Truck Accident Lawyer in Columbus

Truck accidents are some of the most devastating auto accidents anywhere. Victims of these accidents often face overwhelming challenges, including steep medical bills, lost wages from missed work, and the cost of replacing their vehicles.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a truck accident, you don’t have to face these difficulties alone. The Columbus truck accident lawyers at John Foy & Associates are here to help.

With over 350 years of combined experience, our team of Columbus personal injury lawyers is dedicated to securing the compensation you need for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages. Contact us today to get started on your path to recovery.

What Makes Semi-Truck Accidents Different from Other Car Accidents?

Semi-truck accidents differ significantly from regular car accidents due to the unique dangers posed by these massive vehicles. A fully loaded semi-truck and trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, nearly 25 times the weight of a typical passenger car. 

This immense size and weight mean that even minor collisions can result in catastrophic damage, severe injuries, or fatalities.

Factors That Make Semi-Truck Accidents More Dangerous

• Stopping Distance: Semi-trucks cannot stop quickly, especially at high speeds, increasing the likelihood of severe accidents.
• Limited Visibility: Truck drivers have significant blind spots around their vehicles, making it harder to see cars beside or behind them.
• Jackknifing and Rollovers: Many semi-truck accidents involve the truck jackknifing or tipping over, creating multi-vehicle accidents.
• Hazardous Cargo: Some trucks carry flammable, toxic, or hazardous materials, which can escalate the danger in a crash.

Higher Standards for Semi-Truck Drivers

Due to the risks they pose, semi-truck drivers must follow stricter regulations:

• They are required to carry a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and undergo specialized training.
• Federal laws limit their driving hours to prevent fatigue and ensure rest breaks.
• Drivers must avoid distractions and comply with safety protocols to protect others on the road.

While most commercial truck drivers are skilled professionals who prioritize safety, the demands of the job—long hours, tight deadlines, and road monotony—can lead to driver fatigue, distraction, or reckless behavior, which are common causes of semi-truck accidents.

If you’ve been injured in a semi-truck accident, it’s crucial to work with a truck accident attorney in Columbus who understands the complexities of these unique cases.

Dealing With the Trucking or Insurance Company on Your Own Can Put Your Compensation at Risk

After a commercial trucking accident, many victims make the mistake of handling negotiations with the trucking company or its insurance provider on their own. While this might seem like the quickest way to resolve the situation, it can severely jeopardize your ability to receive fair compensation.

Here’s why:

Trucking and Insurance Companies Prioritize Profits

Both trucking companies and their insurers are businesses, and their primary goal is to minimize payouts. Adjusters are trained to protect their company’s bottom line, not your rights. They may:

• Offer a lowball settlement that doesn’t cover all your medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
• Use your statements against you to deny or reduce your claim.

They Have Teams of Attorneys

Trucking companies often have legal teams ready to defend them. These attorneys are experienced in shifting blame, disputing liability, or finding loopholes to weaken your case. Without a lawyer, you’re at a significant disadvantage.

Evidence Can Be Lost or Withheld

Critical evidence, such as driver logs, black box data, or maintenance records, is often controlled by the trucking company. Without legal representation, you may not have access to this evidence, which is crucial for proving negligence.

Complex Federal Regulations

Truck accident cases often involve federal laws, such as rules set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Understanding these regulations and how they impact your claim requires expertise that most victims don’t have.

Pressure to Settle Quickly

Insurance adjusters may pressure you to settle before you fully understand the extent of your injuries or long-term costs. Accepting an early settlement can leave you without sufficient compensation for ongoing medical treatment or future losses.

How a Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help

Filing a truck accident lawsuit without a lawyer puts your claim at risk. Working with an experienced Columbus truck accident attorney ensures that your rights are protected. We’ll handle all negotiations, gather crucial evidence, and calculate the full value of your claim so you can focus on recovery.

Who Is Responsible for a Truck Accident?

Determining liability in a truck crash is often more complex than in other motor vehicle accidents. Several parties could be responsible, depending on the circumstances of the collision. Identifying the correct liable party (or parties) is crucial for ensuring you receive full compensation for your injuries and damages.

The Truck Driver

The truck driver is often the primary party at fault, especially if the crash was caused by:

• Distracted driving: (e.g., texting or using a phone).
• Driving under the influence: of drugs or alcohol.
• Fatigue: violating federal Hours of Service (HOS) regulations.
• Reckless behavior: such as speeding or unsafe lane changes.

