Savannah Truck Accident Attorneys

While most people recognize that massive forty ton commercial trucks (tractor-trailers, 18 wheelers, semis, big-rigs) can present a serious danger to other vehicles on the road in Savannah, most people have no conception of the magnitude of the danger. The massive bulk and length of big-rigs means that they are more likely to be involved in Savannah motor vehicle collisions, and when they are involved in a collision, the degree of vehicle devastation and injury tends to be much greater than with ordinary passenger vehicles. Big-rigs are less responsive to emergency steering adjustments or sudden braking when faced with an impending collision. Savannah tractor-trailer collisions also may result from other accident risks particular to commercial trucks like large blind spots.

Our experienced Savannah truck accident lawyers at Montlick and Associates recognize the special issues that confront Savannah trucking accident victims. These special issues include the severity of commercial trucking accidents, unethical tactics by trucking companies, enormous resources available to trucking companies and the shadowy relationships between drivers and trucking companies designed to avoid liability. Our Savannah trucking accident lawyers recognize the risk of critical evidence disappearing when big-rigs are put immediately back into service after a Savannah trucking collision and may take such steps as sending spoliation letters to trucking companies providing notice that certain evidence must be preserved, seeking injunctions to prevent altering a tractor-trailer or preserving other critical evidence.

Despite the fact that the number of passenger vehicles far exceeds the number of tractor-trailers, commercial trucks account for a third of all fatal motor vehicle collisions. Based on injury data from trucking accidents, the party that suffers serious injury or wrongful death in a trucking accident is virtually always an occupant in the passenger vehicle. The trucking industry is aware of this same data so they are very aggressive in investigating trucking accidents and defending trucking accident cases. Some of the most deadly Savannah trucking accidents are unique to the design of commercial trucks, including jackknife accidents and carriage underride accidents. A jackknife accident occurs when the cab of a big rig bends back toward the rear of the vehicle causing the truck to resemble a partially open pocketknife. A carriage underride accident occurs when a passenger vehicle slides under a big-rig and is either crushed or has the top of the vehicle literally ripped off.

There are many causes of Savannah trucking accidents including but not limited to the following:

Trucking companies that set unrealistic delivery schedules
Failure of trucking companies to administer drug testing
Commercial drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs while driving
Truck driver fatigue from failure to observe rest period rules
Lack of inspection of commercial trucks
Improper medical screening of drivers returning to duty after hospitalization or illness
Defective truck components such as product defects in tires
Failure of commercial drivers to check blind spots
Commercial drivers that do not receive proper employment screening prior to being hired
Poor tractor-trailer maintenance including failure to perform brake maintenance
Speeding truck drivers
Unsafe choice of routes including steep grades

While these are only a few factors that may contribute to Savannah trucking accidents, they provide an indication of the wide range of types of causes that make trucking accidents so common. The trucking industry is heavily regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) at the federal level as well as by state regulations. These regulations are designed to reduce the risk posed to other motorists who share the road with these massive and potentially dangerous vehicles. These regulations may address a wide range of issues including pre-employment screening requirements, random drug testing, medical fitness for duty, anti-fatigue rules and mandatory rest periods as well as a multitude of other trucking safety issues.

Unfortunately, these regulations are sometimes disregarded by drivers with the tacit or overt approval of trucking companies to increase trucking industry profits.

Our Savannah truck accident attorneys have the experience with trucking regulations and trucking industry practices to successfully represent clients injured in Savannah trucking accidents, as we have done since we were founded in 1984.

The physics of a Savannah trucking accident often results in permanent life-altering injuries that can mean serious long-term emotional, physical and financial challenges. If you are involved in a collision with a 40 ton tractor-trailer you may suffer a variety of debilitating injuries including the following:

Paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia)
Loss of limbs
Traumatic brain injuries
Burns caused by fires
Fractures and broken bones that require surgery to repair
Fatalities

If you suffer this type of severe injury, you may struggle with long periods of medical treatment and prolonged disability from employment. Some injuries result in such serious injuries that they may impair your ability to continue in your chosen occupation. Injuries that rob you of your full physical and mental capacity may also impact your enjoyment of life and ability to fully enjoy your family experiences. Our Savannah big-rig accident team may be able to seek a wide spectrum of damages including:

Expenses for health care and treatment
Pain and suffering
Lost earnings including diminished future earning capacity
Diminished enjoyment of life
Loss of consortium (services or companionship of a spouse)
Death expenses (burial/funeral)

Know your legal rights! If you or someone you love has been injured in a Savannah trucking accident, our experienced Savannah trucking accident lawyers at Montlick and Associates are committed to seeking the best possible outcome for our clients. We encourage you to schedule a free consultation because there is absolutely no obligation for us to evaluate your Savannah trucking accident claim. No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.