Trucks are large vehicles known to transport heavy goods. As such, a traffic accident involving trucks results in severe injuries and damages. If you are a resident of Tucker, Georgia, and you or a loved one is a victim of a truck accident, you need our legal services.
Our Tucker truck accident lawyers are committed to fighting for your right to receive compensation for your injuries and damages. We know that every case is different, and this is why we are offering free consultation and case evaluation in as little as 6 hours. Moreover, we will not charge you anything upfront. If we lose the case, you will not pay anything. With us, there is no risk involved.
At The Hurt Boss, we value honesty and transparency. We treat our clients like family. This means that our auto accident lawyers in Tucker will fight for you with the same courage and determination we would for our families. If you have been injured due to another person’s negligence, call our truck accident lawyers at 678-806-7715.
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Truck Accident Statistics in Georgia
It is a known fact that truck accidents leave carnage on roads due to their size and weight. A 2014 report from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety in Georgia states that there were 1,165 fatalities on Georgia’s roads. In 2015, the number of fatalities stood at 1,433 in total. According to a report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, truck accidents are the major contributor to fatalities on Georgia roads.
For example, in 2014, the number of fatalities on Georgia roads involving trucks was 155, and 196 in 2015. The nationwide report showed that there were 32,166 deadly crashes involving trucks, and out of this number, 3,838 of them involved two or more commercial vehicles.
In fact, Georgia is ranked fourth for accidents involving trucks and 18-wheelers.
What Should You Do After a Truck Accident in Tucker, GA?
There is no doubt being involved in a truck accident can be scary and lead to confusion. It can easily leave you wondering what to do next. However, because the accident can be complex and involve multiple parties and factors, it is wise to seek help from a trusted Tucker truck accident lawyer to guide you through the whole situation.
Nonetheless, we recommend following the following steps to protect yourself and your legal rights.
Call the Police
It is wise to report the crash to relevant authorities. Anyone who is involved in the accident must remain at the scene of the accident. Even though this is the case, it is important to prioritize safety. You can do this by removing the vehicle from the road, using hazards, and trying to inform other drivers in advance using flares.
Help Others
If others are in danger and need help, you should offer help. However, you should not offer help when you are not safe. Your safety is paramount.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
It does not matter if you are feeling fine; it is wise to seek immediate medical attention. Concussion and internal injuries may lead to more issues if not identified in time.
Document the Scene
You can be your best advocate. To do this, immediately after the accident, document everything relevant to the accident. This includes taking images of the traffic lights, signs, potholes, skid marks, the damages, and more. Do not forget to collect the contact information of witnesses.
Contact a Lawyer
To protect your rights, it is wise to call a personal injury lawyer immediately. Our Tucker truck accident lawyers will help you by ensuring you get the best representation.
What Are the Laws Regarding Truck Accident Liability in Georgia?
After being involved in an accident involving a truck in Georgia, the chances are you are going to be left with severe injuries and damages. For this reason, cases involving truck accidents are complex. That is because liability and fault must be determined before compensation is paid.
It is important to know that Georgia is a modified comparative negligence state. In other words, it uses a modified fault system to determine liability in an accident. According to this law, a victim is legally entitled to receive compensation if they were found to be less than 50% responsible for the accident. Determining fault in a truck accident case is extremely difficult and often contested by the company and the insurer.
On the other hand, trucks are governed by certain rules (both federal and state) that do not apply to normal personal vehicles. Federal government rules governing trucks are known as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR). These laws apply to trucks that operate in multiple states.
Georgia has also adopted similar regulations and applies to companies found in Georgia only. In Georgia, the department agency responsible for enforcing truck driving laws is known as the Georgia Department of Public Safety.
How Can a Tucker Truck Accident Lawyer Help Me?
There are many benefits to seeking the services of our Tucker truck accident lawyer. We will help you get the compensation you deserve. All you have to do is allow us to work on your behalf and give yourself time to heal.
We will guide you through the claim process and keep you updated all through. We will help you secure medical care, find the important document and build a strong winning case. What will you be getting in the process:
Investigation
For you to receive compensation, we will help you build a strong civil case against the offenders. To achieve this, some investigations must be conducted. Moreover, one must have access to different specialists who can verify your claims like special doctors, forensic specialists, traffic accident reconstruction specialists, and more.
Filing a Claim
Filing a claim is not as straightforward as you may think. That is because our judicial processes are complicated, and the technical jargon used can lead to confusion. However, with the help of a lawyer, filing a claim will be easy.
Negotiations
Not all civil cases are solved in civil courts. Many of them are solved through negotiations out of court. An experienced lawyer will help you to negotiate since they can estimate the true cost of your injuries and damages.
Litigation
Sometimes negotiations fail, and when they do, the issue can only be solved in a civil court. If this happens, with a lawyer at your corner; you are assured you are going to receive the best representation in court.
What Types of Compensation Can I Receive in Georgia?
