Roughly 2 million big rigs are registered across the United States. Every year, they get involved in about 500,000 accidents, which cause thousands of fatalities and roughly 130,000 injuries. Those deaths and injuries are almost always the driver of another vehicle or its passenger—not the truck driver. Sadly, Buford is no exception to this pattern. If you have been involved in one of these devastating crashes, you need to call a Buford semi-truck & 18-wheeler accident lawyer as soon as you can to discuss your legal options.
Our lawyers know that every case involving a semi-truck or 18-wheeler is different. You have unique losses, damages, and experiences—and you should be treated that way. We also have over 20 years of experience dealing with cases like yours. You need the type of compassionate, experienced representation that we can provide to help you with your situation. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
Does it matter what kind of attorney I get for my semi-truck case?
Yes! Not all attorneys are created equal—they all have different experience, skill, and knowledge. The attorney that did your will, for example, is a poor choice for your personal injury case. But, not all personal injury lawyers have the unique experience and knowledge you need to deal with a semi-truck accident case, either.
Semi-trucks and big rigs have very specific regulations and laws that apply to them. Any violation of these rules could be very helpful for your personal injury case. But, you have to know what you are looking for to make this type of argument. Inexperienced attorneys or those who have not dealt with Georgia semi-truck cases may not realize they should make these very focused arguments.
Having a seasoned lawyer on your side will also help you negotiate more effectively with the insurance companies. You can’t understand what a case is worth unless you know all of the laws that apply and all of the facts of the case. Insurance companies that deal with trucking accidents see these types of cases every day—they know the ins and outs of the law and what tricks and strategies work best to get victims to settle. You even the playing field when you involve an experienced semi-truck lawyer.
How much is hiring a semi-truck lawyer going to cost?
Most people assume that hiring a lawyer is so expensive that it isn’t really an option for them. This assumption is absolutely false. Our lawyers take cases on a “contingency.” That means that we don’t get any money from you up front, and we only make money if you get money. There is no risk and no up-front cost to hire a semi-truck attorney. And, getting a lawyer involved often significantly increases the amount of your overall recovery.
What should I do if I was injured in a semi-truck accident?
The first thing you should do after any accident is ensure that you get medical attention. Large trucks can cause a significant amount of damage, which often results in serious injuries. Even if you think you have only minor injuries, it’s still a good idea to get checked out after the accident. You may have internal wounds that you do not even realize has occurred.
If possible, you should get the truck driver’s vital information. This includes things like:
- Name
- Contact information
- The trucking company (employer)
- Who owns the cargo
- Insurance information
- License plate number
- Driver’s license number
Usually, a police report will contain a lot of this information, but it may not have everything. If you can talk to the truck driver to get this information, that will be very helpful.
You may also want to take photos of the accident as well. Take pictures of any property damage, injuries, and the surrounding area. Snap quick photos of the truck so you can see any ownership notations, damage, and the license plate.
You will likely get a phone call or letter from the semi-truck driver’s insurance company (or their employer’s insurance company) shortly after the crash. They will want to take your recorded statement to get your version of what happened during and after the accident. It’s a good idea to talk to a lawyer before you make this type of statement. Whatever you say could be used against you later, so it’s important to phrase things just right. Your semi-truck accident lawyer can help you and can often sit in on the conversation with you as well.
What are some common causes of 18-wheeler crashes?
Large trucks can be very hard to control, especially when they are loaded to the brim with heavy cargo. But, the difficulty in driving them doesn’t stop some truck drivers from acting irresponsibly behind the wheel. The number one reason that commercial truck accidents occur is due to driver error, such as driving aggressively, speeding, and overcorrecting. Other common causes include:
- Driver fatigue
- Drug or alcohol use
- Overloaded vehicles
- Improperly loaded trucks (unbalanced, bad restraints, etc.)
- Brake failure or another mechanical malfunction
- Poor weather or road conditions
- Ineffective or non-existent truck maintenance
Other drivers can also cause 18-wheeler accidents as well. For example, when a car cuts in front of a large truck, the driver may swerve to miss hitting the car in front of them because they cannot slow down fast enough to avoid a rear-end collision. The swerving may be directly into you or your lane, which can cause an accident. In that type of scenario, both the truck driver and the driver of the other car would be at fault. You can bring them both into your semi-truck accident case.
Talk to a Semi-Truck & 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer in Buford for Free
Have you been involved in a semi-truck accident? Do you want to know if you might have a case? We can connect you with some of the top semi-truck and 18-wheeler attorneys in the state, and they can give you a realistic idea of what your case may be worth and whether it will be successful. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.