By: Jordan Josey, Quintesha Reynolds, and Caleb Walker, commercial truck accident attorneys in Georgia at McArthur Law Firm (MLF)
Because all numbers for 2023 are still not finalized, we can look at 2022 statistics for information on trucking and big rig accidents in the United States for every state. To start, “116,353 semi-trucks were involved in an accident in 2022.”
While Texas, California, Florida had more semi-truck wrecks Georgia took fourth place, despite there being three other more populous states than the Peach State. That being said, Georgia does have some of the most dangerous highways for truck wrecks. Plus, the top three semi-truck wreck states have double (FL), triple (TX) and nearly quadruple (CA) the population of GA.
When a survey of all big truck accidents is considered, Georgia showed up in 6th place for 2022, for all commercial vehicle crashes, but (again) by population, it is the USA’s most likely place for its citizens being harmed or killed in a truck crash. Thus, people living in Georgia often will need a skilled and successful trucking accident attorney for their car accident case.
So, by population, Georgia is the nation’s most likely place for semi-trucking accidents and other big rig trucking accidents. Therefore, you can now see the relevance of this article written by a truck accident attorney near me in the Peach State.
A trucking accident can change a person’s life in an instant, altering their physical and emotional well-being in profound ways. It is crucial for individuals to prioritize their health and well-being in the aftermath of a trucking accident, seeking medical attention and emotional support as needed. By taking care of themselves and seeking help, when necessary, individuals can begin the process of healing and moving forward from the trauma of a trucking accident.
Truck Wreck Attorneys for a Trucking Accident in Georgia
Being in a trucking accident can be very scary and overwhelming. It can be even worse if someone is seriously hurt or if they lose a loved one. The emotional impact of a trucking accident can be life-altering, causing fear, sadness, and leaving many with uncertainty about wanting to drive again.
Dealing with the aftermath of a trucking accident can be difficult. It is important to seek help and advice during this challenging time to cope with the loss and trauma. The authors of this article at our Macon GA truck accident law firm are seasoned tractor trailer accident lawyers who only represent truck accident victims.
The effects of a trucking accident can be enduring, as the physical and psychological wounds may require time to recover. Accidents can occur suddenly and unexpectedly, causing fear and create anxiety about the victims’ perception of highway safety in the future.
Truck crash lawyer Jordan Josey (left image below) is partner at the Macon GA office of MLF. He has litigated multiple case at the middle Georgia motor vehicle accident law firm during his legal career.
Quintesha Reynolds (center image below) is a truck injury attorney associate at our 18 wheeler accident law firm. From the start of her legal career, she has learned from founding partner, Kathy McArthur, the federal and state rules applicable to trucking accidents, and has been involved in multiple trucking trials.
Caleb Walker, who previously clerked for trial judges in Georgia, is the expert on legal writing, for everything from civil complaints (i.e., lawsuits) to motions and any appellate work needed. His image is shown to the right of Quintesha’s. All three are located at our Macon GA office location.
The Semi-Truck Accident Law Firm for your Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer
Nonetheless, when an individual or corporation is accountable for an accident, the harmed victims have the right to pursue monetary compensation for a variety of economic and non-economic losses, which include:
- Reimbursement for lost wages refers to compensation for the income that the victim was unable to earn due to her or his injuries. These categories can include wages lost from time off work, as well as potential future earnings that may be impacted by the injury creating disability. Additionally, compensation for the diminished value of the victim’s capacity to manage household chores, childcare, or repairs acknowledges the impact that the injury has on the victim’s ability to perform these tasks and provides financial support for any additional help that may be needed.
- Medical bills and other expenses (e.g., ambulance ride) cover a wide range of costs associated with the victim’s injuries, including bills for mobility devices such as wheelchairs or crutches, prescribed drugs to manage pain or aid in recovery, surgical procedures to treat the injuries, and medical apparatus such as braces or prosthetics. These expenses can quickly add up, and compensation for them is crucial in ensuring that the victim receives the necessary medical care without facing financial hardship.
- In cases where the accident results in another person’s wrongful death, funeral and burial costs may also be covered. These expenses can be significant, and providing compensation for them can help alleviate some of the financial burden weighing on the victim’s family during a difficult time. This type of compensation can also help ensure that the victim receives a proper and dignified farewell.
- Remuneration for loss of companionship refers to compensation for the emotional distress and loneliness experienced due to the loss of a loved one. This can include the loss of a spouse, parent, child, or other close family member or friend. It acknowledges the impact that the absence of that person has on the individual’s emotional well-being and quality of life.
- Damages for pain and suffering compensation are intended to address the physical and emotional pain endured as a result of an injury or illness. This can include physical pain, mental anguish, and emotional distress. It recognizes the toll that the injury or illness has taken on the individual’s overall well-being and quality of life.
- Support and guidance compensation is meant to cover the loss of practical assistance and advice that the individual would have received from the injured or deceased person. This can include financial support, household chores, childcare, and emotional support. It acknowledges the impact that the absence of that person has on the individual’s ability to navigate daily life and make important decisions.
- Loss of comfort compensation is designed to address the loss of emotional comfort and security that the individual would have received from the injured or deceased person. This can include companionship, affection, and reassurance. It recognizes the emotional void left by the absence of that person and the impact it has on the individual’s sense of well-being.
- Expenses related to recovery and treatment cover the costs associated with medical care, rehabilitation, and therapy needed to recover from an injury or illness. This can include expenses for occupational therapy, physiotherapy, counseling, medication, and other therapeutic interventions. It acknowledges the financial burden placed on the individual and their family as they work towards healing and recovery.
