Truck Accident Lawyer in Augusta

Truck accidents can be devastating, leaving victims with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and questions about how to move forward.

If you’ve been involved in a truck accident in Augusta, you might feel overwhelmed by insurance companies, legal paperwork, and the uncertainty about what comes next.

At John Foy & Associates, we understand how stressful this time can be. Known as The Strong Arm™, we’ve been fighting for accident victims across Georgia since 2003.

With over 350 years of combined experience and more than $1 billion recovered for our clients, our Augusta personal injury lawyers are here to provide the care, legal knowledge, and results you need.

Don’t face this on your own. Let our team of Augusta truck accident lawyers help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

Our Augusta Truck Accident Lawyers Get Results

Our law firm has over 20 years of experience advocating for our clients and winning settlements that cover their accident costs. Overall, our legal team has recovered $1 billion in settlements and verdicts for our clients. 

There’s no risk in working with us because there‘s no fee unless we win your case.

Our most notable truck accident recoveries include:

• We won nearly $5 million for a client who suffered injuries to his spine when rear-ended by an 18-wheeler
• We recovered $2.5 million for a fatal tractor-trailer accident where the truck’s rear warning lights weren’t working properly. Though the victim rear-ended the trailer, they were not at fault because it was dark and there were defective taillights on the truck.
• We won nearly $2 million for a client working on the shoulder of the road. He was hit by a tractor-trailer when the driver lost control of the steering wheel.
• We won $1.9 million when our client was in a car that struck a parked semi truck. The client suffered a head injury.
• We recovered $1.5 million for a client who was sideswiped by a tractor-trailer that improperly changed lanes. The client suffered back and leg injuries.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Attorney in Augusta?

One of the most common concerns clients have is, “How much will hiring a lawyer cost?” At our firm, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay us anything up front.

Here’s how it works:

• You only pay if we win your case.
• Our fee comes from a portion of the compensation we recover for you, so there’s no financial risk to you.

This approach allows you to focus on your recovery without worrying about legal fees. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing—simple as that.

Why Are 18-Wheeler Crashes More Serious than Other Collisions?

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.

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. But, unfortunately, they are subjected to extreme schedules with long hours. As a result, driver fatigue plays a role in many truck accidents.

The Most Dangerous Roads in Georgia for Trucking Accidents

Georgia is known for its deadly highways and interstates that have caused several fatal accidents. MoneyGeek, a personal financial tech company, studied Georgia’s most dangerous roads using data from 2018 to 2020. Some of the most dangerous roads in Georgia that increase the likelihood of truck crashes are:

• Moreland Ave. (Georgia 42) starting at S. River Industrial Blvd. SE to Wylie St. SE: This road had 12 fatal accidents with 2.5 crashes per mile within the 4.8 miles of the road in the study’s time frame. This is considered the most dangerous road in Georgia.
• I–20 from Exit 71 to Exit 67: This is the second-deadliest road in Georgia. Drivers suffered 11 fatal accidents, with 2.2 crashes per mile on the five-mile road.
• The Perimeter (I–285) starting at the Rt. 6 Interchange to the Riverdale Rd. Exit: The third-deadliest road caused 11 fatal accidents and 2.5 accidents per mile on the 4.4-mile road.

The study also found that the primary reason for the crashes on these roads was speeding and drunk driving. These behaviors, especially in truck accidents, can be fatal, as seen in these statistics.

What Compensation Are You Entitled to if You Were Involved in a Truck Collision in Augusta?

An accident victim can 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 expenses, 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
• Loss of consortium

Our truck accident injury lawyers in Augusta 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.

Why Should You Hire a Truck Accident Attorney?

Insurance companies are supposed to take care of you. However, because they are for-profit organizations, they aim to offer you the lowest settlement amount that won’t help you pay the costs you need to.

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 commercial 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 most common tricks and what you must do 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 to explain how we can 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.

Complicated Liability Issues

The first thing 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. 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 you have a strong case and that your legal team could win in court. Therefore, 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 court.

With a strong litigation team and a successful courtroom record, you will feel comfortable with a lawyer handling your case at every step.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for Your Truck Accident Injuries?

