Nearly twenty different cargo carriers fly into and out of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, including FedEx Express, UPS Airlines, DHL Aviation, and Amazon Air. Major U.S. interstates also crisscross the heart of Atlanta, including 75/85 and I-20. Added to the mix are the 285 Perimeter beltway looping the city and a spiderweb of state roads, routes, junctions, and spurs, including the aptly named Spaghetti Junction. Whether you live, work, or travel ITP or OTP, you are likely to encounter semi-trucks, also known as tractor-trailers or 18-wheelers, in all parts of the city at all hours of the day and night, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

The big rigs are a critical element of our local, state, and national economies; life would be very different without them. But for those of us who must share the road with semis, the dangers are very real of getting cut off or hit by a massive single or double tractor-trailer. At the Durham Law Group, our Atlanta truck accident attorneys have years of experience handling truck accident cases involving crashes from every angle and causing severe injuries. If you’re looking for an Atlanta truck accident attorney, let Durham Law take on the critical task of holding the carrier accountable and securing valuable compensation to help you deal with the damage done to you.

Causes of Tractor-Trailer Crashes in Atlanta

Durham Law Group is the premier Atlanta truck accident law firm in Georgia. Our firm handles any type of collision caused by the negligence of the trucker, trucking company or other responsible party. Some of the main reasons we see causing truck crashes include:

Hours of Service Violations

Truck drivers are limited in how long they can go without taking a break and how many hours a day or week they can be on-duty or behind the wheel. The regulations as written allow truckers to work long, grueling hours behind the wheel, but countless drivers ignore the rules and drive even longer than is legal or safe. Drowsy driving causes accidents by impairing drivers’ judgment, slowing their reflexes and reaction time, dulling their senses and attention, and even leading to falling asleep behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound behemoth. Contact the best Atlanta truck accident lawyer today!

Truck Maintenance Violations

Violations of FMCSA safety regulations are five times more likely to apply to the vehicle itself than to the driver. Thousands of trucks on the road right now would be immediately pulled from service if their tires and brakes were inspected, not to mention their signal lights, coupling devices and countless other critical components. Too many accidents happen because carriers fail to maintain their fleets with proper inspection, repairs and maintenance.

Overloaded or Improperly Loaded Trucks

Tractor-trailers crash because they are overloaded, leading to a burst tire, brake failure, or deadly rollover. Unbalanced loads can also cause the driver to lose control over the big rig. Cargo that is not properly secured can come loose and get disgorged onto the highway, creating a catastrophe that impacts dozens of cars. If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, contact the best Atlanta truck accident lawyer today!

Tractor-Trailer Jackknife Accidents

When drivers hit a patch of black ice or other slippery spot, the wrong braking method can wind up jackknifing the truck, likely impacting several vehicles along the way. Jackknife accidents happen when drivers lack the skill, training or judgment to execute proper braking, often combined with a lack of attention to the road or too much speed for existing weather and traffic patterns.

Truck Driver Negligence

Truckers are heir to all the dangerous and negligent driving behaviors that belong to all drivers on the road. Truckers speed or drive recklessly, they drive drunk or distracted, they look at their cellphones instead of the road. As trained, professional drivers, we might expect truck drivers to be safer than the average driver. At the same time, remember that commercial drivers are constantly under pressure to make deadlines and make up for lost time, in addition to the fact that they spend far more time behind the wheel than most people and are more, therefore, more likely to succumb to these negligent and dangerous behaviors. If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, contact an Atlanta truck accident lawyer at Durham Law today!

Defective Truck Parts

Automotive manufacturers are strictly liable for defects in the design or manufacture of their vehicles or component parts. At Durham Law Group, our diverse and experienced group of Atlanta truck accident attorneys are well-equipped to handle automotive product liability cases and take on major manufacturers for selling or installing defective truck parts that caused a crash.

Watch Out for the Insurance Carriers After an Atlanta Truck Accident

Commercial trucking companies carry large insurance policies, but they don’t willingly pay out to the level they should. On the contrary, they will often go to great lengths to avoid paying the proper amount on a claim. The insurance carrier might be quick on the scene with a check in hand and tell you that you don’t need a lawyer to resolve your claim. Once you accept their check and release them from liability, there’s nothing you can do when you later find out the true cost of the damage done to you.

Alternatively, expect the insurer to deny their driver was the one at fault. If they can convince a jury you are 50% or more to blame, then your claim against them will be dismissed. Short of 50%, any negligence they can palm off on you reduces the amount they have to pay. Our experienced truck accident attorneys know how to build and present a compelling case that proves who was at fault and in what proportions.

Whether they are offering to settle or denying liability, don’t take the insurance company at their word. Don’t settle for any of the hundred Atlanta truck accident law firms. Call Durham Law if you need an expert Atlanta truck accident attorney for practical advice and diligent representation.

Looking for Atlanta Truck Accident Law Firms? Contact Durham Law Today

If you were hurt in a truck accident in Atlanta or lost a loved one in a fatal Atlanta truck crash, call Durham Law Group at 404-845-3434 for a no-cost, confidential consultation. We’ll see that you get the medical care and compensation you need, and we never charge a fee until after we recover for you.