Practice Areas

• Car & Motorcycle Accidents
• Crashes Caused by Trucks
• Medical Malpractice/ Doctor Mistakes
• Railroad Injury/ FELA
• Brain Damage/ Head Injuries
• Wrongful Death
• Slips, Trips & Falls
• Mass Transit (Airline, Train, Bus)
• Dangerous Drugs/ Product Recalls
• All Serious Injuries

HSInjury Blog

Crashes Caused by Trucks

• Announcer Hit by Monster Truck in Charlottesville
• Livestock Truck Accidents Cause Serious Injuries, Death
• Two Tires Fly off Tractor-Trailer Truck Striking Three Vehicles near Havelock, North Carolina

view all

Norfolk-Portsmouth Personal Injury Lawyer

• Wheelchair-Bound Suffolk Woman Hit, Killed While Crossing Street

Virginia Beach Personal Injury Lawyer

• Johnson & Johnson Internal Documents Reveal Unsavory and Potentially Illegal Marketing of Risperdal

Northeast NC Personal Injury Lawyer

• Are You a Victim of a Slip, Trip and Fall Accident?

Firm News

• Attorney Examines Fatal Truck Accident
  Posted on 3/16/2010
• Attorney Discusses Hours-of-Services Regulations
  Posted on 3/16/2010
• Attorney Discusses a Truck Wreck in Culpepper Due to Black Ice
  Posted on 2/10/2010
• Attorney Discusses Truck Accidents in Winter Snowstorms
  Posted on 2/8/2010
• Law Firm Publishes New Consumer Guide on How to Handle a Truck Wreck
  Posted on 1/29/2010

View all

Library

Crashes Caused by Trucks

• This page provides information about the complexity of trucking insurance and how it differs from regular car insurance. After you've had a chance to review this page, please take a look at our other articles, blogs, videos, and consumer guides on trucking topics.
• Here are some results from our truck accident cases. After you've taken a look, please give us a call at 1-800-752-0042 for a free case analysis.
• Car and Truck Accidents/Personal Injury Law in West Virginia (WV)

View all

print

Car and Truck Accidents in Georgia (GA)

On the surface, car and truck accidental injuries might seem similar. Another driver makes a mistake, there's a squeal of breaks and shattering glass, and in mere seconds you are left shocked, confused, and suffering from personal injuries. It shouldn't matter when it comes to my case, you might think, whether a truck or any other vehicle/car/SUV caused the accident and personal injuries. Here are just a few ways in which a truck accident is different from a car accident:

1. Trucks (sometimes called "big rigs," semi's, 18 wheelers, or tractor-trailers) weigh considerably more than cars, and can therefore cause considerably more damage, and more serious personal injuries or deaths. While the average American car weighs just over 4,000 pounds, a fully loaded commercial tractor-trailer can weight up to 80,000 pounds. This means that they are harder to slow down, harder to control, and make a much bigger impact when they crash. You are more likely to become seriously injured or die in a truck-related collision.

2. Trucks are not driven by private individuals, but rather by employees. This makes it much more difficult to ascertain who was liable for the accident and whose insurance company should cover the damages. Often one company will hire the driver, another company will own the cab, and a third company will own the trailer and contents. Figuring out whose actions are to blame and who should compensate is very muddled and complicated. Commercial semis are like small rolling businesses - and it can be much harder to go into a legal battle with a company than with an individual.

3. Trucks have large blind spots that can cause serious accidents when the vehicles are turning, backing up, or changing lanes.

4. Trucker and truck operators are subject to a number of strict state and federal regulations. Trucks must be inspected frequently since truck brakes wear out quickly and other mechanical malfunctions are common. Truckers must keep detailed logs and cannot drive for long stretches of time. If you have a knowledgably attorney, you can use this information and evidence to you advantage.

5. Given their occupation, big rig and semi drivers are susceptible to fatigue, prescription drug use, non-prescription drug use, carelessness, and reckless driving. Truck driving can be a high-pressure job with tight deadlines, and the cost of those pressures is often accidents and injuries'

Georgia: Summary and Facts

Georgia (GA) is a pleasant and picturesque mix of urban and rural, seasides and moutaintops, business and agriculture. Tourists visit the state for its down-home feel, warm weather, and peach pies. Businesses make their home in Atlanta, while farmers reap juicy fruits, crisp tobacco, and vegetables from the land. Rich in culture and surprisingly diverse, the state of Georgia (GA) both represents the traditions of the south and the innovations and commerce of the future.

