Truck accidents account for many of the most serious and dangerous collisions in Augusta, GA. According to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, truck accidents lead to more than 200 deaths per year and leave hundreds with serious injuries that could keep them out of work for weeks.
If you were involved in a life-altering collision with a semi-truck, you may face expensive bills for physical injuries and other damages. It would be in your best interest to contact a truck accident attorney in Augusta to get a complete financial recovery to help you pay for treatment, rehabilitation, and lost wages.
Contact our personal injury team today for a free case evaluation.
Why Are 18-Wheeler Accidents More Serious Than Other Collisions?
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 of a collision with one of these massive vehicles can be disastrous.
Semi-trucks are also dangerous because:
- They have a hard time stopping.
- Drivers have limited visibility.
- They sometimes haul hazardous substances or flammable contents.
- The vehicle can jackknife or tip over, causing devastating injuries and damage.
Most semi-truck drivers are professionals who do their jobs well. Unfortunately, they are subjected to extreme schedules with long hours. 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 Augusta, GA, an accident victim has the right to pursue full financial compensation for all related costs. The most common damages your truck accident attorney can seek on your behalf include the following:
- Medical costs such as doctor visits, surgery, and hospital costs
- The cost of medication
- Physical therapy or any rehabilitative therapy
- Car repairs or replacement of a totaled car
- Loss of income due to missed work or inability to return to work
- Pain and suffering
Your truck accident lawyer in Augusta should help you achieve your best health. This process can involve years of physical therapy or ongoing medical treatment.
Our compassionate lawyers will not pressure you to take the “quick money” the insurance company offers. Instead, they’ll work hard to get the insurance company to fund all your costs, not a penny less.
Augusta Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me 706-400-4000
Why Should You Hire an Augusta Truck Accident Lawyer?
Insurance companies are supposed to take care of you. However, because they are for-profit organizations, they aim to pay you the smallest amount possible, even if it’s not enough to cover your costs.
Severe Injuries
Truck accident victims who accepted an early insurance offer could later find out they need months more of treatment, which can add up to thousands of dollars in medical debt. Common injuries sustained in a collision with a truck include the following:
- Whiplash
- Soft tissue damage
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Severe burns
- Other catastrophic injuries
If you have been injured in a truck collision, it is important to speak with an experienced Augusta truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Your attorney can help you understand your rights and ensure you receive the full compensation you are owed.
Lowball Offers from Insurance Companies
When you enlist the help of 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 what has to be done to bring the other party and their insurance company to the bargaining table.
Don’t let an insurance company take advantage of you. Talk to us first, so we can explain how we could pursue the maximum compensation available in your case.
When you hire us, we’ll negotiate with the insurance company to ensure your settlement addresses all your damages. Most cases we handle end up settling out of court. However, our experienced trial lawyers can fight for justice in court if an agreement cannot be reached.
Complex Liability Issues
The first thing detail-oriented Augusta truck accident attorneys might do in your case is dispatch an accident investigator. This investigator will assemble evidence to help build a strong legal case. Often, this is all that is needed to get the insurance company to offer substantially more money.
Do You Have To Sue Someone for a Truck Accident?
As we mentioned, most cases are resolved without filing a lawsuit or going to court. Typically, once evidence is gathered, your truck accident attorney can go to the insurance company, explain exactly how much your injuries will cost, and show cold, hard proof that you are not legally liable for the crash.
At this point, the insurance companies know that you have a strong case and that your legal team could 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.
We Are Prepared To Bring a Lawsuit if Necessary
Sometimes the insurance company won’t give in. If this happens, your lawyer will give you their professional opinion, and you can decide whether you want to take the matter to the Augusta courts.
With a strong litigation team and a successful courtroom record, you should feel comfortable with a lawyer handling your case at every step.
For a free legal consultation with a truck accidents lawyer serving Augusta, call 706-400-4000
How Much Does it Cost To Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer in Augusta?
The short answer is nothing out of pocket. 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.
We don’t believe in asking for money at your most difficult hour. Instead, our legal team has assembled a payment structure that makes our 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 we win you money.
If your Augusta truck accident lawyer successfully gets you a financial recovery, they will take a percentage out of it at the end for their attorney fee. 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 negligence in your accident and identify the parties who contributed to your injuries. An Augusta personal injury attorney will prove the negligence of these individuals by indicating what actions or inactions caused the crash.
Individuals Potentially Responsible for Your Truck Accident Injuries
Multiple individuals may have played a role in the crash, and you can hold them responsible for 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 truck’s manufacturer
- The trucking company that hired the driver
- The individuals who loaded the truck
- A government entity responsible for road conditions
Negligent Actions That Can Lead to a Commercial Truck Crash
Drivers, mechanics, and trucking companies must follow state regulations for driving and maintaining the truck. Not adhering to these rules increases the chances of a serious accident. 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
- Driving without proper training or certification
- Driving or repairing the truck while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Can You Sue for Wrongful Death When a Loved One Dies Due to an Accident?
We understand when a loved one passes away due to an accident, it can be devastating. In some cases, family members may be able to seek justice and compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit. This civil action can be brought against the person or entity responsible for the death.
In Georgia, if someone dies due to another’s negligence, the deceased’s family may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
This type of lawsuit is designed to provide financial compensation for the surviving family members’ losses, including medical bills, funeral expenses, and lost wages.
If you lost a loved one due to an Augusta truck accident, we extend our deepest condolences and are here to help during this difficult time.
Our compassionate attorneys can help you understand your legal options and will fight to get you and your family fair compensation.
You Have Limited Time To File a Truck Accident Claim
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident, you must quickly act 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 to immediately file a claim.
Evidence can be harder to collect with time, 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. If you wait too long to start, you could miss your chance to file for compensation.
An Augusta 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 recover 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:
- They can help you form a tactical legal strategy.
- Contributory fault law could reduce your settlement if you were to blame for any portion of the crash.
- The Georgia trucking industry has special rules and regulations that an Augusta lawyer will know and understand.
- There may be liable parties other than the truck driver and trucking company, 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 injured victims. We started as a small local law firm and have grown to become one of the country’s most respected and successful personal injury law firms.
You don’t have time to spare if you’ve been the victim of a truck wreck. The law sets strict deadlines for filing your claim, and missing the deadline means losing your chance for financial recovery. Contact us today for an initial consultation to determine whether or not you have a case.
Call or text 706-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form