Truck accidents in Moultrie, Georgia can result in catastrophic injuries due to the sheer size and power of the vehicles involved. Carelessness on the part of truck drivers can have devastating consequences, leading to hundreds of fatalities each year in Georgia alone. As the number of trucks on the roads increases, so does the risk of accidents and injuries.
When a truck collides with a car, the passengers in the car are particularly vulnerable to serious injuries. The impact of a large truck can easily overwhelm the safety features of a car.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident and require the services of an Moultrie truck accident attorney, consider reaching out to the Joe Durham Law Firm. We offer a free consultation to discuss your case and answer any questions you may have about your accident claim.
What Are Some Common Moultrie Truck Accident Causes?
At our law firm in Moultrie, our experienced truck accident lawyers are well-versed in the statistics surrounding truck accidents in Georgia. Sadly, each year, a significant number of people lose their lives or are seriously injured in such incidents.
Due to the high incidence of truck accidents, the demand for Georgia 18 wheeler accident attorneys is significant. Our team has decades of experience handling truck accident cases and understands that most of these incidents are caused by:
- Fatigued driving, including falling asleep at the wheel
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive driving
- Inexperienced drivers
- Tire and wheel failure
- Overloading
- Unsafe road conditions
- Misjudging the gap between cars and overhangs
- Cargo shifts
- Equipment failure
- Improperly maintained commercial vehicles
While truck accidents share similarities with car accidents, there are some differences. Truck drivers often work long hours, and this can contribute to accidents. Negligence on the part of the operator is a common cause, but issues with product or maintenance can also play a role.
One unique aspect of truck accidents is that truck drivers are required to maintain accurate driving records. They must log the hours and miles they drive each day, and if they are overworked or excessively tired, their logs should reflect this. Your truck accident attorney can access these records, which may be challenging to do without legal assistance.
It’s important to work with an experienced truck accident attorney who understands the complexities of these cases and can ensure that your legal rights are protected.
What if the Truck Driver’s Insurance Company Refuses to Pay a Claim?
Truck accidents pose similar challenges as car accidents in terms of handling them. Even though there’s a presumption of negligence against the truck driver, your lawyer still needs to establish your case. Thus, seeking immediate medical treatment after the accident becomes crucial to document your injuries for your insurance claim.
In a perfect scenario, your claim would be swiftly paid in full right after the accident. However, it’s possible that the truck driver’s insurance company may reject your claim, typically for one of the following reasons:
- The insurance provider asserts that you did not sustain injuries.
- The insurer contends that you were responsible for the accident.
- Your pre-existing medical conditions or prior injuries are cited as the cause of your injuries.
- The commercial driver did not have an insurance policy.
- Your past record of making claims against commercial drivers is noted.
- Your intoxication or drug use during the accident is mentioned.
- The policy in question is deemed invalid.
Your lawyer specialized in Moultrie truck accidents will vigorously pursue payment of your claim. They understand that settling your claim is beneficial for everyone involved. If the claim is not settled, the lawyer will initiate legal action.
Insurance providers aim to steer clear of lawsuits just as much as you do. They can be time-consuming, costly, and typically end up costing more than paying the claim upfront.
What Evidence Will Your Truck Accident Injury Lawyer Need?
Despite the truck driver’s apparent negligence, you must still provide compelling evidence to support your case. Insurance companies have a vested interest in rejecting claims, as every payment made reduces their profit.
Hence, even if the evidence suggests the truck driver’s fault, the claim settlement can still be a challenging process. That’s why it’s essential to have an experienced lawyer specializing in truck accidents to fight alongside you.
To strengthen your case, you must take photographs of the accident scene that your lawyer can use to demonstrate how the accident occurred. If the truck driver’s negligence caused the accident, the pictures should provide proof.
Your attorney may also hire an accident re-creation expert to testify about the incident’s sequence of events. If the truck was speeding or improperly changing lanes, your lawyer must prove it with supporting evidence.
Additionally, it’s essential to call the police, even if the truck driver promises their insurance company will pay for damages. A police report serves as official documentation of the accident and includes valuable information that may be difficult to obtain later. For instance, the report typically contains eyewitness accounts that your attorney can use if your case goes to trial.
