If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, you may be left with severe injuries, hefty medical bills and the inability to work does not help. Commercial trucks like 18-wheelers, tankers, and tractor-trailers are all heavy vehicles that can cause fatal accidents.
If you have sustained injury from a truck accident that wasn’t your fault, you have the option to seek compensation from the driver, their trucking company as well as their insurance company. They will have a legal team to help them avoid paying for damages, making it important for you to have a skilled North Augusta truck accident lawyer. Our seasoned personal injury lawyers at Ted A. Greve and Associates can help you fight back and seek the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (800) 693-7833 for a free initial consultation!
What to Do After a Truck Accident
First, you’ll want to call 911. This will get the police involved and an official report will be filed. Next, check on the other party and if they are okay, get their names and contact information, including the trucking company they work for. If possible, document the scene by taking photos and videos of any injuries and damages.
Regardless of the scope of the accident, you’ll want to seek medical attention right after. This is important as it will help determine the settlement amount if you sustained any injuries. Lastly, you’ll want to avoid talking about the accident with anyone and hire a reputable truck accident lawyer.
How Can a North Augusta Truck Accident Lawyer Help?
Proving liability in truck-related accidents is different, and calls for a different process in comparison with conventional auto accidents. While there are many lawyers that govern all drivers and vehicles, commercial truckers and trucking companies are subject to complex regulations. It’s imperative to enlist the assistance of a dedicated truck accident lawyer in North Augusta, Georgia. Our skilled and experienced lawyers can help by:
Investigating the Accident
Our team will examine medical records, police reports, and other documents related to the accident. If there were witnesses, we will do our own interviews and seek access to any evidence that wasn’t garnered, like the commercial truck’s black box data.
Filing a Claim
A reputable truck accident lawyer can help you navigate the murky waters of this complex field of law, allowing you to focus on seeking medical help and recovery. Our lawyers will help you with filing the claim, and ascertaining it includes the necessary information.
Handle Negotiations
More often than not, our seasoned lawyers are able to negotiate a fair settlement with insurance companies to recover compensation for our clients. We achieve this by building a robust case that lets them know we are ready to fight aggressively for the rights of our clients in court.
Litigation
In some cases, the trucking companies and insurers do not yield. Since we cannot settle for an unfair settlement, our team will use the available resources to take your case to court. Ted A. Greve and Associates love to litigate and we are proud of the many legal wins we have secured over the years.
How is Fault Determined in a Truck Accident?
South Carolina is a modified comparative fault state. This means you’re only entitled to financial settlement only if you were less than 51% liable for the accident. As such, determining fault in a truck collision is vital and usually contested by insurance companies or trucking companies.
Our lawyers will use witness statements, driver statements, and police reports to prove the other party was at fault. Also, we will submit pictures and videos from the accident scene as evidence. These photos or videos may have been recorded before, during, or after the accident occurred, and can show that the other party acted in a negligent or reckless manner before causing a collision.
Who Can Be Held Liable For a Truck Accident?
More often than not, truck accident victims pursue claims against the negligent drivers to recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, as well as emotional distress. However, there are other potentially liable parties to go after. Parties that can be held responsible include:
The Driver
Drivers liable for trucking accidents are usually distracted, speeding, or driving too close to other vehicles.
Trucking Companies
These can be held liable for running unsafe and poorly maintained vehicles.
Mechanics
A mechanic who hasn’t bled the brakes can be held responsible if the cause of the accident was the driver’s inability to properly come to a stop.
Truck Manufacturers
These can also be held responsible for installing faulty brakes and other parts of the truck.
Loading Companies
If a loading company goes beyond the truck’s weight capacity, they can be held liable for the accident.
Truck Accident Statistics in Georgia
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Georgia sees an average of 200 fatal truck accidents, accounting for about 14% of total auto accidents in the state. If anything, these stats mean one thing- even though truck collisions are more prevalent in the state, most of them are preventable through cautious and careful vehicle operation and compliance with federal laws.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in North Augusta, Georgia
Most truck drivers are great and professional truck operators and a good bunch engages in continued driver education throughout their careers. However, for a number of reasons, truck collisions still happen throughout the state. Some of the common causes of truck accidents in the state include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Driver fatigue
- Poor truck maintenance
- Dangerous or defective roads
- Overloaded cargo
- Unsecured cargo
- Defective vehicle parts
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Inexperienced drivers
Contact Our Seasoned North Augusta Truck Accident Lawyers
While some truck accidents may be due to inclement weather conditions, carelessness is often the root cause of accidents. It is imperative to have the backing of a seasoned truck accident attorney who has the knowledge, skills, and resources to trace the source of the accident and hold the responsible party liable.
With just three years to file a truck accident claim, you need the help of Ted A. Greve and Associates to navigate the tricky waters of truck accident compensation. Call our personal injury & accident firm near North Augusta today at (800) 693-7833 for the best legal assistance!