The Trucking Company

The trucking company may share liability if they:

• Failed to properly train or vet their drivers.
• Pressured drivers to meet tight deadlines, causing fatigue or unsafe driving.
• Neglected vehicle maintenance leads to mechanical failures.
• Violated federal safety regulations, such as improper loading of cargo.

The Cargo Loader

Improperly loaded or overloaded cargo can make a truck unstable, increasing the likelihood of rollovers or jackknifing. The company or team responsible for loading the truck could be held liable if cargo issues contributed to the crash.

The Truck Manufacturer or Maintenance Provider

If a mechanical failure—such as defective brakes, tires, or steering systems—caused the crash, the manufacturer or maintenance company may be at fault. Trucking companies are also liable if they failed to conduct routine inspections.

Other Drivers

In some cases, another vehicle’s negligent actions may have caused the truck driver to lose control, making that driver partially or wholly liable for the crash.

What Costs Can I Recover for a Truck Accident Claim in Georgia?

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, the law allows you to recover all costs associated with your injuries and losses. Here are the damages you may collect for a truck accident:

Economic Damages

These are tangible financial losses, including:

• Medical expenses, such as hospital stays, doctor visits, surgeries, tests, and medications.
• Rehabilitation costs, including physical therapy and other recovery treatments.
• Vehicle repair or replacement costs.
• Lost wages for the time you missed at work due to your injuries.
• Future costs, such as ongoing medical care or diminished earning capacity.

Non-Economic Damages

These cover more intangible losses, such as:

• Pain and suffering, including physical pain and emotional distress.
• Permanent disability or reduced quality of life due to injuries.
• Compensation for the loss of a loved one in fatal truck accidents.

How Your Lawyer Maximizes Compensation

A skilled truck accident lawyer in Columbus will calculate your damages thoroughly, considering current and future expenses. This ensures the insurance company can’t underpay you.

While no amount of money can undo your loss, compensation can ease the financial burden and help you move forward.

What Is the Average Settlement for a Truck Accident?

Every truck accident case in Georgia is different, so there isn’t any one-size-fits-all estimate for your settlement. However, because of the extensive damage semis can cause, the financial recoveries for truck accidents can be quite large. In some cases, they can run into millions of dollars.

Some of our notable truck accident settlements include:

• $6.6 million for a client injured by a tractor-trailer
• $4.9 million for an 18-wheeler accident
• $2.7 million for a driver injured when two car carriers collided in front of them
• $2.5 million for a client who rear-ended a tractor-trailer with malfunctioning lights

When you get an initial consultation with one of our truck accident attorneys in Columbus, they will assess your case. At that meeting, your lawyer can give you an estimate of how much you may receive in compensation.

How Do I Know If I Have a Valid Truck Accident Case?

The only way to be sure is to speak with a legal professional. All too often, we see truck accident victims who wrongly believe there’s nothing they can do, or even think the accident is their fault. Often they’re wrong. 

Remember, if the truck driver could have done something differently to prevent the accident, they legally share some or all of the responsibility.

When you call John Foy & Associates, we will send an investigator to gather evidence about what happened. In many cases, we will find out that:

• The truck driver had been on the road for too many hours
• Their road log shows they didn’t get enough rest
• Their truck couldn’t have passed a roadside inspection

This substantially strengthens your case as it shows that the trucking company, not you, was at fault.

If you’re not sure whether you have a case, it’s at least worth getting an initial consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers. They will listen to your story and tell you what they can do to help.

Is There a Deadline to File a Truck Accident Claim in Georgia?

Yes, the Columbus court system uses a set of deadlines based on both Georgia state law and federal law. If you miss the deadline, you usually lose all rights to your claim.

According to OCGA § 9-3-33, the deadlines for truck accident claims can be as long as two years from the date of the accident. However, some exceptions give you much less time. You should speak to a lawyer immediately.

Contact a Columbus Truck Accident Law Firm Today

At John Foy & Associates, we know how devastating semi-truck accidents can be. For over 20 years, our Columbus truck accident lawyers have helped countless victims and families recover after life-altering injuries or the loss of a loved one.

We understand the challenges you’re facing—physically, emotionally, and financially. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our goal is to secure the maximum compensation possible so you can focus on healing without financial worries.

Don’t leave your future to chance. Let our experienced team guide you through the recovery process and fight for the justice you deserve. Contact us for a free consultation today—call us or fill out our online form to get started. We’re here to help you every step of the way.