Commercial truck accidents are a worryingly common phenomenon in Georgia, resulting in hundreds of deaths and thousands of catastrophic injuries every year. Data shows that many of the truck drivers involved in these crashes have a record of erratic driving and have been involved in crashes before. The worst part is that the negligence of truck drivers and truck companies tends to disproportionately impact other road users for no fault of their own.
A collision with a commercial truck is not just another traffic accident. It is a life-altering event that can leave you grappling with severe injuries, financial burdens, and emotional trauma. In order to get the compensation you need to rebuild your life, you need a strong and resourceful lawyer on your side. At Miller Injury Trial Law, we have extensive experience in handling commercial truck accident claims and we are fully prepared to take on truck companies and their insurers to get the settlement you deserve.
To find out how we can help you, call us today at 855-44MILLER and schedule a free consultation with one of our top-rated Stone Mountain, GA truck accident lawyers.
Major Highways in Stone Mountain, GA
- Interstate 285 (I-285): Commonly known as “The Perimeter,” this interstate encircles Atlanta and passes near Stone Mountain, providing easy access to the city.
- US Route 78 (US-78): This major east-west highway runs directly through Stone Mountain and is the primary route connecting the city to Atlanta and other areas in DeKalb County. It’s also known locally as the Stone Mountain Freeway.
- State Route 10 (SR-10): This highway runs concurrently with US-78 in parts of Stone Mountain and serves as a critical connector within the region.
- State Route 8 (SR-8): This route also overlaps with US-78 in parts of the area and is a notable corridor for local traffic.
Why Many Stone Mountain, GA Truck Companies Violate Federal HOS Regulations
Federal Hours of Service (HOS) regulations are designed to prevent truck driver fatigue by limiting the number of hours a driver can work before taking mandatory rest breaks. Unfortunately, many trucking companies in Georgia choose to sidestep these regulations in order to prioritize their profits over safety.
The logistics industry often operates under intense pressure to meet tight delivery deadlines. With just-in-time shipping models and rising consumer demand, companies frequently push drivers to exceed the legal driving hours. Some even falsify logs or use electronic logging device (ELD) manipulation to make it appear as though their drivers are in compliance.
This relentless pressure forces drivers to work long shifts without sufficient rest, leading to exhaustion, impaired judgment, and slower reaction times. Research shows that fatigued drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents – even in the absence of other contributing factors like adverse weather or poor road conditions. It’s one of the main reasons why truck accidents are so common in Georgia.
How Our Stone Mountain, GA Truck Accident Attorneys Can Prove HOS Violations Even if the Log Books Are Falsified
At Miller Injury Trial Law, we know that trucking companies and drivers may falsify log books to cover up violations of federal Hours of Service (HOS) regulations. These violations often lead to driver fatigue, which is a significant factor in truck accidents. Even if the official records are altered or incomplete, our experienced lawyers have the tools and resources to uncover the truth.
Cross-Referencing Documents
We can go beyond log books and examine other documents that can reveal inconsistencies in the driver’s timeline, including:
- Fuel receipts: These receipts can show the location and time of fueling, which can be compared to the truck’s log entries.
- Toll tickets: Timestamps and locations on toll records can confirm whether the driver’s reported locations align with actual travel.
- Bills of lading: These documents can indicate when and where cargo was picked up or delivered, which can expose unrealistic driving timelines.
- Point-to-point mileage: We can calculate the distance between stops and compare it to the time recorded in the logs to determine if the driver exceeded legal speed limits or drove longer than allowed.
Reviewing GPS and Fleet Management Records
Many trucking companies use GPS or fleet management systems to track their trucks in real-time. These systems can provide detailed records of the truck’s location and movement, which we can use to verify the driver’s reported activities.
Expert Analysis
We can collaborate with forensic analysts and accident reconstruction experts to piece together inconsistencies in the truck driver’s timeline. With their help, we can identify gaps, overlaps, or improbable travel times that point to falsified records.
Driver Testimonies and Witness Accounts
We can interview the driver, trucking company representatives, and potential witnesses to identify discrepancies in the reported timeline. Other employees, such as dispatchers or loading dock workers, might provide additional insights into whether the driver was pressured to exceed HOS limits.
Internal communications like emails or text messages can also reveal whether the company encouraged or ignored HOS violations. By piecing together the complete picture, we can build a strong case to ensure justice and maximum compensation for our clients.
The Importance of Calculating Long-Term Medical Expenses and Lost Earning Capacity in Truck Accident Cases
Truck accidents often result in severe, life-altering injuries, which might require ongoing medical care and significantly impact your ability to work and earn a living. When pursuing compensation, it’s critical to make sure that the long-term financial consequences of your injuries are fully accounted for in your claim.
Accounting for Long-Term Medical Expenses
Spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and other serious injuries often require extensive medical treatment. This might include surgeries, physical therapy, specialized equipment, and even lifelong care. Without proper consideration of these future costs, you could find yourself struggling to cover essential medical needs down the line.
Evaluating Lost Earning Capacity
If you are physically or cognitively impaired as a result of your injuries, you might not be able to return to your previous job. Your disabilities can also diminish your ability to work in any capacity. In some cases, you might not be able to work at all.
This loss of earning potential can have a devastating impact on your financial stability and affect your family – especially if you are the primary earning member in your family. It is why any loss in your future earning capacity needs to be accounted for while calculating the value of your claim.
At Miller Injury Trial Law, we are committed to helping you get a settlement that adequately covers all your losses – both in the short term and long-term. We can work with medical professionals, vocational experts, life care planners, and other experts to build a comprehensive picture of your future needs and financial losses.
Using these expert assessments, we can strengthen your claim and provide compelling evidence to counter lowball settlement offers from trucking companies and insurers.
The Importance of Trial Readiness in Your Truck Accident Case in Stone Mountain
Truck companies and their insurers often try to settle truck accident claims quickly by offering victims much less than what they truly deserve. These companies count on the fact that many victims, under the stress of medical bills and lost wages, will agree to a quick settlement, leaving significant compensation on the table. This strategy can work only if the victim’s legal team is not prepared to take the case to trial.
The Power of a Trial-Ready Claim
At Miller Injury Trial Law, we know that the only way to make the trucking company and other responsible parties take your claim seriously is by preparing your case for trial. It is why we put the maximum amount of effort into each and every step – from thoroughly investigating your accident to gathering compelling evidence – and build the strongest possible claim. It allows us to negotiate with the insurance company from a position of strength right from the outset.
Leveraging Our Litigation Track Record
We know how to leverage our extensive litigation experience and proven track record in the courtroom to gain an upper hand in settlement negotiations. We will make it clear to the insurance company that we will not settle for anything less than what you actually deserve and that we are fully prepared to take your case to trial.
The mere possibility of going to trial can prompt the insurance company to reconsider their lowball offers and negotiate in good faith, as they know that the judge or jury might award far more than what they are willing to offer. Simply put, with us on your side, you do not have to worry about being pressured into accepting a low settlement offer.
Get Legal Help from Our Award-Winning Stone Mountain, GA Truck Accident Attorneys
If you have been injured in a trucking accident, you need a fierce advocate who will fight for your rights and hold the negligent parties accountable. Our founder, Tanya Miller, brings years of trial experience to your case. As a former prosecutor and defense attorney, Tanya has spent years honing her legal skills in high-stakes environments.
Tanya is not afraid to stand up to powerful trucking companies that often try to minimize your claim or force you into a quick settlement. With thousands of hours in the courtroom and a proven track record of successful cases, she knows how to recover the compensation you need.
Call our firm today at 855-44MILLER or contact us online for a free consultation with one of our attorneys.
