Cement trucks can cause tremendous injuries in an accident because of how much larger and heavier they are than passenger vehicles. But cement trucks are also dangerous in certain ways that other vehicles are not. The way cement trucks are designed and built makes them especially prone to accidents.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a cement truck accident while driving in the Savannah area, you may have a right to demand compensation from the cement truck owner. Contact the Spiva Law Group right away. Our Savannah cement truck accident lawyers have more than 30 years of experience helping people injured in truck accidents. We have the experience and knowledge to handle complicated commercial truck accident cases. We’ll work with you to seek as much compensation as possible for your injuries. Contact us today to learn more.
On This Page
- Why Do Cement Trucks Crash in Savannah?
- What Should I Do If I Am in an Accident with a Cement Truck?
- Compensation for Savannah Cement Truck Accidents
- Statute of Limitations for Truck Accidents in Georgia
- How Can a Savannah Cement Truck Accident Attorney Help You?
Why Do Cement Trucks Crash in Savannah?
There are multiple factors that make cement trucks potentially more dangerous than other kinds of trucks on the roads. A cement truck has a high center of gravity with the elevated drum constantly turning to keep the cement wet. A truck with a high center of gravity is more likely to overturn and cause an accident.
The fact that cement trucks transport liquid cargo also makes them more prone to accidents. The wet cement is inherently more unstable than solid cargo would be in a conventional truck. Cement truck drivers need to be especially careful when navigating turns. Cement trucks have been known to roll over while going as slowly as five miles per hour.
Cement mixer trucks have large blind spots. If the truck driver does not keep track of the vehicles in the lanes adjacent, a collision may occur if the truck tries to merge into a lane occupied by another vehicle. Truck drivers who are in a hurry are prone to speeding, tailgating, aggressive lane change, and taking corners too fast. Contact our Savannah cement truck accident lawyer today.
Some common causes of cement truck accidents include:
- Driver negligence – The design of cement trucks and the heavy loads they carry make them more difficult to handle than cars. If a cement truck driver fails to slow when approaching an intersection, the driver may be unable to stop the cement truck if the traffic light turns red. Cement trucks require more distance to stop because of the loads they carry. Many cement truck accidents involve trucks running a red light or causing a rear-end collision.
- Overloading the truck – If the cement truck’s drum is overfilled, the truck becomes more unstable. The truck is more vulnerable to overturning, especially if a driver takes a turn at too high a speed.
- Speeding – Cement truck drivers who are in a hurry might exceed the posted speed limit. This makes the cement truck harder to slow down and increases the odds of the truck being involved in a collision.
- Inexperienced drivers – Drivers who don’t have much experience handling cement trucks may not understand how careful they need to be.
- Mechanical defects – Like all large trucks, cement trucks are made up of thousands of moving parts. If the truck’s steering system, brakes, or other key components fail, the driver may lose control, and a crash may occur.
What Should I Do If I Am in an Accident with a Cement Truck?
Once you’ve called 911 to report a cement truck accident, you should:
- Collect evidence – Use your phone to take photos of your injuries, the position of the vehicles in the crash, and the general area around the crash. The photos can be helpful in establishing liability when you file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. If there are any eyewitnesses, get their names and contact information.
- Get medical treatment – Cement truck accidents frequently cause significant injuries. If you aren’t taken to a hospital from the scene of the accident, see a doctor as soon as possible. You may have internal injuries, such as spinal cord injuries, that haven’t fully manifested. Your doctor can also help you start documenting all the injuries you suffered in the accident.
- Don’t give any statements – You need to let your insurance carrier know an accident happened. Do not give a formal statement to any insurance companies after an accident, until you’ve spoken to a lawyer. Any statement you make to insurance companies can have a substantial impact on your case. It’s best to let your attorney take the lead when it comes to communicating with insurers.
- Hire a lawyer – Evidence in a cement truck accident case can deteriorate quickly after a crash. Calling a personal injury lawyer promptly allows the attorney to begin investigating the crash and preserving evidence before it is lost. You’ll want a skilled cement truck accident attorney to guide you through the claims process and handle negotiations on your behalf with the insurance companies.
Compensation for Savannah Cement Truck Accidents
You may seek compensation for many kinds of losses in a cement truck accident, including:
- Present and future medical bills
- Lost income
- Reduced future earning potential
- Damaged personal property
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Physical therapy
Statute of Limitations for Truck Accidents in Georgia
In most cases, the Georgia Statute of Limitations for a cement truck accident lawsuit is two years from the date of the crash. This means you only have two years to build a solid case and file a suit in court, if necessary, to pursue the compensation you deserve. You want to speak to a cement truck accident attorney as soon as you can after an accident to avoid running into any issues with the statute of limitations.
How Can a Savannah Cement Truck Accident Attorney Help You?
If you’ve been involved in a cement truck accident in Savannah, you may have severe injuries, You could be in the hospital for an extended period. Hiring a cement truck accident lawyer to handle the claims process allows you to focus on recuperating from the crash.
A Savannah Cement Truck accident lawyer from Spiva Law Group can investigate the accident, gather evidence, talk to witnesses, and build a strong case for compensation. After we complete the investigation, our attorney will submit your claim and handle negotiations with the insurance companies. Most personal injury cases end in out-of-court settlements, but sometimes a case goes to trial if an insurance company refuses to agree to a fair settlement.
The Savannah Cement Truck accident lawyers at Spiva Law Group are ready to start work on your case right away. Contact our law office to schedule a free consultation.