A traffic accident is never good news, but when they involve large commercial vehicles the chances for devastation and life-altering injury increase sharply. Because of the sheer size and velocity of these massive machines, commercial vehicles like big rigs, 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, cement mixers, and other large vehicles represent a considerable risk on the roads and highways around Suwannee, Georgia.
Because of their considerable potential for damage, these large vehicles are required to carry much higher insurance premiums than regular vehicles. Of course, the insurance adjusters protecting commercial trucking companies will tenaciously protect their interests and seek to minimize payments or avoid them altogether.
If you are serious about getting the compensation you will need to make a full recovery, you will need an experienced Suwannee truck accident lawyer on your side. Call The Herro Law Firm at (404) 433-6876 today and arrange a free consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer in Suwannee.
What Should You Do After a Truck Accident?
The impact of a commercial vehicle will no doubt leave you stressed and overwhelmed. But you must act with a cool calculating mind and protect your interests and the integrity of your imminent case.
Here are the steps you should take in the event of a truck accident in Suwannee, Georgia:
Call Emergency Services
Truck accidents often cause severe injuries. You should call 911 so EMS and the police can respond. The police officers will make a full report of the accident which will play an important part in the case. You will need the names, badge numbers, and precincts of the officers so you can get your copy of the report later.
Help Others
Take time to check yourself for any injuries. If you are able to do so, help anyone else involved in the accident. Be very careful when moving about the scene of the accident. Large vehicles often run with a full load of dangerous substances and plenty of fuel. Do not leave the scene of the accident until the officers have cleared you to do so.
Exchange Info
Politely ask the driver of the commercial vehicle for the names and contact information of their employer and their insurance provider. Remember until an investigation has been made, it is impossible to say who is at fault for this accident.
Document the Scene
Using your phone, take as many snapshots as you can of the scene of the accident and any details that could be relevant. Get some wide-angle shots of traffic signals, skid marks, and the vehicles concerning each other. Get some close-up shots of the road debris, points of impact, as well as injuries sustained in the accident.
If there are eyewitnesses who observed the events, ask them for their names and contact information, their testimony may prove vital in the upcoming case.
Seek Medical Attention
Your injuries may seem superficial. But only a trained medical professional can provide you with a clean bill of health and ensure you have no hidden injuries that will cause complications later on. Your medical examination will be used to create a record of all the injuries sustained in the accident, which will be used in building the upcoming case.
Contact a Suwannee Truck Accident Lawyer
Crafty insurance adjusters will be eager to cut a deal with you. Invariably, they will make you an offer that is far below the true value of your case, or they will deny any claim altogether. Either way, you should hire an experienced Suwannee truck accident lawyer from The Herro Law Firm. We will defend your interests against these unscrupulous insurance adjusters.
What Are the Laws Regarding Truck Accident Liability in Georgia?
The state of Georgia applies the concept of “modified comparative negligence” when deciding who is liable for the damages sustained in an accident. This means that anyone can claim compensation in a personal injury case so long as their share of the blame for the accident is 49% or less.
However, the amount of compensation will be reduced by their responsibility in the accident. For example, if their compensation for injuries sustained in the truck accident amounted to $20,000, but the plaintiff was also found to be 20% responsible for the accident, they will only be entitled to $16,000.
An experienced truck accident lawyer can help identify the at-fault parties and prove their liability in your truck accident case. This will involve collecting evidence like medical records, police reports, surveillance or dashcam footage, and eyewitness statements to prove the case.
How Much Is My Truck Accident Case Worth?
The value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries as well as damages. If the truck accident was severe, you may qualify for millions of dollars in compensation. A competent truck accident lawyer in Suwannee, Georgia will help you figure out the worth of your claim.
How Can a Suwannee Truck Accident Lawyer Help?
An experienced truck accident lawyer provides you with guidance for navigating the minutiae of personal law. Their experience can help you seek the highest possible compensation and provide you with the greatest chance of success in your case.
Here are some ways a seasoned truck accident lawyer from the Herro Law Firm will help you.
Conduct a Thorough Investigation
These cases are never as simple as they seem and only a thorough investigation will reveal liability and enable you to claim compensation. We will apply the full resources of our law firm in conducting a thorough investigation of the accident as well as all the individuals and entities involved.
File Your Claim
Filing a claim involves addressing a myriad of details that will play a role in the outcome of your case. This can be a daunting task, but our professional legal team does this all the time and crafted our work to a fine science. We will create a solid case that will carry weight in our negotiations and stand strong on the court floors — if it comes to that!
Negotiate With the Opposition
Commercial trucking companies are required under Georgia law to carry higher insurance coverage considering the size and weight of these vehicles and the damage that they can cause.
But this only means the insurance providers charged with protecting the interests of the trucking companies are of the highest caliber and will not hesitate to exploit every loophole they find if they can avoid payouts or reduce them as much as possible.
But our truck accident lawyers are also high-caliber legal professionals. We have gone toe-to-toe with these insurance providers in negotiations and on the court floors. We will have no trouble fighting for your right to full compensation.
Take the Case to Court
Typically, these cases are settled out of courts through negotiations. But if this is not possible, we are ready to represent you in a trial. We prepare all of our cases as if they will be taken to court. You can rely on the skill and experience of our professional courtroom lawyers.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Georgia Truck Accident?
Because there is such a considerable amount of sophisticated logistical, mechanical, and electric engineering that allows a large commercial vehicle to navigate the roads and highways safely, it can be hard to determine at a glance who is responsible for a truck accident.
Here are some of the parties that may be found liable in a truck accident case.
Truck Driver
As the sole operator of the vehicle, much of the responsibility for bringing their cargo to their destination safely falls on the drivers of the commercial vehicle. These drivers must adhere to every detail of trucking safety and traffic regulations for these large vehicles.
Trucking Company
There are specific guidelines that set limitations for time spent on the road, permissible weight, and other details that ensure the safety of commercial vehicles on the roads. Some trucking companies will flout the rules in hopes to collect larger profits — this careless greed places human life in jeopardy.
Company Who Loaded the Truck
The truck must be loaded just right if the physics of the truck in motion is balanced and efficient. If the loading is not done properly, the driver may no longer be able to control their truck and the result can be devastation.
Vehicle or Parts Manufacturers
“For want of a nail,” or a bolt, the entire running machine can be rendered inoperative. Faulty parts and installation work is one of the major causes of commercial trucking accidents.
Call the Best Truck Accident Lawyers in Suwannee!
If you or your family member has been injured in a truck accident, you will need to exercise your right to compensation. There is a two-year deadline to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim after a Georgia truck accident, and your case will have the best chance of success if you contact a truck accident lawyer right away.
If you are serious about obtaining the full compensation afforded to you by the law, call The Herro Law Firm at (404) 433-6876 and arrange a free consultation with a seasoned truck accident lawyer in Suwannee, Georgia.
