Large truck collisions can have severe physical and financial consequences. If you or a loved one were injured in such a crash, you’d need help from an experienced Columbus 18-wheeler accident lawyer. We’ll help you get the compensation you need to cover medical expenses and other losses.
Our team at John Foy & Associates can help you get the damages you owe. Our truck accident lawyers in Columbus have over 25 years of experience helping injured clients in Georgia. With over $1 billion in results, we’re confident that we have what it takes to get the results you need to overcome this difficult situation.
How An 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers in Columbus, GA, Can Help You Recover
After getting hurt in a crash with a large commercial vehicle, you might be worried about your future and confused about how to proceed with the claims process. Fortunately, our truck accident attorneys can draw on their skills and experience to obtain fair compensation.
Here’s what our team can do to get the most out of your claim:
- Collect evidence: A motor vehicle accident claim is only as strong as the evidence that supports it. That’s why our truck accident lawyers will collect police reports, information from the commercial driver’s event data recorder, witness testimonies, photos of the crash scene, and other evidence to support your claim.
- Negotiate a settlement: Once our Columbus 18-wheeler accident lawyers have the evidence they need to file a facts-based claim, they’ll meet with insurers to negotiate a settlement. If all goes well, you’ll receive a payment that covers your medical bills, pain, and other collision-related losses.
- Keep fighting for your recovery: No matter how complicated or severe your collision, our team will do everything possible to make your truck accident claim successful. If that means taking your case to court, our attorneys will happily represent you at trial and demand the life-changing financial recovery you deserve.
Who Is Liable for 18-Wheeler Crash Injuries?
Our law firm knows commercial truck accidents are more complicated than other crashes. That’s because several parties could be responsible for what occurred. It’s your attorney’s job to determine who is at fault and who should be held liable for the pain and financial losses you’ve endured.
Potentially at fault parties include the following:
- The driver of the 18-wheeler
- The trucking company that employs the driver
- An 18-wheeler parts manufacturer
- A maintenance company that works on the 18-wheeler driver’s vehicle
Some truck drivers are employees, while others are independent contractors. This is important because the driver’s employment status might impact liability. For example, a self-employed driver will probably be responsible for an accident they cause. But if the driver is an employee, their company likely provides insurance to cover accidents.
The driver may be liable if their speed, driver fatigue, or reckless driving caused the crash. The truck driver’s employer may be responsible if it fails to train them correctly or pressures them to work long hours without taking rest time. Whether the driver, employer or another party is at fault, our Columbus 18-wheeler accident attorneys will work hard to obtain a fair settlement.
Partial Fault in Georgia
If you were partially at fault for the truck crash, Georgia law may allow you to recover reduced compensation for your losses. You can seek damages if you are less than 50% to blame for the incident.
For example, if you were 20% at fault for a tractor-trailer accident that caused you $10,000 in damages, you’ll be able to recover up to $8,000 for property damage costs, medical bills, and other losses you’ve incurred due to the incident.
What Should You Do After an 18-Wheeler Accident?
After an 18-wheeler crash, you’ll want to call local law enforcement immediately. You and others may need emergency medical treatment. Even if you are unscathed, having the police respond to the crash scene will be helpful, as they can facilitate the exchange of insurance information and write an accident report that an 18-wheeler accident attorney can use to build your claim.
Once you’ve reported the accident, you should take the following steps to improve your chances of recovering non-monetary and monetary losses:
Exchange Information
Information from all parties involved in the incident can help your attorney file a claim with the correct insurance provider. To give your lawyer the information they need to do their job, get the following from all other drivers involved in the accident:
- Full names of the truck driver(s) and other motorists involved in the incident
- Driver’s license numbers
- Vehicle registration numbers
- Insurance policy numbers
- The trucking company’s information
Take Pictures
A photo of the collision scene can add a great deal of legitimacy to your claim. Someone could quickly move or clean up evidence from the crash scene. To ensure the scene is well documented, take photos immediately after the accident.
