Typically, when a passenger automobile is involved in an accident with a tractor trailer, semi-truck, or other commercial vehicle, very serious injuries or death is the result. The weight of the truck and the speeds at which they drive can cause the truck to roll over in an accident, crushing other vehicles. In some cases, the driver may be negligent and the accident can be catastrophic, resulting in multiple deaths.
In many situations, fatal accidents involving commercial truckers may result in criminal as well as civil charges, holding the trucker, the trucking company, and other negligent parties responsible for the tragic loss of life. There are a number of situations that can cause fatal accidents involving large commercial trucks. Some common scenarios include the trucker falling asleep or driving while distracted, the trucker speeding or driving recklessly, the truck rolling over or jackknifing, and the cargo being overloaded and/or improperly secured.
There are a number of safety regulations mandated by the Department of Transportation, but those regulations are routinely violated. One of the areas that often is ignored by truckers and trucking companies is the regulations on hours that truckers can work. There are strict rules about how many hours truckers can drive within certain time frames set by the federal government. Those rules are in place in order to reduce the chances that truck drivers will push themselves too far while driving.
Trucking companies are often responsible for the accidents caused by their truckers. They may choose to hire unqualified drivers, or drivers with a long history of serious traffic violations. They may fail to properly inspect their vehicles or the cargo. In many cases involving serious tractor trailer accidents, the trucking companies as well as the truckers can be held liable for damages.
Fortunately, help is available for the family members of loved ones who are killed in accidents involving tractor trailers. Surviving family members can choose to file a wrongful death lawsuit. The lawsuit can help in two ways – first, it helps surviving family members receive financial compensation for the loss of a loved one. The other way it helps is by ensuring justice on those who wrongfully killed your loved one.
If your wrongful death lawsuit is successful, you can recover compensation for a variety of expenses, including medical bills, lost wages of your loved one (both past earnings and future earnings), pain and suffering, funeral costs, and compensation for pain and suffering of the surviving family members.
If your loved one was killed in a tractor trailer accident in the Atlanta area, you should speak with an attorney about your legal options. Call the Atlanta personal injury attorneys at Holston & Huntley. We will provide you with a free consultation on your case, and if we choose to take your case you pay us nothing unless we obtain a recovery for you. Call us today- consultations are free and you are under no obligation to use our services. We serve Metro Atlanta Georgia as well as Birmingham Alabama including surrounding areas.
