Truck accidents in Georgia can result in devastating injuries, as these large vehicles have the potential to cause significant damage. Unfortunately, each year, a considerable number of people are killed or injured in truck accidents, with passenger vehicles often bearing the brunt of the impact.
With an increasing number of trucks on the road, this trend is likely to continue. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, it is essential to contact a knowledgeable and experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.
At Joe Durham Law Firm, we offer a free initial consultation to review your case and answer any questions you may have. Contact us today at 229-210-6226.
What Are Some Common Perry Truck Accident Causes?
The truck accident attorney in Perry is familiar with the figures that indicate the high frequency of truck-related injuries and fatalities in Georgia. As a result, they are well-versed in handling truck accident cases, which they have been doing for years.
Truck accidents can be attributed to a number of factors, including speeding, inexperienced drivers, tire and wheel failures, overloaded trucks, and unsafe road conditions. Truck drivers work long hours and are vulnerable to accidents due to operator error, as well as product and maintenance issues.
A unique aspect of truck accidents is that drivers are required to keep meticulous driving records, which document their hours and mileage. If a driver has been overworked or is excessively tired, these logs will reflect the extended hours.
Your trucking accident lawyer will be able to obtain these records, which you may not be able to do on your own.
What if the Truck Driver’s Insurance Company Refuses to Pay a Claim?
Dealing with a truck accident can be just as challenging as a car accident. Even though the truck driver is usually presumed to be at fault, proving the case can be difficult. Seeking immediate medical attention after the accident is crucial to document your injuries for your insurance claim.
However, even after filing a claim, it is possible that the truck driver’s insurance company may refuse to pay.
This can happen if they believe that you weren’t injured, or if they claim you were at fault, or if you have pre-existing injuries, or if the commercial driver wasn’t insured, or if you have a history of filing claims against commercial drivers, or if you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the accident, or if the policy wasn’t valid.
Your Perry trucking accident lawyer will work hard to ensure that your claim is paid. They understand that settling the claim is the best outcome for everyone involved since filing a lawsuit can be time-consuming and expensive for both parties.
What Evidence Will Your Truck Accident Injury Lawyer Need?
It’s crucial to understand that even if the truck driver’s negligence seems clear, you still need to provide evidence that proves your case. Insurance companies are motivated to deny your claim and minimize their losses.
This is why you need an experienced truck accident attorney to fight for you. One essential step is taking photos of the accident scene, as they can provide evidence of how the accident occurred.
Your attorney may also hire an accident reconstruction expert to testify about the accident details. If the truck was speeding or changed lanes improperly, the evidence needs to show that.
Additionally, it’s important to call the police, even if the truck driver promises to pay your claim. A police report serves as official documentation of the accident and includes vital information that may be challenging to obtain later.
For instance, eyewitness information is typically included in the report, which your lawyer may need if your case goes to trial.
Your Perry Truck Injury Attorney Must Prove Your Injuries
It is crucial not to refuse medical treatment after a truck accident. Seeing a doctor is essential to proving your injuries and the timing of the accident.
Delaying medical attention can make your lawyer’s job more challenging as it provides the insurance company with the opportunity to question the cause of your injuries. They may even claim that your injuries are the result of something that happened after the accident.
Common injuries resulting from truck accidents include back injuries, head and brain injuries, internal injuries, broken bones, lacerations, facial disfigurement, burns, spinal cord injuries, and permanent disabilities.
These injuries are often severe, and you may require surgery and physical therapy, leading to a significant amount of medical bills. Your truck accident attorney’s goal is to hold the truck driver’s insurance company accountable for these expenses by obtaining compensation for your injuries.
How Will Compensation Will Be Determined After A Truck Accident?
Compensation received after a commercial 18 wheeler accident is influenced by a range of factors. Both economic and non-economic damages are considered in these cases. Economic damages consist of:
- Current medical expenses: This includes all costs associated with hospital care, emergency room visits, surgeries, doctor appointments, and the cost of assistive devices.
- Future medical expenses: Compensation for any future medical expenses required as a result of the accident.
- Lost wages: Compensation for wages lost between the time of the accident and the settlement of your case.
- Loss of earning capacity: Compensation is awarded to victims who can prove the earning capacity they lost due to the accident.
Non-economic damages resulting from the accident include:
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for any physical suffering resulting from the truck accident injuries. The extent of your injuries and expected period of suffering are considered when calculating your compensation.
- Mental anguish: Compensation for emotional distress, embarrassment, fright, nervousness, worry, grief, and other emotional impacts resulting from the accident.
- Loss of consortium: Compensation granted to parents, minors, and spouses of the victims. Additional compensation may be awarded if the victim is deceased after the truck accident.