Capitol: Atlanta. Other major cities: Albany, Athens, Augusta, Columbus, John's Creek, Macon, Marietta, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Savannah, and Warner Robins.

Population: Georgia (GA) has a population of 9,360,000 and is growing at a rate of 14% every six years.

State Slogan: Georgia (GA) On My Mind

History: Like Florida (FL), Georgia (GA) was under contention between the Spanish and English from 1540 onward. The state was officially founded in 1732, there was still cultural and ethnic strife. In 1776, the state became of the 13 colonies to sign the Declaration of Independence. It was the fourth state to join the US in 1788. Georgia (GA) joined the Confederacy in 1861 and was a major theater in the Civil War. It was readmitted to the United States in 1870. After reconstruction, Georgia (GA) returned to its feet and became a successful and diverse state in which both industry and agriculture thrive.

Climate: Georgia (GA) has a humid subtropical climate, although the state occasionally sees the rare cold spell during winter, especially in the North Georgia (GA) Mountains. The summers are hot, humid, and long while the winters are short, mild, and largely snow-less. The state receives a large amount of rainfall - from 45 to 75 inches a year. The weather on the coast is even milder due to the effect of the ocean. The state does not see much extreme weather, with the exception of a few ice storms in winter.

Major Highways, Interstates, and Roadways in Georgia

The major interstate highways in Georgia (GA) include I-16, I-20, I-59, I-75, I-575, I-85, I-95, I-285, I-516, I-520, I-24, I-475, I-675, I-185, and I-985.

Interstate 16 is located wholly within the state of Georgia (GA). It is also known as the Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Highway and State Route 404. It begins at I-75 in Macon and passes through Dudley, Oak Park, Metter, Bloomington, and Garden City before ending in downtown Savannah.
Interstate 20, one of the biggest east-west interstates in the southeastern United States, begins in Texas and ends in South Carolina. The road enters Georgia (GA) in Tallapoosa and finally goes through downtown Atlanta. It also passes by Six Flags Over Georgia at exit 47. It exits the state in Augusta, where it passes over the Savannah river into South Carolina.
Interstate 59 runs from Louisiana to Wildwood Georgia (GA). It is a north-south road. There are only three exits in the Peach State - before it merges with I-24. It is also known in Georgia (GA) as State Route 406.
Interstate I-75 travels all the way to Canada to Florida, running north to south. Georgia (GA) is the second state it passes through. More specifically, it passes through the cities and towns of Valdosta, Tifton, Cordele, Macon, Atlanta, and Marietta. It intersects with I-475, I-675, I-85, I-285, and I-575.
Interstate 575 is described as a spur route - it branches off the more important I-75 in Kennesaw for 31 miles and allows travel between Atlanta and the north Georgia mountains. It travels through Cobb County and Cherokee County. It is also known as the Phillip M. Landrum Memorial Highway.
Interstate 85 is a road that connects the southeastern states from north to south. In Georgia (GA) it travels through Lagrange, Columbus, Fort Benning, Atlanta, Newnan, College Park, East Point, Georgia Tech, Gainesville, Lake Hartwell, and finally the Savannah River. The road merges with I-75 in Atlanta, and also shares a pile-up intersection with I-20.
Interstate 95 is the major north-south thruway on the east coast. In Georgia (GA), it passes through the cities and towns of Camden, Glynn, McIntosh, Liberty, Bryan, Chatham, and Effingham. In the Peach state, it runs parallel to the Atlantic coastline, marshlands, and US-17. It is used for hurricane evacuations.
Interstate 285 is a beltway running around the large city of Atlanta. It creates a 64-mile loop around the city and is also known as The Perimeter by locals. It connects the many sprawling Atlanta suburbs with each other and with the city and is one of the most congested and busy roads in the country. It moves at a crawl during morning and evening rush hours. Although it was two lanes wide when it was built in 1969 - it is now eight to twelve lanes wide.
Interstate 24 is a high-traffic diagonal roadway that connects, among other cities, St. Louis, Missouri, and Atlanta, Georgia. It crosses paths with three other interstates: I-64, I-57, and I-75. In Georgia, it runs along the southern flank of Raccoon Mountain.
Interstate 475 is contained in Georgia even though it is called an interstate. It was made as a throughway for those wanting to bypass Macon, GA. It begins and ends with I-75. It is named for former Commission Chairman Larry Justice. The speed limit is 55 MPR and it has three lanes in each direction.