Make sure you take several photos of the following elements:
- Any cuts, bruises, bleeding, or other visible injuries you have
- All vehicle damage
- The entire accident scene
Take pictures from different angles and various locations. A full view of the scene will help an 18-wheeler accident attorney from Columbus, GA, paint a clear picture of what happened. It will also help them understand the maximum extent of your damages.
Talk to Witnesses
When an 18-wheeler crash happens, people are usually around to see it. Talk to anyone who might have seen what occurred. Ask if you can have their contact information. Your lawyer can reach out to each witness for a helpful statement. Their testimony can strengthen your claim and increase the likelihood of a fair outcome.
Take Your Injuries Seriously
Don’t wait to get treatment for your injuries. If you didn’t get medical attention at the scene, see a doctor as soon as possible. Even if you feel okay, see a doctor who can evaluate you for all possible damage. Go to all follow-up appointments, and heed all instructions from your doctor. If the insurer thinks you aren’t taking your treatment seriously, it might use that against you.
Save all the bills and documents you receive at your medical appointments. Records showing you received medical care can help your attorney get the necessary damages to cover your treatment bills and other losses.
Be Careful What You Say
Avoid talking about the accident with anyone but your lawyer. Also, do not discuss fault or blame with other parties at the collision scene. While it’s human nature to want to say “sorry” after a crash, the other driver could take an apology as an admission of guilt.
Before you assume anything about your accident, speak with a lawyer. An experienced eighteen-wheeler accident lawyer can investigate the incident and protect your rights.
Consult With an 18-Wheeler Crash Lawyer
According to Ga. Code § 9-3-33, you typically have two years from the day of a semi-truck accident to take legal action. You’ll want to get started as soon as possible to give your attorney time to build your case. Getting an early start will help them abide by Georgia’s filing deadline.
If you fail to act within the filing timeframe, you could forfeit the compensation you need to aid your recovery. Don’t wait until it’s too late to act. Contact a Columbus 18-wheeler accident lawyer who can handle the legal details.
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Compensation You Could Receive From a Personal Injury Settlement
Our team knows that it’s a good rule of thumb to request a higher settlement than what you would expect. If the insurance company offers less, it might still be enough to cover your damages. Whether our lawyers recover compensation via an insurance claim or civil suit, they’ll aim to obtain a variety of helpful damages, including the following:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Vehicle damage
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Every claim is different. Before filing your case, make sure you understand what you deserve. You should not have to pay out-of-pocket for costs you didn’t cause. That includes both financial and emotional costs.
Our attorneys know how to value accident claims accurately. We consider every way in which the crash has affected you. From medical bills to lost income and emotional distress, we’ll fight for what you need to recover from the collision.
Recovering After Losing a Loved One
18-wheeler crashes can cause severe injuries like traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and spinal cord injuries. If your loved one has passed away due to catastrophic injuries suffered in a collision with an 18-wheeler, our wrongful death lawyers in Columbus, GA, can seek the following damages for you:
- Medical costs
- Lost earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Funeral and burial costs
- Mental anguish
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of consortium
Experiencing a sudden death in your family can be emotionally and financially devastating. If you’ve lost your loved one in a deadly crash, our compassionate team can provide the effective legal representation you need to file a winning wrongful death lawsuit and endure this challenging time.
Talk to a Columbus 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer for Free
Contact the personal injury attorneys at John Foy & Associates today for a free, no-risk consultation. Our experienced and compassionate lawyers do not charge a fee unless we win you money, as they operate on a contingency fee basis. If they lose your case, you won’t have to pay anything.
During your no-obligation consultation, our firm’s knowledgeable Columbus 18-wheeler accident lawyer will ask you about your accident and the losses you’ve incurred. If they find that you have grounds for a claim, they’ll fight for the damages you need to get back on your feet.
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