Fulton County Overweight Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck drivers must adhere to the legal weight limits for the type of truck they are driving. Far too many truck drivers ignore their legal and ethical duties and cause accidents that can result in serious injuries.
If you were injured due to the negligent actions of a trucker or trucking company, you should contact a Fulton County overweight truck accident lawyer. A dedicated truck accident attorney can represent your interests throughout the claims process to help you get the compensation you need and deserve.
What Are Some Consequences of Driving Overweight Trucks?
Federal and state laws mandate how much trucks can weigh. However, in order to increase their profits and save time, some truck drivers and companies may overfill their trucks and have them weigh over the legal limit, placing others at risk of injury in the event of a crash. Overweight trucks can cause:
- Multi-vehicle accidents;
- Rollover accidents;
- Cargo shifting;
- Items to fall off the truck;
- Loss of steering control; and
- Tire blowouts.
Not only are overweight trucks illegal, but they create civil liability. Anyone who believes their truck accident might have been caused by an illegally overweight truck should contact a Fulton County overweight truck accident attorney as soon as possible.
Multiple Parties at Fault
Although it is not something many individuals realize, there could be multiple parties liable for damages resulting from an overweight truck accident. Each liable person or entity has the potential to be a defendant in the lawsuit.
The plaintiff’s Fulton County overweight truck accident attorney could work to determine who has liability for causing the accident to maximize the injured party’s compensation.
Who Are Some Potential Liable Parties in a Truck Accident Claim?
An attorney could file one lawsuit with multiple defendants. Liable people or entities might include:
- The truck driver;
- Other drivers;
- The trucking company;
- The owner of the truck;
- Manufacturers of the trucks parts;
- People who loaded the truck; and
- Government entities that are responsible for road maintenance.
Georiga’s Liability Laws
As per Georgia Code § 51-12-33, each defendant is liable for their proportionate share of the damages to the plaintiff. For example, if the judge or the jury assigns one defendant 20 percent liability, that defendant will only pay 20 percent of the plaintiff’s damages.
If one defendant settles with the plaintiff, but others do not, a plaintiff can still proceed with a claim against the others. Although any settlements are taken into consideration when determining the remaining defendants’ degree of fault.
Call a Skilled Fulton County Overweight Truck Accident Lawyer
When trucking companies and truck drivers place profits and productivity over people and their safety, accidents are bound to happen. Just because a truck driver or a trucking company refused to abide by truck weight limit laws does not mean you should have to suffer. You have legal rights and options that a skilled Fulton County overweight truck accident lawyer could help you exercise. To learn more about your options after an overweight truck accident, call today for a free consultation to get started.
