Injured in a truck rollover collision in Macon? Try not to panic. Call 911, get the medical help you need, and reach out to a Macon truck accident attorney for assistance. We’ll work to hold the at-fault driver accountable and get you the compensation you need to recover from your injuries, make up for lost income, and more.
Our team is committed to you, and we have the time, energy, and resources required to help you win or settle your personal lawsuit as quickly and efficiently as we can. To get started, reach out to us at (478) 216-1664.
How does a truck even roll over?
No two truck rollover accidents are exactly alike. This is due to the fact that semis carry loads of different weights and sizes. Particularly heavy loads can affect the stability of a vehicle, particularly if it’s making a sharp turn at a high speed or traveling on bumpy and uneven roads.
If a truck goes around a curve too quickly, the weight of the trailer pulls away from the vehicle’s center of gravity. This increases the likelihood that the vehicle will skid and roll over. The risk of a rollover rises if there’s inclement weather or poor road conditions, too.
Driver error plays a huge role
Over 78% of truck rollovers occur due to driver error, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). With a clear understanding of the science behind rollover accidents, truckers can do their part to prevent such issues from occurring.
Do not let a negligent truck driver off the hook for a rollover accident. By partnering with a Macon truck rollover accident lawyer, you can get answers to frequently asked questions about vehicle accidents and similar topics. Most importantly, you can get the legal help you need to pursue damages from the negligent driver, their employer, or both.
Truck rollovers in Bibb County
Large trucks make up 5% of all registered vehicles in the United States but are involved in 9% of all reported fatal crashes. In addition, fatal crashes involved 5,700 large trucks nationwide in 2021, per NSC data.
Several large truck rollover accidents have been reported in Macon since 2022. You’ve probably seen these stories on the news, but here’s a quick recap.
I-75 tractor-trailer wreck
A tractor-trailer wreck was reported on I-75 on November 18, 2022, that involved an overturned semi on I-75 southbound. The collision impacted travel along the interstate.
Crash in downtown Macon
Two trucks collided with one another during a crash that took place in downtown Macon on October 11, 2022, WGXA reported. The crash involved a log truck and a box truck. When the log truck hit the box truck, it caused the vehicle to roll over onto its side.
There’s no telling when a rollover accident will happen in Macon or elsewhere. Regardless, it’s in your best interests to contact a Mason truck rollover accident lawyer if you are involved in this type of crash. When you do, you can hold anyone responsible for the crash accountable for their actions.
Why are truck rollovers so serious?
A semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 lbs. if it is fully loaded. The vehicle makes it easy to transport goods from point A to point B. However, if it rolls over, the vehicle can cause serious damage to property and people.
During a rollover accident, a truck can hit buildings and vehicles. Along with this, any cargo that the vehicle is carrying can get damaged. There’s also the potential that a rollover crash that happens on a highway or any other busy road can cause traffic delays.
Rollover injuries and fatalities are possible as well. The driver of a car who gets into an accident with a semi while it’s rolling over can suffer bumps, bruises, or other minor injuries. In the worst-case scenarios, a motorist can experience a catastrophic injury or get killed.
Catastrophic injuries
In a chain reaction accident or any other type of vehicle crash, injuries can happen that turn out to be catastrophic. A catastrophic injury affects a person long into the future. Examples of catastrophic injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord injury
- Amputation
- Paralysis
Those involved in truck rollover crashes face a high risk of suffering a catastrophic injury. If you get into a rollover accident with a truck and are forced to deal with an injury that’ll last a lifetime, meet with a truck rollover accident attorney in Macon.
At this point, your attorney can help you file a personal injury lawsuit in which you may need to request tens or hundreds of thousands in compensation.
Death
A truck driver can kill a motorist or pedestrian in a rollover crash. The driver probably doesn’t expect this situation to come up. Yet, the driver must account for the fact that they are required to follow the rules of the road — and if they choose not to do so, the consequences can be fatal.
If a family member dies in a semi-rollover crash, you can seek damages based on their death. To do so, it pays to get legal help from a Macon truck rollover accident lawyer. Your attorney can explain how wrongful death claims work and help you submit your lawsuit in alignment with Georgia’s statute of limitations.
In Georgia, you have a maximum of two years from the date of a family member’s death to sue anyone responsible for it. You can’t go beyond this window if you want to file a wrongful death lawsuit. If the two-year period lapses, you lose the right to seek damages from any at-fault parties.
When and where do most rollover accidents occur?
There’s no surefire reason why rollover crashes occur. Some of the reasons why truck drivers get into these types of crashes include the following.
Tripping
A driver can unintentionally hit a curb or ditch, which causes their vehicle’s weight to shift and leads to rolling.
Speeding
If a trucker is traveling faster than the posted speed limit around a sharp curve, their vehicle can roll over.
Collision with another truck
There can be times when a large truck crashes into another semi, causing one or both vehicles to tip over.
Poor weather conditions
Rain and other inclement weather can make the roads slick, increasing the likelihood that a trucker will lose control of their vehicle and cause it to tip over.
Distracted or fatigued driving
A trucker can get distracted or feel tired to the point where they lose focus behind the wheel, swerve to avoid a crash, and cause their vehicle to tip and roll over.
Rollover crashes tend to occur on highways and other roads where the speed limit is 55 mph or more. On these roads, truckers are moving fast alongside other vehicles. If the driver makes a mistake or encounters a hazard, they may be forced to react quickly — and an incorrect response can lead to a rollover.
If you’re involved in a pileup crash or any other type of accident involving a truck rollover, you may not be responsible. A truck rollover accident lawyer can review the facts surrounding your crash. They may find that the trucking driver was responsible, and you can sue them for compensation.
Common causes of rollover truck accidents in Macon
In Macon, rollover crashes occur for many reasons, including the following.
Driving too fast
Truckers are responsible for knowing the posted speed limit on a road and complying with it. There can be instances where truckers face tight deadlines, which leads them to rush. These drivers may be prone to speeding, which can ultimately lead to a rollover.
Improperly-loaded cargo
A trucker may have a vehicle full of cargo that’s not loaded correctly. Or, a truck can be overloaded with cargo. In either of these scenarios, the vehicle is more likely to roll over than if it was loaded properly, with the right amount of cargo, and with the weight of the cargo evenly distributed across the trailer.
Lack of truck maintenance
A trucking company must make sure that its vehicles are free of defects. If there’s a truck performance or safety issue, the problem must be addressed before a trucker takes the vehicle on the road. If a driver is unknowingly operating a defective truck, the vehicle’s brakes and other components may not work as expected, which can contribute to a rollover.
If you are involved in a trucking rollover accident, find a lawyer who has reported great case results. Your attorney can explain all aspects of rollover crashes to you and make sure that your legal rights are protected throughout your litigation. They will do everything they can to help you get a fair settlement from anyone responsible for your accident.
Our Macon truck rollover accident lawyers are ready to help
Rafi Law Firm takes the guesswork out of rollover accidents in Macon. Our team is available to learn about your accident and help you get the compensation you deserve. Please contact us online or call us at (478) 216-1664 to request a free case consultation.
