Truck accidents can be the most severe and devastating of all auto accidents in Cartersville. Since trucks are so much bigger and heavier than other vehicles, the damage left from a collision with one can cause very serious injuries, totaled cars, and even death.
If you were injured in a truck accident, or lost a loved one, at no fault of your own, you are entitled to financial recovery for all resulting expenses. A Cartersville truck accident lawyer can help you get the full amount you need.
At John Foy & Associates, we listen to truck accident victims with a compassionate ear—and we work tirelessly for your rights. Insurance companies can be hesitant to pay out what a victim truly deserves for their suffering, but we stand firm against them and present the facts showing what the accident has cost you.
Let us help you pursue a fair settlement that covers the expense of treatment, time lost from work, and other damages you have suffered. For a FREE consultation to speak with one of our attorneys about the specific, contact us today. Call 404-400-4000, or complete the form to your right for your free consultation.
How does Fault Work in a Truck Accident Case?
Georgia is a fault state, which means the driver who caused the truck accident is responsible for all costs resulting from the accident. If the driver carries auto insurance, which they are legally required to have, their insurance company pays for the damages.
If the other driver’s actions led to the truck accident, they are liable for your damages. This means you can make a personal injury claim with their insurance company to cover the expenses you now face because of the truck accident.
Insurance claims for at-fault states can be quite complex because you’ll have to prove what happened and demonstrate the other driver’s fault. “Fault” should not be confused with “blame.”
The at-fault driver does not have to be acting illegally or with the intent of harm to be at fault. However, fault does signify the driver was responsible for the accident happening, and there was a degree of negligence in failing to keep others on the road from harm. As a result, they have a duty to cover the other driver’s costs.
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How does a Truck Accident Claim Work in Cartersville?
Since Georgia is a fault state, truck accident victims in Cartersville have a few options for seeking financial recovery for their damages. The most common method is filing an insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. You can also file a claim directly with your own insurance company or file a lawsuit in court.
In most cases, the first line of action is making an insurance claim with the other driver’s insurer. Your truck accident lawyer will compile evidence of your injuries, vehicle damages, time missed from work, and other costs and damages from the accident.
When the claim is submitted to the insurance company, the best case scenario is that the insurer accepts the claim and pays out the full amount. However, insurance companies are for-profit businesses, and they will be looking for ways to cut costs.
This means they could try to discount your injuries, claim your costs aren’t as high as you say, or try to place some of the blame on you. Your lawyer will negotiate to try and reach a settlement with the insurer in an amount that is fair to you and covers all your damages.
If the initial attempt to settle the truck accident claim is unsuccessful and the other driver’s insurance company won’t budge, the next step is typically to file a lawsuit. In some cases, a personal injury lawyer may advise filing a lawsuit right away, such as if they feel the insurance company will deny liability and negotiations aren’t possible.
Going straight to a lawsuit may also help if you’re in an uninsured motorist accident and you’ll be making a claim against your own insurance company for uninsured/underinsured coverage.
The claims process for truck accident damages can be lengthy and complicated, especially because costs can be very high in a truck accident. A good lawyer can help you make the best decisions in your unique situation so you have the greatest chance of recovering the money you truly need.
What If the Injuries Are Permanent?
If a truck accident leaves you permanently injured or disabled, this should be accounted for in your claim. Not only will the injuries affect your present condition, but they’ll impact you going forward for the rest of your life. Permanent injuries can include:
- Disfiguring scars or burn
- Spinal cord injuries
- Brain injuries
- Loss of limb
In the case of permanent injuries, we know no amount of money can ever make things whole again or make up for what was lost. But we also know the costs of long-term care for a severe injury greatly impact an individual’s life—and the victim should not have to pay these expenses for an accident they didn’t cause. Expenses can easily be $500,000 or more just for a year of treatment after the accident.
If you suffer permanent injuries from a truck accident, you should be able to recover for costs like:
- Medical bills, including temporary and ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, surgeries, and other costs of care
- Travel expenses to and from treatments
- Lost wages for time taken off work (or having to stop working because of the injury)
- Non-economic damages like pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, or mental anguish
It’s very important to work with a good truck accident lawyer after being injured, no matter how severe the damage is. They can help you accurately calculate your losses, especially if you have emotional damages from your injuries that don’t have a set monetary value.
Talk to a Cartersville Truck Accident Lawyer for Free
Truck accidents are extremely serious, and victims should be left paying their expenses. At John Foy & Associates, we’ve been working with personal injury victims for more than two decades, and we know how to win cases. We’re always on your side, and we never back down from the insurance companies.
For a FREE consultation to discuss your case with one of our truck accident attorneys, contact us at 404-400-4000, or complete the form to your right to get started today.
(404) 400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