Should a person or their family member suffer injuries in a trucking mishap, they are not required to handle legal matters and settlements alone. Katherine L. McArthur, an experienced truck accident lawyer operating across the State of Georgia, understands the immense implications associated with being involved in a trucking incident.
The veteran commercial truck accident lawyer is committed to tirelessly ensuring that victims and their families receive fair compensation for their damages and losses. She was the ONE attorney selected by Super Lawyers to be the Georgia Cover Story Lawyer for 2024, from 33,100 other GA attorneys.
How Experts Help Determine Fault in a Trucking Accident
The government has implemented strict guidelines for commercial trucking companies to follow so as to protect drivers from such life-threatening crashes. If the regulations are not followed and result in a trucking wreck, the truck driver or the company to which the truck belongs will likely be at fault and could be held liable for any damages or injuries the trucking accident caused.
Our semi-truck accident lawyers have determined that the three (3) the most commonly violated rules are:
- Tired drivers who keep pushing to get to a location although already exhausted.
- Driver who commits a violation of highway safety rules or local State traffic laws
- Improperly maintained trucks which have some malfunction that will affect the big rig’s safety features (e.g., perimeter cameras in the big truck not working) or the unit’s handling or ability to stop on time.
In Georgia, truck driver fatigue is one of the most common causes of 18-wheeler accidents on our roads. Tractor-trailer drivers often exceed their designated maximum hours to meet unrealistic deadlines, resulting in fatigue. Unfortunately, this is an extremely common issue in this industry, and when an accident does happen, a thorough examination of records by a semi-truck accident attorney will be invaluable.
Typically, driving logs can demonstrate an overall disregard for safety regulations or may even prove to be fraudulent. Furthermore, drivers and trucking companies are only obligated to keep their records for a period of six months.
That is why it is essential to obtain the implicating logs within the initial six-month period, or they could be destroyed by the responsible company. If a driver injured in the trucking accident in Atlanta, Georgia, does not have solid proof or any incriminating evidence to demonstrate that regulations were ignored, they are bound to have a challenging time winning a tractor-trailer injury case.
A skilled truck accident lawyer near me, such as Mrs. McArthur, can analyze the case to prove that the driver of the truck or the trucking company acted negligently and is at fault for the accident by:
- Scrutinizing photographs
- Gathering witness statements
- Checking the vehicle maintenance records and repair reports.
- Analyzing the driving logs
- Authenticating the driver’s credentials
- Identifying any relevant manufacturer recalls and defects.
- Gathering police accident reports and any video footage obtained from any sources.
- Investigating the scene of the incident.
Success in Litigating Truck Accident Cases comes with Quick Action by Collecting All Evidence
Our Georgia truck accident attorneys will start investigating your incident right after your first meeting. This step is important because the outcome of any legal action or agreement depends on the evidence provided. The evidence provided by the truck attorney is crucial in determining the fault of the driver.
Attorneys specializing in truck accidents in Georgia conduct investigations in various ways. This truck crash attorney must be able to identify defective truck components, conduct witness interviews, engage experts for reenactment, and scrutinize police reports and scene photographs.
Plus, these competencies are just a few of the special skills needed for injury lawyers and accident attorneys at our Law Firm. By seeing and reviewing the many steps and tasks your car accident lawyer will undertake to gather as much evidence as possible for your truck crash case.
If there’s a chance that someone other than the truck driver is liable for your accident, it’s crucial to delve deeper into the investigation. The truck driver, their employer, or even the truck’s manufacturer could all possibly bear some responsibility.
The seasoned truck accident attorneys at our Firm understand what specifics to look for to ascertain who is to blame. The truck driver, their employer, or even the truck manufacturer could all potentially bear some responsibility. Think in terms of any company or person involved with planning, loading, driving, or securing that load are some of the most common defendants.
What Should You Do Immediately Following a Truck Accident?
After an accident, it’s important to stay calm. Turn on your hazard lights, stay in your car if it’s safe, and call emergency services.
Let paramedics check you for injuries. Even if you feel fine, it’s best to get a full medical exam after the accident. Don’t forget to have any passengers in your car checked out too.
If not too injured to do so, make sure to gather all necessary information listed above before leaving the accident scene. This includes contact information for all parties involved and any eyewitnesses. This information can be crucial if you later pursue a civil litigation case.
When a police officer comes to the scene, write down their badge number and name. If physically able, take videos or pictures of the accident scene, and any property damage. Capture each vehicle’s impact zones from different angles. Also, get close-up shots of the impact points or anything else you think is important.
If there is an accident, do not admit fault. Avoid saying anything like “I am sorry” and only discuss the details with a police officer or your insurance agent. You do not have to talk to the other party’s insurance company. Finally, speak with a truck accident attorney as soon as possible.
Three McArthur Law Office Locations: Macon, Atlanta, and Warner Robins – FREE Consultation
The authors of this article of based in Macon, GA. However, if an accident lawyer in Atlanta is needed, our full-service office there will be your accident attorneys in Atlanta (or all of north Georgia).
Regardless of location, our Macon lawyers or truck accident attorneys in Atlanta COME TO YOU when you are seriously injured 9or your family member was killed) in a trucking crash. Plus, you never pay a dime to us, since we advance the case costs and recover those costs when we win your case.
By dialing ONE number, 1-855-WARRIOR or 1-855-927-7467, you go to our main switchboard for immediate help. Waiting to act does no good, and may do HARM to your case, so call now.
More Georgia Truck Accident Resources
If you’d like to learn more about truck accident lawsuits in Georgia then read our informative articles below. We explore every aspect of trucking accident cases in Georgia 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
