Buckhead Truck Accident Lawyer

Hurt in a Buckhead truck accident? Help starts with the Hurt Boss firm!

While all traffic-related crashes have the potential to cause severe and life-altering injuries, accidents involving commercial trucks, semi-trucks, and 18-wheelers can cause particularly devastating damages. Trucks are much larger than typical passenger cars and weigh over 80,000 pounds. This means a crash, collision, or wreck involving a commercial truck can be particularly devastating, resulting in fatal injuries and casualties – and emergency care and treatment can be critically important for victims.

When a truck accident caused by a negligent trucker and their employers leaves you or a loved one with severe injuries, the experienced Buckhead truck accident attorneys at The Hurt Boss can help! We have the resources and experience needed to thoroughly investigate the events leading to the crash, establish liability, and, more importantly, pursue the full compensation to with you are entitled.

Our Buckhead truck accident lawyers have successfully represented auto accident victims in Atlanta and throughout Georgia in personal injury and wrongful death claims for years. If you are unsure how to recover compensation after a truck accident, turn to The Hurt Boss. Contact our Buckhead truck accident lawyers at 678-806-7715 to get a free consult. No Fees Unless We Win!

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Truck Accident Statistics

According to 2019 data released by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 5,337 large trucks and busses were involved in fatal crashes and 5,244 total fatalities.

What Should You Do After a Truck Accident?

As experienced truck accident lawyers in Buckhead, we know that not everyone reacts the same following a crash. We understand how those first minutes, hours, and days are chaotic. So, what should you do in the aftermath of a truck accident to protect your rights?

  • Call 911: Immediately after the crash, call the police. They are trained to investigate the scene, call emergency responders, and write an accident report. Make sure to get a reference for the accident report from the police offers at the scene.
  • Help Others: If you can safely exit your vehicle, get out, but remain at the scene and offer whatever aid you can to others involved in the wreck until help arrives.
  • Exchange Info: Get the names, contact, and insurance information of the other drivers involved in the crash. When interacting with people at the scene, do not say anything about the wreck. The trucker’s insurance company could take an innocent remark as an admittance of fault. Keep information about the crash to yourself.
  • Document the Scene, Speak with Eyewitnesses: Use your phone’s camera to take photos of the scene, including the position of each vehicle, your damaged car, injuries, road conditions, and anything that can help your case. If possible, you can also write down your version of events.
  • Seek Medical Attention: Emergency medical care is crucial for your safety and claim. Even if you’re lucky and managed to walk away with minor injuries, see a doctor for a comprehensive checkup. Be sure to follow your treating physician’s order and record your injuries and treatment.
  • Contact an Attorney: While reaching out to a lawyer is the last thing on your mind after a truck accident, you must contact a lawyer right away. This way, you can have someone looking after your interests, preserving important evidence, and building your case.

What Are the Laws Regarding Truck Accident Liability?

State and federal laws regulate the operation of trucks. In addition to Georgia’s transport department, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation determine and enforce trucking laws and regulations.

Below are a few examples of rules that apply to semi-trucks and 18-wheelers in Georgia:

  • Truckers must have valid commercial driver’s license
  • Not driving over the allowed time
  • Follow sleep requirements
  • Not driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs – including OTC meds
  • Keep detailed and accurate logbooks
  • Vehicle weight and signage regulation

How Can a Buckhead Truck Accident Lawyer Help?

Atlanta truck accidents often result in life-changing injuries and even death. Because Georgia law regarding trucking accidents can be complex, it’s always in your best interest to retain an experienced lawyer to take care of the legal aspects of the case.

At The Hurt Boss, you will get dedicated truck accident lawyers who will help with:

Investigation: In addition to helping you understand your case, we will take measures to preserve evidence and gather crucial evidence ranging from medical documentation to police reports.

Filing a Claim: From start to finish, we handle every aspect of your truck accident claim, including filing your insurance claim and lawsuit within the set deadlines.

Negotiations: Our attorneys will negotiate aggressively on your behalf for maximum settlement. We are skilled and experienced negotiators and will act as your voice, presenting a persuasive argument when negotiating with insurers. At every step, we will keep you updated and help you understand your options, and recommend the most favorable course of action to help you achieve the best outcome.

Litigation: The Buckhead truck accident lawyers at The Hurt Boss are experienced trial lawyers and are not afraid to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve in court. If insurance companies stall, attempt to undervalue, or deny your claim, we have the resource and expertise needed to thoroughly prepare, try, and win your Buckhead truck accident case.

Image is of a semi truck driving down a highway, concept of Buckhead truck accident lawyer

What Types of Compensation Can I Receive?

Georgia law allows the recovery of three types of damages from liable parties after a truck accident that results in injury or death. These damages include:

Economic Damages

  • Medical expenses, including ER treatment, hospital stays, ambulance fees, and other transport expenses related to the treatment of injuries, surgery, medication, physical therapy, the cost of mobility equipment, etc.
  • Lost wages
  • The loss of future earnings
  • Property loss/damage
  • Ongoing care costs
  • Other out-of-pocket expenses incurred

Non-Economic Damages

  • Reduced quality of life or loss of enjoyment of typical pleasures of life
  • Pain and suffering
  • Disfigurement
  • Loss of consortium
  • Emotional distress

Punitive Damages

A trucking company, driver, or other liable party found to have acted maliciously or extremely negligent may be ordered to pay punitive damages.

How Much is My Buckhead, GA, Truck Accident Claim Worth?

