Truck Accident Lawyer In Athens, GA

Yes.

Truck Drivers and Trucking Companies have stricter Guidelines that they must follow when operating their vehicles. These guidelines are written out in both Federal and State level mandates. If a Driver or Trucking Company is in violation of any of these guidelines, they can be fined or lose their license.

Some of the different concepts that are covered in these guidelines for commercial trucks include:

• Hours Per Day
• Securing Loads
• Weight Limit
• Maintenance Schedule
• Drug Testing
• Driver Physical Exams

If it is determined that a company or driver was in violation of any of these laws, it can mean a larger settlement when it comes to your accident injury settlement.

Trucking companies are usually liable for truck accidents. Trucking companies will be held liable for both their own actions as well as those of their truck drivers. Each company is responsible for preventing accidents as reasonably as possible. To achieve this, the company needs to perform regular vehicle inspections, use proper hiring and training procedures, and follow all federal regulations regarding trucking safety. It is possible for the company to be held liable for damages if it fails to fulfill its duty of care and causes an accident that could have been prevented.

Vicarious liability is the rule that holds trucking companies responsible for the negligence of their employees, including their own independent contractors. As long as the at-fault party was on the clock when the negligence occurred, the trucking company itself will be liable if a truck driver, cargo loader, ground controller, or another employee caused your recent accident. In most cases, it will be better to hold the truck company responsible for your injuries rather than the individual driver.

Our firm has also handled a truck crash involving third parties as well. Injuries or accidents caused by third parties may not directly be related to the collision, but still contribute to it. An example is a truck manufacturer who produced a defective or dangerous part for a truck. Manufacturers can be held liable for bad brakes or tire blowouts. With the guidance of our experienced truck accident lawyers, we can assist you in determining fault and assigning liability for your particular truck accident case.

Fatal crashes cause a typical trucking accident claim to become a wrongful death lawsuit.  In this case, along with damages of a non-fatal accident, there will also be wrongful death damages.  These include funeral expenses, burial costs, loss of inheritance, lost future wages, and loss of consortium.  If you lost a loved one in a truck accident, call an attorney to learn what you deserve in compensation.

If you are involved in an accident with a Semi-Truck, if you are physically able to do so, there are some steps that you should take that can help get you through the experience as smooth as possible.

First, Call the Athens Police. Contacting the authorities is important to make sure that everyone who needs medical attention gets it.  It is crucial to have any medical care  formally document the accident in case you have to file a truck accident claim.

Write down the officer’s name and badge number and request that you also receive a copy of any police reports documenting the tractor-trailer wreck.

Usually, truck accidents cause more severe injuries, suffering, and property damage, leading to larger settlement amounts. Getting an accurate police report from the authorities is a crucial piece of evidence that will be used to prove fault in your accident and make sure you get the compensation you deserve.

Second, Gather Evidence. If you can, you should gather as much evidence from the scene of the accident as possible. The important pieces of evidence you should try and get include:

• Pictures of damage to all the vehicles and Injuries
• Drivers Credentials
• Police Report
• Witness Statements
• License Plate and Serial Numbers

By gathering relevant evidence, you strengthen the potential lawsuit you may have, potentially leading to a larger financial settlement.

Third, Contact our Truck Accident Law Firm. Semi-Truck Accident cases can become incredibly complex due to catastrophic injuries, damage, expenses, and the number of parties that could be held responsible.

Speaking with our Truck Accident Lawyer early on can prevent you from making any mistakes or leaving out any details that could negatively impact your case. By relying on the expertise of your legal representative, you ensure your legal rights are protected (especially if there is a wrongful death due to driver negligence) and get the maximum compensation possible

If you are contacted by an Insurance Company after your accident, DO NOT SAY ANYTHING to them until after you have spoken with a Truck Crash Attorney. Insurance companies’ goals are to minimize the amount that they have to pay out in a settlement due to an accident.

Anything that you say to them over the phone regarding your accident can be used by them to argue that your medical bills aren’t related to the accident and that they should not have to pay the amount of compensation that you deserve.

An experienced Georgia Truck Accident Law Firm will inform you of exactly what you can and cannot say to the insurance company, or may just deal with them directly. Following their instruction is vital to protecting the value of your case, and making sure you are compensated for the medical expenses you experienced due to this tractor-trailer accident.

Although the sooner you act the better off you will be, just because you made the mistake of waiting to act after an accident does not mean that all is lost.

States have what is called a Statute of Limitations which provides a timeframe for which a legal claim must be filed after an accident.

In Georgia, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident. However, even though you are given a two-year window for which to act, cases are usually stronger and have larger awarded settlements the sooner they are filed.

If you have any questions about your tractor-trailer accident, contact our Truck Accident Law Firm today.  We fight for our clients and will make sure you get the maximum compensation possible.

If you are involved in a truck accident, the type of attorney you can hire to represent you is called a Personal Injury Attorney. They specialize in helping victims of truck accidents caused by someone else’s negligence get financial compensation.

Thankfully, a personal injury law firm works on what is called a Contingency Fee Basis. A Contingency Fee Basis means that you do not pay any legal fees upfront, and your attorneys only collect a fee in the form of a small percentage of your final settlement.

We encourage any truck accident victim of truck accidents to call for a free consultation.