By: Katherine McArthur, an Attorney for Truck Accident cases since 1980
After a serious truck accident, victims or their families need immediate legal guidance and help. Start by researching and finding a top-rated truck accident lawyer in Georgia.
The trucking industry must follow federal laws. These laws require them to have minimum liability insurance coverage.
Choosing the right truck accident lawyer in Atlanta is not as easy as it may sound. In Georgia, there are many lawyers for car accident cases.
However, few have a lot of success with serious 18-wheeler accidents. Without question, the highest number of crashes will be accidents in Atlanta and its 19 metro counties.
Before talking to an insurance person from the at-fault party’s company or legal team, you need to hire an Atlanta truck accident lawyer. Not following this rule can potentially ruin or greatly reduce your potential case recovery, because the insurance company’s staff of adjusters, lawyers, and agents usually RECORD your statements.
In metro Atlanta, Georgia, and on many highways, car crashes with semi-trucks have increased since COVID. There are more commercial truck accidents in Georgia, along with regular crashes between non-commercial vehicles.
Top Truck Crash Lawyer: Atlanta Car Accident Attorney Firm
If you’ve been in a crash with a commercial truck, the McArthur Law Firm’s truck accident lawyers in Georgia are here to help. Trying to settle a serious crash case without a skilled and proven attorney for your automobile accident would be like trying to perform your own knee replacement surgery.
Similarly, you do not know how to get the best result, and you need a professional, licensed doctor to do such complex work. Insurance adjusters and attorneys are primarily focused on conserving funds for their employers — the insurance firms. Now, we must WARN YOU of a criminal practice being conducted by some Georgia lawyers.
We will not call you, because that would be a crime in Georgia. Yet, you may get a call from a person posing to be your “friend,” but who is committing a crime.
- In the State of Georgia, “barratry” is a crime committed by unscrupulous law firms who ILLEGALLY contact accident victims after paying people to go to police stations and gather your information on recent car and truck crashes. Then, these “runners” are taught to call you and act like your friend in setting you up with an attorney immediately, claiming to be able to get you maximum compensation. This is FELONY criminal conduct.
- O.C.G.A. § 33-24-53 criminalizes the use of “runners” to solicit motor vehicle accident victims for attorneys in Georgia. Enacted in 2014, it makes repeat offenses a felony and imposes penalties of up to ten years in prison for selling accident reports to unauthorized parties.
- This law aims to combat unethical solicitation practices, complementing existing rules against direct solicitation by lawyers. The Legislature sought to protect vulnerable accident victims from exploitation by substandard attorneys who do not follow the required ethics laws.
- If you are called or directly contacted by someone you do not know wanting you to hire their “suggested” law firm, THIS IS ILLEGAL. These people are called “runners” and these actions violate not only legal ethics laws, but Georgia criminal laws.
So, if someone contacts you in person or by phone to “set you up” with a lawyer for your crash case, they are breaking Georgia law. These people are called “runners.” Capture their numbers and report them to the State Bar of Georgia by calling at 404-527-8700 or 800-334-6865.
They are usually non-attorneys but have been trained by unethical legal firms in the injury and accident business to try to “sign up” your case. These illegal actors will not share their full names or often will not say who they are “fronting” the case for. They know Georgia’s laws ban such criminal activities.
They will just say “Gerald” or another name (which is usually a fake name, since they are committing a felony). The individual will try to rush you into signing up for your case with their suggested lawyer. This type of solicitation violates the Georgia Code.
Sometimes the number you see on your screen is a “spoofed” number that forwards over to their real phone. This is because they may not want their cell number visible. Such “limited” information can help them stay off the police’s radar until they get caught red-handed.
We Proudly Reveal our Credentials and Recognition Within the Legal Industry
Kathy McArthur has been a trial attorney in Georgia since 1980. She has helped many clients hurt in trucking accidents or wrongful death cases. In 2024, she was named one of the top 10 attorneys in Georgia. She also was selected as the cover story attorney for Super Lawyers Magazine and was selected from over 33,100 other attorneys in Georgia.
