Mattresses, coolers, refrigerators, grills, chairs, barrels, pallets — have you ever seen objects like these littering the road and wondered how they got there? While there may be other plausible explanations, one of the most common is that the items were not properly secured and fell from a vehicle. Debris that falls from a commercial or non-commercial vehicle can cause serious injuries or fatalities to unsuspecting motorists, passengers, and pedestrians.
If you or someone you love has been hurt in such an accident, or if you have lost a family member in one, it is important to contact a Georgia road debris wreck lawyer. The personal injury attorneys at the Mann Law Firm can help by reviewing your circumstances and discussing all available legal options.
Why Choose Us?
Reliability and Results
The Mann Law Firm has been successfully litigating personal injury cases across Georgia for over 50 years. Our job is to examine the circumstances of what caused the accident while also focusing on our client’s future. It’s important to seek legal counsel as soon as possible after the injury because any delay can cause critical evidence to be lost and make it harder to prove fault. You need an investigative team working on your behalf to locate and safeguard the evidence proving your claim. While we cannot guarantee the outcome of any case, we can promise to listen, to advise, and to deliver unwavering legal advocacy on your behalf.
Call us at (478) 742-3381 or fill out our online form. In addition to cases handled in Macon, we are prepared to handle claims on behalf of clients in Dublin, Warner Robins, Milledgeville, and other Georgia communities.
WE WOULD LIKE TO MEET WITH YOU TO DISCUSS YOUR CASE, AND WE ARE PROUD TO OFFER FREE INITIAL CONSULTATIONS.
Imagine heading down the highway, thinking about what’s for dinner, when all of a sudden you are forced to make a split-second decision to avoid something tumbling out of the pick-up truck in front of you. Even if you successfully manage to miss the item, the maneuvering may cause you to lose control of your car or to run into another vehicle. In some instances, there is no chance to get out of the way. The debris drops without warning, shattering a car’s windshield and injuring or killing the people inside. At 55 miles per hour, an object weighing just 20 pounds that falls from a vehicle strikes with the impact of half a ton. Situations like these underscore the importance of consulting with a truck accident lawyer if you’ve been harmed due to road debris.
These accidents occur more often than you might think. Using data collected in 2010 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Government Accountability Office estimated roadway debris caused about 440 fatalities and 10,000 injuries in more than 51,000 incidents that year. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reported that road debris played a role in more than 200,000 crashes from 2011 to 2014, killing more than 500 people and injuring another 39,000. These numbers represent a 40 percent increase since AAA’s last study in 2001.
For justice after a road accident, victims turn to the Mann Law Firm.
It happened to a woman in Seattle who was nearly decapitated and permanently blinded when an unsecured 40-pound board fell from an open trailer traveling in front of her Jeep, smashing her windshield. It happened to a man in Phoenix who was killed when an unsecured piece of scrap metal escaped from a truck hauling a load of junk, breaking his windshield and impaling his heart. Stories like these have led states to pass laws that make it illegal to drive with unsecured loads. Although all 50 states now have such laws, only 16 currently impose jail time as a possible punishment, and only 11 levy fines of more than $500.
HERE IN GEORGIA, THE POTENTIAL PENALTY INCLUDES UP TO $5,000 OR UP TO 12 MONTHS IN PRISON.
On the roof of a car, in the bed of a truck, in a trailer being hauled – wherever objects are being transported, they should be tied down, no matter how far the motorist is going or how fast. To protect yourself while driving, allow room to react by not tailgating and leaving space on one side of your car in case you need to move over quickly. Make it a habit to continually search the road ahead for debris, and if you see you are about to hit something, reduce your speed as much as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Mann Law Firm has answers to clients’ frequently asked questions. Feel free to reach out with more questions at any time.
Do I need a lawyer to represent me?
It is highly recommended that you have a lawyer represent you in your road debris claim. You’re likely to get more money with than without an attorney.
How much is my case worth?
The extent of your injuries and associated losses will greatly determine how much compensation you receive. Other factors influencing your payment include:
- The experience and skill of your attorney
- The availability and quality of the evidence
- Your degree of fault.
Georgia law allows you to still seek compensation when you are partially to blame for an accident. However, there is a cutoff at 50%. If you are 50% or more responsible for your injuries, you are barred from filing a claim or lawsuit.
How long do I have to file a road debris injury claim?
Road debris accident claims are governed by a statute of limitations of two years in most cases. You must initiate a lawsuit within two years of your crash or lose your right to compensation. There are some exceptions to this rule, in particular for cases involving minors and victims of crimes. Minors typically have two years from their 18th birthday to file a lawsuit for damages, and victims of crimes, including misdemeanors, have the statute tolled until a pending criminal prosecution is resolved.
How long will my case take?
A road debris accident case may last only a few months or take a couple of years. The complexity of the case is a deciding factor. Serious injuries, which imply high damages, may also stretch out the time it takes to settle a case.
If your case must go to trial, which is statistically unlikely, matters will take even longer to resolve. Whatever the case, our attorneys always work for a prompt resolution to clients’ affairs.
Our traffic accident attorneys are ready to take your call and answer your questions. Please reach out at your earliest convenience.
CONTACT OUR MIDDLE GEORGIA CAR WRECK LAWYERS
Answers and Representation
If a vehicle with an unsecured load caused an injury or death in your family, the Macon debris crash attorneys of the Mann Law Firm can help. We aggressively seek full and fair compensation for our clients, and are always willing to take a case to trial if necessary. The damages available in an accident claim may include compensation for medical expenses, lost wages due to time away from work, impaired capacity to work in the future, and emotional distress. If you lost a loved one due to a driver’s negligent behavior, you could be entitled to compensation in a wrongful death claim.
Contact us at (478) 742-3381 or use this convenient online contact form. Let us help you get the justice you deserve. Contact us today!
Attorney David Mann
Before leading his own firm, Mann served for several years as in-house defense counsel for a large insurance company, which gives him unique insight into how insurance companies work. He uses this critical knowledge as an advantage for his clients. He is a tough negotiator and litigator, and he is exceptionally strategic in building cases on behalf of personal injury victims.[ Attorney Bio ]
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