Truck accidents in Georgia are among the most severe types of accidents, resulting in catastrophic injuries. Due to the size and power of trucks, even minor driver negligence can lead to devastating outcomes. Sadly, close to 200 people lose their lives in truck accidents every year in Georgia.
As more trucks take to the roads, the number of accidents and injuries will likely increase. When a truck and a car collide, the occupants of the car are likely to sustain serious injuries as a car cannot withstand the impact from a large truck.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident and need an experienced Thomasville truck accident attorney, contact the Joe Durham Law Firm for a free consultation. We are here to answer your questions and help you seek justice.
What Are Some Common Thomasville Truck Accident Causes?
The truck accident lawyers at the Joe Durham Law Firm in Thomasville are well-versed in the statistics surrounding truck accidents in Georgia. They understand the high number of injuries and fatalities caused by truck accidents each year.
With this knowledge and experience, they have been handling truck accident cases for many years. In general, most truck accidents are caused by:
- Falling asleep at the wheel
- Drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs
- 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
Truck accidents share some similarities with car accidents. Truck drivers often work long hours and can become fatigued, leading to accidents caused by negligence. However, truck accidents can also involve product and maintenance issues.
A unique aspect of truck accidents is that drivers are required to log their hours and miles driven, which can be used to determine if driver fatigue played a role in the accident. Accessing these logs can be challenging for someone without legal experience, making it crucial to have an experienced truck accident attorney on your side.
What if the Truck Driver’s Insurance Company Refuses to Pay a Claim?
Truck accidents can be just as complex and challenging to handle as car accidents. While there may be a presumption of negligence on the part of the truck driver, your attorney still needs to prove your case. That’s why seeking medical treatment right after the accident is crucial. By doing so, you can document your injuries and use them as evidence for your insurance claim.
Insurance companies may deny your truck accident claim for various reasons, including:
- Disputes over liability
- Lack of sufficient evidence
- Policy exclusions
- Failure to file the claim within the prescribed time frame
- Allegations of fraud or misrepresentation
- The extent of the damages claimed
What Evidence Will Your Truck Accident Injury Lawyer Need?
Although the truck driver’s negligence may seem obvious, you still need to provide evidence to support your case. The insurance company has a financial stake in rejecting your claim, as every payment they make is a loss in profit.
Even if the evidence points towards the truck driver being at fault, obtaining compensation can still be a challenging process. It’s crucial to have a skilled truck accident lawyer on your side to fight for your rights.
It’s important to take pictures of the accident scene as evidence to prove negligence on the truck driver’s part. A truck accident lawyer may hire an accident re-creation expert to testify about how the accident happened.
Calling the police and obtaining a police report is also crucial, as it serves as documentation of the accident and includes valuable information such as eyewitness accounts. This information can be useful in court if the case goes to trial.
Your Thomasville Truck Injury Attorney Must Prove Your Injuries
Refusing medical treatment after a truck accident is a big mistake. Seeking medical attention immediately after the accident is crucial to prove that the injuries sustained were caused by the accident.
Delaying medical treatment makes it harder for your lawyer to prove your case, as the insurance company can argue that the injuries were caused by something else that happened after the accident. The most common injuries caused by truck accidents are:
- Back injuries
- Head and brain injuries
- Internal injuries
- Broken bones and lacerations
- Facial disfigurement
- Burns
- Spinal cord injuries
- Permanent disability
These injuries can be extremely painful, and the effects can be compounded if multiple injuries are sustained. In severe cases, they can be life-changing or even fatal. Treatment may require surgery and physical therapy, leading to a substantial accumulation of medical bills.
It is crucial to hold the truck driver’s insurance company responsible for covering these expenses, and a qualified truck accident attorney will strive to secure compensation for your injuries.
How Will Compensation Be Determined After A Truck Accident?
The compensation you receive following a commercial truck accident will depend on several factors and may include both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover the monetary costs associated with the accident, such as:
Compensation for a commercial truck accident can cover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages refer to monetary costs such as current medical expenses, including hospital care, emergency room visits, surgery, appointments with medical professionals, and assistive devices.
It can also include future medical expenses and compensation for lost wages during the period between the accident and the settlement of the case. Additionally, loss of earning capacity may be included in the compensation if the victim can demonstrate the impact of the accident on their ability to earn income, and the defending party may calculate the victim’s potential earnings if the accident had not occurred.
