Accidents involving trucks are frequently serious. Given the enormous size and weight of commercial vehicles such as semi-trucks and 18-wheelers, they can inflict significant damage and even result in fatalities during a collision. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, then call the Atlanta truck accident lawyers from the McArthur Law Firm today! We will fight for you and work tirelessly to get you the maximum compensation that you deserve.
Therefore, if you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a truck mishap, our Georgia truck accident attorneys are here to assist you. Federal statistics are revealing that backlogs in shipping since the Pandemic have increased drivers’ hours on the roadways, leading to truck driver fatigue.
An overturned or demolished truck on the highway usually does not bode well for the truck driver or any other accident victims. Attorneys specializing in truck accidents in Georgia can assist clients in obtaining reimbursement for all their losses.
You might be eligible for reimbursement for your losses. Our legal practice is committed to securing the financial restitution you and other accident sufferers across Georgia are entitled to. Always consult with a personal injury attorney in Georgia first.
Let Our Atlanta Truck Accident Attorneys Talk with the Insurance Companies, Not You
Your attorney specializing in 18-wheeler truck accident cases can handle interactions with insurance firms. These companies constantly seek methods to minimize their payouts to those injured, and a seasoned attorney is well-versed in countering their strategies.
Insurance firms will exploit any opportunity to underpay you once you lodge a personal injury lawsuit. They might resort to tactics such as:
- Twisting your words to use them against you.
- Proposing an initial settlement that is significantly lower than what you should receive.
- Coercing you into accepting a lesser settlement than you are entitled to.
- Accusing you of being partially or entirely responsible for the accident
- Procrastinating in responding to your claim
- Employing intimidation tactics throughout the process
An 18-wheeler accident lawyer in Georgia can help handle all interactions and negotiations with insurance companies after a truck accident. As experienced semi-truck accident lawyers in Georgia, our McArthur Law Firm advocates can communicate with them and (in some cases) can negotiate a full recovery for a client without trial, which usually means more money for our client.
This lets the injured person (or persons) who have been hurt in a truck wreck collision receive complete medical attention and heal, while injury lawyers in Atlanta make certain to get the full value of your personal injury case. It only makes good common sense to hire the best lawyers for truck accidents and be the ones filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Reasons Why Truck Collisions Are More Severe than Other Types of Accidents
A fully loaded tractor trailer truck on the highway can tip the scales at a whopping 80,000 pounds. This is significantly larger than a standard car or truck, and such a heavy vehicle can result in serious damage in the event of a car accident crash. We have an in-depth article on how truck wrecks are different than car crashes that explores this topic in great detail.
Accidents involving large trucks tend to be more severe than other accidents due to the following reasons:
- Semi-trucks require a longer distance to halt or swiftly change direction when traveling at high velocities.
- Truck operators have less visibility compared to other motorists.
- Numerous trucks transport dangerous substances that can amplify the harm in a collision.
- Large trucks are prone to toppling over or rolling during a crash.
- Truck operators often work extended shifts, leading to excessive fatigue, sleepiness, or crankiness if they don’t get sufficient rest.
Despite the fact that drivers are expected to adhere to stricter standards on the roads, and trucking firms are required to maintain certain scheduling regulations, compliance is not always guaranteed.
Drivers often face tight schedules that make them want to skip breaks and drive while tired. This can lead to dangerous situations and increase the chances of accidents.
Average Settlement for Truck Accident: What to Expect?
An “average” settlement dollar amount does not exist. All truck accident claims are unique, and often depend on how much liability insurance money is available. When Georgia truck accident lawyer Kathy McArthur has favorable liability facts and high insurance coverage, she has obtained over $30 Million for her client.
People who were hurt in truck accidents often wonder how much money they should accept in a settlement. Unfortunately, there is no easy way to figure this out. Each case is different, and the amount of money offered will be different in each case.
However, personal injury lawyers in Atlanta can delve into the key elements that influence the settlement calculation. More than one truck crash lawyer with McArthur Law Firm will be assigned to your case at all times.
Our legal warriors will collaborate with each other, talk to our expert witnesses, and gather all medical bills plus information on future rehab, physical therapy, and similar case-specific information about your timetable from recovery.
The main factors to estimate the value of your case are as follows:
- The party or multiple parties at fault
- The severity of our client’s injuries
- Your medical expenses
- Your lost earnings
- Monetary damages to address your unnecessary pain and suffering from this incident
To get a no-cost legal consultation with a lawyer specializing in truck accidents in Georgia, please dial 404-565-1621.
Determining Negligence in Georgia Truck Collision Cases
According to Section 51-1-2 of the Georgia Code, “ordinary negligence” is defined as the absence of ordinary care, which is the level of care a sensible person would exercise in comparable circumstances. If an individual or entity does not maintain this level of care and it leads to an accident, they are considered negligent in that incident.
To claim compensation for damages in a commercial vehicle collision, it’s crucial to prove negligence. This is done by presenting evidence that illustrates the cause of the accident and the extent of your injuries. This task can be challenging, hence the importance of engaging a truck accident attorney at the earliest stage of the proceedings.
The Impact of “Fault” on Your Truck Accident Compensation Claim
If you were partly to blame for your accident, it is very likely that you can still recover money for your losses in Georgia. You can get compensation as long as you were less than 50% at fault.
But in shared liability situations, the amount you may be entitled to will be less than if you were O% at fault. For example, if you were determined to have been 10% at fault, your compensation would be reduced by 10%.
