The aftermath of a serious commercial truck crash can reach far beyond the roadway. After these devastating accidents, many people manage painful injuries, lost pay, expenses, and questions about who should cover damages from a crash they did not cause.
A Marietta truck accident lawyer from Jones & Swanson will help you understand your rights after a crash involving a commercial truck, tractor-trailer, big rig, or 18-wheeler. Our firm has recovered more than $50 million for injured clients and brings over 50 years of combined experience to injury cases.
When negligence causes a wreck, our truck driver negligence lawyer in Marietta will investigate what happened and pursue damages for you. We will answer your questions and explain how you can move forward. Call today for a free consultation.
Hometown Attorneys Who Put People Before Case Numbers
Big box law firms often handle hundreds of cases at a time, which can leave clients feeling like just another file on someone’s desk. Jones & Swanson has chosen a different approach.
We are proud to be hometown attorneys who remain connected to the communities we serve. Our clients work with a truck accident attorney team that values relationships, communication, and personal attention.
Personal Attention From Start to Finish
When you hire a Marietta personal injury lawyer from Jones & Swanson, you will have a team that keeps in touch, answers your questions, and takes the time to understand what you are going through.
We have the experience to handle serious truck accident cases while providing the personal attention many people seek after a life-changing injury. We make it a priority to return phone calls, respond to emails, and keep clients informed about important developments.
No Upfront Fees to Represent You
We also handle these cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay us only if we recover damages for you. We will take the time to understand how the accident has affected your life and what you need moving forward.
We Help Clients Who Don’t Have Health Insurance
Many people worry about how they will get medical care after a truck accident if they do not have health insurance. It is a common concern, especially when injuries require ongoing treatment, testing, physical therapy, or visits with specialists.
At Jones & Swanson, we understand these concerns and work with clients to explore available treatment options with medical providers who are willing to treat injured patients while their trucking accident claims are pending. Our team connects clients with providers who regularly work with accident victims.
Our Marietta Truck Driver Negligence Attorneys Will Fight for You
Truck accidents can happen anywhere, but they are often seen on major routes such as I-75, I-575, and Cobb Parkway, where commercial vehicles regularly travel through the Marietta area.
While commercial truck crashes may seem straightforward, determining exactly why they have happened often requires a detailed investigation. We:
- Gather evidence
- Review police reports and crash reports
- Interview witnesses and expert witnesses
- Obtain trucking records
- Evaluate information that may help establish negligence
In many cases, we also review driver qualification files, inspection records, maintenance records, and available electronic data.
Building a Strong Case From the Start
Insurance companies often begin building their defense immediately after a crash. Jones & Swanson lawyers do the same for our clients. By conducting an independent investigation, we will identify evidence that supports your claim before it disappears.
If we have to file a lawsuit for an accident that happened in Cobb County, we will explain each step of the process and continue advocating for your interests throughout the case.
What Does Truck Driver Negligence Mean?
Truck driver negligence occurs when a commercial driver fails to operate a vehicle safely under the circumstances. Because commercial trucks are significantly larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, truck drivers are expected to follow strict safety standards.
A moment of poor judgment behind the wheel can have serious consequences for everyone nearby. Unfortunately, many truck accidents happen because basic safety rules are ignored.
Distracted Driving
Commercial drivers spend long hours on the road and may be tempted to look at a phone, GPS device, dispatch system, or another distraction. Looking away from traffic for even a few seconds can prevent a truck driver from reacting to slowing vehicles, changing traffic patterns, or road hazards.
Fatigued Driving
Driver fatigue remains one of the most common issues in the trucking industry. Federal safety regulations regarding a trucker’s hours of service aim to reduce the risk of fatigued driving, but violations still occur.
A tired driver may have slower reaction times, reduced awareness, and impaired decision-making abilities. In some situations, fatigue can affect a driver in ways that resemble alcohol impairment.
Impaired Driving
Truck drivers must remain alert and capable of operating their vehicles safely. When a driver is impaired by alcohol, drugs, or certain medications, the risk of a serious accident increases.
A drunk driver operating a commercial truck can place everyone nearby in danger. Because of the size and weight of these vehicles, a drunk driving crash may cause severe injuries or fatalities.
Speeding and Aggressive Driving
Commercial truck drivers often spend long hours on the road and may face pressure to stay on schedule. When a driver takes unnecessary risks to save time, such as driving too fast for conditions or making unsafe moves in traffic, the chances of a crash increase.
Inadequate Training
Not every truck driver has the same level of experience. Some drivers may be unfamiliar with handling a large vehicle in heavy traffic, severe weather, construction zones, or other challenging situations.
When a driver lacks the training needed to safely operate a commercial truck, mistakes can have serious consequences.
Common Truck Accidents Linked to Driver Negligence
Truck driver negligence can lead to different types of crashes. Because of the size and weight of commercial vehicles, these accidents often cause severe injuries and extensive property damage.
Rear-End Collisions
A distracted or tired truck driver may not notice slowing traffic ahead. Because commercial trucks require more distance to stop, rear-end crashes can occur when drivers fail to react in time.
Jackknife Accidents
A jackknife accident happens when the trailer swings away from the cab and folds at an angle. These crashes may occur when a driver brakes suddenly, drives too fast for conditions, or loses control of the vehicle.
Rollover Accidents
Commercial trucks have a high center of gravity, making them more vulnerable to tipping. Excessive speed, sudden steering corrections, and shifting cargo can all contribute to rollovers.
Our Marietta truck rollover lawyer will investigate what caused the crash and who may be responsible.