Non-Economic Damages That Can Result From The Accident:
Pain And Suffering
Your truck accident compensation will also cover non-economic damages, such as the physical and emotional pain and suffering you experienced due to the injuries sustained in the accident.
Your attorney will consider the severity of your injuries, the expected duration of pain and suffering, and other factors to calculate an appropriate compensation amount.
Mental Anguish
A victim of a truck accident may also experience emotional distress in addition to physical pain, including feelings of embarrassment, fear, nervousness, worry, and grief. These non-physical damages are considered when calculating compensation for the victim.
Loss Of Consortium
Additional compensation may be granted to parents, minors, and spouses of truck accident victims. In cases where the victim has passed away due to the accident, the offender may be required to pay further compensation.
If the lawyer can prove that the offender acted with willful intent to cause the accident, punitive damages may be awarded in addition to economic and non-economic damages. Punitive damages may include jail time in addition to monetary compensation.
How is Negligence Proven After A Truck Accident?
In case you or someone you know has suffered an injury in a semi-truck accident, it is crucial to establish negligence on the part of the truck driver or any other responsible party.
Your truck accident lawyer will help you gather evidence to prove that the driver failed to fulfill their responsibilities and was negligent, leading to the accident.
Commercial truck drivers are held to high standards of safety on the road. To help prevent accidents, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established regulations that trucking companies and their drivers must follow.
Some examples of negligence that can lead to truck accidents include running red lights, speeding, texting while driving, and falling asleep at the wheel. If you have been injured in a truck accident, your lawyer can investigate whether the driver or their employer violated any FMCSA regulations.
How Is A Truck Accident Different From A Car Accident?
Bigger Insurance Policies
Truck drivers have insurance policies that are much more valuable than standard car accident policies, often worth millions of dollars. As a result, the insurance providers named in truck accident lawsuits are very careful and resourceful in order to avoid liability.
They may use various methods and techniques to minimize payouts, such as offering settlements that are much lower than what the victim deserves. It is important to have an experienced attorney on your side to ensure that you receive the compensation you are entitled to.
An Increase In Property Damage
The immense weight and size of commercial 18-wheeler freight trucks mean that they pose a significant risk on the road. In the event of a collision, the damages to the surrounding area are usually much greater than those of collisions between two or more standard-sized cars.
Injuries That Are More Serious
When compared to injuries sustained in car accidents, injuries caused by commercial trucks are typically much more severe and require extensive medical care and recovery. These injuries may include fractures, broken bones, whiplash, and lacerations. Due to the size and weight of freight trucks, the injuries sustained in accidents involving them can be life-threatening.
Medical Bills That Are Much Larger
Due to the severe injuries sustained in truck accidents, victims often require extended periods off work and longer hospital stays, resulting in financial implications such as loss of earnings. Recovering from these types of accidents can take a lot of time and be emotionally challenging.
With the help of a compassionate and trustworthy personal injury attorney like Joe Durham Jr. P.C., you can receive an estimate of the value of your case, including the amount of pain and suffering and time lost, to ensure that you receive fair compensation.
Increased Chance Of Death
Accidents involving big rigs or semi-trucks have higher fatality rates compared to regular car accidents. According to the FMCSA, these accidents claim between 3,000 to 5,000 lives each year.
Considering these alarming statistics and the resources available to trucking companies and their insurance providers, it is crucial to have a trusted truck accident lawyer by your side. The first step is to have a free case assessment to determine if you need an attorney or not.
Contact an Thomasville Truck Crash Attorney Today to Discuss Your Case
If you have been involved in a truck accident through no fault of your own, it is crucial to contact an experienced truck accident lawyer such as Joe Durham Jr. P.C. Our team can provide a free initial consultation to discuss your case and help you understand your legal options.
Dealing with the aftermath of a truck accident can be an overwhelming and stressful experience, and having a knowledgeable truck accident attorney by your side can help make the process easier. We will work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries, lost wages, and other damages.
Remember, the coming months are going to be challenging, but our Thomasville truck accident attorney can provide the guidance and support you need to navigate this difficult time. Contact us today at 229-210-6226 to schedule your free consultation and take the first step towards getting the justice you deserve.