If the offender is found to have intentionally caused the accident, punitive damages may also be awarded in addition to economic and non-economic damages. These damages may include jail time in addition to monetary compensation.
How is Negligence Proven After A Truck Accident?
Negligence on the part of the truck driver and any other responsible party is crucial. Your trucking accident lawyer can help gather evidence to show that the driver failed to meet their responsibilities and was therefore negligent, leading to the accident.
Negligence by commercial truck drivers can take many forms, such as running a red light, speeding, texting while driving, or falling asleep behind the wheel.
Due to the higher risk associated with commercial trucking, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires commercial drivers to follow regulations such as:
- Keeping a logbook of their driving hours Documenting all breaks and services taken
- Maintaining their truck according to scheduled requirements
- Following regulations for loading hazardous materials and cargo
- Refraining from using controlled substances, drugs, or alcohol while on the job Driving for no more than 10 hours per day.
How Is A Truck Accident Different From A Car Accident?
Commercial semi-trucks, also called freight trucks or big-rigs, have a weight of over 80,000 lbs, equivalent to the weight of 20 standard passenger cars combined.
Although regulations limit the number of hours drivers of commercial trucks can drive per day to not more than 10 hours, many drivers exceed these limits due to financial reasons.
This action endangers the safety of other motorists.
Bigger Insurance Policies
Truck drivers are covered by insurance policies that are specifically designed to cover all kinds of accidents, but these policies are typically worth up to 50 times more than standard car accident policies, with most worth millions.
This means that the insurance providers involved in these lawsuits are highly resourceful and thorough in their efforts to avoid liability.
These experienced insurance providers use various methods and techniques to avoid paying out full compensation, and may even offer settlements that seem generous but fall far short of what you actually deserve.
To protect yourself from these tactics, it is essential to hire a skilled and reliable truck accident attorney who can guide you through the legal process and help you understand your options every step of the way. Contact us today for personalized assistance.
An Increase In Property Damage
The weight and size of commercial 18-wheeler freight trucks make them a force to be reckoned with on the road. They outweigh standard vehicles significantly, and as a result, any damage caused by these trucks in accidents is often much greater than damage caused in collisions between two or more standard-sized cars.
Injuries That Are More Serious
In comparison to car accidents, injuries caused by commercial trucks are often much more severe and require extensive medical care and recovery. These injuries can range from fractures, broken bones, whiplash, and lacerations, and can be life-threatening in some cases.
Due to the sheer size and weight of freight trucks, the injuries sustained are typically much greater than those in standard car accidents.
Medical Bills That Are Much Larger
Due to the severity of injuries sustained in truck accidents, the recovery process is usually longer and may require extended hospital stays and time off work. As a result, victims may experience financial hardships such as loss of income.
With the help of a compassionate and reliable personal injury lawyer like Joe Durham Jr. P.C., you can receive compensation that accurately reflects the pain and suffering you have endured and the time required for recovery. This ensures that you receive a fair settlement.
Increased Chance Of Death
Accidents involving big rigs or semi-trucks have significantly higher fatality rates compared to accidents with regular cars. According to the FMCSA, these types of accidents claim between 3,000 and 5,000 lives every year.
Given these alarming statistics, and the resources available to trucking companies and their insurers, it is crucial to have a dependable truck accident lawyer to help you get the compensation you deserve.
The first step is to have your case assessed at no cost, allowing you to decide whether hiring a lawyer is the right choice. Contact us today to learn how our lawyers can assist you with your truck accident claim.
Damages Your Truck Accident Attorney will Demand
If you have been injured in a truck accident, your attorney will work on getting you compensation for a range of damages, including lost wages, medical bills (past, present, and future), property damage, permanent disability, and pain and suffering.
To build a strong case, it is important for your lawyer to understand what happened during the accident. During your initial consultation, bring as much information as possible to give your attorney time to prepare your case.
This includes the accident or police report, contact information for witnesses, medical documentation, pay stubs and tax records, pictures of the accident scene, pictures of your injuries, and insurance information for both drivers.
Your Perry 18 wheeler accident attorney will negotiate with the insurance company to get you a fair settlement. If a settlement cannot be reached, your lawyer will prepare a lawsuit on your behalf.
Keep in mind that in Georgia, you have only two years to file a suit. Therefore, it is important to give your attorney a head start.
Contact an Perry Truck Crash Attorney Today to Discuss Your Case
If you have been injured in a truck accident that was not your fault, it is important to reach out to a truck accident lawyer for help.
The initial consultation with an attorney is typically free and can provide you with the reassurance and support you need during this difficult time.
Dealing with the aftermath of a truck accident can be challenging, but with the help of an experienced truck accident attorney in Perry, you can navigate the legal process more easily.
don’t hesitate to seek out the assistance you need to pursue compensation for your injuries and losses. Contact us today at 229-210-6226.
