There’s nothing more devastating than seeing an accident that involves a standard vehicle and a commercial truck. Many people would like to go their entire lives without having any run-in with an 18-wheeler or big rig. Commercial trucking companies would prefer the same and often preach safety with their drivers. However, despite these perceptions and expectations, truck accidents do are very common. If you or someone you know has been a victim of a truck accident, you need to speak to a truck accident lawyer near McDonough immediately.
If you find yourself in a situation where you need a truck accident lawyer, you’ve probably been behind the wheel in one of these accidents. These are definitely more devastating and traumatic than a car accident in McDonough GA. Semi-trucks and 18 wheelers pose a much greater risk of flipping over or losing control. Usually, any sort of accident with a truck leaves a great deal of destruction and the risk of injuries, sometimes fatal or very serious.
If you or someone you know is a victim of a truck accident, you need to speak to a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Knowing that you have legal options can be a huge stress relief. Mounting medical bills, loss of earnings, and loss of the ability to do the same work as you used to before the accident are all financial strains that you don’t want to deal with after being in a major accident. Our injury law firm serving McDonough can help you understand your rights and your legal options in these situations.
Dealing with a Truck Accident in Georgia
Although many trucking companies preach safety to their drivers and require their drivers to undergo multiple safety courses, the actual driving practices of these truck drivers rarely match what they’ve been taught in the classroom. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents are driver fatigue, lack of truck maintenance, lack of safety equipment, company taught driving techniques that are not compliant with state safety regulations, and promotion of unsafe work conditions.
One of the first things to understand when dealing with a truck accident is that while the truck drivers may be at fault, the trucking company may also be responsible and could be held liable. Truck accident lawyers are familiar with the standard operating practices many trucking companies use, and they can help determine who the actual culprit might be depending on the specifics of your case.
When you’re dealing with a truck accident, the first thing you should do after filing a police report and making sure everyone is okay is to start contacting truck accident lawyers. Truck accident lawyers understand the system and are aware of how truck accident cases work and what the courts/judge may be looking for when evaluating their decision.
Your Truck Accident Questions Answered
First and foremost, you need to know that you are under no obligation to speak to the truck company, the truck driver or their insurance company. In some cases, you shouldn’t speak with them at all. Your best option is to provide complete information to your truck accident lawyer. They can then talk to the insurance company regarding your case. This is true even if you believe you are partially responsible for the accident. If this is the case, tell your truck accident lawyer. There is no need to make such a claim with the insurance company. You will only hurt your case.
What is the Process of Filing a Georgia Truck Accident Claim?
The process itself is very simple. A truck wreck lawyer will assist you throughout the investigation, filing a claim, negotiation, and if necessary, litigation. Be cautious of truck accident lawyers that pass you off to a paralegal or new attorney every time you call. By interviewing truck accident lawyers, you are sure to find the right fit for you. Always ensure your truck accident attorney is familiar with both corporate and traffic law and has handled similar cases in the past. A firm or truck wreck layer should not only make time for you, but also take an interest in the specifics of your accident and case. This could make a big difference in the success or failure of your claim approval.
Gathering Evidence for Truck Accident Claims in McDonough, GA
In McDonough, Georgia the burden of proof falls on the person filing the claim against a truck driver or trucking company. That is precisely why you should not delay in contacting a truck accident lawyer. Most people are already quite traumatized when they are involved in a truck accident. The last thing you need at this point is to negotiate with the insurance company on your own.
However, you can help your car accident lawyer serving McDonough by being vigilant. If you have been involved in a truck accident, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention immediately. If you are able to move, you could take pictures of your vehicle, the truck and the scene of the accident as a whole. Tire marks on the road and skid marks on concrete dividers can also help your truck accident lawyer when they pursue your claim.
Speak with the witnesses, if any, and get their contact information. Get pictures of any other cars involved as well. Although this doesn’t show damage to you or your personal property, it does show the extent of damage at the scene. This can also help prove the severity of the accident or the overall damage that occurred because of the accident.
Finally, it is important that you keep close track of all your expenses from any medical visits, lost days at work, the time you lost between any disability kicking in, and any possible future medical expenditures that are likely to occur based on your healthcare provider’s diagnosis and treatment plan.
Investigations into Truck Accidents
When it comes to truck accidents, more than one party may be held liable for the collision. Determining whether you, the truck driver, the company or manufacturer is at fault can be difficult in this situation.