The Counties of Georgia

Appling County,Athens-Clarke County, Atkinson County, Augusta-Richmond County, Bacon County, Baker County, Baldwin County, Banks County, Barrow County, Bartow County, Ben Hill County, Berrien County, Bibb County, Bleckley County, Brantley County, Brooks County, Bryan County, Bulloch County, Burke County, Butts County, Calhoun County, Camden County, Candler County, Carroll County, Catoosa County, Charlton County, Chatham County, Chattahoochee County, Chattooga County, Cherokee County, Clarke County, Clay County, Clayton County, Clinch County, Cobb County, Coffee County, Colquitt County, Columbia County, Columbus-Muscogee County, Cook County, Coweta County, Crawford County, Crisp County, Dade County, Dawson County, DeKalb County, Decatur County, Dodge County, Dooly County, Dougherty County, Douglas County, Echols County, Effingham County, Elbert County, Emanuel County, Evans County, Fannin County, Fayette County, Floyd County, Forsyth County, Franklin County, Fulton County, Gilmer County, Glascock County, Glynn County, Gordon County, Grady County, Greene County, Gwinnett County, Habersham County, Hall County, Hancock County, Haralson County, Harris County, Hart County, Heard County, Henry County, Houston County, Irwin County, Jackson County, Jasper County, Jeff Davis County, Jefferson County, Jenkins County, Johnson County, Jones County, Lamar County, Lanier County, Laurens County, Lee County, Liberty County, Lincoln County, Long County, Lowndes County, Lumpkin County, Macon County, Madison County, Marion County, McDuffie County, McIntosh County, Meriwether County, Miller County, Mitchell County, Monroe County, Montgomery County, Morgan County, Murray County, Muscogee County, Newton County, Oconee County, Oglethorpe County, Paulding County, Peach County, Pickens County, Pierce County, Pike County, Polk County, Pulaski County, Putnam County, Quitman County, Rabun County, Randolph County, Richmond County, Rockdale County, Schley County, Screven County, Seminole County, Spalding County, Stephens County, Stewart County, Sumter County, Talbot County, Taliaferro County, Tattnall County, Taylor County, Telfair County, Terrell County, Thomas County, Tift County, Toombs County, Towns County, Treutlen County, Troup County, Turner County, Twiggs County, Union County, Upson County, Walker County, Walton County, Ware County, Warren County, Washington County, Wayne County, Webster County, Wheeler County, White County, Whitfield County, Wilcox County, Wilkes County, Wilkinson County, Worth County

The Law Firm of Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is made up of a team of experienced personal injury attorneys and investigators that understand the complexities of a truck accidental injury case and that can use those complexities to your advantage.

Although there are many truck accident injury lawyers in North Carolina (NC) and South Carolina (SC), very few have the specific knowledge and courtroom expertise that we pride ourselves on. We have a winning record and solid relationships with multiple experts who have studied such accidents and their injuries for decades. Don't take a risk on just any law firm or just any attorney - be confident with your choice of a law firm that has consistent proven results.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an accident involving a commercial truck, 18-wheeler, or tractor trailer, contact our offices today for a free legal consultation today.

Truck Accident Resource Websites

American Trucking Associations
The ATA represents the trucking industry on a national scale. Their website includes a list of safety hot topics, safety publications, safety statistics, and safety committees.

Truck Safety Coalition
This is a coalition between the Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways (CRASH) Foundation and Parents Against Tired truckers (PATT). It offers truck safety issues, facts and figures, the latest news, and a related newsletter.

Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance
CVSA is a not-for-profit organization that promotes commercial truck safety and security. Their website shares news, events, committees, and members information as well as tips and advice on how truck drivers can reduce accident rates.

Institute of Drive Behavior
This site is a collection of safety videos for truck drivers - both new and experienced - aimed at reducing and preventing accidents.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
The NHTSA is a government-run website that offers the public the latest news, research, and safety advice in relation to car and truck accident prevention.

FMCSA's Share the Road Safely Program
This website is run by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and strives to minimize the number of car and truck crashes through educating all drivers and, in the case of accidents that do happen, to minimize the consequences of such collisions.

AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
Since 1947, this non-profit organization has funded over 170 research projects designed to discover the causes of traffic accidents. The website includes traffic safety news, research results, and much more.

US Department of Transportation
The website itself will inform the reader of the latest news, research, tips, programs, and statistics generated by the government agency.

National Safety Council
This is the nation's leading resource on the development of strategies for advancing safety programs and practices. Their website offers statistics, tips, advice, news, and information related to car and truck accidents.

Insurance Information Institute
This website answers many frequently asked questions concerning car and truck crashes. Learn about choosing the right insurance coverage, filing a claim, and how the entire insurance process works.

