Gainesville, GA Truck Accident Attorney

Skilled Truck Accident Attorneys Serving Gainesville, GA and Surrounding Communities

Gainesville truck accident lawyersEach year, hundreds of truck, bus, and commercial vehicle accidents occur in Georgia, leading to devastating injuries and fatalities. Truck accidents frequently result in severe brain and spinal cord injuries, requiring lifelong medical care for victims. At Davies Hothem Injury Law, our compassionate and experienced truck accident attorney in Gainesville, GA, understands the challenges you and your family are facing. Our dedicated tractor-trailer accident lawyers are here to support you in every way possible.

Leading Truck Accident Attorney in Gainesville

Truck, bus, and commercial vehicle accidents involve complex legal challenges that demand the expertise of a seasoned team of truck accident attorneys. At Davies Hothem Injury Law, our attorneys possess the knowledge and experience necessary to take on corporate trucking defendants who may attempt to withhold critical documents, divert attention with irrelevant issues, and obstruct the discovery process. We have a deep understanding of the trucking industry and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, coupled with the relentless determination to secure the compensation you or your loved one deserve.

Frequent Causes of Tractor-Trailer Accidents

Due to the high risk of fatalities in large truck and commercial vehicle accidents, these vehicles are heavily regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) outlined in 49 C.F.R. 390, as well as state-level CDL regulations. Unfortunately, trucking companies and their drivers often have a history of violating these safety standards. When a company knowingly continues to operate trucks despite a pattern of unsafe practices, this negligence can be particularly damning in the event of a serious accident. Common safety violations that frequently lead to fatal crashes include, but are not limited to:

Truck and bus drivers are subject to strict regulations that limit the number of consecutive hours they can drive and mandate a minimum number of consecutive hours of rest to prevent fatigued driving. They are also required to maintain detailed logs of their “hours of service” to ensure compliance with these safety standards.

  • Drunk or Impaired Driving (49 C.F.R. 392.5)

Truck drivers are strictly prohibited from consuming alcohol, being under the influence of alcohol, or having any detectable alcohol concentration while on duty, operating, or in physical control of a commercial motor vehicle. Furthermore, any driver found in violation of these regulations will be immediately placed out of service for 24 hours.

Truck drivers are obligated to thoroughly inspect and maintain their trucks and trailers, keeping detailed records of these inspections. Essential components such as tires, brakes, taillights, and turn signals must be in proper working order and checked daily. Additionally, trucks are required to have reflective tape placed at specific locations on the vehicle to enhance visibility for other motorists. Negligent maintenance, inspection, or repair can result in mechanical failures that contribute to or cause a fatal accident.

Distractions for truck drivers can include cell phones, texting, using dispatch devices, eating, or even reading, among others. Truck drivers are specifically prohibited from using hand-held mobile phones or texting while driving. Distracted driving is a significant issue, with many truck drivers causing rear-end collisions as a result. In fact, 23.1 percent of large truck crashes involve rear-end collisions.

  • Speeding and driving too fast for conditions.

A study by the FMCSA found that 28.6 percent of speeding-related large-truck crashes result from loss of control and driving too fast for conditions. Situations where drivers may be at risk of speeding include wet roadways (due to rain, snow, or ice), reduced visibility (such as in fog), uneven roads, construction zones, curves, intersections, gravel roads, and heavy traffic.

  • Moving violations, such as improper turns and passing.

Tractor-trailers should avoid making U-turns whenever possible. U-turns are essentially left-hand turns that significantly reduce a driver’s visibility of oncoming traffic and require more time to complete due to the vehicle’s large size. Because of these dangers, many trucking companies have strict policies prohibiting their drivers from making U-turns altogether.

Our Gainesville, GA Truck accident attorney has the resources necessary to seek full compensation for injuries and wrongful death resulting from tractor-trailer and bus crashes.

Steps to Take Following a Truck Accident in Gainesville

After contacting law enforcement and getting prompt medical attention, it’s crucial to reach out to an attorney at Davies Hothem Injury Law right away. Acting quickly allows us to begin preserving evidence and building your claim immediately. Without a prompt investigation, essential evidence could be lost, potentially impacting the strength of your case.

As soon as you hire Davies Hothem Injury Law, we take immediate steps to preserve critical evidence, including, but not limited to:

  • The tractor and trailer involved in the accident.
  • The driver’s qualification file, which is required by 49 C.F.R. 391.51 and contains crucial details such as the driver’s history of collisions, traffic citations, and employment record.
  • The driver’s drug and alcohol file, which includes results from pre-employment, post-accident, random, reasonable suspicion, and return-to-duty drug and alcohol testing.
  • The driver’s daily logs or hours of service records.
  • Computer data from devices such as the electronic control module, onboard computers, trip monitors, and other similar records.
  • Maintenance, inspection, and repair records of the truck.
  • Cell phone records, including all incoming and outgoing calls, texts, and voicemails.
  • Videos and images captured by any Drive Cam or other cameras installed in or on the truck.
  • Information regarding the motor carrier’s safety ratings, including audits by state and federal agencies, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

What is the Value of My Gainesville Truck Accident Case?

The exact value of your Gainesville truck accident case will depend on the specific details of your situation. However, at Davies Hothem Injury Law, we pursue compensation for all economic and non-economic damages related to your accident, including:

  • Medical expenses (and funeral costs, if applicable)
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of spousal companionship and services
  • Punitive damages

Davies Hothem Injury Law, located in Gainesville, is Georgia’s premier tractor-trailer accident law firm. When you choose us, rest assured that we will handle the heavy lifting and fight for justice on behalf of you and your loved ones.

Georgia Truck Accidents: Understanding the Statute of Limitations

In Georgia, the law provides a two-year window from the date of the accident for victims to file a personal injury claim. Although there are certain exceptions where the statute of limitations may be extended, it becomes challenging to pursue legal action for injuries caused by a truck accident after this two-year period. To protect your rights, contact our Gainesville Truck Accident Attorneys today so we can begin investigating your claim immediately.

Reach Out to Our Gainesville, GA Truck Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or has died as a result of a truck or bus crash in Georgia, contact our Gainesville, GA truck accident lawyers to handle all aspects of your case.