When the Party at Fault Lacks Truck Insurance
Insurance is mandatory for commercial truck drivers in case of accidents. However, there are instances where a driver may not possess the complete insurance coverage that they are legally obligated to have. In Georgia, commercial vehicles typically have a minimum of $750,000 in liability insurance, $100,000 per individual, and $300,000 per accident.
A truck driver could be uninsured or underinsured in the following scenarios:
- They operate as an independent contractor and are therefore less regulated by a company.
- The commercial truck company has not adhered to the governmental rules controlling commercial vehicles.
- The trucking company only has the minimum insurance coverage, which may not be sufficient to cover all your damages.
Even if the other party lacks insurance, you might still be eligible for compensation. Every state has its own set of regulations and requirements when it comes to uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM) coverage. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage protects drivers in accidents with uninsured or underinsured drivers.
The prerequisites for UM (Uninsured Motorist) coverage differ from state to state, with it being compulsory in some cases and voluntary in others. The coverage sums also vary, with certain states incorporating it into the minimum coverage.
Drivers should understand their state’s laws on uninsured motorist coverage to avoid penalties. In Georgia, UM coverage is not mandatory but recommended to be added to your standard policy.
In Georgia, the usual uninsured motorist coverage for normal car and SUV drivers usually is:
- A limit of $25,000 per individual.
- A limit of $50,000 per incident.
While these amounts may not fully cover your losses, particularly in severe commercial vehicle accidents, they could provide some relief.
What Our Truck Accident Lawyers Do for You
In order to pursue the compensation that you’re entitled to recover, it’s crucial to rely upon a Georgia attorney who has decades of experience in handling such cases. Our lawyers bring a collective 101 years of experience to the table.
Lawyers specializing in truck accidents fall under the category of personal injury attorneys. One of our major areas of litigation is trucking cases related to truck accidents. In the next segment, we’ll discuss some of the key responsibilities of truck accident attorneys toward their clients.
Let our Lawyers in Georgia File Your Claim Promptly
The time frame within which a victim can lodge a claim or lawsuit is set by the statute of limitations. These time limits differ based on the nature of the incident and also from state to state. In the State of Georgia, these limits are determined by Georgia’s commercial trucking laws.
Usually, you have a two-year window from the date of the accident to initiate a truck accident lawsuit. This timeframe is applicable for lodging a personal injury claim and lawsuit as per Georgia Code Section 9-3-33.
If you fail to submit a claim or initiate a lawsuit within two years of your truck mishap in Georgia, you typically won’t be able to seek redress for that incident. There are also certain situations where the statute of limitations is “paused,” giving you additional time to file.
These guidelines are applicable in scenarios such as:
- If the person responsible for the accident is underage, the statute of limitations may be paused until they reach the age of 18.
- When there is an ongoing criminal case related to the accident, the statute of limitations may be paused until the case is resolved.
- If a wrongful death claim is involved and the deceased person’s estate has not been probated, the statute of limitations may be paused for up to five years.
These instances are uncommon; hence the majority of cases still adhere to a two-year filing limit. A Georgia-based personal injury lawyer will ensure your claim or lawsuit is filed within this stipulated timeframe.
Should you Hire a Lawyer after being in a Trucking Accident?
“When should I contact a truck accident lawyer?” is one of the most common questions we are asked regarding truck accidents in Atlanta. Engaging a lawyer for a truck accident is beneficial due to intricate laws, complex liability matters, severe damages, and challenges with insurance claims involving several parties. A seasoned lawyer can guide you through these obstacles and guarantee you get the right compensation.
Engaging an experienced, successful, and tenacious truck crash lawyer in Georgia is very important. Those attorneys must possess the necessary expertise and proven proficiency in handling such cases.
Our legal team has recovered $450 Million in personal injury-type cases so far. So, having an Atlanta personal injury lawyer trained as a commercial motor vehicle accident lawyer will be invaluable in seeking the full and complete compensation that you or your loved one deserve to receive.
Also, bear in mind that a truck accident lawyer from our Georgia-based law firm will handle your case on a no-win, no-fee basis. This implies that we receive a percentage of your compensation amount only after the case concludes, so we don’t earn unless you do!
How to Obtain A FREE Consultation With Our Truck Accident Lawyers in Atlanta
If you’ve sustained injuries in an accident or lost a loved one in a truck disaster, contact the McArthur Law Firm. Since 1980, our truck accident attorneys have had a remarkable track record of assisting truck accident victims with their legal battles for over twenty years. Avoid facing the disastrous aftermath of a truck accident by yourself.
Every truck accident attorney in Atlanta GA with our Law Firm comprehends the steps and the legal processes required to obtain full and complete financial recovery. We encourage you to reach out to us either through our website or by giving us a call to set up a free consultation at your convenience.
Our team of legal professionals is here to assist you and answer any questions you may have. Whether you prefer to communicate face-to-face, by virtual conferencing or over the phone, our attorneys are ready to accommodate your needs and provide you with the information you require to make informed decisions.
Contact us now to schedule your no-cost, complimentary consultation and take the first step toward achieving your goals. Remember, we ALSO advance all case costs so that this additional strain is not placed on you.
More Georgia Truck Accident Resources
If you’d like to learn more about truck accident lawyers in Georgia, then read our informative articles below. We explore every aspect of truck wreck cases that the Atlanta truck accident lawyers at the McArthur Law Firm handle.
