Garbage trucks are large vehicles that collect and transport waste throughout Sandy Springs. Just like with any vehicle, carelessness can lead to severe accidents and injuries. If you suffered injuries in this type of crash, you might need a Sandy Springs garbage truck accident lawyer.
You may need help from an experienced truck accident lawyer. If you were injured because of someone else, you can seek compensation for your accident costs. At John Foy & Associates, we’re not afraid to fight for what you deserve.
Contact us today to learn about your legal options. You might be able to recover everything you’ve lost because of the accident. To get a free, no-risk case review, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
Who’s At Fault for a Garbage Truck Accident
In Georgia, the at-fault party in an accident is responsible for the costs. If someone’s negligence (or carelessness) led to your injuries, you have a case. However, it depends on who was responsible for the accident.
The at-fault parties in a garbage truck accident might include:
- The garbage truck driver
- The driver’s employer
- A city or county government
- A private company that owns the truck
Everyone has a legal duty to act in a way that doesn’t cause harm. When someone fails in their duty, they are liable for the damages. Under the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §51-1-6, you can recover damages if you were hurt as a result.
The at-fault party can affect how you recover damages:
- If it’s a person or company, you usually have two years to sue.
- If it’s a government agency, the agency could have sovereign immunity. You might be unable to sue the government and if you can, you must give prior notice. Then, you must bring your case within six months.
Drivers and companies should have insurance coverage for accidents. As an injury victim, you can file an insurance claim for compensation. However, you’ll need to know who’s responsible before you file your claim.
A garbage truck accident lawyer can investigate the cause of your accident. Then, they can help you build a personal injury claim to file with the insurance company. If you can’t settle with insurance, you and your lawyer might file a lawsuit against the responsible party.
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Types of Garbage Trucks in Sandy Springs
There are many different types of garbage trucks. In Sandy Springs, there are no trash collection services. But residents can use private companies to pick up their garbage.
Each garbage company will use a truck appropriate for their service. Types of trucks can include:
- Small, local neighborhood garbage trucks
- Garbage compacting trucks
- Front-loading garbage trucks
- Rear-loading garbage trucks
- Semi-truck garbage transfer trucks
Any garbage truck is large enough to cause significant harm in a crash. Since these trucks are much bigger than the average car, they can lead to severe injuries and vehicle damages.
Why Garbage Truck Accidents Happen
Garbage truck accidents might occur because of:
- Truck driver inexperience
- Drunk driving
- Texting while driving
- Traffic violations
- Speeding
- Unsafe lane changes
- Backing up accidents
- Mechanical defects
- Faulty maintenance
- Poor road or weather conditions
Garbage truck collisions often happen during routine driving movements. For example, the truck driver could be backing up or turning. They might turn too sharply or fail to yield before reversing the truck.
Trucks also have larger blind spots than other vehicles. If a driver isn’t careful, they might hit a smaller car they can’t see.
Garbage truck companies are often responsible for their drivers’ actions. A company might deny liability or try to blame you for the accident. But you know the truth about what happened.
Get Experienced Legal Help Today
To protect your rights and fight for what you deserve, contact a Sandy Springs garbage truck accident lawyer. Call John Foy & Associates at (404) 400-4000 for a free consultation.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim After the Crash
If you didn’t cause your accident, you have legal rights. As an injury victim in Sandy Springs, you can file a personal injury claim.
The first step is usually filing with the at-fault party’s insurance company. If you cannot get an insurance settlement, you might need to file a lawsuit.
Legal claims after a garbage truck accident are complicated. Multiple parties could be at fault, and there might be limitations on what you can recover. It’s best to discuss your options with a garbage truck accident lawyer before taking action.
Deadlines to File a Garbage Truck Accident Claim
In Georgia, you usually have two years after an accident to bring a lawsuit. However, your timeline is much shorter if a government entity is involved. The time goes faster than most people realize, so don’t wait to get started.
You will need time to gather evidence of your accident and injuries. Also, the insurance company will probably send a lowball offer. Your lawyer will need time to review the offer and negotiate for more.
Damages to Claim After Your Accident
If you were not at fault for the accident, you deserve full financial recovery. That means you are not liable for your losses from the accident. The law should “make you whole” as if the crash hadn’t happened.
Common damages from a garbage truck crash include:
- Medical bills
- Prescription medication costs
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Vehicle repairs or replacement
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
Get medical attention as soon as possible after your accident. If you’ll need long-term medical treatment, talk to your lawyer. They will need to account for future costs when building your claim. You don’t want to end up paying out-of-pocket for any accident-related costs.
Contact a Garbage Truck Accident Lawyer in Sandy Springs
Garbage truck accidents leave victims with enormous costs and emotional trauma. If you suffered injuries in this type of crash, it’s important to know your rights. Contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible.
John Foy & Associates has a reputation as the “Strong Arm” for a reason. We are not afraid to stand firm against the insurance companies. We will do what it takes to fight for the compensation you deserve.
To get a free, no-risk consultation, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online. You don’t pay us a thing unless we win you compensation.
(404) 400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
