Countless large trucks travel through Atlanta each day, hauling freight all throughout the country. We expect truck drivers to operate their huge vehicles safely and carefully on the road, but that’s not always the case. If you or a loved one were injured in a truck accident, it’s important to reach out to an Atlanta truck accident lawyer as soon as you can.
We can match you with the best truck accident lawyer for your needs—free of charge. With more than 20 years of experience working these types of injury cases, we know what it takes to win. Call us today at (404) 341-6555 or contact us online to learn more, get a FREE consultation, and get the help you deserve.
How Fault Works in an Atlanta Truck Accident
Any personal injury case—including a truck accident case—in Georgia revolves around the concept of negligence. The negligent person or party in an accident is legally liable for the damages:
- According to Georgia Code section 51-1-2, negligence is a lack of the “care which is exercised by ordinarily prudent persons under the same or similar circumstances.”
- All drivers in Atlanta, including truck drivers, have a duty to drive in a way that does not harm others.
- So, if a truck driver fails in that duty and it leads to an accident, they are liable for all of the damages.
You Must Show Who Was Negligent in the Truck Accident
To seek compensation for the damages of a truck accident, you’ll need to show how the at-fault party was negligent and how that negligence led to your accident and damages. It’s best to contact an Atlanta truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Your lawyer will know how to best gather evidence to show what happened and what you are owed.
Truck Driver Fault
In the majority of truck accidents, the truck driver has been careless in some way that caused the accident. The driver might have been engaging in:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Drowsy driving
- Aggressive driving
- Road rage
Although many truck drivers are more regulated than they used to be, they are still held to very high standards during their job. Trucking companies will try to move as much freight as possible within a very small amount of time. Even if truckers are required to take regular breaks and stop to sleep, they might forgo rest in an effort to meet deadlines.
Driving alone on the road for thousands of miles can also become really boring and even upsetting. A truck driver might choose to use their phone, use drugs or alcohol, or become angry while driving, all of which can cause an accident.
If you’re not sure exactly how the truck driver caused your accident, your lawyer can investigate to determine what happened.
Trucking Company Fault
Although truck drivers are most often the guilty party in a truck accident, the driver’s employer can also be fully or partially at fault.
Trucking companies have a responsibility to carefully interview, train, and monitor their truck drivers. They must also ensure that they are meeting trucking regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). If the company fails to comply with their duties, they can be found liable for a truck accident.
Other Parties Who May Be at Fault
A truck accident can also result from other sources of negligence. Any of the following individuals or parties might be responsible for the accident:
- Mechanics or repair company
- Manufacturing company
- Government entity
- Cargo loading company
If the accident was caused by improperly-loaded cargo, poor road conditions, a parts malfunction, or faulty maintenance, your lawyer will investigate who was ultimately to blame.
Truck accidents often involve multiple parties. When a truck crashes, it can collide with several vehicles at once, causing serious and deadly injuries and vehicle damage. If more than one party was at fault for the accident, you might need to file a claim with multiple insurance companies.
Contact an Atlanta truck accident lawyer today to get help investigating your case and knowing your full compensation options. To speak with the best attorney for your needs for FREE, call (404) 341-6555 or fill out one of our online forms today. We will not charge you a fee unless we win you financial recovery.
Atlanta Truck Accident Damages You Can Recover
When filing a truck accident claim, you’ll need to demonstrate all of your damages. Some accident victims are tempted to do this on their own, but we recommend getting help from a professional. Only a truck accident lawyer will know how to account for all of the losses you experience and determine their value.
Some of the most common damages victims can recover from a truck accident include:
- Medical bills (past, current, and future)
- Medications
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Vehicle repairs or replacement
- Pain and suffering
Pain and suffering damages are especially hard to calculate, as they do not have a clear dollar amount. If you have fear, anxiety, disfigurement, mental anguish, or have lost interest in things you used to do, you likely have pain and suffering damages to include in your claim. Your lawyer can help you calculate how much those damages (and all of your other damages) are worth.
You Have Two Years to File Your Truck Accident Claim
In the state of Georgia, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years from the date of the accident or injury.
If you wait too long to begin working on your claim, you may miss out on any potential compensation from your accident. It’s best to contact a lawyer right away so you can stay on track and build the strongest case possible.
Speak with an Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer for Free Today
Our truck accident attorneys have been working on these types of cases for more than 20 years, and we know what it takes to get you the recovery you deserve. We do not charge a fee unless we win you money, so there are no upfront or out-of-pocket expenses to worry about as you work with us.
Contact us today at (404) 341-6555 or contact us online for a FREE consultation. We’ll answer any of your questions, go over the details of your accident, and discuss how we can help your case. Call (404) 341-6555 to get started at no cost today.
