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Sharing the road with large commercial trucks can be a challenge even for the most seasoned of drivers. Due to their massive weight and size, long stopping distances, and limited maneuverability, commercial trucks pose significant risks to other road users.
When a semi-truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the occupants of the passenger vehicle are at risk of suffering extremely serious and life-threatening injuries. Data shows that 72% of serious injuries and fatalities in truck accidents involve occupants of other vehicles.
If you have been injured in a truck accident in Morrow, you need a capable and experienced personal injury lawyer on your side to get the compensation you need. At DuBose Miller, we have handled a wide range of commercial truck accident claims over the years and have recovered substantial damages for our clients. We have the expertise and resources to take on negligent truckers and trucking companies and get them to pay the compensation you are entitled to.
Call us today at 404-720-8111 to schedule a free consultation with one of our seasoned Morrow, GA truck accident lawyers.
Dangerous Highways in Morrow, GA
- Interstate 75 – I-75 is a major north-south interstate highway that runs through Morrow. It’s considered the deadliest interstate in Georgia and the third deadliest interstate in the country for truckers.
- State Route 54 – SR 54 is a state highway that runs east-west through Morrow. It intersects with I-75 within city limits and is commonly used by truckers as well.
Dangerous Intersections in Morrow, GA
Intersections in Morrow where the risk of truck accidents is significantly higher are:
- Jonesboro Road and Southlake Parkway
- Jonesboro Road and Mount Zion Boulevard
- Southlake Parkway and Mount Zion Road
- Jonesboro Road and Lake Harbin Drive
- Mount Zion Road and Forest Parkway
Federal Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations for Commercial Truck Drivers in Morrow, GA
The trucking industry is subject to extensive federal regulations due to the immense risks associated with commercial trucks operating on public roadways. The most important among these regulations are the Hours of Service (HOS) regulations, which dictate the amount of time a truck driver can spend behind the wheel within a specified period.
The key provisions include:
- 11-Hour Driving Limit: Truck drivers are limited to a maximum of 11 consecutive hours behind the wheel after 10 consecutive hours of duty.
- 14-Hour Duty Limit: Truck drivers are not permitted to drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, following 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- Rest Breaks: Truck drivers must take a minimum of 30 minutes of break after eight hours of driving.
- Weekly Limits: Truck drivers are subject to a weekly limit on the total number of hours they can work – which is typically 60 or 70 hours over a period of 7 or 8 consecutive days respectively.
At DuBose Miller, we are aware of the various tactics employed by trucking companies to violate HOS regulations. If we determine that HOS violations contributed to your accident, we can hold the trucking company liable for their negligence and recover maximum compensation from them.
Importance of Black Box Data in a Commercial Truck Accident Claim
Commercial trucks are equipped with electronic control modules – commonly referred to as black boxes – that record a variety of data related to the vehicle’s operation. These include speed and acceleration data, braking data, engine performance, vehicle control inputs, and a wide range of other pre-crash data.
By analyzing the black box data, accident reconstruction experts can accurately reconstruct the events that led to the accident, which can help determine fault and liability.
Following a truck accident, it is critically important to retrieve the black box data in a timely manner. This is because the data is stored in volatile memory and can be overwritten or erased due to system resets or continued operation of the vehicle. This is one of the most important reasons why you should contact our personal injury law firm as soon as you possibly can after the accident.
How Our Morrow, GA Truck Accident Attorneys Will Preserve Black Box Data
First, we will send a formal request called a spoliation letter to the trucking company and other associated parties. The letter is sent to inform the trucking company and other defendants about a potential claim and request them not to alter or destroy the black box data from the truck involved in the accident.
Apart from the black box data, we will also ask the truck company to preserve a number of other pieces of evidence including:
- Truck inspection records
- Truck repair and maintenance records
- Dashcam footage
- Records related to the truck’s cargo
Once we send the letter, we will keep detailed records of all communication with the trucking company regarding the preservation of evidence. This documentation is essential for ensuring that the trucking company complies with our request and for establishing a record of their actions in case of a dispute later on.
We will work with accident reconstruction experts and forensic analysts to retrieve and analyze the black box data. Throughout the process, we will take steps to preserve the chain of custody of the black box data to ensure its admissibility as evidence in legal proceedings.
Why Georgia’s Direct Action Statutes Matter in a Truck Accident Claim
Georgia has two direct action statutes – O.C.G.A. § 40-2-140 and O.C.GA. § 40-1-112 – that allows you to take legal action against insurance companies that provide liability coverage to intrastate as well as interstate trucking companies. These statutes allow you to name the insurance company as a defendant – along with the at-fault driver and any other entities.
By allowing you to sue the insurance company directly, Georgia’s direct action statutes provide you with an additional avenue for seeking compensation. Under the law, the financial responsibility is placed squarely on the insurance company, which often has greater financial resources than the truck driver or the trucking company.
These statutes also protect you from potential insolvency issues that might arise from suing the at-fault driver or trucking company. For instance, if the trucking company happens to be a small, family-operated business, they might not be able to fully compensate you for your losses – especially if your injuries are serious in nature. The insurance company, on the other hand, has substantial resources at its disposal and can afford to pay a full and fair settlement.
Types of Damages Our Morrow, GA Truck Accident Attorneys Can Recover for You
The damages we can recover for you include:
- Medical expenses (including but not limited to the cost of emergency medical care, hospitalization costs, surgery costs, medication, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical care)
- Lost earnings
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Psychological trauma
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Diminished quality of life
Apart from this, if your injuries have adversely impacted your marital relationship with your spouse, we can help them file a loss of consortium claim against the at-fault party for the loss of companionship, love, affection, and support. Under Georgia law, there is no cap on the amount of economic and non-economic damages you can recover from the at-fault party.
If we determine that the at-fault party was grossly negligent and acted without any regard for your safety, we will seek punitive damages on top of the compensatory damages that you are entitled to.
Our Highly-Rated Truck Accident Lawyers in Morrow, GA are Ready to Fight for You
At DuBose Miller, we know the devastating impact truck accidents can have on victims and their families. With years of experience in handling complex truck accident claims and a track record of success that speaks for itself, we are best equipped to handle your claim. We can handle every aspect of your case – from investigating the accident to collecting evidence, communicating with insurance companies, negotiating for a settlement, and litigating in court if needed.
We are fully prepared to fight relentlessly to recover the maximum possible compensation from the insurance company and we will not settle for anything less than what you deserve. Call us today at 404-720-8111 or get in touch with us online to schedule a free case evaluation by one of our experienced Morrow, GA truck accident lawyers.