Truck accidents are deadlier than normal car accidents because of the difference in weight. Trucks being bigger and heavier cause more damage and result in more casualties and fatalities.
At Ted A. Greve & Associates, we can help you overcome the financial strain and agony after an Evans, Georgia truck accident lawyer by fighting for the compensation you deserve.
If an Evans, Georgia truck accident injures you or a loved one, hire a knowledgeable, qualified, and experienced and Evans injury lawyer from Ted A. Greve & Associates today. We are nationally recognized for our commitment and aggression while pursuing compensation for our clients. You can reach us at (706) 222-1677 or contact us online to schedule a free case review.
Truck Accident Statistics in Georgia
As per the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), truck accidents account for 14% of Georgia’s motor vehicle crash fatalities. Every year, Georgia sees about 180-230 fatal truck accidents.
What Should You Do After a Georgia Truck Accident?
After getting into a wreck in Evans, Georgia, this is what you should do to protect your legal interests and rights:
- Call 911: Contact law enforcement to record a statement, file an accident report, and most importantly, get emergency medical aid.
- Help Others: If your condition allows, check on the other involved party and help where you can. Someone may need help getting out of the way of other vehicles or first aid.
- Exchange Information: Swap contact information with the other driver. Ensure you get the names, address, driving license details, license plate number, and insurance details.
- Document the Scene: Take photos and videos of the scene to capture vital evidence to support your claim, like close-up photos of your injuries, damages, road conditions, skid marks, etc.
- Speak with Witnesses: Record witness statements and their accounts of the crash. Remember also to get their contact information.
- Seek Medical Attention: Get examined by a physician for any obscure injuries and get treatment for apparent injuries. Request a copy of your medical report to serve as evidence.
- Contact an Attorney: Lastly, call an Evans truck accident lawyer as soon as possible to help with your claim.
What Are Georgia’s Laws Regarding Truck Accident Liability?
Georgia’s Modified Comparative Negligence
Truck companies and insurers usually try to avoid liability for truck accidents in attempting to shift blame to the plaintiff to give as little financial compensation as possible. Georgia, being a state that follows the modified comparative negligence rule, allows a plaintiff to recover damages as long as he or she was less than 50% responsible for the crash.
How Can A Truck Accident Lawyer Help?
Pursuing a personal injury claim without an attorney is suicidal. Retaining an attorney will give you a fighting chance. A truck accident lawyer will:
- Lead Investigations: A truck accident attorney will conduct investigations to establish liability and fault so that they can adequately defend you.
- File A Claim: After completing investigations and collecting evidence, your Greve Evans truck accident attorney will file a claim that includes compensation for damages that the defendant owes you.
- Negotiations: There are multiple ways in which a Ted A. Greve & Associates truck accident attorney can help settle your claim. We can take a financial settlement and resolve the issue outside court or let a judge and jury determine your case.
- Litigation: If your case goes to trial, the insurance company and your lawyer will present their cases and all the evidence afresh to the judge or jury supposed to deliver the verdict.
Retaining an attorney from Ted A. Greve & Associates will make your pursuit for compensation easier.
What Types Of Compensation Can I Receive?
As a casualty in a Georgia truck accident, it is your right to recover total damages. At Ted A. Greve & Associates, we can help you recover:
- Economic Damages – These are quantifiable damages that cover your monetary expenses and losses like:
- Medical, rehabilitation, and continuing care costs
- Lost wages
- Home or vehicle modification costs like a ramp for a wheelchair
- Lost earning capacity
- Property loss or damage
- Non-economic damages – Georgia truck accident casualties can also recover damages that can’t be easily quantified in monetary terms like:
- Physical, emotional, and mental pain and suffering
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of consortium.
- Loss of quality and enjoyment of life
- Punitive Damage – In addition to being awarded compensatory damages, a Georgia court may award a truck accident casualty punitive damages if the at-fault party was reckless and negligent. These damages are meant to punish the responsible party and deter others from doing the same in the future.
Is There A Deadline For Filing A Claim in Georgia?
The deadline for filing a truck accident claim in Georgia is two years from the accident date. We can help you file your claim before this crucial deadline ends to avoid losing your right to pursue legal action against the liable party.
How Is Fault In A Truck Accident Determined in Georgia?
The legal principle of negligence determines fault in Georgia truck accidents. Since all truck drivers owe other motorists a duty of care, they will be at fault for the truck accident if they breach this duty by engaging in dangerous driving like speeding.
Can An Evans Truck Accident Lawyer Prove The Truck Driver was Negligent?
To prove negligence on the driver’s part, your attorney will:
- Interview all witnesses
- Examine the truck driver’s credentials
- Investigate the crash scene
- Review accident and police reports
- Determine if all local traffic laws were followed
A Ted A. Greve & Associates truck accident attorney can help you prove truck driver negligence since they can interpret the difficult state and federal trucking regulations. Our attorneys are trained to find falsifications and discrepancies in trucking records that will pin fault the truck driver.
Who Can be Held Liable?
Proving liability in a Georgia truck accident can be complicated than a typical car accident case because it involves multiple parties such as:
- Truck Driver: The truck operator can be held responsible if his or her negligence caused the accident. Negligence can be through ignoring traffic rules or regulations on the operation of commercial vehicles.
- Trucking Company: The trucking company can be held responsible in a Georgia truck accident if they knew about their driver’s negligent behavior and failed to act or if they failed to maintain the truck.
- Company Who Loaded the Truck: Sometimes, the cargo company responsible for loading the truck can be held liable if they overloaded or unevenly loaded the truck causing the truck to roll over or tip.
- Vehicle or Parts Manufacturers: The parts or truck manufacture may be held liable if the truck accident was caused by a mechanical failure stemming from the vehicle or parts manufacturer’s negligence. Our experienced lawyers can help you prove that the vehicle or parts manufacturer is liable.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents happen under many different circumstances, but some causes are more common than others. Here are some common causes of Georgia truck accidents:
- Oversized or Improperly Secured Freight
- Driver Fatigue
- Poor Road Conditions
- Reckless Driving
- Drug Use
- Poorly Trained or Inexperienced Drivers
- Lack of Truck Maintenance
- Distracted Driving
- Equipment Malfunction
An Evans Truck Accident Lawyer if Ready to Help
At Ted A. Greve & Associates, we know how technical and complex truck accident cases can be. We also understand how traumatic a truck accident can be for the victim. Our knowledgeable, skillful, and experienced truck accident lawyers will fight tirelessly for your rightful compensation.
Call Ted A. Greve & Associates, today at (706) 222-1677 to book your charge and obligation-free case review.