Georgia Interstate Pileup Lawyers
Representing Interstate Pileup Victims in Georgia: We Fight To Win
Multi-car pileups cause devastating physical and psychological harm. Victims may have to wait hours for help, not knowing if first responders are going to arrive in time to save them.
Major interstate highways in Georgia include I-75, I-85, and I-95. For you to get maximum compensation for injuries caused by an interstate pileup, it’s important to find a law firm that has the resources and experience to fully investigate the accident and negotiate effectively with several parties at once.
At Butler Prather LLP, we’ve been helping accident victims and their families in Georgia get the money they need to recover for over 35 years. In fact, we’ve won over $1 billion for our clients. Butler Prather LLP has won settlements and verdicts for clients in over 30 states. We’ve won nine verdicts that exceed $100 million and more than 60 verdicts and settlements of over $10 million.
Call (706) 322-1990 to schedule a complimentary consultation with a skilled Georgia car accident attorney today.
What Is an Interstate Pileup Accident?
An interstate pileup is when three or more vehicles are involved in a crash. Also referred to as a multi-vehicle crash, these accidents often occur in low-visibility situations such as foggy or snowy weather. A multi-vehicle collision may involve a chain reaction that causes more and more unsuspecting drivers to be added to the pileup.
An interstate pileup is a nightmare scenario. First responders workers may have to wait until weather conditions clear up before they are able to rescue everyone involved. A single interstate pileup can result in several injuries and fatalities. In 2002, a huge pileup along I-75 near the Georgia-Tennessee border stretched across both states, causing four fatalities and 39 injuries.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), injuries and fatalities caused by multi-car accidents are on the rise. In a single year, there was a 16 percent increase in the number of people killed in multi-car crashes.
What To Do After an Interstate Pileup
Although it isn’t easy to remain inside your vehicle during an interstate pileup, it’s even more dangerous to get out of your car and attempt to walk. You never know when the next vehicle is coming, and you will be completely vulnerable outside your car.
You’ll want to take the following steps if you are ever involved in an interstate pileup:
- Check to see how everyone inside your vehicle is doing, and provide first aid if necessary.
- Call 911.
- Remain inside the vehicle with seat belts fastened until you are evacuated by emergency personnel.
- Get medical attention right away and tell your doctor about any symptoms you are experiencing.
- Contact Butler Prather LLP.
- Don’t reveal details about the accident to friends or on social media.
- If you are contacted by an insurance agent, inform them that your attorney will be giving them a call.
- Save records for medical treatment you receive and continue to attend all follow-up appointments and rehabilitation sessions.
How Do Weather Conditions Contribute to Interstate Pileup Accidents?
Major causes of interstate pileup accidents include inclement weather, low visibility, unsafe driving practices, and poorly designed and maintained highways.
Weather conditions contribute to pileups in two ways: by reducing visibility and causing slippery road conditions that increase stopping distance. Dangerous pileup-related weather conditions include:
- Rain
- Snow
- Icy roads
- Fog
- Bright sunshine
How Unsafe Trucks Cause Interstate Pileups
Multi-vehicle pileups frequently involve semi-trucks. A fully loaded big rig truck weighs up to 40 tons and takes up a lot of space on the road. A semi-truck causes severe injuries when it crashes into a passenger vehicle, and a disabled truck is a huge obstacle that dramatically increases the size of a pileup.
It takes skill and experience to safely operate a big rig truck. When trucking companies cut corners by hiring unqualified drivers and failing to perform necessary repairs, they put everyone on the road at risk. Negligent behaviors by trucking companies that increase the chances of an interstate pileup occurring include:
- Poor maintenance. Brake failure, tire blowouts, engine problems, broken safety lights, and other mechanical deficiencies lead to serious crashes.
- Allowing unsafe drivers. Trucking companies that fail to properly screen potential employees and neglect to ensure that their truckers have the right training and a safe driving record are placing other drivers in jeopardy.
- Overloading: Trucking companies may prioritize maximizing cargo loads over safety, leading to trucks being overloaded. This can affect the truck’s stability and maneuverability, making it more prone to losing control and causing multi-vehicle pileups, especially on interstates where high speeds are common.
How Careless Drivers Cause Interstate Pileups
Everyone has a duty of care to avoid behavior that may cause reasonably foreseeable harm to others. It’s important for drivers to follow the rules and take sensible precautions, especially when they encounter heavy traffic or severe weather conditions.
In Georgia, drivers are required to travel at a reasonable speed based on current conditions, and that means slowing down when roads are slippery or visibility is low. Examples of unsafe driving practices that cause interstate pileups include:
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- Distracted driving
- Unsafe maneuvers
- Failure to follow traffic laws
- Failure to adjust speed for weather conditions
How Unsafe Highways Cause Interstate Pileups
Highways require ongoing maintenance and repair due to the high levels of traffic they experience. Public officials and private contractors are responsible for making sure our roadways are safe. Hazardous road conditions that cause interstate pileups include:
- Potholes and other hazards
- Uneven and broken pavement
- Confusing directions
- Maintenance equipment left in the road
- Inadequately administered work zones
- Poorly designed roadways
- Broken, missing, and obscured traffic signs
How Your Georgia Interstate Pileup Accident Attorney Can Help
Butler Prather LLP is one of the most distinguished and successful personal injury law firms in the nation. We will file a claim or a lawsuit against anyone who committed an act of negligence that contributed to your injuries.
When investigating the pileup, we will follow the trail wherever it leads and leave no stone unturned. Liable parties in an interstate pileup accident may include:
- Careless drivers or truckers
- Trucking and delivery companies
- Construction companies
- Public officials responsible for road safety
- Manufacturers of faulty vehicles
Did You Suffer Catastrophic Injuries in an Interstate Pileup?
At Butler Prather LLP, we won’t back down from anybody in pursuit of justice for our clients. Our Georgia personal injury lawyers have successfully litigated cases against some of the most powerful interests in the nation, including governments, large corporations, and major automobile manufacturers.
If you were in an interstate pileup accident, we’re here to help. Let us sit down with you to go over your options—call (706) 322-1990 to learn more today.