Each year, hundreds of people in Georgia lose their lives or suffer devastating injuries after being involved in a car accident. Accidents involving trucks are especially serious because trucks might weigh thousands of pounds. As Gainesville continues to expand at a rapid pace, truck accidents are bound to increase.
If you’ve sustained injuries in a truck accident caused by negligence or carelessness, you are entitled to compensation. But for you to receive just compensation, you need the counsel and representation of a professional attorney. This is where our Gainesville truck accident lawyers at H Groves Law come in.
Our attorneys have extensive expertise and are well-versed in the regulations governing truck accidents in Georgia. Call (770) 329-1868 now for a free consultation with the best car accident lawyers in Gainesville.
Truck Accident Statistics in Georgia
According to data provided by the NTSA, there were 195 fatal truck accidents in the state of Georgia in 2019. Truck wrecks accounted for 8.9% of fatal incidents in the state, with 78% of all casualties being passengers in other cars. Over 200 people were killed in truck accidents in 2019, an increase from the previous year.
To further elaborate, truck accident data from Georgia’s Governor’s Office of Highway Safety indicates that:
- Truck accidents in Georgia resulted in 135 fatalities in 2018.
- Truck accidents in Georgia claimed 216 lives in 2017.
- Drunk driving causes 24% of all fatal accidents in the state.
- In terms of commercial vehicle accidents, Georgia came in fourth place nationally in 2016.
What Should You Do After a Truck Accident?
There are specific actions you must take to safeguard yourself and your legal rights after being involved in a truck accident in Gainesville, Georgia. Here’s what you should do immediately after an accident.
Call 911
Police must be notified of every collision that results in injury or property damage. You should call the police to the scene of the accident so they can file an accident report.
Call the Gainesville police department’s non-emergency number if you merely need to make an accident report, but call 911 if you think someone may have been hurt.
Get Medical Aid as Soon as Possible
Getting medical aid should be the top priority if someone is gravely injured. Even if you don’t believe you were injured, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible following an accident.
Some significant health conditions, like internal bleeding and organ damage, may not immediately show symptoms. In some cases, injuries sustained can end up being more severe than initially thought. Medical documentation linking your injuries to the accident is critical for your compensation claim.
Take Photos of the Accident Scene
If you can, take photographs of the accident scene, your car, the truck that hit you, and any other cars involved in the accident. Photos of the accident scene can be useful in demonstrating how the crash occurred.
Get Names and Contact Information
Make sure you obtain the truck driver’s contact information, his/her insurance provider’s details, as well as the name of the company he or she works for. It’s also a good idea to acquire the contact information of any witnesses who might be able to support your account of what happened.
Do Not Admit Fault
While cooperating with the authorities is crucial, you must avoid saying anything that could jeopardize your ability to receive compensation for the truck accident or that implies you were at fault. Answer the questions truthfully. Don’t speculate, and don’t reveal unneeded facts or apologize for the accident.
Do Not Talk to Insurance Adjusters Before Consulting a Lawyer
When an insurance adjuster from the trucking company contacts you, avoid saying anything that could jeopardize your right to compensation. You are not required to talk to the adjuster. Do not sign any insurance company paperwork or documentation without first seeking legal counsel.
Get in Touch With a Lawyer Right Away
Our attorneys at H Groves Law offer truck accident victims in Gainesville, Georgia professional legal counsel and representation on a contingency fee basis. We offer free consultations and only get paid after we’ve won compensation for our clients. Call now to get a free case evaluation.
What Are the Laws Regarding Truck Accident Liability?
In Georgia, truck drivers are required to abide by more laws and restrictions than drivers of other types of vehicles. They must do so since it helps make it easier to determine who is responsible for a crash in the event an accident occurs.
The following are some of the laws that truck drivers in Georgia are subject to.
- Anyone that operates a heavy commercial truck must hold a commercial driver’s license and must be at least 18 years of age.
- To travel across state lines, they must be at least 21 years old.
- Before starting work, the driver should undergo a drug test. If there are any concerns about drug usage, another test should be done.
- The vehicle should also undergo routine inspections and adhere to Georgia’s minimal safety standards, such as having functional lights and brakes.
- When transporting hazardous materials, appropriate signage should be utilized.
- The load cannot exceed the weight restriction of the road they are using.
- The truck driver must abide by traffic laws.
- After 14 hours of driving, truck drivers must take a mandatory 10-hour rest.
How Can a Gainesville Truck Accident Lawyer Help?
Accidents involving large commercial trucks, such as tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, big rigs, and others, are particularly dangerous. As a truck accident victim, you need time to rest and recuperate. However, that can be difficult when you still have a lawsuit to pursue.
Fortunately, with the assistance of knowledgeable Gainesville truck accident lawyers from H Groves Law, you don’t have to face this challenge alone. Here’s a look at ways our attorneys can assist you.
Investigation
We’ll carry out a thorough investigation and collect the necessary proof to establish who is at fault in your case. Since truck collisions typically involve multiple parties, an experienced attorney is the best person to assess your particular situation.
