At John Foy & Associates, our track record speaks for itself. We’ve been helping injured people recover money for over 20 years, and we’re known as one of the top law firms in Georgia.
Our Johns Creek personal injury lawyers understand what it takes to get insurance companies to the bargaining table, and we work hard to get you the very best financial recovery possible. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case.
Who Is “At Fault” in a Truck Accident?
When it comes to fault, truck accidents basically no different than any other type of vehicle accident. Fault depends on which driver was “negligent.” Negligence doesn’t necessarily mean a driver got into an accident on purpose, or even that the driver was reckless. A driver can be found negligent simply because the driver did not behave as carefully as a reasonable driver should have behaved. Examples of negligent driving include:
- Distracted driving, such as looking at a cell phone or GPS.
- Driving while overly fatigued – a common problem among truck drivers.
- Aggressively changing lanes, or changing lanes without signaling.
- Following too closely behind other vehicles. Trucks need to maintain a greater than usual following distance because they are not capable of sudden stops.
While the basic principles of fault are the same, actually determining who is liable in a truck accident can be more complicated. For example, a trucking company may assume liability for accidents caused by the truckers it employs. Or the trucking company itself may be liable if it hired inexperienced drivers or negligently forced its truckers to work when they were really too tired to be on the road safely. Sometimes, more than one person or company is legally at fault.
At John Foy & Associates, our lawyers and investigators are trained to get to the bottom of who is at fault and who is responsible for paying for your injuries. This is one of the advantages of having a big law firm with lots of resources representing you.
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Are Semi-Trucks More Accident Prone than Other Types of Vehicles?
Any vehicle can get into an accident, but 18 wheelers do have a few features that make them different than passenger cars. For example, trucks have bigger blind spots in their mirrors than cars, spanning most of the length of the truck. If a truck driver doesn’t check these blind spots before changing lanes, an accident can easily happen.
Semi-trucks also have a different braking mechanism than cars. The type of brakes, plus the size and weight of a truck, makes it almost impossible for a truck to stop quickly. Trucks can also jackknife – a hazard cars don’t face. And like some SUVs, trucks are vulnerable to tipping over, especially if they don’t handle curves properly.
But the main thing that distinguishes semis from cars in an accident is the amount of damage that occurs. Semis are so big that they can easily total a car and cause catastrophic injuries to the people inside. And a car’s occupants are far more likely to be injured than a truck driver.
In 2016, 83 percent of the people killed in large truck crashes nationwide were occupants of other vehicles or non-occupants such as pedestrians, and only 17 percent were truck drivers.
What Kinds of Injuries and Losses Can I Recover Money for?
Truck accidents can cause many types of injuries, and they can easily be fatal. If you were in a truck accident, you may have:
- Head injuries such as a concussion or a traumatic brain injury
- Broken hands, arms, feet or other bones
- Injuries to your muscles and joints, including whiplash
- Cuts that may leave permanent scars
- Spinal cord injuries
No matter what type of injuries you have, you can recover money for an accident you didn’t cause. In the City of Johns Creek, you can recover money to pay ALL of your medical bills, including prescriptions, physical therapy, and the medical care you will need in the future. You can recover money for lost paychecks, and the local courts often award substantially more for pain, disabilities and other losses that take a heavy toll on your life but don’t have an exact price tag. This money can radically change your financial situation for the better, helping you move forward and begin to focus on life after the accident.
Should I Talk to a Lawyer After a Truck Accident?
We think it’s a good idea to talk to a lawyer after any accident, and especially if you have significant injuries. The reason is simple: accidents are traumatic and overwhelming and it can be hard to know what to do or how to handle the insurance company that is pressuring you to accept a settlement or give a recorded statement. By going it alone, you risk giving up your right to the money you really need to take care of yourself and your family.
When you have a lawyer, your job is to focus on recovering, and your lawyer handles most everything else, including the insurance company. Your lawyer will build your case for you, putting together medical records, making sure you see the right doctors, and pulling in experts if necessary to estimate things like your future needs and losses. At John Foy & Associates, we’re known as “the Strong Arm” because we know how to present all this to the insurance company and take a tough position to get you everything you’re entitled to.
Talk to a Johns Creek Truck Accident Lawyer
If you have been injured in an accident with a large truck, John Foy & Associates is here to help. You don’t have to worry about paying us a fee: your first consultation with us is always free, and we will never collect a fee from you unless we get you money.
Let us give you a free consultation. Call us at 404-400-4000 or fill out the form to your right and get your FREE consultation today.
(404) 400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
