Truck accidents account for many of the most serious and dangerous accidents in Augusta, Georgia. Statewide, truck accidents lead to roughly 200 deaths per year, and leave hundreds with serious injuries that could take them out of work for weeks on end.
If you have been involved in an accident with a semi-truck, you may find yourself facing expensive bills from your physical injuries and other damages. You need to speak to a truck accident attorney in Augusta to get the complete financial recovery that can help you pay for treatment, rehabilitation, and lost work.
Why Are 18-Wheeler Accidents More Serious Than Other Accidents?
All types of auto accidents can cause serious injuries. However, when fully loaded, an 18-wheeler semi-truck can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds (over 20 times more than a standard car), the outcome can be extremely disastrous.
Semi-trucks are also dangerous because:
- They have a hard time stopping suddenly
- Drivers often have limited visibility
- They can carry hazardous substances or flammable contents
- The vehicle can “jackknife” or tip over, causing widespread damage
Most semi-truck drivers are professionals who do their jobs well. Unfortunately, they are subjected to extreme schedules with long hours on the road. Driver fatigue plays a role in many truck accidents.
What Compensation Are You Entitled to If You Were Involved in a Truck Accident in Augusta?
In the city of Augusta, the victim of an accident has the right to full financial compensation for all related costs. The most common costs your truck accident attorney can seek on your behalf include:
- Medical costs such as doctor visits, surgery, and hospital costs
- The cost of medication
- Physical therapy or any rehabilitative therapy
- Car repairs or replacing a totaled car
- Wages you lost due to missing work time because of the accident
Your truck accident lawyer in Augusta should help you achieve the optimum possible health. This process can involve years of physical therapy or ongoing medical treatment.
Compassionate lawyers will not pressure you to take the “quick money” the insurance company offers. Instead, they’ll get to work and get the insurance company to fund all your costs – not a penny less.
Augusta Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me 404-400-4000
Why Should You Hire an Augusta Truck Accident Lawyer?
Insurance companies are supposed to take care of you. Because they are run for profit organizations, their goal is to pay you the smallest amount possible, even if it’s not enough to cover your costs. Truck accident victims who accepted an early insurance offer tend to find out they need months more treatment which can add up to thousands of dollars in medical debt.
When you get a truck accident lawyer, you have a professional on your side who understands how insurance companies operate. They know the tricks that are most often used, and know what has to be done in order to bring the other party and their insurance company to the bargaining table.
The first thing that detail-oriented truck accident attorneys in Augusta do with your case is send out an accident investigator. This investigator will assemble evidence to help build a strong legal case. Often, this is all that’s needed in order to get the insurance company to offer substantially more money.
Do You Have to Sue Someone for a Truck Accident?
Most cases are resolved without filing a lawsuit or going to court. Typically, once evidence is gathered, your semi-truck accident attorney can go to the insurance company, explain to them exactly how much your injuries will cost, and show cold, hard proof that you are not legally liable for the accident.
At this point, the insurance companies know that you have a strong case and that your legal team could potentially win in court. They will want to avoid the courtroom as much as you do and will usually make a substantial offer at this point.
Sometimes the insurance company just won’t give in. If this happens, your lawyer will give you their professional opinion and you can decide for yourself whether you want to take the matter to the local courts. With a strong litigation team that has a successful record in the courtroom, you should feel comfortable with a lawyer handling your case for you every step of the way.
For a free legal consultation with a truck accidents lawyer serving Augusta, call 404-400-4000
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer in Augusta?
The short answer is nothing. There are law firms out there that charge a substantial premium for their time. But many personal injury law firms have a mission to help people who have been injured in accidents.
Like John Foy & Associates, most personal injury firms don’t believe in sending you a bill at your most difficult hour. Instead, these leal teams have assembled a pay structure that makes their services accessible:
- You pay nothing to come in and consult with a lawyer
- You pay nothing out of pocket, ever
- You pay nothing period unless they win you money
If your Augusta truck accident lawyer successfully win you a financial recovery, they will take a percentage for their fee out of it at the end. This is generally the fairest way to price legal services.
An Augusta Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help Prove Negligence
Your lawyer will attempt to establish the key points of negligence from your accident as well as the key parties who contributed to your injuries. An Augusta truck accident attorney will prove the negligent actions of these individuals by indicating what actions or inactions were their mistakes.
Individuals Possibly Responsible for Your Truck Accident Injuries
There may be multiple individuals who played a role in the crash and you can hold responsible for payment of your damages. You could even file a claim against them personally. Individuals who may be responsible for your truck accident include:
- The driver
- A mechanic who repaired the truck
- The manufacturer of the truck
- The trucking company that hired the driver
- The individuals who loaded the truck
Negligent Actions That Can Lead to a Truck Crash
A driver, a mechanic, or a trucking company are all required to follow state regulations for driving and maintaining the truck. By not adhering to these rules, the chances of a serious accident are high. Negligence can involve:
- Driving or repairing the truck while exhausted or distracted
- Not following traffic laws
- Traveling too fast for road conditions
- Improperly loading the cargo trailer
- A driver who does not receive proper training or certification
- Driving or repairing the truck while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
You Don’t Have Much Time to File a Claim for Your Truck Accident
You will need to act quickly if you want to pursue legal action for your damages. According to Ga. Code § 9-3-33, you have up to two years to file a truck accident claim. Your best chance for success is if you file your claim right away.
With time, evidence can be harder to collect, witnesses’ memories fade and the truck accident investigation can take longer than expected. Two years may seem like a lot of time, but it goes by fast, especially if you’re in the hospital recovering from serious injuries, and you could be missing out on your chance to file for compensation.
A Truck Accident Lawyer Can Handle Your Case Every Step of the Way
A truck accident attorney in Augusta can manage every aspect of your claim and take actions that are in your best interest while you are recovering either at home or in the hospital. They have plenty of experience handling cases similar to yours. A personal injury lawyer is helpful through the legal process because:
- You need a tactical legal strategy.
- If you were to blame for any portion of the crash, contributory fault law can earn you a smaller settlement.
- The Georgia trucking industry has special rules and regulations that would be helpful to know and understand.
- There may be many parties that the court can hold liable, and you could be missing this.
- The negotiations can be difficult and insurance companies may use your words against you.
Talk to an Augusta Truck Accident Lawyer for Free
The Augusta truck accident lawyers at John Foy & Associates have over 20 years of experience helping victims. We started as a small local law firm and have grown to become one of the most respected and successful personal injury law firms in the country. Our lawyers have also obtained a reputation for securing the biggest financial awards for our clients.
If you’ve been the victim in a truck accident, you don’t have time to spare. The law sets strict deadlines for filing your claim, and missing the deadline means losing your chance for a financial recovery. Let us help you. Our team will give you a detailed consultation for FREE, and help you decide whether or not you have a case. Give us a call today.
Call or text 404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form