You’re driving on a Georgia interstate, and a large truck suddenly swerves or stops. The height difference between your vehicle and the truck’s trailer can lead to a catastrophic underride collision, where your car slides underneath the truck. In other cases, a truck’s collision with a guardrail can send it piercing through your vehicle.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 630 people die in underride accidents annually across the country, but the actual number may be much higher. A recent investigation revealed that Georgia does not track these types of crashes, making it difficult to understand the scope of the problem here in our state.
What causes underride and guardrail accidents?
Understanding what causes these deadly crashes is crucial for all motorists. The tragic consequences are often a result of sudden and preventable events. Many common factors lead to these life-altering collisions, including:
- A truck’s faulty underride guards or missing reflective tape can make it difficult for drivers to see the trailer.
- The truck driver may have been fatigued or distracted, causing them to swerve into another lane.
- Sometimes a guardrail on a highway has mismatched parts or an incorrect installation, which can increase the severity of a crash.
- Poorly maintained brakes or tires on a truck can cause the driver to lose control or stop abruptly.
Ultimately, these accidents are often a result of multiple failures that compound one another.
Determining who is at fault
Assessing liability after a truck crash is more complicated than in a typical car accident. Multiple parties may bear responsibility for your injuries and property damage. The truck driver, trucking company, parts manufacturer or third-party maintenance company could all be liable.
Proving negligence requires a careful investigation of many factors. Your attorney must collect evidence like the truck’s electronic data, company maintenance logs and the driver’s work hours in addition to a police report, eyewitness testimony and other valuable information.
Experienced legal guidance is essential
After a severe truck accident, you face a stressful and challenging recovery. You may not be able to work, and medical bills can pile up quickly. Trucking companies often have teams of lawyers working to limit their liability immediately following a crash. You need someone on your side to fight for your rights. A skilled truck accident lawyer can guide you through this complicated process and work to help you receive the compensation you need to recover from your injuries, lost income and related expenses, including pain and suffering.
