Trucking
At Cannella Snyder, we are committed to representing those impacted by trucking accidents.
Overview
Commercial vehicles pose a special threat to others because of their size and weight. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, over 100,000 people are injured or killed every year in wrecks involving tractor-trailers, utility vans, work trucks, and school buses. Our team helps people injured or the families of those killed in trucking wrecks to recover. In 2023, we had the fourth highest trucking settlement nationwide, recovering $19,700,000 for our client (with co-counsel Darren Tobin).
Identifying who is at fault is only the first step in a trucking case. Your lawyer should know how to fight for all the information in your case, including whether the driver of the truck that hit you was properly trained and supervised, if the driver was drowsy or violating federal law limiting driving hours, if the tractor, trailer, and tires were properly maintained, and if the trucking company or driver has a history of similar accidents or conduct. These facts can drastically change the value of your case.
Before you settle, contact a trucking lawyer. If you have been injured in a trucking crash in Georgia, you may get a settlement offer from the insurance company, especially if the truck driver caused the crash. Chances are that the offer will be far less than what you deserve. If you accept that offer, you likely will forfeit your right to pursue full compensation. For this reason, you should contact experienced trucking lawyers as soon as possible. Here at Cannella Snyder, we welcome your call. We will advise you and advocate for you to ensure that you get full compensation.
Case Types
Every trucking case is unique. But some common causes of trucking wrecks include:
No-zones
Many wrecks occur in the “no-zone” or truck’s blind spots.
Driver Fatigue or Impairments
Truck drivers who are distracted, impaired, or tired can have slow reaction times and make unwise decisions.
Negligent Hiring or Training
Trucking companies often fail to adequately screen, train, and supervise their drivers, despite a tractor-trailer’s enormous threat to public safety. Trucking companies also often retain drivers who should be fired.
Failure to Inspect or Maintain the Truck
Trucking companies and drivers must use only well-maintained and safe vehicles.
Improper Loading
Cargo loading incorrectly can cause the trailer and the truck cab to roll over striking or creating an unavoidable hazard for an unsuspecting motorist.
Speeding
A tractor-trailer’s size and weight make it harder to stop quickly and increase the risk of rolling over or jackknifing.
Lack of Safety Practices
Many trucking companies do not have or follow safety policies or federal and state regulations designed to make the roads safer. By not putting safety first, these companies endanger both their drivers and the public.
Frequently Asked Questions
First, ensure your immediate safety, which might include moving your car to a safe place away from other traffic. Call 911 as soon as possible after the crash. Because of the size and weight of a tractor-trailer, injuries from these wrecks can often be severe. The most important thing is to make sure you and the other people on the scene get the medical help they need from first responders as soon as possible.
The reporting officers will gather information from the scene of the accident and interview witnesses to determine all contributing factors and develop a crash narrative. If you are able, you can also document the scene by taking photos of all vehicles involved and gather contact and insurance information from all parties. Even if it’s unclear what caused the wreck or who is at fault, it’s important to consult with an attorney who is experienced with truck accidents.
The trucking company will be on the phone with its lawyers right away, so you should not delay in obtaining your own representation to protect your rights. You should consult with a lawyer as soon as possible after a truck accident, especially before making any formal statements to law enforcement or entering into agreements with insurance companies. We can help protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
The time limit to file a lawsuit, known as the statute of limitations, varies by state. Typically, you may have from one to three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. In Georgia, the statute of limitations for truck accident claims is usually two years from the date of the accident, although there are a few rare exceptions. It’s important to consult with a lawyer quickly to ensure your claim is filed within the required timeframe.
If you are unable to work due to injuries from a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and medical expenses. We can help you assess your claims and seek compensation for both immediate and future losses.
Tragically, trucking accidents claim thousands of lives every year. If you lost a child, spouse, or parent in a wreck with a tractor-trailer, you should speak with a lawyer about claims you may have. A life is worth much more than the dollars a person earns and Georgia law allows recovery for the full value of the life lost.
The duration of a personal injury case can vary widely depending on the complexity of the case, clarity of fault, severity of injuries, and willingness of the parties to reach a settlement. While some cases may settle in a few months, others might take several years to reach a resolution. When a settlement can’t be reached, your case will go to trial, which will take at least a year.
All of Cannella Snyder’s truck accident cases are handled on a contingency basis. That means you pay nothing out of pocket to retain the firm or for expenses incurred during the case. We get paid only if there is a recovery.