Both the state and federal laws give truck accident victims the legal right to pursue economic and non-economic damages, with the possibility of getting punitive damages. Therefore, in Georgia, the following type of compensation can be awarded to you:
Economic Damages
This type of compensation is awarded to any loss that you have experienced after an accident and can be calculated in value. For example, it includes lost wages, medical expenses, rehabilitation bills, property damages, and more.
Non-Economic Damages
This type of compensation is awarded to any loss that you have experienced but cannot be calculated or have a value. For example, it includes emotional trauma, mental anguish, loss of consortium, loss of life enjoyment, trauma, and others.
Punitive Damages
This type of damage is awarded to a victim if the defendant or offender’s actions were malicious or extremely reckless. Punitive damages act as a punishment to the offender. They are capped at $250,000 in Georgia with limited exceptions. One exception is drunk driving crashes.
How Much Is My Truck Accident Claim Worth?
The truth is that it is difficult to determine the true cost of a truck accident case. That is because each case is different with different parameters. In other words, the value is influenced by many facts including the severity of the injuries, the extent of the property damage, the number of parties involved, and more.
To know the true worth of your claim, speak to our truck accident lawyer today. All you have to do is take advantage of our free case evaluation. To book your free case evaluation call us at 678-806-7715.
Is There a Deadline for Filing a Claim?
A person has only 2 years to file a personal injury claim against a truck driver or any other party related to the accident. Our personal injury lawyer will file the case immediately to prevent losing the right to have the case heard. It is important to note that there is a limit to how old a vehicle part or vehicle manufacturer can be held liable for their product.
You cannot file a complaint against a manufacturer if the vehicle or vehicle components associated are 10 or more years. To better understand the legal regulations surrounding the statute of limitation in Georgia, it is wise to contact a truck accident lawyer immediately. At the Hurt Boss legal firm, we will give you all the information relevant to your case including the time limit.
How Is Fault in a Truck Accident Determined?
It is important to prove fault in Georgia because it is a state that follows modified comparative negligence rules. Therefore, to establish fault, the following elements or parameters must be proven:
- Duty of care – As the victim, you will have to show that the truck driver or company owed you a duty of care. In other words, you must show the relationship between you and the truck driver.
- Breach of duty of care – You will have to show the way the truck driver, company, or any other party failed to uphold the duty of care. For example, the driver drove the truck recklessly and failed to obey traffic rules.
- Causation – You will have to prove the action the company, driver, or any other took was the cause of the accident. For example, if the accident was due to fatigue, you will have to show how fatigue led to the accident.
- Damage – You will have to show the injuries and property damages you have suffered.
Can a Lawyer Prove the Truck Driver Was Negligent?
Yes! There are ways to prove the driver was negligent. Although the trucking industry is heavily regulated, violations are increasingly becoming common. Any accident that happens because of regulation violation often leads to severe injuries. To show the driver was negligent, one must provide evidence showing the four elements of determining fault.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
There are many parties who could be held liable in a truck accident case. As such, liability will be determined by the evidence and facts of the case. remember, each case is different, and as such the parties will be held liable. In Georgia, the people who can be held liable in a truck accident include:
- The truck driver – Any employee tasked to drive the truck can be held responsible if they violated any traffic regulations. For example, the driver can be held liable if they drive the truck while under influence.
- The truck company – The truck company can be held liable if they employed a truck driver who is not qualified enough to handle commercial vehicles. The company can also be held liable if they pressure the driver to work long hours.
- The loading company – If the accident was caused by overloading or improperly secured load, the loading company will be held liable.
- Vehicle or part manufacturers – A vehicle or part manufacturer can be held responsible if the accident came about due to a defective part. For example, if the truck had faulty brakes, the driver may not have been able to stop before the accident. It is important to note that liability rules regarding manufacturers apply.
The Common Causes of Truck Accidents
There are many reasons why truck accidents occur. An exhaustive list of all common known reasons is listed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and published in a report known as “Critical Factors.” Generally, there are two contributing factors, which are:
Driver Failure or Errors
- Driver fatigue
- Distracted driving
- Drug use
- Reckless driving
- Improperly secured or oversized freight
- Poorly trained or inexperienced driver
- Cargo shift
Vehicle Failure And Environmental Factors
- Lack of truck maintenance
- Equipment malfunction
- Tire and wheel failure
- Brake failure
- Poor road condition
- Steering failure
- Suspension system failure
- Road design
- Slick road (rain, ice, snow, or debris)
Call the Best Truck Accident Lawyers in Tucker Today!
Our experienced attorneys at The Hurt Boss have worked on many cases involving trucks and commercial vehicles. As such, we know the questions to ask, what to look for, and the safety issues and regulations to consult after the accident.
We can build your case for maximum value. We offer free consultation services. Moreover, we do not get paid until we win. That is because we work on a contingency basis. If you are looking for a reliable, honest, and transparent truck accident lawyer in Tucker, GA, consider The Hurt Boss. To book a free consultation service, call us at 678-806-7715.
