Dump Truck Accident Lawyers in Augusta

Did you suffer injuries in an accident with a dump truck? Was it due to the truck driver’s or the trucking company’s negligence? Are you left with expensive medical bills for the treatment you need to recover? If so, contact Chris Hudson Law Group immediately so we can review your case and determine if we can represent you.

Dump trucks can transport gravel, sand, and other materials to construction sites. They can also remove debris and demolition waste. They come in many shapes and sizes. Although convenient for hauling around heavy materials, they also pose a danger to other vehicles on the road. They can cause massive damage and severe injuries during an accident.

You deserve compensation for the suffering you endured if a dump truck driver caused your injuries in a crash. You shouldn’t be forced to pay for your medical bills and other expenses when their careless actions put you in this position in the first place.

Between physical therapy, prescription medication, and surgeries, an accident can lead to significant financial strain. You could end up in debt and struggle to afford these bills. At Chris Hudson Law Group, our lawyers specialize in truck accident cases, including dump truck accidents. We have the experience and resources to hold the at-fault party accountable and seek the justice that you deserve.

Do not hesitate to contact Chris Hudson Law Group for your free consultation. Call us today at (706) 863-6600.

Kinds of Dump Trucks

Dump trucks are necessary on construction sites. They can haul materials more efficiently than people are able to do by hand. Asphalt, dirt, wood chips, and waste can quickly get from one place to another with minimal effort. All the driver has to do is use the hydraulic rams to lift the front of the bed and deposit the material on the ground.

Depending on the job and materials being transported, drivers can choose from various types of dump trucks, such as:

Standard dump truck – A dump body mounted to the frame of the vehicle’s chassis lifts by engaging a vertical hydraulic ram underneath.
Semi-trailer end dump truck – A tractor-trailer combination vehicle contains a hydraulic hoist to lift a large container and dump materials in the desired location.
Transfer dump truck – This is a standard dump truck with a separate movable container on a trailer for easy maneuvering.
Truck and pup – A standard dump truck pulls a dump trailer that has self-unloading capabilities using a hydraulic ram.
Super dump truck – This is a dump truck with a trailing axle allowing a higher gross vehicle weight than other dump trucks. Some can be up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded.
Semi-trailer bottom dump truck – A trailer pulled by a tractor can dump materials in a straight line. They can also go in reverse, unlike other types of dump trucks.
Side dump truck – A tractor with a semi-trailer attached uses hydraulic rams to tilt the container onto its side so the materials can fall off the right or left side of the vehicle.
Double & triple trailer bottom dump truck – A semi-trailer and full trailer connected to a tractor can lay materials in straight lines without the driver having to stop the vehicle or leave the driver’s seat.

If you sustained injuries in an accident with any type of dump truck, it’s critical that you contact Chris Hudson Law Group in Augusta, Georgia immediately. We can investigate your case and determine the available legal options for pursuing compensation.

Common Causes of Dump Truck Accidents in Augusta

Various factors could cause a collision between a passenger vehicle and a dump truck. Truck drivers must have the experience and skill to safely maneuver a vehicle carrying a heavy load through traffic. Dump trucks are more massive than passenger cars, which puts the smaller vehicle occupants at a greater risk of serious harm.

Inexperienced drivers don’t know how to operate dump trucks safely. Even highly trained drivers can make an error, resulting in a crash. Some break traffic laws or become distracted by their cell phones. Whatever the reason for the accident you were in, you could hold the driver liable if they were at fault.

The most common causes of dump truck accidents are:

Distracted driving
Failing to yield the right of way
Speeding
Driver fatigue
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Tailgating
Disobeying traffic signs and signals

Dump trucks, like other commercial trucks, also have extensive blind spots. A compact car has two: one in front and one in back. However, a dump truck has four: one on either side of the vehicle and in the front and back. They can extend up to thirty feet behind the truck, twenty feet in front, two lanes on the right side, and one lane on the left side.

Drivers should always thoroughly check these blind spots before turning, merging, or changing lanes. If they don’t, they could sideswipe a car traveling next to them, resulting in an accident.

Trucking Companies Can Also Be Liable for Dump Truck Accidents

Just because the truck driver was at the wheel when the crash happened doesn’t necessarily mean they’re to blame. Sometimes, trucking companies can be at fault for failing to perform background checks on prospective employees. They might be dealing with a staffing shortage or can’t find qualified drivers, so they skip the background check to get drivers to complete the necessary work. Unfortunately, this places the occupants of other vehicles in danger if an unlicensed trucker or someone with a criminal record ends up in the driver’s seat.

Trucking companies are also supposed to maintain their vehicles and promptly repair any damage. Proper upkeep could avoid accidents. However, failing to perform the necessary maintenance could cause a part or system to malfunction and the driver to lose control.

Training and supervision are meant to ensure that drivers follow federal regulations and state laws. Employers must inform their employees of rules regarding inspections, maximum driving hours, and other requirements. If a truck driver violates a regulation and causes an accident, the company could be held liable.

Compensation You Might Be Entitled to Following a Dump Truck Accident

Georgia follows a fault car insurance system, meaning the at-fault driver assumes responsibility for accidents they cause. Federal regulations require trucking companies to buy and maintain liability insurance with minimum coverage limits for their drivers. They are:

$300,000 for trucks weighing less than 10,001 pounds and carrying non-hazardous materials
$750,000 for vehicles over 10,000 pounds and transporting non-hazardous materials
$1 million for toxic substances

You could file a liability claim for compensation for the losses you suffered from the accident. Those losses might include:

Permanent disability
Property damage
Medical bills
Diminished quality of life
Lost wages
Lost earning capacity
Disfigurement or physical impairment
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress

You should receive an adequate settlement to cover your past and future losses. If you need ongoing treatment, you’ll likely continue to incur medical bills long after your case ends. It’s crucial that we estimate your future medical treatment cost to seek compensation that won’t leave you with out-of-pocket expenses.

How Modified Comparative Negligence Works in Georgia

Modified comparative negligence is a statute that allows a jury to reduce an accident victim’s compensation by the percentage of fault they share for their injuries. Even if the dump truck driver’s responsibility is more than yours, you could still end up with less money than you need to compensate for your total losses.

For example, let’s say you have $100,000 in losses. Under normal circumstances, you could seek the full $100,000 in compensation. However, if the jury determines you were 20% at fault for the crash, you would only be allowed to pursue up to $80,000. Additionally, if you’re 50% or more responsible for an accident, you would be prohibited from recovering any money in a lawsuit.

Speak to a Dump Truck Accident Lawyer from Chris Hudson Law Group

At Chris Hudson Law Group in Augusta, we care about our clients. You’re not just a number to us. Our legal team will look out for your interests and attempt to reach a favorable outcome on your behalf. We will provide the personalized services and attention you deserve. You’ll be our top priority while we’re working on your case. You can depend on us to remain by your side until the end.

When you hire us, we will dedicate our efforts to reaching your legal goals. We strive to always provide excellent customer service to those in need. Accident victims face many challenges during their recovery and deserve to have an advocate in their corner, fighting for their rights.

Chris Hudson Law Group doesn’t back down from intimidating insurance companies or defense attorneys. We put our experience and skills to work to seek the maximum possible compensation available. We believe that negligent parties should face the consequences of their actions. Our truck accident lawyers will tirelessly work to hold them liable.

If you suffered injuries in a dump truck accident, call us at (706) 863-6600 for a free consultation. The sooner you speak with us, the sooner we can get started on your case. Do not hesitate to initiate legal action against the truck driver or trucking company responsible for your injuries.