Construction Vehicle Accident Lawyers in Augusta
Did you get hurt in a car accident? Did it involve a construction vehicle? Did the truck driver cause your injuries? If so, contact the Chris Hudson Law Group so we can investigate your case and determine who should be held liable for your losses. We have lawyers that specialize in truck accidents of all kinds, including construction vehicle accidents.
Construction sites are common around Augusta. New buildings go up to accommodate a growing population, and roadways need repairs to keep drivers safe. Construction vehicles are a necessity for construction and maintenance employees. They use bulldozers to dig dirt, heavy haulers to transport large beams and scaffolding, and dump trucks to remove waste from construction areas. Construction workers can perform their jobs efficiently with these vehicles, but they can put other people at risk of harm.
When there’s a crash between a construction truck and a passenger car, the smaller vehicle occupants can suffer significant injuries and even fatalities. Truck drivers must operate their vehicles safely and take the necessary precautions to avoid causing accidents with others. If they make an error at the wheel or become distracted by something, they could crash into nearby cars.
If you want to learn more about how Chris Hudson Law Group can help you after an accident, call us at (706) 863-6600 or fill in our contact form to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys who specializes in construction vehicle accidents.
Types of Construction Vehicles
You can find construction vehicles and trucks on the side of highways, near new properties, and traveling alongside your car on the road. Many are heavy and large. They also sit high off the ground, making it more challenging for the driver to see other vehicles in their blind spots. If they crash into a small car, massive property damage and debilitating injuries could occur.
The most common types of construction vehicles you’ll find in Augusta are:
- Road rollers
- Forklifts
- Crawler excavators
- Bulldozers
- Cranes
- Backhoes
- Asphalt milling machines
- Compactors
- Dump trucks
- Cement mixers
Operating these vehicles requires obtaining a special license and training extensively on how to maneuver them on public roads and what to do if there’s an emergency. Navigating through heavy traffic, around pedestrians, and during adverse conditions requires experience and skill. Inexperience and driver error are the most common reasons for construction vehicle accidents. If the driver or trucking company’s actions led to the crash, they or their company could be held liable.
Common Causes of Construction Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle collisions are often just an accident. No one is to blame. However, there are many times when someone’s negligence contributed to the collision, causing injuries and death to the occupants of other vehicles.
The most common causes of construction vehicle accidents include:
- Negligent hiring – Construction companies should hire experienced and qualified drivers. Failing to perform background checks to look at a prospective employee’s work history, criminal records, and prior accident reports could put a dangerous driver behind the wheel of a construction truck.
- Failing to check blind spots – Large trucks have four blind spots, unlike passenger vehicles that have only two. There is one at the front, one at the back, and one on each side. That means the trucker must check around their entire vehicle for cars before changing lanes or turning.
- Inadequate maintenance – Trucking companies must maintain every vehicle in their fleet and check for defective parts, damage, and malfunctioning systems. Without proper care and maintenance of the rig, the truck driver could lose control when a component or system doesn’t work correctly.
- Loading cargo improperly – Size and weight limits and specific securement devices are necessary to prevent the load from shifting during transport. If the load exceeds the weight limit, the vehicle can’t handle the extra cargo. It becomes more challenging to have complete control of the truck.
- Tailgating – Construction vehicles, such as heavy haulers, require a longer stopping distance than small cars. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, a truck traveling at 65 miles an hour would need the length of up to two football fields to come to a complete stop. Following a vehicle too closely would prevent the trucker from avoiding a crash.
- Speeding – Driving too fast for the road conditions or above the speed limit doesn’t allow the truck driver to maneuver effectively to avoid hazards or stop in time for a red light.
- Distracted driving – Taking the hands, eyes, or attention off the task of driving prevents the trucker from operating the delivery vehicle safely. Even two seconds of inattention is enough time for another driver to cut them off or for traffic to come to a standstill without them noticing until it’s too late.
It’s vital that you contact an Augusta construction vehicle accident attorney from Chris Hudson Law Group if you sustain injuries in an accident. Someone else was responsible for the crash and should be held accountable for their careless actions. You can depend on us to fight hard for justice and be your advocate during this devastating experience.
Compensation You Might Be Able to Recover From an Insurance Claim Against the Construction Vehicle Owner
Any motor vehicle accident can result in various losses. The losses you suffered in the construction vehicle collision might include:
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Disfigurement or physical impairment
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Disability
Federal law requires trucking companies to buy and maintain liability insurance for their drivers. They must carry minimum coverage limits based on the type of truck they’re using and the type of cargo on it. For example, anyone transporting oil or other hazardous substances must hold at least $1 million in liability insurance.
Georgia follows a traditional fault system, meaning the at-fault party becomes financially responsible for your losses, and their insurance company could be the one to pay. You deserve financial compensation, so you’re not forced to pay out-of-pocket expenses for injuries that weren’t your fault.
The Augusta construction vehicle accident attorneys of Chris Hudson Law Group know how to maximize the value of a case. We will review all contributing factors to determine the total and fair amount you deserve. Some factors we might use include:
- Total medical bills
- Lost income from the inability to work
- Type of injury and how serious it is
- Duration of the recovery period
- Whether a permanent injury, disability, or impairment resulted from the injury
- The estimated cost of medical treatment or assistance needed in the future
- Statements made by family and friends regarding the effects of the accident on your life
- Amount of sufficient evidence showing someone else caused the crash
- Insurance coverage limits on the trucking company’s policy
Typically, accident victims with severe or permanent injuries should receive higher compensation than someone with a minor injury that heals after a couple of weeks. However, just because you deserve a certain amount of money doesn’t mean the insurance company will pay what you’re owed. It’s up to us to negotiate for an adequate settlement to cover your losses.
Statute of Limitations for Filing a Lawsuit in Georgia
If the insurance company denies your claim or won’t negotiate a fair settlement amount, Chris Hudson Law Group could move forward with a lawsuit. There’s a timeframe we must follow to sue the construction vehicle driver for compensation. This is called a statute of limitations, and the deadline in Georgia is two years after the crash date.
Two years always seems like enough time to handle a legal case and gather all of the necessary evidence before the deadline. However, most people don’t realize that unforeseen circumstances could delay the entire process. If you decide you want to seek compensation from an insurance claim first, we could get tied up in negotiations for months or years. If the statute of limitations expires before negotiations are complete and the insurance company denies your claim, you won’t have other legal options for holding the delivery driver liable.
During a lawsuit, a jury will look at all evidence presented to them to determine who was at fault and whether the plaintiff’s actions contributed to the accident in any way. If they decide you share responsibility with the defendant, they could reduce your monetary award under the modified comparative negligence law.
For instance, if the jury finds that you were 20% at fault for your injuries, your $100,000 in monetary losses could be reduced to $80,000, meaning you could only seek up to $80,000 in compensation. If you share at least 50% fault, the jury could prohibit you from recovering any amount of compensation.
Contact Chris Hudson Law Group in Augusta Today
At Chris Hudson Law Group, our team of truck accident lawyers knows the trauma experienced in a crash with a large vehicle. Construction trucks can cause life-threatening injuries and leave you with expensive medical bills and property damage. You might feel overwhelmed by the financial responsibility of paying for treatment. However, you shouldn’t suffer the consequences of someone else’s misconduct.
Chris Hudson Law Group will tirelessly pursue the maximum possible insurance settlement or fight for your rights in court. You will feel like a priority from start to finish of your case. From the moment you hire one of our Augusta construction vehicle accident attorneys, we will provide personalized attention and services to get your life back on track.
If a construction vehicle driver caused your injuries in an accident, contact us for a free consultation today at (706) 863-6600.