Most of us have a natural reaction to being a little nervous around logging trucks on highways. There’s a good reason for that. Any accident involving one of these log trucks can cause a chain reaction, leading to major damage as well as possible injuries or fatalities.
An abundance of natural resources throughout the country keeps these logging trucks moving. The U.S. logging industry employs 8,660 full-time drivers as of 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Revenues for the industry as a whole exceeded $19.6 billion dollars in 2018 and 2019.
At the same time, hauling all of this timber can easily lead to dramatic and terrible accidents. In November 2019, five National Guard cadets-in-training were injured in South Carolina when a logging truck rear-ended their bus. A log truck accident in North Carolina, which also occurred in Nov. 2019, led to a fatality and shut down I-77 for hours when the truck overturned.
Logging truck accidents can be catastrophic. That’s why we want to provide victims with an experienced truck accident lawyer to represent their case. We fight against logging companies and insurers who want to deny your claim and prevent you from getting the compensation you need to recover.
Call 800-559-5741 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our logging truck accident lawyers now. You’ll learn about your legal options and the strategies you have available to pursue the maximum amount of compensation.
Given the terrifying sight of entire tree trunks bouncing around just mere feet from other cars, the risks of a logging truck accident may seem all too obvious. Nevertheless, it can be helpful to illustrate exactly what makes a log truck collision or rollover so much more dangerous than the typical car or truck accident.
For starters, there is only so much the logging industry can do to secure timber cargo. The trimmed tree trunks will always be many different sizes with differences in shape and density. Using bracket-shaped timber trailers has become the standard solution, but there is nothing to stop a log from rolling or sliding out once it has gotten away from the group. Careless practices and neglect increase the risks of a cargo-related accident.
Second, log trucks can have their loads shift dangerously when they are at a high speed or when they make sudden maneuvers. A small adjustment can turn into a terrifying accident in just mere seconds.
Third, log trucks cause chaos when they overturn or when their cargo breaks free. Vehicles nowhere near the initial site of the accident can become damaged or overturned once literal tree trunks come spilling out onto the road.
Because of all these risks, logging truck drivers have to have highly specialized training and knowledge. They must know how to properly secure their load and to drive with appropriate caution that can reduce their risk of a dangerous or deadly accident.
When log truck operators violate these standards, they can easily cause major injuries and deaths.
All states allow logging truck accident victims to recover compensation for their medical bills and other losses from at-fault drivers. This includes the operators of logging trucks who cause serious accidents.
Common losses or “damages” that can be requested through a logging truck accident insurance claim include:
- Medical bills, past, and future
- Lost wages
- Out of pocket expenses
- Vehicle repairs
- Personal property replacement
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
If the logging truck wreck causes an accident victim to lose their life, their estate can pursue the above damages on the victim’s behalf. Additionally, the surviving family members can file a wrongful death claim for:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of the deceased’s income
- Loss of companionship, relationships, and domestic services
- Emotional suffering of the family
State “at fault” liability laws expect you to be able to prove that another party (someone other than you) caused the accident. If you have no proof, you will be expected to pay all of your bills yourself through your own medical insurance or car insurance policies.
However, there are many scenarios where the logging truck driver, their employer, or related third parties could be legally at fault for your accident. Possible responsible parties include:
- The employer of the logging truck driver
- The company that contracted the timber haul
- The company that loaded the truck
- The company responsible for maintaining the truck
- The manufacturer of the trailer, brakes, or other systems if they failed
Insurance companies representing these parties are much more likely to be convinced that you have a strong claim if you are able to establish negligence. The legal doctrine of negligence requires the injury victim to prove four main things:
- That the defendant had a duty of care to follow regulations, obey laws, and act as a “reasonable person” would to prevent “foreseeable” risk of harm
- That the defendant had a breach in their duty because of a violation or a failure to exercise “ordinary care” within reason
- That the breach in the duty was what directly caused the accident and injuries (proximate cause)
- That the injuries led to damages that can be recovered through the courts
The logging truck accident attorneys at Auger & Auger Accident and Injury Lawyers build every case with the idea that it should be strong enough to convince a jury. That way, insurance companies know the risks of taking a case to court. Although no results are guaranteed, we have a history of obtaining successful settlements for our clients.
To build a strong claim, we speak with eyewitnesses and gather evidence. We work closely with your doctors and medical professionals to document your injuries, attribute them to your accident, and calculate their full costs. We also research all applicable laws and past cases to create convincing legal arguments.
When insurers refuse to settle, we have the ability to file a lawsuit on your behalf and take your case to court.
Hire an Experienced Logging Accident Lawyer
Your attorney wants to provide you with peace of mind and legal services that take the stress out of filing your logging truck accident claim.
Auger & Auger serves injured clients in Georgia, Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina. We never charge you for case evaluations, and you don’t pay any fees unless we are able to recover money for your case through a settlement or court verdict.
Call 800-559-5741 or contact us online, and you can schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation to learn what your next best steps might be.
