Semi-truck accidents can cause catastrophic damage and lifelong injuries. If you have been injured in an accident involving a semi-truck or 18-wheeler in Atlanta, you may have serious injuries and skyrocketing medical bills. You may be wondering who is responsible and where to turn for help. One of the best things you can do is to schedule a free consultation with an Atlanta truck accident lawyer.
Our lawyers understand semi-truck accidents and the injuries they cause. We have helped many truck accident victims recover the money they need to pay for medical care and begin putting their lives back together. We’d like to give you a free consultation to explain how we can help – and we won’t ever charge you a fee unless we recover money for you. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
Semi truck and 18 wheeler accident lawyers near Atlanta
| Acworth | Carrollton |
| Alpharetta | Cumming |
| Brookhaven | Kennesaw |
| Buford | Norcross |
| Canton | Roswell |
Is the truck driver at fault in a semi-truck accident?
A semi-truck accident may be the fault of the truck driver or another motorist. Sometimes there is a different cause, such as poor maintenance or an equipment failure. Fault is a critical part of any accident claim because the party who is at fault must pay for the accident. This includes everyone’s injuries as well as all property damage.
Truck drivers are not always at fault, but there are certain characteristics of 18-wheelers that mean they’re especially prone to accidents:
- They have a different braking system than passenger cars. The type of brakes that trucks have, coupled with an 18-wheeler’s size and weight, makes it hard for a large truck to stop or slow down quickly to avoid an accident.
- They have larger blind spots than cars. Trucks have huge blind spots along their sides. This increases the chance that a truck driver will have an accident while changing lanes.
- Trucks can tip over or jackknife. Turning and going around curves are especially hazardous for semi-trucks because if these maneuvers are done too fast or handled poorly, the truck can tip onto its side or bend into a jackknife position. The accident may be compounded if the truck also spills cargo or hazardous substances onto the roadway.
- A truck’s driver is more likely to be tired. Truckers often have grueling schedules, and that means they may not be able to get adequate rest. Being tired or fatigued impairs a driver’s judgment, making accidents more likely.
Other drivers can also pose risks when sharing the road with large trucks. They may not be aware of trucks’ blind spots or limited braking capacity, or they may force the truck’s driver to react too quickly because of aggressive, drunk or distracted driving.
What kinds of losses can I get money for in an 18-wheeler accident?
If the accident was not your fault, you can recover all of your losses, which are also known as “damages”. Georgia law divides damages in a personal injury case into two categories: special damages and general damages.
- Special damages are the direct costs you have had, or will have in the future. Special damages include your medical bills, physical therapy and the damage to your car. Special damages also include the income you have lost if you missed time from work because of your injuries.
- General damages are losses that are harder to put a dollar value on. General damages are intended to make up for the way the accident has affected your life. For example, you might have had to change careers, you might have a disability, or you might not be able to fully participate in raising your children. Or you might be living with chronic pain. These damages are typically included in an award for “pain and suffering.” In a serious accident, you may receive far more for pain and suffering than for your special damages.
We know this money isn’t going to erase what happened. But a serious accident can turn your financial life upside down, causing you extra stress that won’t help your recovery. The money you get for your truck accident claim can relieve your worry and make it easier to concentrate on healing.
What if my loved one was killed?
If you are the spouse, child or parent of someone who lost their life in a semi-truck accident, you may have a right to make a claim for wrongful death. A wrongful death claim covers the loss of your loved one’s life, including lifetime earnings and the loss of the ability to enjoy a full life. You may have a claim for your own suffering, plus medical bills, funeral costs and other losses. A lawyer can advise you on filing a claim if your loved one died.
Do I need a lawyer to recover money?
An insurance company may offer you money on its own, but this offer will almost never be as much as your claim is really worth. Insurance companies want to make a profit, even if it means you don’t have enough money to cover all of your medical bills.
A lawyer is especially important in a truck accident because injuries are usually serious and there are many parties who might potentially be at fault – and therefore responsible for paying. A lawyer can get evaluations from doctors and experts to show what your special damages will really add up to. A lawyer can investigate your accident and find out who is really responsible. A lawyer can make a strong argument to win you the general damages you are entitled to. If necessary, a lawyer can recover money through a car accident lawsuit in Atlanta.
You may not need a lawyer to recover any money, but without a lawyer, it is hard to get the full amount you deserve.
Talk to an Atlanta Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer for Free
Our lawyers have been helping truck accident victims for decades, and we won’t charge you a fee unless we win you money. We’d like to give you a FREE consultation to talk about your case. There’s no obligation. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