Your Moultrie Truck Injury Attorney Must Prove Your Injuries
It’s critical not to refuse medical treatment after a truck accident, as this is the only way to provide evidence that you sustained injuries. Delaying medical attention could make it harder for your lawyer to prove the accident caused your injuries.
By waiting days after the accident to seek medical care, you provide the insurance company with an opportunity to challenge the cause of your injuries, claiming that something else happened between the accident and your treatment that caused your injuries.
Truck accidents can cause several common injuries, including:
- Injuries to the back
- Head and brain trauma
- Internal injuries
- Fractured bones and cuts
- Facial deformities
- Burns
- Spine damage
- Long-term disability
Suffering from any of these injuries individually can be excruciating. If they occur together, they can be catastrophic, and in some cases, fatal. Treatment may require surgery and physical therapy, leading to substantial medical bills.
It’s crucial to hold the truck driver’s insurance company accountable for covering these expenses. Your trucking attorney’s primary objective is to secure compensation for your injuries.
How Will Compensation Be Determined After A Truck Accident?
Several factors determine the amount of compensation you may receive following a truck accident. Commercial truck accident compensation may include economic and non-economic damages. The following are some examples of monetary costs that your compensation may cover:
- Current medical bills – including costs for hospitalization, emergency room visits, surgeries, appointments with healthcare professionals, and assistive devices.
- Future medical expenses – compensation for future medical expenses related to the accident.
- Lost wages – compensation for the income lost during the period between the accident and the case settlement.
- Loss of earning capacity – if the victim can provide evidence of the accident’s impact, it’s easier to obtain compensation. The liable party may calculate the amount the victim would be earning if the accident hadn’t occurred.
The accident may also result in non-economic damages, which can include:
- Pain and suffering – This compensation covers physical discomfort resulting from injuries sustained in a truck accident. When determining the amount of compensation, your lawyer will take into account the severity of your injuries and how long you are expected to suffer. This compensation is intended to provide financial assistance for the physical pain and limitations resulting from the accident.
- Mental Anguish – In addition to physical pain, a truck accident can also cause emotional suffering for the victim.Emotional distress, such as anxiety, shame, fear, nervousness, worry, and grief, may be experienced after a truck accident.Compensation for mental anguish is intended to help alleviate the emotional pain and suffering resulting from the accident.
- Loss of consortium – This compensation is intended to help address the emotional and relational impact of the accident on the victim’s loved ones. If the victim dies as a result of the accident, the offender may be required to provide additional compensation to the victim’s family.
If a lawyer can demonstrate that the offender intentionally caused a truck accident, punitive damages may be awarded in addition to economic and non-economic damages. These damages may include not only monetary compensation, but also jail time for the offender. It’s important to consult with a skilled personal injury attorney who can assess the specifics of the case and determine the most effective legal strategy.
How is Negligence Proven After A Truck Accident?
If you or someone you know has been injured in a semi-truck accident, it is important to establish negligence on the part of the truck driver and any other responsible parties. Your attorney can help gather evidence to demonstrate that the driver failed to fulfill their responsibilities and that their negligence caused the accident.
With the assistance of a truck accident attorney, you can hold the responsible parties accountable and seek compensation for damages incurred as a result of the accident.
Commercial truck drivers must abide by certain regulations to ensure safety on the roads. Negligent behavior, such as running a red light, speeding, texting while driving, or falling asleep while driving, can have severe consequences due to the high risk involved in commercial trucking.
To comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, commercial drivers of trucks must:
- Maintain a log-book that records their driving hours
- Document all breaks taken and services performed
- Stay up-to-date with scheduled maintenance requirements
- Follow proper loading procedures for hazardous materials and cargo
- Refrain from using controlled substances, drugs, or alcohol while on the job
- Limit driving to under 10 hours per day
These regulations aim to ensure that commercial truck drivers prioritize safety and reduce the risk of accidents on the road.
How Is A Truck Accident Different From A Car Accident?
Commercial semi-trucks, also known as big-rigs or freight trucks, can weigh over 80,000 pounds, which is equivalent to the weight of 20 standard passenger cars combined. Despite laws and regulations limiting the number of hours commercial truck drivers can drive in a day (no more than 10 hours), many drivers exceed these limits for financial reasons. This behavior can compromise the safety of other motorists on the road.