Filing a Claim
After a truck accident, chances are you have a lot to deal with, and that’s why we are here to help ensure that all pertinent legal procedures are handled effectively. For you to be compensated, we will submit the accident claim on your behalf and manage all legal matters.
Negotiations
If the at-fault parties propose a settlement, we will handle negotiations with the involved insurance provider on your behalf and ensure you are well compensated for your injuries and damages.
Litigation
If a settlement cannot be reached, our legal team is ready to take the matter to court. We have trial experience and have handled countless truck accident cases in Gainesville, GA, and are ready to assist you and ensure that you obtain the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Call (770) 329-1868 today to speak to an experienced truck accident lawyer from H Groves Law and let us help you fight for your right to compensation for injuries and damages sustained.
What Types of Compensation Can I Receive?
If you can show that someone else’s negligence led to the collision, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your damages and injuries. As a truck accident victim, here are some of the damages you can recover through a claim.
- Economic damages include your cash losses and expenses, such as the cost of replacing or repairing your car, lost wages, and medical expenses.
- Non-economic damages provide compensation for non-tangible losses, such as emotional anguish, and physical pain and suffering.
- Punitive damages may be awarded to you if your attorney can prove the other party’s actions were especially reckless. Punitive damages are used to punish the perpetrator.
To learn more about how we assess damages and the variables that affect the value of a claim, contact our law firm today to speak to a professional Gainesville truck accident lawyer.
How Much Is My Truck Accident Claim Worth?
Many factors, including the damage caused to your property and the extent of injuries sustained, could influence the value of your claim. Since truck collisions typically involve multiple parties, your attorney is the best person to assess your particular situation and estimate the value of your claim.
Is There a Deadline for Filing a Claim?
Personal injury claims and wrongful death claims in Georgia have a two-year statute of limitations, while property damage claims have a four-year statute of limitations. While this is the period you have to file a lawsuit, you don’t have to wait that long to pursue a claim.
Instead, consider hiring a Gainesville truck accident attorney and having them help you pursue a claim against the transportation company’s insurance provider as soon as possible to increase your chances of receiving the compensation you need.
How Is Fault in a Truck Accident Determined?
To establish liability following an accident, Georgia employs a system known as modified comparative negligence. You are not eligible to receive any compensation if the court finds that you are at least 50% at fault. Your reimbursement will be lessened by your percentage of blame if you are only 49% at fault or less.
Four key components must be established to prove that the at-fault party was negligent.
- The liable party owes the plaintiff a duty of care.
- The liable party failed to uphold their duty of care.
- This breach resulted in the accident.
- The collision alone—and nothing else—was to blame for the plaintiff’s injuries.
Can a Lawyer Prove the Truck Driver Was Negligent?
Yes. An attorney should be able to demonstrate the duties of the driver and how a breach of their duty of care resulted in the accident. Speeding, texting while driving, fatigued driving, drunk driving, and running a red light are a few examples of negligence.
Our attorneys in Gainesville, Georgia have loads of experience managing claims involving truck accidents and can help prove that the other driver is at fault.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident?
When there are multiple parties responsible for a truck crash, you can take legal action against them all. Parties that may be held accountable for a truck collision include the following.
The Truck Driver
Following an accident, the truck driver is usually the primary suspect since they were in charge of the vehicle when the crash happened. Your lawyer will thus need to look into whether the driver was reckless or negligent.
The Trucking Company
Trucking companies must make sure that they only hire competent drivers. If a business employs truck drivers with a history of careless driving, that company might be held liable for accidents such truckers cause.
The business can also be liable in cases where a company’s fleet is not properly maintained and a crash occurs as a result.
The Company That Loaded the Truck
Truck accidents may also result from improperly loaded goods. For instance, some truck accidents are caused by overloading and unevenly distributed truck freight. The shippers or cargo loaders can be liable in such cases.
Manufacturers of Vehicles or Parts
Defective parts can contribute to truck accidents. Common examples include engine and brake pad issues. In such circumstances, you may have the right to sue the vehicle manufacturer. However, you may first have to prove that the manufacturing process is what caused the vehicle’s flaw.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Georgia
Some of the leading causes of truck collisions include:
- Poor road conditions
- Driver fatigue
- Drug use and drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Improperly secured or oversized freight
- Reckless driving
- Poorly trained or inexperienced drivers
- Equipment malfunction
- Lack of truck maintenance
Contact Our Gainesville Truck Accident Attorneys for the Best Representation!
When a commercial truck accident results in injuries to either you or a member of your family, you should file a truck accident claim to hold the responsible party accountable for your damages and injuries. Truck accident lawsuits are complicated and need expert help to establish the at-fault party’s negligence.
You should consider hiring the best Gainesville truck accident lawyers and having them handle your case for the best chances of receiving the compensation you deserve. H Groves Law is a reputable law firm near Gainesville, GA, that can handle your truck accident claim. We’ve handled hundreds of similar cases over the years and have recovered millions of dollars for our clients.
When you choose H Groves Law to handle your claim, you can rest assured that you will be receiving compassionate, personalized, and professional attention from start to finish. Call (770) 329-1868 right away for a free, no-obligation review of your claim by our trusted Gainesville truck accident attorneys.
