Truck accidents in Gainesville are often very serious, leaving victims with life-altering extreme injuries, enormous medical bills, or even resulting in death. Since semi-trucks are so large and heavy, their damage is often much worse than a regular car accident. If you or a loved one was hurt in a truck accident, it’s time to seek legal help for financial recovery. Contact a Gainesville semi-truck & 18-wheeler accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Our attorneys have been working with truck accident victims to win results for more than two decades. We listen with a trained and compassionate ear, and we know how to negotiate with insurance companies who are less than willing to pay out the recovery what you truly deserve. For a FREE consultation to talk about your case and discuss your options, contact us today. Call us at (404) 341-6555, or complete out the form to your right for your free consultation.
How Does Fault Work in a Truck Accident Case?
Like most U.S. states, Georgia is an “at fault state.” This means that when a truck accident or other accident occurs on Gainesville roads, the driver whose actions caused the accident is responsible for ALL damages, including costs associated with injuries (like medical bills) and vehicle damages.
In a truck accident case, a driver must be determined “at fault” to be responsible for paying the damages of the victim(s). To be at fault, the party must have been acting “negligent” or careless. If it can be proved that their negligence led to the accident, they will be directly responsible for your costs from the accident.
When you hire a truck accident lawyer, they’ll get to work right away compiling evidence of the driver’s fault. There are a number of ways they may do this, including:
Analyzing the accident scene
Your lawyer will look at police reports from the accident, visit the scene, have you give them a detailed account of the accident, and speak with any witnesses. If any photographs or video were taken, they will use these as evidence.
This is why it’s so important to gather as much evidence as possible after a truck accident. If you’re well enough after the accident happens, take pictures of everything: your injuries, damage to your vehicle, the scene itself, and anything else you think might be relevant to the case.
Investigating truck records
Your lawyer will look at the maintenance schedule of the truck to ensure it was adhered to correctly. Sometimes brakes or other equipment on a truck can malfunction if the driver or trucking company was negligent in keeping up with proper maintenance.
This also includes reviewing the truck company’s records to see if they were following state and federal regulations in the time before the accident, as well as looking for any defects in the truck itself.
Reviewing actions of the truck driver
If the driver’s credentials show they didn’t receive proper training or licensing, your lawyer will find this out. They’ll also analyze how the truck driver was acting before the accident. If they were driving while fatigue, ignored any traffic laws, or found to be driving under the influence, these will be important details in proving negligence.
If the driver is found to be at fault, they and their insurance company will be responsible for covering all damages you suffered from the accident. The fault may not always fall on the driver, however. A number of parties besides the truck driver could be liable, such as:
- The maintenance company that worked on the truck
- The trucking company that owns the truck
- The company that manufactured defective parts for the truck
Either way, you’ll need a semi-truck & 18-wheeler accident lawyer to look at the facts and build a case against the guilty part if you want to pursue financial recovery for your damages.
How Often Does Driver Fatigue Play a Role in a Truck Accident?
Very often, unfortunately. Truck drivers are more likely than everyday drivers to be fatigued on the road. This is because they’re often giving very strict deadlines for moving their cargo, logging long hours and hundreds or thousands of miles at all times of the day and night.
Truck drivers are legally allowed to pull over for rest and sleep after a certain amount of time, but many truck drivers feel pressured due to tight deadlines and may not stop to rest. This pressure can come from both the truck company and the drivers themselves. As a result, truckers are left under-slept, fatigued, and less than alert on Gainesville roads.
What Does a Truck Accident Lawyer Do That I Can’t Do on My Own?
Truck accidents are not a time to try DIY-ing your problem. Since a number of parties could be liable for your damages and truck accidents are often particularly serious, you’ll need legal help on your side. A good truck accident lawyer will know exactly how to:
- Investigate the accident for the best evidence
- Question witnesses and others involved
- Negotiate with insurance companies to prevent them from offering you MUCH less than you deserve
- Build a rock-solid case for your best chance at financial recovery
- And so much more
It’s also very important to NOT accept any sum of money or sign any agreement with the insurance company until you’ve spoken with a truck accident lawyer. Insurers are for-profit businesses, and they will be looking for ways to cut the amount of money they pay out for your damages. An experienced lawyer will speak to them on your behalf and work to negotiate a settlement that actually covers your costs.
Talk to a Gainesville Semi-Truck & 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer for Free
If you or a loved one was injured (or a loved one was killed) in a truck accident in Gainesville, don’t face the painful and overwhelming process alone. With more than 20 years of experience helping truck accident victims get the recovery they need to move on as fully as possible, our attorneys know how to win cases. And we’ll offer you a FREE consultation to talk about your unique situation and your options. For that free consultation appointment, contact us by calling (404) 341-6555, or filling out the form to your right.