Cases involving truck accidents are completely different from typical passenger crash cases. Depending on the nature of the semi-truck crash, you might be facing several defendants and insurance policies all at once. While every trucking accident is unique, a couple of common factors determine how much you can recover after a truck accident. These include:

  • Your medical expenses
  • Pain and suffering
  • Severity of your injuries
  • The extent of property damage
  • Type of injuries
  • Commercial truck insurance
  • Lost wages or missed work
  • Any additional factors or facts specific to your case

While it’s challenging to determine exactly how much your Buckhead truck accident is worth, your attorney can evaluate your damages and give you a rough estimate of what your case may be worth. Talk to us at The Hurt Boss 678-806-7715 (https://thehurtboss.com/) to understand the different factors that affect how much you can recover after a truck accident in Atlanta, GA.

Is There a Deadline for Filing a Claim After a Truck Accident in Buckhead, GA?

It’s important to remember that claims arising from truck accidents – whether they are personal injury claims or wrongful death claims – are subject to strict statutes of limitations (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33). This means that you have a limited amount of time to file your claim. After this deadline, the law bars you from pursuing a lawsuit.

In Georgia, you have two years from the date of the trucking accident or death caused by the trucking accident to file your lawsuit. So, even if the trucking company or the insurance company promises or tries to stall, it is crucial that you have your lawsuit filed by the two-year deadline.

Our Buckhead truck accident lawyers can begin working on your claim immediately!

How is Fault in a Truck Accident Determined, and Who Can Be Held Liable?

If you or a loved one was hurt in an 18-wheeler or other truck accident in Georgia, you might be interested in figuring out who was at fault and what legal options are available. After all, Georgia is an “at-fault,” which means the person or entity who is negligent/at fault for the crash is accountable for the resulting damages.

But how exactly do you prove a party was negligent? To prove negligence, you must show that you were owed a duty of care, that duty was breached, you suffered losses/damages because of the breach, and finally, your losses/damages were the direct product of the at-fault party’s breach of duty.

Image is of a semi-truck accident on a highway, concept of Buckhead truck accident lawyer

One example of negligence might be the trucker was drunk when they hit you. The truck driver could be named as the defendant because they failed to “exercise reasonable care” to keep you from getting hurt.

If you were injured in an Atlanta truck accident, do not assume that only the truck driver is liable for the accident. Since multiple parties may be involved in the crash, each could be potentially at fault and liable for damages, including:

  • Truck Driver: Trucking Company: Under the respondeat superior doctrine, a trucking company or a truck owner can be liable for their employer’s negligence – in this case, the truck driver – while performing work-related duties.
  • Freight Loading Company: The company that loaded the cargo may be different from the company that owns the commercial truck. If the loading company overloaded the truck, failed to secure the freight properly, or was negligent in securing the cargo, it may be held liable.
  • Vehicle/Parts Manufacturers: Big rigs and other commercial trucks are complex. If an 18-wheeler malfunctions and causes a wreck, the manufacturer of the faulty part or the commercial truck may be liable.
  • Government Entity: Government entities responsible for road repair and maintenance have a responsibility to ensure that roads are safe for all drivers. If a semi-truck encounters a large crack or other hazardous road conditions, the negligent government agency may be accountable for resulting damages.

Other drivers on the road: All motorists must ensure the safety of other road users. If another driver or cyclist causes a chain reaction that contributes to a truck accident, the other driver may also be liable for the accident.

Sharing fault for an Atlanta truck accident: Georgia employs modified comparative negligence for big-rig and other truck accidents. This means that even if multiple parties share the blame, yourself included, you can still recover compensation. However, you can only be awarded damages if and only if you weren’t more than 50% at fault for the accident.

Determining and apportioning fault in a truck accident can be pretty challenging, and in most cases, there can be a lot of uncertainty if the case goes to trial. For this reason, it’s crucial to talk to an experienced Buckhead truck accident lawyer to evaluate your case and figure out the best way to proceed.

Can a Lawyer Prove That the Truck Driver Was Negligent?

Yes! Our Buckhead truck accident lawyers can review several types of evidence to prove that a trucker was negligent. Some of the evidence that our team may uncover and examine to prove a truck driver’s negligence include:

  • Observations and documentation compiled in the police report by investigating police officers
  • Photos of the truck accident scene
  • Eyewitness statements
  • Official motor vehicle records or disciplinary records for the driver
  • Accident reconstruction reports
  • The truck driver’s credentials
  • The company log
  • Black box data from the commercial truck
  • Alcohol and substance abuse testing records
  • Local and state statutes

You may be unsure of the cause of a truck accident crash after getting hurt. Preserving and demanding evidence to prove a driver’s negligence can be daunting. It’s OK not to know anything right away. That’s where we come in – talk to us as soon as possible to begin preserving and gathering crucial evidence.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Many factors can lead to crashes involving commercial trucks. Some of the most common causes, as revealed by the FMCSA – Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, include:

  • Driver Fatigue
  • Reckless Driving
  • Distracted Driving
  • Drug Use
  • Poorly Trained or Inexperienced Drivers
  • Oversized or Improperly Secured Cargo/Freight
  • Equipment Malfunction
  • Lack of Truck Maintenance
  • Poor Road Conditions

The Buckhead truck accident attorneys at The Hurt Boss have the skills, resources, determination, and experience to effectively represent you or your loved one in truck accidents arising from different causes. Let us help!

Image is of a Buckhead truck accident lawyer speaking on cell phone to a client while sitting at his desk and looking at computer.

Skilled & Compassionate Buckhead Truck Accident Lawyers Getting You Back on Your Feet After a Truck Accident – Call Us!

Regardless of the cause, trucking accidents are often devastating and complex. The Hurt Boss represents people with personal injury cases in Buckhead, Atlanta, and throughout Georgia. We have the expertise, resources, experience, and dedication necessary to hold all liable parties responsible for your injuries. Contact our Buckhead truck accident attorneys today at 678-806-7715 or fill out a free contact request form and tell us your story.