Lane Change Accidents
When a truck driver changes lanes without properly checking their blind spots for nearby traffic, serious collisions can occur. These crashes often happen when a driver fails to notice a vehicle traveling beside the truck or attempts to merge without enough space.
Underride Accidents
Some crashes cause a smaller vehicle to slide beneath the trailer. These accidents often result in catastrophic or fatal injuries.
Our Marietta underride lawyer will investigate whether safety equipment, driver actions, trucking company practices, or other factors contributed to the collision.
Multi-Vehicle Collisions
A single negligent act by a truck driver can affect multiple vehicles at once. Chain-reaction crashes are especially common on busy highways and interstates.
Serious Truck Accident Injuries We See in Claims
The force involved in a truck accident can affect nearly every part of the body. Depending on the circumstances, people may experience traumatic brain injuries, severe spinal damage, back and neck injuries, broken bones, internal injuries, burns, or other serious medical conditions.
Some people recover after months of treatment, but others face permanent limitations that affect nearly every part of their daily lives. Even injuries that initially seem minor may develop into long-term problems. This is why getting a medical exam and follow-up care matters after a truck accident.
A Marietta catastrophic injury lawyer from Jones & Swanson will work to understand how your injuries affect your life today and how they may continue to affect you in the future.
Damages Available After Truck Driver Negligence Causes an Accident
Truck accident victims may be able to recover damages for medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost income, reduced earning ability, property damage, physical pain, emotional distress, permanent disabilities, and other losses related to the accident.
Some injuries require ongoing treatment for years. Others permanently affect a person’s ability to work or live independently. Our Marietta truck driver negligence attorneys work to identify current and future losses so that the full scope of the trucking accident is considered.
When severe injuries are involved, we may work with medical professionals, vocational experts, and other specialists to better understand the long-term consequences.
Wrongful Death Damages After Fatal Truck Accidents
Some truck accidents have tragic consequences for entire families.
If you lost a loved one because of a negligent truck driver, we are truly sorry for your loss. We understand that no legal claim can replace the person who was taken from you.
A Marietta wrongful death lawyer from Jones & Swanson will help your family understand the legal options available under Georgia law. While families are grieving, they are often also dealing with financial concerns, unanswered questions, and a desire for accountability.
Our legal team approaches these cases with compassion and respect while helping families pursue damages allowed under Georgia law.
Taking on Insurance Companies After a Marietta Truck Accident
Many people assume the insurance company will automatically do the right thing. Unfortunately, that is not always how the process works.
Insurance companies may question the severity of injuries, dispute treatment recommendations, argue that a victim had a pre-existing condition, or attempt to place blame elsewhere.
In some situations, they may make a quick settlement offer before the full extent of the injuries is known. Accepting an early offer may not account for future losses, such as medical care, ongoing limitations, or other long-term losses.
Jones & Swanson will handle communications with insurance companies and protect you from tactics that may reduce the value of a claim. Our Marietta commercial truck negligence lawyer will present a complete picture of how the accident has affected your life and pursue damages that reflect those losses.
Who Else May Be Liable Besides the Truck Driver?
Many people assume the truck driver is the only person responsible after a commercial vehicle accident. However, truck accident investigations often reveal that other individuals or businesses contributed to the events leading up to the crash.
Trucking Companies
Trucking companies are responsible for more than simply employing drivers. They may be involved in hiring decisions, training, scheduling, supervision, and vehicle maintenance.
A company that ignores safety concerns or places drivers in unsafe situations may share responsibility for a dangerous road accident.
Cargo Loading Companies
Commercial cargo must be loaded and secured correctly before a truck leaves its destination. Improper loading of cargo or cargo that shifts during transport can affect the truck’s handling and may contribute to rollovers, jackknife collisions, and other loss-of-control crashes.
Maintenance Providers
Commercial trucks are driven thousands of miles every week and require regular inspections, repairs, and upkeep. When worn tires, faulty brakes, steering problems, or other mechanical issues are involved, it may be necessary to look at who last serviced the vehicle and whether important problems were missed or left unaddressed.
Truck and Parts Manufacturers
Not every truck accident is caused by a driver’s actions. In some situations, investigators discover that a critical vehicle component failed unexpectedly.
A tire may separate, a brake system may malfunction, or another part may not perform as intended. When that happens, attention may turn to the company that designed or manufactured the product.
How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Georgia?
Under Georgia Code § 9-3-33, personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits are generally subject to a two-year statute of limitations. While two years may seem like a long time, evidence can disappear much sooner.
Speaking with an attorney sooner rather than later helps protect important evidence and allows an investigation to begin while information is still available.
Steps After a Trucking Crash Caused by a Reckless Driver
The days after a truck crash can be overwhelming. Your health and well-being should come first, so seek medical care right away and follow your doctor’s recommendations.
Keep records related to your treatment, expenses, and time away from work. If possible, preserve photographs, witness information, and documents related to the crash. Be cautious when speaking with insurance adjusters, especially before understanding your rights. Statements made early in the process may later be used to challenge your claim.
A Jones & Swanson truck driver negligence attorney in Marietta will help guide you through the process while you focus on getting better.
Tell Our Marietta Truck Driver Negligence Lawyers About Your Accident
After a trucking accident, it is not always clear what happened or who should be held responsible. You may be hearing different stories from the truck driver, the trucking company, and the insurance company while trying to focus on your recovery.
A truck driver negligence lawyer in Marietta from Jones & Swanson will work to identify the parties responsible for your losses and take on the insurance company.
If you were injured in an accident involving a tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler, big rig, heavy truck, or other commercial vehicle, call Jones & Swanson today to discuss your situation during a free consultation.
