Common Injuries from Savannah Truck Accidents

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), a loaded semi-truck may weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. Compare this to a passenger vehicle weighing 5,000 pounds. Unsurprisingly, the most catastrophic auto accidents often involve large trucks.

If you were involved in a truck accident, you are likely entitled to compensation for your injuries. At Spiva Law Group, we understand how devastating a truck accident can be — emotionally, physically, and financially. Our truck accident attorneys are here to help you secure the fair and full compensation you deserve. Call (912) 920-2000 today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Savannah.

What Are the Most Common Injuries in Savannah Truck Accidents?

Because of their massive size, large trucks can inflict severe damage when they collide with smaller passenger vehicles. Some of the most common injuries that we see in truck accidents include:

• Broken bones
• Lacerations and puncture wounds
• Strains, sprains, and bruises
• Facial and dental injuries
• Internal bleeding and organ damage
• Back and neck injuries
• Head and brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Amputations and disfigurement
• Burns
• Whiplash
• Emotional trauma
• Wrongful death

What Are the Most Common Causes of Savannah Truck Accidents?

Any number and combination of factors can lead to serious accidents on the road. However, certain patterns do emerge. We have seen many different truck accidents over the years. Some of the most common causes of these accidents include:

• Dangerously loaded cargo
• Disregard for traffic signals
• Distracted driving
• Driver fatigue
• Drug and alcohol impairment
• Inclement Weather
• Poor road conditions
• Poor vehicle maintenance
• Speeding
• Truck driver inexperience

What Are the Most Dangerous Roads in Savannah?

While auto accidents can happen just about anywhere, certain roads in Savannah see them more frequently than others. The most dangerous roads in Savannah include:

• The Devil’s Highway – Otherwise known as Interstate 16, this road runs from Savannah to Macon. It has been the site of many fatal accidents over the years. A rise in the local population and increased port activity have left the road congested and prone to accidents.
• Abercorn Street – A prominent street in Savannah, Abercorn Street sees plenty of traffic — all too often leading to auto accidents. Accidents are particularly common at the intersection with White Bluff Road.
• Lynes Parkway – Certain stretches of Lynes Parkway are so dangerous that the Georgia Department of Transportation stepped in to conduct a safety audit. Unfortunately, it remains a perilous stretch of road due to poor design, high traffic flow, and speeding drivers.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Savannah Truck Accident?

Depending on the accident, liability can flow from one or multiple parties. At-fault parties might include:

• Truck driver– Of course, truck drivers may be liable when their actions give rise to accidents and injuries. If they work as independent contractors, liability may rest primarily with them. Examples of truck driver negligence include failure to check blind spots before merging and violating hours-of-service regulations.
• Trucking company– Employers are generally responsible for accidents their employees cause when operating in the “course and scope” of their employment. Many trucking companies attempt to classify their drivers as independent contractors — often erroneously — to avoid this kind of liability. Whether this classification is correct requires a close look at the facts and governing law.
• Shipping company – Often, the party responsible for loading cargo is different from the freight company responsible for hauling it to its destination. In these cases, if an accident was caused by dangerous loading practices, the shipping company may be held liable.
• Truck manufacturer and mechanics – If a malfunction in a truck contributes to an accident, the responsible party can be held liable. For example, if a body shop does shoddy work installing new tires, they may be held liable for resulting accidents. Similarly, if fault can be traced to the manufacturer, you may be dealing with a products liability
• Third-party drivers – It may be that neither you nor the truck driver is responsible for a truck accident. For example, if a distracted driver in a third vehicle veers in front of a truck and causes it to collide with your adjacent car, the distracted driver may be liable.
• Government entities– The government is sometimes held liable for injuries if its failure to safely design or maintain roads leads to underlying accidents. However, government entities enjoy a number of protections against lawsuits that are not available to other at-fault parties. In these cases, having a knowledgeable attorney in your corner is essential.

What Compensation Is Available for a Truck Accident Injury Claim?

Most or all of your compensation is likely to come in the form of economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are those that can be reduced to a monetary value. Non-economic damages refer to more subjective losses that cannot be easily reduced to a monetary value. Together, these may include the following:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Lowered earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Diminished quality of life
• Loss of consortium
• Wrongful death
• Property loss and damage

Is There a Time Limit for Filing a Truck Accident Injury Claim?

Yes, a law known as the statute of limitations sets a deadline after which you may no longer file a claim seeking compensation for your injuries. In Georgia, the deadline is set at two years from the date of the accident. There are very few exceptions to this deadline. In almost all cases, failure to file your case in time will result in your case being dismissed in court.

Do not underestimate the amount of time it can take to build a solid personal injury case. While two years might sound like sufficient time to file a claim, there is a lot of leg work your attorney must do in advance. This includes evaluating your case, gathering evidence, investigating the law, negotiating with insurers, and ultimately preparing your case for filing if a reasonable out-of-court settlement cannot be reached. The sooner you get in touch with a lawyer, the more time will have to build a strong case on your behalf.

Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in Savannah

If you were injured in a truck accident in Savannah, you do not need to face the consequences alone. While you focus on recovering from your injuries, let us focus on fighting for the compensation you deserve. At Spiva Law Group, our personal injury attorneys are ready to evaluate your case and fight for you. Contact us today at (912) 920-2000 for a free consultation with a truck accident lawyer in Savannah.