Currently in her 45th year of practice, Mrs. McArthur has tirelessly advocated for the rightful compensation her clients deserve from their accident cases. For many years, she has consistently counseled her clients to be prepared to demand a jury trial, especially when trucking insurance companies underestimate the claim.
Every civil litigation lawyer at McArthur Law Firm is trained to guarantee that they do not agree to a settlement if the proposed compensation from the defendants is unjust. All 8 attorneys at our firm — 100% — have been identified by Super Lawyers as either a Georgia Super Lawyer or a Rising Star “Super” Lawyer.
One factor is the boost in over-the-road transport of goods, but the other is that our lawyers for trucking crashes have seen an overall increase in average interstate highway speed. By the end of 2024, there will be over 300,000,000 motor vehicles registered in the United States, of all types.
Why This Article Focuses on Trucking Accident Cases
Although only a small part of all vehicles on the road (5%), commercial vehicles make up 10% of highway miles driven. Today, about one in eight fatal highway deaths in Georgia involves a commercial motor vehicle and the most common culprit for that crash is driver fatigue.
Some of these deaths also include the truck driver. If you have the misfortune to be one of the people whose family member has been killed in a fatal truck accident in Georgia, call us for an in-depth analysis of your case facts.
About twelve percent of all fatal roadway crashes in Georgia involve large commercial trucks, leading to severe injuries for thousands annually. Atlanta car accident lawyer McArthur is one of the most experienced Atlanta truck accident attorneys, with over 44 years of experience.
In addition, since the commercial truck insurance companies all know her firm’s track record for winning, and being willing to take ANY case to trial, she can obtain top case settlements and (if needed) trial victories. top-rated truck accident attorneys
So, if you or a loved one has been killed or seriously injured in a trucking accident ANYWHERE in America, the McArthur Law Firm is confident in their litigation prowess against truck company law firms. Do not take any check for lost wages or other economic damages, since the insurer may try to claim that this was a full settlement of all claims.
What Are Truck Drivers’ Responsibilities Toward Safety?
In Georgia, victims of traffic accidents can sue negligent drivers, including truck drivers. Truck drivers must comply with both state and federal traffic laws, which include limits on driving hours. However, violations of these rules, such as driving for too long, are common.
These regulations (written and updated periodically by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or “FMCSA”) mandate regular functionality checks of crucial components of a truck’s safety equipment, such as brakes and steering, and the correct weight distribution and securing of cargo, all done for highway safety reasons. In any fatal semi-truck accident, this agency will be investigating such crashes.
In addition, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or N.H.T.S.A., is a federal highway traffic safety agency operating within the federal DOT (Department of Transportation). This agency performs somewhat similar duties to the FMCSA’s mandate, but for non-commercial vehicles, which are not as heavy as the commercial class vehicles.
Federal law mandates all heavy trucks to carry liability insurance with minimum limits that will vary, depending on the cargo load type, and the vehicle’s expected driving activities (e.g., crossing state lines and driving through multiple jurisdictions). Current federal highway regulations call for any motor carrier that is transporting cargo or property presently requiring liability insurance of $750,000 or higher limits.
Additionally, for commercial vehicles carrying hazardous materials, the minimum commercial vehicle 2024 liability limit amount of coverage must be one million dollars ($1,000,000) or more. Certain higher-weight tractor trailers for certain hazardous materials tankers or transports must carry at least $5 million dollars in coverage, due to the more dangerous consequences that are likely in any accident cases with larger loads.
What qualifies as a “commercial motor vehicle?” The above-stated restrictions are applicable to trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating, also known as “GVWR”, of 10,001 pounds or above.
How to Locate the Right Truck Wreck Lawyer for Your Case
When hiring a truck accident law firm, it is important to find one that specializes in personal injury claims, particularly car or truck accidents. It is also beneficial to choose a lawyer who is familiar with the local courts and court workers.
To find a good lawyer for your personal injury case, review their past case results and reviews. Make sure their total recoveries have reached multiple hundreds of millions or more for their clients.
If they meet your expectations, schedule a consultation to learn more about them before deciding. The McArthur Firm is committed to take your truck accident lawsuit all the way to trial, if the full value of a settlement from the trucking company’s insurance carrier is not offered.
