If you were involved in a truck accident, the aftermath can become a complex web of liability, medical expenses, and insurance claims. If negligence or misconduct on the part of the truck driver, trucking company, or other parties caused your injuries, you have a right to seek compensation.
A truck accident lawyer from our firm can help you explore your legal options in South Fulton, Georgia, based on the circumstances of the accident. Each potential client receives a complimentary case review.
The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Georgia
According to O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, civil actions regarding personal injury generally carry a two-year statute of limitations. You may feel you have time to wait before filing a lawsuit, but you do not want to miss out on time-sensitive evidence, lose eyewitnesses, or otherwise compromise your case. Our team can review your rights and determine your exact deadline to file.
Compensation that may be available after a truck accident
A large truck can weigh 80,000 pounds, while a passenger car only weighs 3,000 to 4,000 pounds. As such, truck accidents are often far more destructive than passenger vehicle accidents. A truck accident may cause severe injuries and losses, resulting in a long recovery and a great deal of suffering.
When one of our truck accident lawyers represents you, our team will examine your case to identify the damages you may qualify to recover. For example, you could recoup medical expenses to cover your:
- Emergency care
- Surgeries
- Medications
- Doctor’s visits
- Transportation to another city for a specialist visit
- Major medical equipment
- Physical therapy and counseling
Invoices from the hospital and your doctors can allow us to calculate your total current medical expenses. Our team could also consult with a medical care provider to understand your likely future medical expenses if your injuries will lead to long-term recovery or disability.
Lost wages could be recoverable as well, including the income you lost while recovering and any impact on your future earning potential. If you cannot make as much money as you once did, lost earnings can add to your case's value.
Other damages you may recover
Though some of your damages may not have their own monetary value, it is important to include them in your request for compensation. Pain and suffering damages can include discomfort, headaches, and physical suffering after the accident. Your pain and suffering might leave you sleepless, unable to work, or unable to enjoy your life. Emotional turmoil involves flashbacks to the accident, nightmares, and mental health conditions exasperated by the incident.
If your loved one died in an accident, you may qualify to file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover compensation for their loss. A wrongful death lawsuit seeks probate fees related to your loved one’s will, burial expenses, and other damages.
What our truck accident lawyer can do for you
Retaining an attorney from our firm can help you as you engage in the legal process. Our team can take on the difficult legal tasks, explain the process to you, speak on your behalf, and give you progress updates during the case.
For example, we can begin settlement negotiations after filing a claim against the liable party, and you have the option to reject or accept any deal on the table. If you choose to go to trial, your lawyer will explain how jury trials proceed, including preparing you to testify.
Demonstrating the link between the collision and your injuries
After a truck crash, you must show a direct link between your injuries and the collision. You likely received medical care in the aftermath, and those medical records explain the injuries you sustained and connect them to the accident. To further explain the correlation between your suffering and the at-fault party’s negligence, our team will seek out:
- Police reports
- Photographs of the accident scene
- Surveillance videos
- Eyewitness testimony
- Expert medical witnesses
We can also call on accident reconstruction specialists to paint a picture of what occurred during the collision based on the evidence we find. In addition, we can send what is known as a “letter of spoliation” to the truck’s owner or leasing agency. This document ensures that the company maintains evidence vital to the case. Critical documents can include the driver’s record or personnel file, black box data, service records, and the driver’s logs.
There may be several layers of liability after a truck accident
After the collision, liability can be murky. These cases often point to a truck driver because they drove negligently or violated Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations. However, if the trucking company or leasing agency did not service or maintain the vehicle, those entities may be liable for your injuries or losses. Service technicians or mechanics might also be liable if they use faulty parts or do not repair trucks properly.
Because these accidents may involve the truck driver’s insurance provider, the trucking company’s insurance carrier, your insurance, and the insurance provider for the cargo owner, it can take time to resolve each claim.
Other entities may attempt to blame the accident on you and nullify any compensation you might receive. Our team will work to build a compelling truck accident case showing that you deserve compensation.