Georgia Truck Accident Lawyer
Accidents that involve large trucks can be substantially more dangerous than normal car accidents in Georgia. They involve much larger vehicles, which often leads to extensive property damage and injuries that are severe and sometimes life-threatening. Once the shock, concern, and confusion of a truck accident passes, you may not know what to do next. How can you possibly move on from an accident that may change the rest of your life? A Georgia truck accident lawyer can help.
Our attorneys understand what you are going through because we’ve seen it with hundreds of other truck accident victims in the State of Georgia. We have been helping victims just like you for over 20 years. We know the laws when it comes to truck accidents—and we have the experience to win cases. Let us give you a free consultation and help you start moving forward after this devastating crash. Call us at (888) 553-0419 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
The 4 Parts of the Truck Accident Claim Process
The easiest way to understand truck accidents—and what makes them different, legally, from a regular car accident—is to walk through the process. For a victim, the legal process can seem overwhelming at first, but most parts of this process are handled by your lawyer, not by you. That allows you to focus on healing without the stress of handling your own case.
The four steps of a truck accident claim are:
1. Initial investigation
Gathering facts and information about what happened during and just before your truck accident may be the most critical step in the lawsuit process. The truck driver’s insurance company knows this as well, and it will often spring into action immediately after the incident. They may visit the scene of the crash to get as much information as possible. They will often also talk to witnesses, assess the property damage of both vehicles right away, and ask to speak with you about the crash. It’s a good idea to wait to talk to the insurance company until after you have involved your own attorney to help with your case.
The investigation in a truck accident is much more extensive than in a car accident because most truck drivers keep more information about their driving habits. Federal and state law requires truck drivers to track their driving hours and record mileage. Many truckers have a “black box” in their vehicle that digitally records every time the truck moves. This information can be vital to your case because it will tell you if the trucker was speeding, whether they were driving longer hours than permitted, and other helpful information. Of course, you can also talk to the truck driver about this information, but a digital record of their activities is good evidence and keeps the truck driver honest.
2. Developing your claim
Your attorney will build your legal claim based on the information found in the investigation. While you may assume that creating your complaint should be straightforward, it’s actually much more nuanced. For example, if the truck driver violated any laws that affect their driving abilities, such as driving longer hours than permitted, that will be a vital part of your legal claim—and it has to be proven by carefully reviewing all of the documentation.
Developing your case also involves evaluating your losses. This includes gathering information about medical expenses, property damages, lost wages, and more. Keep in mind, however, that you don’t need concrete numbers for your losses immediately; you will continue to develop them as your case proceeds.
This step helps your lawyer make sure you get the full amount you need and deserve—nothing less.
3. Negotiations with the insurance company
Before you file your lawsuit, your lawyer will often speak with the insurance company to see if they will offer a fair settlement without filing a lawsuit. Ending cases before they even truly begin is helpful for several reasons. It’s a cost savings for everyone involved. It’s also much faster than going through the entire legal process.
But, some insurance companies will wait to offer you a fair settlement until after you file a lawsuit—sometimes just to see if you are serious about your claim. Your lawyer will have no problem moving forward with your case if they can’t get a settlement that will address all of your losses appropriately.
4. Litigation (a.k.a. “the lawsuit”)
Many truck accident claims never require a lawsuit at all.
However, if you and the insurance company can’t reach a settlement, then your case will be filed in court. This will usually be a local state court, but not always. Larger claims and those that affect trucking companies based outside of the Georgia may end up in federal court. Your lawyer will be able to help you determine where the best location is for your case.
Once you have filed your lawsuit, the discovery process begins. In this process, you will continue to gather evidence and information so you can present everything to a judge or jury. Written questions and requests for production of documents are very common. The insurance company will also likely want to depose you, and you may want to depose other witnesses and the truck driver as well. A deposition is a formal question and answer session when you are placed under oath and asked to discuss the accident, your treatment, and any lasting effects of the crash. Your attorney will prepare you for your deposition and be present when it occurs.
You can still settle with the insurance company at any time during the litigation process, and your lawyer will often pursue this aggressively as your case unfolds.
What kind of damages can I recover money for in a Georgia truck accident case?
The damages that you can recover will depend on what exactly happened. Most cases will have damages related to:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Future medical treatment
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Future pain and suffering
Each of these damages is directly connected to a loss that you experienced. Money damages in a truck accident case are designed to put you back in a place where you would have been if the accident had never happened. A fair settlement will consider all of the damages that you already have and any other losses that you may experience in the future.
In general: you can recover 100% of what the accident cost you, plus money for personal losses. Many truck accident cases result in settlements of $100,000 or more. Million dollar settlements are not uncommon.
Talk to a Georgia Truck Accident Lawyer for Free
Talking to an attorney should be one of the first things you do after the accident. Let our experienced, compassionate attorneys be your guide. We will give you a FREE consultation to get you started—and we fight hard to get you everything you deserve. Call us at (888) 553-0419 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