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety & Highway Loss Data Institute
While IIHS conducts research into the three factors in motor vehicle crashes (humans, their vehicles, and the environment), HLDI publishes insurance loss statistics on cars, trucks, SUVs, and motorcycle models common in the United States.

American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators
The website includes a knowledge center, news outlet, and training opportunities.

FMCSA Analysis and Information Online
This website is a vital resource for those seeking track accident statistics.

Learn More About Car and Truck Accidents in Florida (FL)

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm is based in Virginia (VA), near the NE North Carolina (NC) border and handles car,truck,railroad, and medical negligence cases and more. Our lawyers proudly edit the Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard, and Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard as a pro bono public information service. Lawyers licensed in: VA, NC, SC, WV, DC, KY.

How should you locate the best, top injury lawyer for your case?

Our Injury Lawyers Have Been Selected For Many Achievements Outlined Below:

Several  Injury Attorneys With Our Firm have been Named As Virginia "Super Lawyers" For Personal Injury Law  (Lewis, Shapiro - 2009 Ed.)(Less than 5% of Outstanding Lawyers are Chosen); also selected by the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum (Lewis, Shapiro - 2009); named among the Top 100 Lawyers in Virginia by ATLA (Shapiro - 2009), and our law firm was the first Injury Law Firm in Virginia Invited to Join Primerus, a select group of Highly Ethical, Respected Law Firms .

In October, 2000 our law firm and co-counsel obtained, what was then, the largest record verdict in Virginia's history for an injured person (46 Million Dollar Verdict, with Interest, 60 Million Dollars, Settled confidentially during appeal).  Click on any icon for more details.

 

 

 

Geographical Areas:

Our personal injury lawyers handle personal injury cases throughout the eastern USA, and work closely with lawyers in other states on signficant injury cases.

As to Virginia (VA), this includes: Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Hampton, Newport News, Suffolk, Richmond (entire area), Petersburg, Roanoke/Salem, Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Fredericksburg, Charlottesville, all areas of the Eastern Shore, including Accomack, Onancock, Chincoteauge, Wachapreague, and Cape Charles, Bloxom, Eastville, Exmore, Greenbackville, Machipongo, Mappsville, Melfa, Nassawadox, Onley, Tangier, Temperanceville, Wachapreague, and Wallops Island, Ashland, Big Stone Gap and any other city/ounty.

As to West Virginia (WV) personal injury claims: Bluefield, Beckley, Bridgeport, Charles Town, Charleston, Fairmont, Huntington, Lewisburg, Madison, Martinsburg, Morgantown, Moundsville, Parkersburg, Ripley, Sutton, Weirton, Wheeling, and any other town or county.

Injury Lawyers licensed in VA, WV, NC, SC, KY & Wash., DC.

Quick Contact

We Welcome
Lawyer Referrals
click here

Case Results

DISCLAIMER: PLEASE NOTE THAT EVERY CASE IS DIFFERENT, AND THE VERDICTS AND SETTLEMENTS MENTIONED ON THIS WEBSITE, WHILE ACCURATE, DO NOT REPRESENT WHAT WE MAY OBTAIN FOR YOU IN YOUR CASE.

Crashes Caused by Trucks

• MACK truck-trailer-wreck/leg fractures
• Truck-Train crossing collision-back injuries
• Automobile Accident Causing Coma and Paralysis

Awarded: Counsel settled with the motorist's insurer, and then with two additional underinsurance carriers for a total settlement of $600,000 which constituted all available insurance.

• Collision Between Two Big Rigs Creates Fireball

Awarded: Case settled at mediation for $450,000.00, from the parked truck’s insurance, plus additional monies and concessions from the client’s workers’ compensation insurer

• Virginia Automobile Accident

Awarded: The case was settled for $350,000.00 without the necessity of a trial.

More

FAQs

Crashes Caused by Trucks

• A big rig went out of control on the road, caused a major accident, and I was injured. Can I recover against the driver of the big rig?
  
  
• How much time does it take to resolve a truck accident case? Do most cases settle or go to trial?
• How much time do I have after a trucking accident to file a lawsuit?
• Are there different rules that apply to accidents involving commercial trucks?
• Is the law applying to a car and truck wreck case different from a car injury case and how?

more

InjuryBoard Resources

• Our Virginia Beach Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
• Our Norfolk-Portsmouth Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
• Nationwide Personal Injury Lawyer Blog Network
• All About Tort Reform
• Our Northeast North Carolina (NC) Personal Injury Lawyer Blog