Saia LTL Freight was founded in 1924 in Louisiana. With headquarters located in Johns Creek, GA, Saia LTL Freight now provides regional and interregional LTL, non-asset truckload services, and third-party logistics. The company has 169 terminals and 10,500 employees. Every day, Saia LTL makes or manages over 26,000 shipments. Saia LTL Freight also operates over 525,000 trucks. They provide direct service coverage in 41 states and extended and partner coverage in Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Mexico. As they are located in Georgia, Saia has a significant presence in North Carolina.
Commercial Truck Accidents Can Cause Devastating InjuriesWhen passenger vehicles collide with commercial trucks, the results can be catastrophic. Tractor-trailers, garbage trucks, and other commercial trucks can weigh tens of thousands of pounds. Their significant weight can crush a car, van, or light-duty truck in a matter of seconds.
Additionally, when a large truck collides with a passenger vehicle, it can send the vehicle spinning or rolling across the road. In many cases, truck accidents cause massive and dangerous pile-ups on highways, increasing the risk that one or more gas tanks will explode and cause a devastating fire. Truck accidents cause a wide range of injuries, many of them severe, such as:
The government understands that the weight and size of tractor-trailers mean accidents involving an 18-wheeler are likely to cause more destruction than other crashes. That is why there are multiple federal and state regulations requiring truck drivers and trucking companies to take extra safety measures. For example, North Carolina truck drivers must abide by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. North Carolina laws regulate the maximum speed truck drivers can drive and impose penalties for truck drivers using drugs or alcohol.
If you have been involved in a truck accident in North Carolina, there is a good chance you have suffered significant financial losses. If you underwent surgeries, were forced to spend time in the hospital or a rehabilitation center, or if you have otherwise been unable to work, your bills are probably pilling up. The truck accident likely severely impacted your ability to take care of your family, work, and enjoy regular daily activities. Obtaining compensation cannot change the life-altering impacts you have experienced, however, receiving a fair settlement amount can give you and your loved ones the financial relief you need to care for yourself and support yourself.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in North CarolinaMost commercial truck accidents are caused by someone's negligent behavior. The truck driver, the trucking company, a third-party driver, or a combination may have been responsible for your devastating commercial car accident.
Driver fatigue is one of the most common causes of commercial truck accidents. Commercial truck drivers are required to spend long hours behind the wheel. They frequently travel up and down the same highway for weeks on end. Drivers may become less aware of their surroundings and more likely to be distracted. Many truck drivers are compensated based on how many miles they drive, making incentive for them to skip their mandatory breaks and drive while fatigued, putting everyone else on the road at risk.
Drugged and drunk driving is far too common among commercial truck drivers. Truck drivers frequently use “uppers” to try to stay awake on the road, making them less capable of driving safely. In North Carolina, commercial truck drivers cannot have a blood alcohol concentration over .04% while on the job, and no level of drug impairment is legal. Unfortunately, that does not stop truck drivers from using drugs and alcohol while on the road.
Contact an Experienced Charlotte Truck Driver TodayIf you or someone you love has been injured in a truck accident and the truck driver was at fault, you need an attorney on your side. You may be legally entitled to compensation for your costs, losses, and injuries. The team of personal injury lawyers at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, has extensive experience obtaining compensation for victims of semi-truck accidents in North Carolina. We will cover all of your legal costs and expenses, and you will not pay us unless we win compensation for you. Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation.