By: Michael Thompson, member of an Award-Winning Truck Accident Law Firm with three office locations in Georgia
Anyone who has been involved in a truck accident would agree that it is a traumatic and overwhelming event. In some cases, the crash may have been fatal to a loved one, which is even more devastating.
Those who find themselves in a situation where injury, disability, or a life-altering or job-ending truck wreck should seek the able assistance of an experienced and successful lawyer at a law firm staffed with numerous truck wreck attorneys. Not every website seeking to attract these cases fits the description of being a top-rated commercial truck accident lawyer.
By selecting the right 18 wheeler accident law firm, the attorneys can be essential in ensuring that you receive the compensation and justice you deserve. A lawyer at a semi-truck accident law firm with many prior, similar cases can provide you with the expertise, prior litigation experience, and step-by-step guidance needed to navigate one of the toughest types of civil justice cases in America.
Your semi-truck accident lawyer’s familiarity with the intricate legal procedures of investigating these cases and preparing them for trial is critically important. Plus, if you are talking to a firm that does not have all three of these proven characteristics, you should likely keep looking for your legal counsel:
- Ten or more 7-figure & 8-figure jury verdicts (e.g., $7 million, $3,500,000, or $19 million, as examples of two 7-figure verdicts, and the 3rd example is an 8-figure verdict). These all should be tractor trailer vs car accident cases (or a motorcycle). AND
- At least 20 trucking accident cases that were resolved by pre-trial or mid-trial settlements in the same dollar ranges of seven-figure or higher case resolutions; AND
- Be working as part of a Law Firm that has multiple attorneys on staff bringing at least 70 cumulative years of collective personal injury legal experience focused entirely on civil litigation topics, only.
By enlisting the help of a lawyer, you can have someone on your side who will advocate for you and fight to hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions. Whether you have been injured in an accident, experienced discrimination in the workplace, or are facing a legal dispute, a lawyer can provide you with the support and representation needed to achieve a favorable outcome.
Having a lawyer by your side can give you peace of mind knowing that you have a knowledgeable and experienced professional working on your behalf. The truck accident injury attorney in Georgia can help you understand your legal rights, assess your options, and develop a strategy to pursue the best possible outcome for your case. By making an intelligent hiring decision, you do all you can to ensure that your rights are protected and that you will receive fair treatment under the law.
Overall, seeking the help of a lawyer in challenging situations can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. They can provide you with the legal expertise and support needed to navigate the complexities of the legal system and ensure that your rights are protected.
The Person Driving the Truck
The trucking company is typically responsible for its employees. However, you can sue the truck driver directly if his or her mistake caused the accident. For example, the driver may be at fault if they were drunk, driving recklessly, or distracted because they were illegally holding a cell phone device.
Truck drivers in Georgia must follow all traffic laws and safety regulations. These are detailed in Georgia’s commercial truck driving laws. Their number of work hours and advanced training on safety issues should be closely supervised to prevent accidents.
However, many truck drivers become fatigued and overworked while trying to meet deadlines. This can pose a danger to other drivers and result in accidents.
For instance, the driver may be at fault if they were drunk, driving recklessly, or distracted. Truck drivers in Georgia must obey all traffic laws and safety rules. The trucking company is typically responsible for its employees.
However, you can sue the truck driver directly if their mistake caused the accident. For example, the driver may be at fault if they were drunk, driving recklessly, or distracted.
Truck drivers in Georgia must follow all traffic laws and safety rules. Their work hours and training should be closely monitored to prevent accidents.
However, many drivers become tired and overworked while trying to meet deadlines. This can be hazardous for other drivers and result in accidents. This can be dangerous for other drivers and lead to accidents.
The Company Who Hired the Person Driving the Truck
Trucking companies must follow federal rules to keep drivers safe. This includes limits on work hours and weight limits for vehicles. They also need to train drivers to be safe on the roads. If your lawyer finds the company broke the law, you can sue them for a truck accident.
Trucking companies that are sending trucks through interstate commerce are required to have more insurance coverage than regular heavy vehicle drivers. These trucking companies typically carry more insurance coverage than companies that only drive within the State of Georgia.
Having comprehensive coverage is beneficial for covering large damages that may occur to your vehicle. This type of insurance can provide financial protection in the event of theft, vandalism, natural disasters, or other non-collision-related incidents.
However, one downside to having comprehensive coverage is that the insurance company may try to pay less for your accident. This could result in the insurance company undervaluing the cost of repairs or offering a lower settlement amount than what is actually needed to fully cover the damages.
It is important to carefully review and negotiate with the insurance company to ensure you receive fair compensation for your claim. A skilled truck accident lawyer can assist you in obtaining the total compensation that your case facts demand. A lawyer with McArthur Law Firm possessing the prior experience and consistent, winning results outlined above can help you get the compensation you deserve.
The Truck Manufacturer or Parts Maker
Suppose the accident was caused by a defect in the vehicle’s parts. In that case, you may be able to sue the company that made the truck (under a product liability theory) or was responsible for manufacturing its parts. Your lawyer will probably need to investigate the truck’s history to determine whether or not one of these automotive manufacturer defects or parts suppliers may have contributed to the collision.
The Trucking Company’s Repair Shop or Contractor
If the incident was caused by improper truck maintenance or a lack of repairs, the person or company that performed those repairs may be responsible for the accident. Repair shops and mechanics are supposed to perform repairs by doing quality work. Should they fail to deliver on this standard, the attorney handling your truck accident case may sue them or add them as a party defendant.
The Cargo’s Shipper and the Cargo Owner
Sometimes, serious injuries or even death can result from hazardous materials from commercial vehicles. In addition, trucking industry standards set the rules for how cargo must be stacked and secured on a flatbed or inside a trailer.
Therefore, hazardous goods shippers must let truck drivers and their employers know about the dangers when transporting certain items of goods. If they do not do this and a cargo spill causes injuries or deaths, they can be sued for the damages.
Possibly Suing a City, County, or State Government Agency
Truck accidents sometimes don’t involve anyone related to the trucking company. For example, if the accident was caused by poorly maintained roads, broken or missing signs, or anything related to road conditions, the government body responsible for maintaining those roads may be at fault.
While you can sue a government entity in Georgia for a truck accident, the GA Code under Section 50-21-26 requires you to provide written notice of your intent to pursue legal action within 12 months of the accident date. This notice provides the State to offer to settle without having to take the case to trial.
A similar set of laws for cities and counties are found under Georgia Code Section 36-33-5. These rules are called “ante litem” laws and may vary for city governments.
A lawyer can argue for compensation by holding the trucking company accountable for their negligence. This can be done by showing that the company did not maintain the truck properly or ensure its safety. This evidence can help in building a strong case for compensation.
Negligent Hiring Practices for Drivers
Another issue that victims can hold insurance companies accountable for is negligent hiring practices by the truck company. The truck’s insurance company may be responsible for damages caused by a driver with a history of accidents or violations.
Additionally, a truck accident lawyer (attorney) can argue that the trucking company is responsible for the accident because they employed the driver involved. The driver’s company can be held responsible for an accident if the driver was not properly trained or supervised.
Furthermore, a truck crash attorney can also argue that the trucking company is responsible for the accident because they hired drivers with bad driving records. If it can be proven that the company knew or should have known about the driver’s history of reckless driving or other violations, they can be held accountable for any resulting accidents.
Overall, having a lawyer for truck accident cases on your side can greatly increase your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve after a truck accident. They can help you build a strong case against the trucking company and fight for your rights in court.
What about Negligence in the Insurance Agent and Company Not Protecting the Trucking Owner?
Victims of trucking accidents can also hold trucking companies’ insurance companies responsible for a variety of reasons. Insurance broker negligence can lead to inadequate coverage for trucking companies. This error can leave victims without the compensation they deserve, when that owner has no additional assets from which to pay the claim.
In such cases, the at-fault vehicle accident law firm representing that trucking company owner may be bringing a special of legal action that would seek to make the insurance broker pay the excess amount. Let a tractor trailer accident lawyer from MLF guide this path so no errors occur along the path of litigation.
Our Team’s semi-truck accident attorneys in Georgia know how to access all the records for that driver, including GPS data and written logs of truck loads picked up and dropped off across the United States. Many times, these records are the “smoking gun” that seals the trucking company’s fate.
Similarly, if the company fails to properly inspect, repair, or maintain its vehicles, resulting in an accident, the insurance company may be held responsible for the negligence. When our firm has been hired as the car accident lawyer for a victim impacted severely by a big rig vehicle our goal for recovery goes far beyond property damage, medical bills, and lost wages, because serious injuries mean a substantial financial loss for the client and her or his family.
Victims of trucking accidents should consider seeking compensation from both the trucking firm and their insurance provider when facts support that litigation. By investigating all potential sources of compensation, victims can guarantee they obtain the complete sum they deserve for their injuries and losses.
Truck accident attorneys can help victims seek compensation from freight carriers or individuals who violate safety regulations. Destroying evidence can also lead to liability.
FREE Lawyer Consultation & Pay Nothing until MLF Wins Your Case
Reach out to the legal team at McArthur Law Firm for a NO-COST lawyer consultation regarding your Georgia trucking accident today. The McArthur Team has lawyers in Warner Robins, Macon, and an office located in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia.
In all of the many aspects of various litigation described above, our lawyers can assist you. Our staff members are also equipped to aid victims or your bereaved family in obtaining compensation caused by a truck wreck. Dial 404-565-1621 to get your free lawyer consultation from a truck accident lawyer near me from the MLF team.
More Georgia Truck Accident Resources
If you’d like to learn more about truck accident injury claims in Georgia then read our informative articles below. We explore every aspect of the Georgia truck accident injury cases that the McArthur Law Firm handles.
- Truck Accident FAQs
- Dump Truck Accident
- Semi-Truck Accident Lawyers: Logging Truck Accidents in GA
- Farming Vehicle Accidents
- Multiple Negligent Parties In Truck Wrecks
- Truck Driver Error
- Trucking Company Negligence
- Deadliest Highways For Truck Accidents
- Macon Truck Accident Lawyer: GA Trucking Accident Attorneys
- Truck Accident Attorney: Macon Truck Accident Law Firm in GA
- Truck Accident Attorney Atlanta GA
- Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer: Trucking Accident Attorney
- Truck Accident Attorney: Semi-Truck Accident Attorney in GA
- Truck Crash Lawyer: Semi-Truck Accident Attorneys in Atlanta
