A box truck accident can leave you with serious injuries, unexpected medical bills, and time away from work. Although these trucks are smaller than tractor-trailers, their weight and large cargo compartments can cause considerable damage when they collide with passenger vehicles.
An Atlanta box truck accident lawyer can help you determine what caused the crash and who may be responsible. At Van Sant Law, we’ve represented injured Georgians since 2008 and recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for clients across our personal injury practice.
Founding attorney David M. Van Sant previously defended trucking companies and their insurers, giving us insight into how these claims are handled. Make the Right Call and speak with our Atlanta truck accident lawyers about a free consultation.
What Causes Box Truck Accidents in Atlanta?
Box trucks, also known as straight trucks or cube trucks, are commonly used to deliver furniture, packages, food, and construction materials.
Throughout Metro Atlanta, they travel busy roads like Peachtree Street and the I-75/I-85 Downtown Connector. Because of their size and blind spots, drivers may have difficulty making tight turns, backing up, or stopping quickly in traffic.
Several issues can increase the risk of a box truck accident:
- Driver fatigue: Long hours behind the wheel and busy delivery schedules can leave drivers tired and less alert to changing traffic conditions.
- Blind spots: The truck’s large cargo area can make it harder to see smaller vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians nearby.
- Frequent stops: Drivers making deliveries may need to pull over, turn into narrow spaces, or merge back into busy traffic.
- Cargo loading: Freight that isn’t properly secured or evenly distributed can shift during a trip, making the truck harder to control.
- Mechanical problems: Worn brakes, poor maintenance, or a tire blowout may cause a driver to lose control.
Box trucks can be involved in rear-end collisions, T-bone accidents, and rollovers. Unlike some big rigs, these vehicles are often driven through residential neighborhoods and commercial districts throughout the day.
At Van Sant Law, our Atlanta personal injury lawyers investigate how the collision happened and whether driver negligence, vehicle condition, or another factor contributed to your injuries.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Box Truck Accident?
A box truck may be owned by one business, driven by an employee of another, and maintained by a separate contractor. This can make a truck accident claim more complicated than a typical car accident. Our Atlanta box truck accident attorneys examine these relationships to determine which parties may bear responsibility.
Depending on the circumstances, a claim may involve:
- Truck driver: Speeding, distracted driving, unsafe turns, and other negligent actions may contribute to a crash.
- Trucking company: A business may be responsible for negligent hiring, poor supervision, or failures involving vehicle maintenance.
- Cargo loading company: A company responsible for loading the truck may share liability if poorly secured cargo shifts and causes the driver to lose control.
- Maintenance provider: A mechanic or repair company may be held responsible if improper repairs or overlooked mechanical issues played a role in the crash.
- Parts manufacturer: A defective tire, braking component, or other vehicle part may support a product liability claim.
An employer may also be responsible for an employee’s negligence under the legal principle of respondeat superior when the requirements for that liability are met. The driver’s employment status and actions at the time of the crash matter.
Georgia’s comparative negligence law, O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33, may affect your compensation. If you’re partly at fault, your recovery may be reduced by your percentage of responsibility. Someone found 50% or more responsible generally cannot recover damages under that provision. Van Sant Law reviews the available evidence before deciding how to pursue an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
What Should You Do After a Box Truck Accident?
Getting medical treatment should be your first priority. Even if you feel well enough to leave the scene, some injuries become more noticeable later. People hurt in crashes near Downtown Atlanta may receive emergency care at Grady Memorial Hospital before beginning follow-up treatment or rehabilitation.
If you’re able to do so safely, these steps may help protect important information:
- Document the scene: Photograph the vehicles, road conditions, visible damage, and company markings on the box truck.
- Collect contact details: Get the truck driver’s name, contact information, and insurance details, along with the names and phone numbers of anyone who witnessed the crash.
- Keep medical records: Hold on to paperwork from your doctor, medical bills, and receipts. Also, keep track of any work you’ve missed because of your injuries.
- Be cautious with insurers: Avoid guessing about fault or accepting an early settlement before you understand your injuries and financial losses.
Police reports can provide a starting point for understanding what happened. If Atlanta police investigated the collision, the report may be available through the department’s Central Records Unit. Photographs, witness accounts, and available traffic camera footage may provide additional information.
Box truck drivers often make several deliveries in a single day, which means frequent stops and tight schedules. When investigating these crashes, our Atlanta delivery truck accident lawyers look at whether the driver’s schedule, actions behind the wheel, or company policies may have contributed to the accident.
How Do Our Atlanta Box Truck Accident Lawyers Investigate a Crash?
A box truck investigation often involves several businesses and different types of evidence. We may need to establish who owned the commercial truck, who employed the driver, and whether the vehicle had any reported mechanical problems. Delivery records, driver logs, and maintenance documents can help answer those questions.
The first 72 hours after a truck wreck can be important because certain evidence may become harder to obtain. Depending on the case, our initial work may include:
- Preserving evidence: We may send a spoliation letter asking the appropriate parties to preserve maintenance records, available black box data, and other relevant information.
- Reviewing the collision: We may look through police reports, speak with witnesses, and find out which companies were involved with the truck, its driver, or the cargo it carried.
- Handling insurance matters: We can speak with the insurance companies on your behalf, respond to their questions, and help you navigate the claims process while you recover.
Some commercial vehicles have electronic systems that record information about vehicle operation. Available black box data may help establish speed, braking, or other details before the impact. Driver logs and Electronic Logging Device records may also be relevant when a vehicle and its operations are subject to applicable federal regulations.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates certain commercial trucking operations. Depending on the truck’s weight, use, and other factors, FMCSA regulations may address vehicle inspections, maintenance, driver qualifications, and Hours of Service.
What Compensation May Be Available After a Box Truck Accident?
A collision with a commercial vehicle can cause injuries that require months of care. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and injuries to internal organs may affect someone’s ability to work or manage everyday activities. In severe cases, a person may face permanent disability or ongoing medical needs.
The amount of compensation you may receive depends on how seriously you were injured and how the accident has affected your life. Your claim may include:
- Medical expenses: Costs for emergency treatment, hospital visits, physical therapy, prescription medications, and any ongoing care you may need.
- Lost wages: Pay you’ve missed while recovering, as well as future income you may lose if your injuries limit your ability to work.
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, and changes to your daily life.
- Property damage: The cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and other damaged belongings.
These losses can arise from box truck accidents even when the commercial vehicle is smaller than a tractor-trailer. Injury severity, recovery time, and the need for future care all matter when evaluating a claim. Medical experts may help explain whether additional treatment is likely or whether you’ve reached maximum medical improvement.
Commercial liability insurance can add another layer of complexity. Multiple insurance policies may apply, and insurers may disagree about responsibility or the extent of your injuries. At Van Sant Law, we review the available coverage, medical evidence, and financial losses to help you understand your options.
Speak With an Atlanta Box Truck Accident Attorney
Georgia generally gives injured people two years to file a personal injury lawsuit under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, although exceptions and other deadlines may apply. Evidence can also become harder to obtain as time passes. If a lawsuit is necessary, the proper court depends on jurisdiction and venue.
At Van Sant Law, we offer free consultations and handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You won’t owe attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Our team is available 24/7, and we offer Spanish-language assistance, electronic case signing, and home or hospital visits when needed.
We never settle a case unless the client is happy with the result, that is the Van Sant Law client satisfaction guarantee. Contact Van Sant Law today to discuss your injuries and speak with an Atlanta box truck accident lawyer about your legal options.