Understanding Trucker Insurance Companies and Deadly Accident Claims
Before hiring a lawyer, people usually contact their car insurance company after an accident. However, relying solely on insurance can lead to complications.
A primary factor contributing to the complexity of your claim is the potential reluctance of your insurance company to settle it. Firstly, claims related to trucking accidents are typically costly due to the significant losses incurred.
Secondly, the truck driver or another party may be responsible for the accident. In such scenarios, your insurance firm may refuse to accept liability and instead suggest you pursue a claim with another insurance provider.
Truck Crash Lawyers Are Also called Personal Injury Attorneys
When consulting with a truck crash lawyer about a truck accident, provide details about the incident and its aftermath. Based on this information, the attorney will determine if you can pursue an insurance or legal claim.
A lawyer’s assistance isn’t limited to just one service. You will need to research lawyers before hiring a top-rated legal professional for your highly important case.
Below are several other tasks an attorney from McArthur Law Firm will perform for you:
- Assisting in identifying and quantifying your damages
- Estimating the worth of your claim
- Recording your damages, including for pain and suffering
- Gathering proof to establish liability through measurements, use of drones, etc.
- Submitting the required legal documents to lodge a claim
- Discussing terms with the opposing party, insurance firms, or insurance adjusters on your behalf
- Advocating for your claim in court
- Detailing and “valuing” your case by obtaining expert opinions through witnesses, medical reports, and prior medical records.
Plus, because our truck crash law firm advances all the car accident victims’ litigation costs, no UPFRONT money is needed! When you receive your free lawyer consultation you will learn that you HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE by calling NOW!
When you are injured in a crash in Atlanta or any of the many suburbs like Sandy Springs, Marietta, College Park, Conyers, Douglasville, or Alpharetta, (or any other city in Georgia), you make certain that the injury attorney can handle all aspects of your litigation.
Because experience is the best credential when it comes to hiring a truck accident lawyer, Kathy McArthur’s 44-plus years in civil litigation is in the top 1% of the best legal warriors in the Peach State as a personal injury attorney. She knows all the “ins and outs” of investigating, preparing, and winning your all-important case.
You’ll need to research potential lawyers before you hire the right one for your case. Once you call the McArthur Law Firm, you will know that these injury lawyers are very serious about doing things right. This starts with special, focused, immediate attention to issues like:
Offering FREE Consultations to those who have suffered serious injury and believe another party (or several other parties) were either 100% at fault or were MORE AT FAULT than our potential client. Georgia laws allow the “least negligent” person or persons in highway crashes to recover in civil court litigation.
Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers in the Peach State
The United States had almost 6000 deaths from truck accidents in 2021. In 2023, the statistics are not out yet, but this number is likely to top 7000 deaths, due to more miles being driven by more commercial trucks, buses, and similar heavy trucks (e.g., garbage trucks, dump trucks).
Alcohol and distracted driving are major causes, with distracted driving becoming a top issue alongside drunk driving. Plus, truck accidents each year cause property damage and non-fatal injuries due to various collision types on a myriad of different highways and streets.
Tractor Trailer Accident Lawyer Katherine McArthur Helps Injured Victims
Call our semi-truck accident lawyers now at 404-565-1621 for ATLANTA and 478-238-6600 to reach our MACON office and get started. Our lawyers not only litigate STATEWIDE but have also litigated in over a dozen other states, for these life-changing cases.
Plus, below is our nationwide toll-free number, 1-855-WARRIOR or 1-855-927-7467. FREE legal consultation near me regardless of your location within the State of Georgia.
Injured parties (or a close family member) do themselves no favor by waiting. Take advantage of our law office’s 100% FREE lawyer consultation. Since you PAY NOTHING, why wait any longer? Evidence may disappear, over time.
When you need a relentless trucking accident lawyer near me, it’s crucial to hire a proven, successful and dedicated law office. It’s not advisable to converse with insurance company representatives before consulting your own lawyer, because their primary aim is to minimize the insurer’s payout.
More Truck Accident Resources
If you’d like to learn more about how the Georgia truck accident lawyers at McArthur Law Firm handle truck crash cases, read some of our informative articles below.