Your lawyer will attempt to establish negligence in your truck accident claim and identify the parties contributing to your injuries. An Augusta personal injury attorney will prove the negligence of these individuals by indicating what actions or inactions caused the crash.

In a truck accident, multiple parties may share responsibility for the crash. Identifying these individuals or entities is crucial for pursuing fair compensation. Below are some of the parties that may be liable in a truck accident:

The Truck Driver

Negligence, such as distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence, can make the truck driver directly responsible.

Maintenance or Repair Personnel

Those who performed faulty maintenance or repairs on the vehicle may be held liable if mechanical issues caused the accident.

The Truck Manufacturer

If a defect or mechanical failure, such as faulty brakes or tires, contributed to the crash, the manufacturer could be responsible.

The Truck Owner or Leasing Company

The owner or leasing company may be liable for failing to ensure the truck was roadworthy and properly maintained.

The Trucking Company

Employers are often responsible for their drivers’ actions. If the company failed to follow regulations, enforce safety practices, or properly train the driver, they could be held accountable.

Cargo Loaders

Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo can cause accidents. The individuals or companies responsible for loading the truck may share liability.

Government Entities

If unsafe road conditions, poor design, or lack of maintenance contributed to the accident, a government agency may be at fault.

Other Drivers or Third Parties

Negligence by other drivers or external parties, such as causing hazardous conditions on the roadway, can also contribute to the crash.

Taking Action Against Responsible Parties

Identifying all responsible parties helps strengthen your case. By holding them accountable, you can file claims to seek compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and other damages caused by the truck accident.

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 that nothing can truly make up for the devastation of losing a loved one due to an accident. However, in some cases, family members can 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 could file a wrongful death lawsuit. This 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 a 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. Therefore, we feel the best chance for success is to file it immediately.

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.

What Kinds Of Evidence Are Used In A Truck Accident Claim?

Proving fault in a semi-truck accident requires a detailed investigation. Lawyers often work with accident reconstruction experts to determine how the collision occurred. They analyze surveillance footage, black box data (or Event Data Recorder), and maintenance records to uncover evidence of driver negligence or violations of vehicle maintenance requirements.

Violations of Federal trucking regulations, such as hours of service limits, are reviewed to identify overworked or fatigued drivers. Additionally, lawyers may examine Department of Transportation records and ensure the trucking company complied with federal regulations.

Attorneys gather this evidence to prove negligence. They hold responsible parties accountable in your semi-truck accident claim. This helps you get the compensation you deserve.

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 in your best interest while you recover at home or in the hospital. In addition, 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. A lawyer can defend you and reduce your fault by providing evidence.
• The Georgia trucking industry has special rules and regulations that a lawyer will know and understand.
• There may be liable parties other than the truck driver and trucking company you could be missing.
• The negotiations can be difficult, and insurance companies may use your words against you.

Types of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents come in many forms, each with unique challenges and causes. Identifying the kind of accident can help determine liability and strengthen your case. Common truck crash types include:

• Jackknife Accidents: These occur when a truck’s trailer swings out at an angle, often caused by sudden braking or slippery roads.
• Rollover Accidents: Trucks can overturn due to sharp turns, high speeds, or uneven cargo loads, endangering everyone nearby.
• Rear–End Collisions: Trucks take longer to stop, making rear-end crashes especially dangerous for smaller vehicles.
• Underride Accidents: These happen when smaller vehicles slide under the rear or side of a truck, often leading to severe injuries or fatalities.
• T–Bone Accidents: Trucks will sometimes collide with the side of another vehicle, often at intersections.
• Lost Cargo Accidents: Improperly secured cargo can spill onto the road, causing accidents for unsuspecting drivers.
• Wide Turn Collisions: Large trucks need extra space to turn, and misjudgments can lead to collisions with nearby vehicles.

No matter the type of accident, our team will thoroughly investigate the circumstances to build a strong case for you.

Contact an Augusta Truck Accident Law Firm for a Free Case Evaluation

The Augusta truck collision lawyers at John Foy & Associates have helped victims recover economic and non-economic damages for over 20 years. We began as a modest local law practice and developed into one of the nation’s most reputable and prosperous personal injury law offices.

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 you have a case.