Commercial trucks are so large that they play a factor in some of the most devastating accidents in Powder Springs. When a truck hits another vehicle, the victims are likely to have life-threatening injuries or, tragically, can even be killed on impact.
For victims and their families, it can be difficult and sometimes impossible to move forward mentally, emotionally, or financially. In many cases, bringing a lawsuit against the at-fault truck driver can help you begin the healing process. A Powder Springs truck accident lawyer can help.
John Foy & Associates only represents victims. We have seen hundreds of truck accident cases that result in severe injuries and even death. We never work for the insurance company because we realize just how unfair and unkind they can be in many circumstances. We use our 20 years of experience representing victims to fight for fair settlements and good results at trial. We would love to put that knowledge and skill to work for you and your family.
Let us give you a free consultation. Call us at 404-400-4000 and get your free consultation today.
How Can My Attorney Help With a Truck Accident Investigation?
Commercial truck insurance carriers act quickly after a truck accident. They deal with accidents similar to yours literally every day. They know how to get information fast and settle cases for far less than they are worth very quickly.
And they deliberately try to contact you when you’re still overwhelmed, shocked, and confused after the accident. It’s a good idea to wait to talk to the truck driver’s insurance company until after you’ve had a chance to speak to a lawyer. You may also want to ask them to only communicate with you in writing so you have time to think about your response and you can give your lawyer the exact information that they are giving you.
Your attorney will also act quickly—and start gathering evidence and information before it is lost. Your lawyer will also put pressure on the other parties to cooperate. Truck drivers and insurance companies are much more likely to respond to requests for information from an attorney than an accident victim.
Your lawyer will pull together evidence about:
- Vehicle maintenance and upkeep
- The truck driver’s log books that track whether Georgia law and federal law are being followed
- Driver qualifications and driving record
- Whether local traffic laws were being followed at the time of the crash
- Police reports
- Photographs and other descriptions of the scene of the accident
- Witness information and records of what they saw or heard
- Potential manufacturing defects with the truck that could have caused the accident
This information is the backbone of you case. It’s how lawyers are able to confront insurers head-on and demand more money than they’re offering. In many cases, this investigation work may be the single biggest factor in maximizing the money you receive.
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Does Truck Driver Fatigue Affect My Accident Claim?
Yes, if the driver was fatigued or violating any rules, that makes your claim much stronger. It’s not a factor in every truck accident case, but it’s not uncommon.
Truck drivers spend a great deal of time on the road. They log hundreds of miles every day in some cases. With all of that driving, they are bound to make a mistake at some point. The difference is that when a truck driver makes a mistake, it could be a life or death situation.
Truck drivers must meet rigorous qualifications to drive these large vehicles. Specific licensing requirements must be followed. These requirements vary depending on the type of load they are hauling.
For example, a driver that is pulling liquid needs a particular kind of license compared to someone that is hauling packages. When drivers don’t have the right type of licensing or training, that puts others at risk. That type of information is often critical in your Powder Springs truck accident case.
How Important Is the Police Report in a Truck Accident Case?
You should always call the police at the scene of any type of accident. But, it’s especially crucial in truck accident cases. The officer will often gather vital information about the other driver and the trucking company as part of making their report. Having this information is very important to get your case started.
A police report will also provide a general outline of how the accident occurred. Police officers see car accidents every day, so they are helpful witnesses when it comes to the real cause of a crash. They can also record what other people told them as well. For example, a truck driver is more likely to admit to a police officer that they dozed of for a minute than they are to tell you about it.
Most police officers will include this type of information in their report. They will also likely issue a citation for failure to maintain control of a vehicle for that type of situation as well.
A citation can also be helpful to show that you were not at fault for the accident—and that the truck driver was. Keep in mind, however, that just because you got a citation doesn’t mean that your case shouldn’t move forward. You can still bring a lawsuit in Georgia even if you were partially at fault for the incident.
Police will also provide helpful diagrams of the accident too. While a police report generally cannot come into evidence in court, it can be useful to jog a police officer’s memory about the incident when they testify, and it can help you understand what may have actually happened as well.
While police officers try to be as accurate as possible in their reports, there are situations where they make mistakes. Having incorrect information in a police report doesn’t completely undermine your case. But, you may need to do some extra investigation and dig up more information to combat the wrong data—because chances are that the insurance company will try to use it against you.
Talk to a Powder Springs Truck Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, don’t wait to give our team a call. We are here to be your advocate, your advisor and your guide through the legal process—at a time when you need it most.
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