- October 3, 2024
- The Stoddard Firm
- Truck Accidents
Commercial trucking companies have a responsibility to properly vet their drivers and maintain their company trucks. Failure to do either can cause an unsuspecting road user incredible and devastating harm.
There are steps you can take following an accident with a company-owned truck that will protect your long-term interests and protect your future. If you or a loved one suffered significant damages due to a company-owned truck accident involving negligence, a Georgia truck accident lawyer may be able to help you.
Immediate Steps at a Truck Accident Scene
Calling 911 is a top priority.
The first step following a truck accident is to call 911. Accident victims should never assume that someone else has made the call. A 911 call alerts police and fire and rescue. Their rapid response to the accident scene is critical for the severely injured.
The following steps are also critical because they can affect future litigation:
- Answer police questions truthfully and to the best of your ability.
- Ask witnesses for their names and contact information.
- Take pictures of the crash or ask a witness to do so.
- Keep track of your medical records as you undergo recovery.
A truck accident is an immediate and traumatic event. Once the initial impact is over, your physical, financial, emotional, and psychological problems begin. However, taking the proper immediate first steps may save your life and protect your chance of compensation later.
After the Accident: Protecting Your Rights
What you say or do matters.
Human nature sometimes leads us to express sorrow about an event that harms others — even if the event is not our fault. But apologizing to the other driver is something you should not do following a truck accident. The responsible party’s insurer may take the apology as an admission of guilt.
The only people you should speak with following a crash are EMTs, police officers, and witnesses. It is paramount to have the presence of mind to control your emotions and accept medical assistance.
Georgia law protects your right to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit for damages caused by your truck accident. Your actions immediately following a crash can significantly impact a possible personal injury case.
What you say or do does matter at an accident scene. While you may want to confront the responsible driver angrily, it is best to focus on your injuries and receive medical attention.
Understanding Liability in Company-Owned Truck Accidents
Who is responsible for what in your truck accident?
Liability in a truck accident is sometimes a complex issue. Liability can become somewhat confusing if the truck is leased or the driver is an independent contractor.
Overall, truck safety and maintenance are a company’s responsibility. Consistent inspections and repairs are paramount for road safety. However, both drivers and trucking companies must meet federal regulations. Failure to meet just one can result in a tragic accident that forever changes another road user’s life.
Faulty lights, brakes, worn tires, or other safety issues can cause a driver to lose control of the truck. Driver actions such as speeding, being distracted, tired, or drunk can also contribute to an out-of-control truck.
Who knew what and when they knew it regarding trucks and drivers is essential for personal injury lawsuits. A Georgia personal injury lawyer can investigate the responding officer’s official accident report which identifies the responsible party and any charges they may face, though a criminal charge against a truck driver or a company has no bearing on a civil case. An injured victim may still pursue a civil course of action, regardless of the outcome of any criminal case.
It is crucial to identify all parties as soon as possible. Accident victims who suffer unfair harm in a Georgia truck accident deserve justice. They also should not pay out of pocket for expenses that are not their fault.
A personal injury attorney can review your case to determine the best approach for moving forward. Your attorney will thoroughly investigate who is liable and whether negligence was shown by more than one party.
Seeking Compensation in a Commercial Truck Accident
Commercial truck insurers protect their clients.
The commercial truck industry is large and heavily insured. To protect profits, many companies secure insurance policies designed to pay victims as little as possible.
A commercial truck accident can leave victims with severe or catastrophic injuries, and their lives rarely go back to how they were before the tragic event. A Georgia commercial truck accident attorney generally fights for the following types of compensation:
- Medical expenses relating to your accident injuries
- Ongoing medical expenses for long-term treatment, such as rehabilitation
- Lost income due to time spent recovering from your injuries
- Potential future earnings if you are unable to return to your job
- Pain and suffering due to the mental anguish of the accident.
Each Georgia truck accident case is different and specific to the details of the crash. However, big or small trucking companies typically fight back against personal injury claims and lawsuits.
To protect your interests, it is best if you consult with a Georgia truck accident attorney as soon as possible. What you experienced was painful, emotional, and costly. An attorney understands this through their work with accident victims and can put that experience to work for you.
Why You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer
No one should fight for compensation alone.
A trucking company and its insurer would like nothing more than for you to fight for compensation without legal representation. Without a law degree and legal license, you are vulnerable and an easy target for an unfair settlement.
Accepting a settlement is a critical decision. A truck accident lawyer will never take a settlement without your approval. Their guidance through the entire legal process is helpful and comforting for accident victims.
The trucking industry has people on its side who fight for it. Accident victims deserve a Georgia truck lawyer by their side, too. Negligence is never acceptable, especially behind the wheel of a large commercial truck.
Contact The Stoddard Firm Today
Time is of the utmost importance.
The Stoddard Firm has helped countless accident victims fight for the justice and compensation they deserve. While each case differs, we will not allow insurance companies to bully our clients into accepting an unfair settlement.
Contact The Stoddard Firm today for a free consultation to protect your best interests. Call our friendly office at (470) 467-2200.
Attorney Matt Stoddard
Matt Stoddard is a professional, hardworking, ethical advocate. He routinely faces some of the nation’s largest companies and some of the world’s largest insurers – opponents who have virtually unlimited resources. In these circumstances, Mr. Stoddard is comfortable. Mr. Stoddard provides his strongest efforts to his clients, and he devotes the firm’s significant financial resources to presenting the strongest case possible on their behalf. Matt understands that his clients must put their trust in him. That trust creates an obligation for Matt to work tirelessly on their behalf, and Matt Stoddard does not take that obligation lightly. [ Attorney Bio ]