Death by Tractor Trailer

Each year, more Americans die in tractor trailer, semi-trailer, semi-truck, 18-wheeler, big rig and bus accidents than have been killed by all Middle Eastern terrorists on American soil in the past 40 years, and more than all the American soldiers killed in the Iraq War.

In 2009, 3,803 people died in large truck and bus crashes in the United States. Fatalities in such truck and bus wrecks increased in 2010 to 4,089. By comparison, 66 Jihadist terrorist attacks on American soil since 1972 have taken 3,094 lives, and 3,542 US troops were killed in the Iraq War.

The carnage on our highways is requires advocates ready to go to battle for you. To win justice for the victims and their families requires a clear understanding of trucking law, wrongful death law and the skills of legal advocacy.

Trucking law. Commercial trucking accident cases are vastly different from motor vehicle collision cases. Ignorance of those differences can be compound tragedy for the victim and her family. Interstate trucking is governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, and such cases involve technology, business practices, insurance coverages, and discovery of documents and electronic records unfamiliar to the vast majority of lawyers.

If a loved one has been killed in a catastrophic interstate truck and bus wreck case it is essential that you promptly hire an experienced trucking trial lawyer. Understanding of trucking regulations, technology, business practices and litigation techniques is essential. < more >

Wrongful Death Law. In Georgia, the measure of damages for wrongful death is the full value of the life of the deceased, from the perspective of the decedent. It includes both economic damages (projected lifetime income, with no deduction for living expenses or income taxes, value of services, etc.) and intangible factors such as the enjoyment of the experience of living.

Because valuation of a wrongful death claim is affected by many factors, including disputed issues of liability, contributory negligence comparative negligence, assumption of risk, and proximate causation, it is important not to confuse the value of a case with the true value of the departed loved one’s life. However, Georgia juries unrestrained by any arbitrary limitations can recognize the sacred value of human life. < more >

Ken Shigley has over 30 years experience trying cases before Georgia juries. His background includes:

• Former president, State Bar of Georgia
• Chair, Board of Trustees, Institute for Continuing Legal Education in Georgia
• Dual board certification in Civil Trial Advocacy and Civil Pretrial Advocacy, National Board of Legal Specialty Certification
• National Board of Directors, American Association for Justice Trucking Litigation Group
• Former chair, Southeastern Motor Carrier Liability Institute
• Former chair, Georgia Insurance Law Institute
• Former chair, Tort & Insurance Practice Section, State Bar of Georgia
• Author of Georgia Law of Torts: Trial Preparation & Practice (West, 2010-12)