Throughout the investigation, you and your truck accident lawyer will bring together or request evidence to show that you are not at fault. This evidence includes, but isn’t limited to:
- Showing you followed all relevant traffic rules
- Police reports
- Driving credentials and driving history
- Safety licenses
- Vehicle maintenance logs
- Driver work logs
- Pictures from the scene
- Witness statements
- Potential manufacturer’s defects
These details will be obtained by your truck accident lawyer as they prepare your case. When your truck accident lawyers have all the required information, they will move on to filing your claim.
Claim Processing, Legal Negotiation, and Possible Litigation
When the investigation is complete, your truck accident attorney will file a claim on your behalf. For you, this means that the legal process is officially started.
Legal negotiation is usually not as time-consuming as the investigation. Negotiation is when your truck accident lawyers come together with the attorneys representing the truck driving company or the truck driver’s attorney and discuss the possibility of a fair settlement. If a settlement is unreachable, the process will proceed to litigation.
The ideal situation is that the case is settled without litigation. However, if no settlement is reached, your truck wreck lawyer may move forward and file a lawsuit on your behalf. Litigation does not have a definitive time frame. It generally depends on the volume of evidence, witnesses, and how the court decides to proceed.
Usually, there are efforts to avoid litigation, especially if you are partially at fault. Partial fault happens if you violate any traffic or safety regulations at the time of the accident, even if they did not lead to the accident occurring. Always disclose all information to your truck accident lawyer. Informing your personal injury lawyer of merging without a turn signal, speeding, or driving without your lights on can save you a lot of trouble down the road. This information could come up during litigation against you something that contributed toward the accident. You don’t want your case to become complicated, and that is why it is important to be upfront and honest with your truck accident lawyer from the very beginning.
Because of instances like this where the partial fault could come into play, the settlement is usually the first or preferred option. Each case is unique and discussing the situation in its entirety with your truck accident lawyers can help them decide which would most likely lead to a successful outcome for you. The goal is always to achieve a fair compensation amount for damages incurred because of the accident.
What Can the Insurance Company Do?
Insurance companies are expected to recover a fair amount for your vehicle and what is covered under your policy. However, you have to keep in mind that the truck driver’s or the trucking company’s insurance provider will always have their own interest at heart. Their goal would be to minimize the amount they pay out to you.
Trucking companies and their insurance companies can be quite difficult to deal with. They will try their best to show that their client’s role in the accident was minimal. They may even try to pass the blame on to you. Let your truck accident lawyer deal with whatever the insurance company decides to throw at you. They have the necessary skill and expertise to deal with insurance companies.
Commercial truck companies, their insurances providers, and the driver are all part of the greater picture. Reaching out to a truck wreck lawyer will give you the protection you need at this point in time.
What If My Passengers or I Need Medical Treatment?
Because of the weight, and sheer force that semi-trucks and 18-wheelers have, it is more often than not that someone in a truck accident requires medical treatment.
Truck accident lawyers see many clients that attempt to “bear through it” instead of seeking immediate medical attention. But that could turn out to be a bad decision. There is no reason to avoid medical treatment, and definitely, no reason to delay. There are two reasons for this. You don’t want to risk not knowing if you have suffered any serious injuries. Many times, you may not notice the symptoms immediately but within a few days, you start to feel sick, or you feel pain. The best thing to do is get yourself checked out so that you can rule out any internal injuries or any other potential medical issues.
The second reason is that the more you delay, the more the opposing attorneys will use that time frame to show that you probably only went to a doctor after being advised to by truck accident attorney. They can cite this time gap to propose that the injuries were from a different accident. You can only combat this by seeing a medical professional immediately. Then your visit has medical documentation to support you or your passenger’s injuries and the treatment they required at the time of the accident and thereafter.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer Near McDonough, Georgia
If you or your passengers are a victim of an injury or property damage from a commercial truck accident, it is important that you contact a truck wreck attorney as soon as you possibly can. It may seem like one more thing to do but this step can relieve some of your stress and can facilitate your recovery as well as reduce your financial burden.
A truck accident lawyer near McDonough, Georgia can help you better understand your options, and navigate the legal system. Whenever you’re working through a legal battle, an attorney to guide and advise you is always a great tool. Don’t unintentionally waive your rights to pursue fair compensation by accepting a low settlement. Exercise your rights without being pushed around by others. Call The Weinstein Firm for more information and speak to our truck accident lawyer today. We are here to assist you and we will discuss the specifics of your case and will help you determine the next steps for your case.