Bigger Insurance Policies
Truck drivers are required to have insurance policies that cover a variety of accidents, but these policies can be worth up to 50 times more than standard car accident policies, often totaling millions of dollars. As a result, insurance providers named in lawsuits related to truck accidents are very careful about avoiding liability and have access to significant resources.
Experienced insurance providers use a variety of tactics to avoid paying out the full amount owed in compensation. They may offer settlements that appear to be substantial, but are often far less than what victims truly deserve.
It’s important to work with a qualified attorney who can help navigate the complexities of dealing with insurance providers and ensure that you receive the full compensation to which you are entitled.
If you are in need of a personal and dedicated attorney to represent you, please contact us today. A skilled and reliable truck accident attorney can help you avoid the tactics and strategies used by insurance carriers, and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
With their guidance, you can gain a thorough understanding of the legal process and stay informed about each step of your case. Contact us now to discuss your legal options and receive the assistance you need.
An Increase In Property Damage
Commercial 18-wheeler freight trucks are much larger and heavier than standard vehicles on the road. Because of their substantial weight and size, any collision involving these trucks can result in significantly more damage to the surrounding area than accidents between two or more standard-sized cars. It’s important to exercise caution and take appropriate safety measures when sharing the road with these massive trucks to avoid potentially catastrophic accidents.
Injuries That Are More Serious
When a commercial truck is involved in a car accident, the injuries sustained are often more severe and require greater medical attention and recovery time. These injuries can include fractures, broken bones, whiplash, and lacerations. In comparison to accidents involving passenger cars, accidents involving commercial trucks have a higher likelihood of causing life-threatening injuries.
Medical Bills That Are Much Larger
Accidents of this nature often lead to severe injuries, resulting in extended periods away from work and prolonged hospitalization. This can be financially detrimental to truck accident victims who may not be able to resume their jobs.
However, with the assistance of a compassionate and reliable personal injury lawyer like Joe Durham Jr. P.C., you can receive compensation that accurately reflects the extent of your pain, suffering, and lost time. This ensures that you receive fair compensation for your case.
Increased Chance Of Death
Accidents involving big rigs or semi-trucks have significantly higher fatality rates than regular car accidents. The FMCSA has released statistics indicating that these types of accidents claim between 3,000 to 5,000 lives every year.
Given these alarming and daunting figures, combined with the resources available to trucking companies and their insurance providers, it’s crucial to enlist the help of a trustworthy truck accident lawyer to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. The first crucial step is to obtain a cost-free evaluation of your case, which will help you decide whether hiring a lawyer is the right choice for you.
Our lawyers can help you with your truck accident claim, contact us NOW!
Damages Your Truck Accident Attorney will Demand Include:
While you are recovering from your truck accident injury, your attorney will pursue compensation for damages that apply to your case. These damages may include:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills (past, present, and future)
- Diminished earning capacity
- Permanent disability
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
To help your truck accident lawyer understand what happened and prepare your case against the insurance company, it’s important to bring as much information as possible to your initial consultation. Make sure you bring the following:
- The accident or police report
- Contact information for all witnesses
- Medical documentation
- Pay stubs and tax records to prove wages and earning capacity
- Pictures of the accident scene
- Pictures of your injuries
- Insurance information for both drivers
Your Moultrie truck accident attorney will work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. This may involve negotiating with the insurance company to reach a fair settlement or preparing a lawsuit on your behalf if necessary.
It’s important to note that in Georgia, you have two years to file a lawsuit. Therefore, providing your lawyer with as much information as possible at the outset will give them a head start in building your case.
Contact an Moultrie Truck Crash Attorney Today to Discuss Your Case
In case you sustain injuries in a truck accident that was not your fault, it’s advisable to reach out to a truck injury lawyer. Many lawyers offer a free initial consultation which can provide you with the peace of mind you need during this challenging time.
As you face the next few months, it’s important to note that they may be tough. If you want someone by your side who can make things easier for you, consider contacting a truck wreck attorney at 229-210-6226. An Moultrie truck accident attorney can support you throughout the legal process and help you secure the compensation you deserve.
