Mcdonough Woman Killed in Fulton County Tractor Trailer Crash

A Fulton County tractor trailer crash killed a 21-year-old McDonough woman. Police say the crash happened around 10:30 Friday morning. Police believe a Freightliner tractor trailer truck was traveling eastbound on Sweeney Road. The driver of the truck left the roadway to the right and overturned. Fulton County authorities identified the victim as 21-year-old Renee Ann McGrew of McDonough. The victim died in the big truck crash. Fulton County authorities are still investigating the exact cause of the deadly tractor trailer accident that killed the McDonough resident.

Why Are Big Truck Accidents so Dangerous?

A significant number of accidents involving tractor trailer accidents result in fatalities. The average passenger vehicle weighs around 2.5 tons. Compare that to a big truck, which can weigh up to 30 tons — and take longer to come to a complete stop. This puts other drivers at risk. The Law Firm of Walter Gabriel represents people injured or killed in big truck accidents in Atlanta. We also represent victims of big truck accidents in other parts of Georgia and Louisiana.

Around 500,000 trucking accidents occur every year in the United States. Unfortunately, one in 8 traffic-related deaths involves a truck collision. Around 5 percent of large trucks involved in fatal crashes had brake or tire problems.

Truck accidents — particularly those involving “big trucks,” or “18 wheelers” such as a trailer truck or large passenger bus — expose others on the road to life-threatening dangers when not operated properly. Though the negligent operation of a vehicle is always dangerous, the negligent operation of a truck may lead to an accident that has a higher chance of causing catastrophic injuries, or even death. 

Different Types of Injuries from Atlanta Big Truck Accidents

There is a wide range of injuries that can arise from big trucking accidents, from mild to severe.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): This can happen after a truck accident when the forces involved in the accident are enough to cause trauma.
Burn Injury: This can happen after a truck accident that involves fire. Burn injuries range in severity, from first-degree to the fourth-degree.
* Neck and Back Injury: This can happen when there is enough force in an accident to cause damage to the neck and/or back. These injuries are some of the most common after a truck-related accident.

What Legal Damages Can an Atlanta Big Truck Accident Lawyer Seek?

Families are already going through a horrific tragedy of losing a loved one. There’s much to discuss with regard to who is the right person within the family to file the lawsuit.

For Georgia claims, O.C.G.A. § 51-4-2 provides the answer to most questions on this matter.

The surviving spouse or, if there is no surviving spouse, a child or children, may recover for the homicide of the spouse or parent the full value of the life of the decedent, as shown by the evidence.
If an action for wrongful death is brought by a surviving spouse and the surviving spouse dies pending the action, the action shall survive to the child or children of the decedent.
If an action for wrongful death is brought by a child or children and one of the children dies pending the action, the action shall survive to the surviving child or children.

When no spouse or child is available to bring a claim on behalf of the decedent, O.C.G.A. § 51-4-5 applies:

“The administrator or executor of the decedent may bring an action for and may recover and hold the amount recovered for the benefit of the next of kin. In any such case, the amount of recovery shall be the full value of the life of the decedent.”

In Louisiana, only certain eligible parties may file a wrongful death lawsuit to obtain compensation for such losses. Those eligible parties include:

Spouse and children
Parents (in the event that there is no living spouse or children)
Siblings (in the event that there is no living spouse, children, or parents)
Grandparents (in the event that there is no living spouse, children, parents, or siblings)

It is irrelevant in Louisiana whether the relation is by blood or adoption.

Are you unsure if you can seek legal damages against a driver or trucking company after an accident? Contact Fulton County tractor trailer crash attorney Walter Gabriel to find out. You may be able to seek legal damages against a driver or trucking company after an accident. Click here to talk to a member of our team and get set-up with an Atlanta big truck accident lawyer.

Reduced Contingency Fee

If your family member died due to the negligence of the driver of a tractor-trailer, we offer a reduced contingency arrangement. For any individual who retains the Law Firm of Walter Gabriel under this circumstance, we offer a contingency fee of 20% of the gross amount recovered for any wrongful death trucking case that settles before a lawsuit is filed. If a lawsuit has to be filed, our contingency fee will be only 30% of the gross amount recovered. We are able to provide a reduced contingency fee because we are confident that we will maximize your recovery for your family’s wrongful death claim related to a claim against a big truck company. We are very aware that the gap in a trucking wrongful death claim may be substantial.

The Law Firm of Walter Gabriel, LLC is a personal injury firm with extensive experience handling Atlanta big truck accidents, including those that involve “big trucks” category vehicles — 18-wheelers, vans, buses, and other large vehicles. Successfully litigating such disputes requires a deep understanding of the hierarchies of responsibility that contributed to or otherwise influenced the accident. We closely collaborate with our clients and take the time to learn about their goals and concerns. This informational advantage enables us to act swiftly and decisively when opportunities arise in litigation.

Attorney Walter Gabriel is licensed to practice law in both Georgia and Louisiana. However, trucking cases are often tried in federal courts, and the question of which state should have jurisdiction often arises in cases where commercial motor vehicles as defined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration are common in trucking cases. For this reason, do not hesitate to contact the Law Firm of Walter Gabriel for a free consultation for your trucking case, even if the collision occurred outside of Georgia and Louisiana. To find out if you have a case, contact the Law Firm of Walter Gabriel. Call 404-549-6742 to speak to an Atlanta big truck attorney. You can also submit a case evaluation form online to request a free and confidential consultation. Start your case with Atlanta big truck accident lawyer Walter Gabriel today.

Hiring Atlanta Big Truck Accident Attorney Walter Gabriel

The Law Firm of Walter Gabriel, we represent clients in a range of personal injury disputes, including big truck accidents. Atlanta personal injury attorney Walter Gabriel has recovered millions of dollars for his personal injury clients. Fulton County tractor trailer crash attorney Walter Gabriel built his career litigating personal injury disputes and complex business disputes. This broad experience gives him insight into how to level the playing field against parties who enjoy substantial resource advantages.

We have applied these insights — along with an aggressive approach to personal injury advocacy — to ensure that clients can be more effectively represented, whether in early settlement negotiations or at trial. We enjoy helping injured people change their lives for the better. Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for Atlanta area personal injury victims.