According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the number of fatal accidents with trucks and large buses has been on a steady increase for years. Truck accidents are more frequent than you might think.
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, our firm is ready to help you. Our Decatur truck accident lawyers provide free consultations. We can tell you if you have a case and how you can protect yourself from insurance tactics that could limit or deny your compensation.
Proving Negligence and Liability in Truck Accidents
Negligence happens when someone breaches a duty of care towards someone else. In a truck accident situation, this is when someone does something that endangers other drivers, like driving poorly, keeping their truck unmaintained, or forcing drivers to work dangerous hours.
When negligence causes an accident, the responsible becomes liable and owes the victim compensation. One of the first tasks of a truck accident attorney is deciding who is the most liable party for your truck accident.
An independent contractor might take on all the burden themselves. Companies may be partially or wholly liable for their employees. You could also share in liability if you had a share of responsibility. A truck accident lawyer in Decatur can sort through these questions to see if you have a case and who you can sue.
Trucks Must Carry Large Insurance Policies
Unlike car accidents, truck accident drivers must carry far greater amounts of insurance, sometimes as much as $5 million minimum. This is a requirement to meet federal regulations, and most states require similar amounts.
This means there is often plenty of money to pursue under the policy limit. Larger settlements are easier in truck accident cases, if we can prove liability. However, truck accidents can also cause much greater injuries than two cars colliding because of their mass.
Don’t get stuck with the bill for your injuries. If a truck driver hit your vehicle, you have rights and deserve to get compensation under the law. Find out if you have a case by calling our offices for a free, no-obligation consultation.
What Can Damages I Receive Payment or?
The purpose of compensation is to try to make you “whole” again. That is, to make you as close as possible to how you were before your accident. Broadly, what you can receive payment for after an accident falls under economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are all the costs you have to pay after your accident, like car repairs, medical bills, lost time at work, disability payments, and similar things. If there is a bill attached to the cost, we can probably claim it under economic damages.
Non-economic damages pay for the mental and physical trauma that doesn’t have a cost. The law states you can be compensated for the pain you’ve felt in your injuries, or how an accident disfigured your body, or how you lost a loved one because of an accident.
What Should I Do After My Truck Accident?
If you were taken to a hospital because of your injuries, the first thing to do is to call a truck accident attorney in Decatur as soon as you’re able to hold a conversation. They can start gathering evidence while you’re recovering.
Try to speak as little as possible to any insurance agents and do not sign or agree to anything. They are looking for ways to minimize your claim. Your best bet is to hire a lawyer early. Once you have one, you can direct all insurance questions to your lawyer.
Finally, follow all the instructions of your doctor. By following your doctor’s advice, it shows that you’re receiving treatment and shows the insurance company you’re taking your recovery seriously.
Seek Help From a Qualified Truck Accident Attorney
If you’ve been in a truck accident, time is of the essence. Contact our truck accident attorneys in Decatur, GA, for a free consultation. The sooner you start your case, the more likely you’ll have a favorable outcome.
Your consultation is free, and our services are free unless you win your case. There is no risk in your consultation, and you’re free to refuse our services. Find out if you have a case by calling our team today.
