.
• Road Conditions: Poorly maintained roads with potholes, debris, or inadequate signage can contribute to accidents, as can uneven road surfaces, which can destabilize a truck.
• Blind Spots: Trucks have significant blind spots, which can make it difficult for drivers to see smaller vehicles around them. Failure to check blind spots when changing lanes or making turns can result in accidents.
• Fatigue and Hours of Service Violations: Regulations limit the number of hours a truck driver can be on the road in a given day or week. Violating these regulations can lead to driver fatigue and increased accident risk.
• Reckless or Inexperienced Drivers: Some truck drivers may not have the experience or skill required to safely operate a commercial vehicle. Inexperienced or reckless drivers can make poor judgments on the road.
• Medical Conditions: Health issues or medical conditions that affect a driver's ability to operate a truck safely can contribute to accidents.
• Driving in No-Zone Areas: No-zone areas are the blind spots around a truck. Drivers of smaller vehicles may inadvertently enter these areas, making it challenging for truck drivers to see them.

Truck Accidents Cause Horrible Injuries

The average commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when hauling a full trailer. This is about 20 times heavier than the average passenger car. The huge difference between the vehicle’s weights and masses is what makes the average truck accident so devastating. The smaller vehicle can be shoved completely off the road or crushed, even at relatively low speed. It is common for people in smaller cars to suffer life-changing, catastrophic injuries.

Severe injuries suffered in truck accidents often include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Whiplash
• Organ damage
• Amputations

Did you lose a loved one to a truck accident on the roads or highways of Augusta? Our firm can assist you with the wrongful death claim you can likely file in their name and honor. We can manage all parts of the case, so you can take care of yourself rather than worrying about legal issues.

Who Can You File Against?

The truck driver who hit you needs to answer for their mistakes and the life-changing consequences that they caused. You might be able to file against their privately-held insurance policy, which is usually something that a commercial truck driver must purchase before they can be employed in the industry. The policy could pay for your medical costs, lost wages, vehicle repairs, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

In some cases, a truck accident claimant can also file against the insurance policy of the trucking company that employed the truck driver. The key detail is whether or not the truck driver was an employee or an independent contractor. Employers can be held strictly liable for the negligence of their employees, but the same is not true when considering employer-independent contractor situations.

Therefore, liability may be attributed to one or more of the following parties:

• Truck Driver: The truck driver is often the first party considered for liability. If the driver's actions, such as negligence, recklessness, or violation of traffic laws, directly contributed to the accident, they may be held liable. This could include cases of distracted driving, speeding, driving under the influence, or failure to yield.
• Trucking Company: The trucking company that employs the driver can be held liable under certain circumstances. If the company is found to be negligent in hiring, training, or supervising the driver, or if they violated regulations related to hours of service or maintenance, they may share responsibility for the accident. In some cases, the company may also be held vicariously liable for the actions of their employee, the truck driver.
• Vehicle Manufacturer or Maintenance Provider: If the truck's accident is attributed to a mechanical failure, such as brake or tire issues, liability may fall on the vehicle manufacturer or the company responsible for maintenance and repairs. Proving that a design or manufacturing defect led to the accident may be necessary in such cases.
• Cargo Loading Companies: When accidents are caused by improperly loaded or unsecured cargo, the company responsible for loading the truck may be liable. Cargo shifts or spills can lead to accidents, so cargo loading companies must ensure that loads are properly balanced and secured.
• Third Parties: Other drivers, pedestrians, or third parties involved in the accident may also share liability if their actions or negligence contributed to the collision. For example, a car that cut off a truck, causing it to swerve and crash, could be partially responsible.
• Government Entities: In some cases, poor road maintenance or inadequate road signage may contribute to truck accidents. If a government entity is responsible for road maintenance and fails to address hazards, they could be held liable.

You do not need to worry about the many details that go into figuring out who is liable for your damages, though. Not when you let our advanced and trustworthy legal team represent you.

Call Our Team for Big Rig Accident Advocacy

Our Augusta truck accident attorneys are constantly keeping an ear open for new and returning clients who need our help after terrible accidents. If you or a loved one were hit by a commercial truck, semi-truck, big rig, or tractor-trailer, then please get our team on the phone right away. With our help, you can seek every last penny of compensation you need to recover. Best of all, you do not have to stress yourself out if you leave us in charge – let us manage everything!

Jamie Casino Injury Attorneys — here to help. Call (706) 719-7177.