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Practice Areas 18-Wheeler Wrecks

Although car accidents are very traumatic, truck wrecks can be even more devastating. Driving beside large trucks can be a real fear of many Georgia drivers since our roadways are a mega hub for transporting various cargo across the nation. In the event of a crash between a car and a large truck, someone almost always ends up injured or even catastrophically killed. This results in a wrongful death action. Whether it be because of manufacturing issues or driver negligence, truck accidents are scary situations all across our nation.

Semi Truck and Commercial Vehicle Accidents

Critical Steps to Take after an 18-Wheeler Wreck

We hold trucking companies responsible for paying for any injuries, deaths, or damage an accident may cause that involves one of their trucks. It's important to remember that not every good car accident lawyer is a good truck accident lawyer. Trucking accidents, and how you handle them legally, are very different than car accidents. It is critical to involve an attorney immediately after a trucking accident, or critical evidence can disappear and be lost forever.

Even the most well-trained and safety-conscious truck driver is at risk of engaging in driving behaviors that could lead to a crash on today's crowded highways. You will often find trucking companies are negligent in:

  • Lack of Driver Training
  • Truck Maintenance and Upkeep
  • Overloading
  • Failure to Inspect

National Truck Accident Facts & Stats

In 2016, large trucking accidents were responsible for 4,317 roadway fatalities nationally, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The number of trucks or buses involved in fatal crashes showed an increase in 2016. That number, however, stills remains 15% lower than the peak in 2005 according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Sixty percent of large truck accidents happen on rural roads rather than interstate highways
Nationally in 2016, 27% of work or construction zone crashes that ended with a fatality involved at least one large truck, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

What is a Tractor Trailer?

Advocating for clients that have been involved in tractor trailer accidents requires understanding the definition of a tractor trailer. A tractor trailer is the combination of a semi-truck and a trailer that is carrying cargo from one place to another. Semi-trucks are those that can travel with or without a trailer attached. Tractor trailers are those that have the truck and trailer combined. Another word commonly used to describe this vehicle is an 18-wheeler. An 18-wheeler and a tractor trailer are the same thing and can be used interchangeably. The tractor trailer unit as a whole has 18 wheels hence where the term comes from.

When a car becomes involved with a tractor trailer, we have a messy and catastrophic accident on our hands. These accidents require the knowledge of a truck accident attorney so that the evidence can be properly preserved. At Brooks Injury Law, we know the steps it takes to get clients compensated for truck accident injuries. You can trust us to fight for your rights. Contact us for your FREE consultation.

Georgia Tractor Trailer Stats

In 2016, 179 fatalities on Georgia roadways were the result of a crash with at least one large, tractor trailer according to the Governor's Office of Highway Safety.
By Georgia law, drivers of tractor trailers must meet certain requirements before beginning their driving duty.
On Georgia interstates and highways, a tractor trailer combination cannot be longer than 100 feet, taller than 13.5 feet, or wider than 8.5 feet. These Department of Transportation regulations have been put in place to ensure that our roadways are kept safe and to help reduce tractor trailer accidents.
Additionally, tractor trailer drivers must log all of their driving hours and are not to exceed the maximum amount of hours allowed per day in the state of Georgia. This regulation helps to reduce the risk of drowsy driving and falling asleep at the wheel.

18-Wheeler Accidents

  • Semi-Truck Accidents
Understanding a semi-truck accident requires the knowledge of what a semi-truck is and how it works. A semi-truck is technically defined as the actual truck that is hauling an attached trailer.

Why is an Attorney Necessary?

Attorneys know the correct process when dealing with these accidents.

Just because attorneys know the process in handling an accident is not to say, however, that a good car accident attorney is the best fit for a tractor trailer accident. Each type of accident requires its own knowledge, skill, and expertise. Do your research to ensure that the attorney you choose will be able to earn you the compensation you deserve. Contact Brooks Injury Law, here. Our team will take the first critical steps to ensure your case is taken care of properly.

Attorneys know how to notify the trucking company of the accident.

An everyday driver may not know that whenever you are involved in an accident with a tractor trailer the trucking company must preserve the evidence. This means that they must be notified immediately following an accident. This step is crucial to a successful tractor trailer accident case.

Attorneys have the means to reconstruct the accident when necessary.

A lot of times, attorneys must call on certain experts to help them with their cases, especially in tractor trailer accidents. These experts are called on to inspect the scene before evidence is washed away.