Semi-truck accidents in Savannah often cause severe injuries or deaths. If you or a loved one were wounded and didn’t cause the crash, you have a right to recover money. You can learn your legal options today by talking to a Savannah semi-truck accident attorney.
Our team at John Foy & Associates has a 20-plus-year track record of helping injured clients. We’ll assist you in building a legal claim to fight for total financial compensation. Don’t assume your rights without talking to a member of the Strong Arm.
Call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
How to Sue After Being Hit by a Semi-Truck
If a semi-truck driver’s actions caused your crash, someone is liable. The truck driver or their employer is probably responsible for paying your damages. As someone hurt in the accident, you can file a personal injury lawsuit.
However, you might not need to sue for the money you deserve. Many accident victims can achieve a settlement through the insurance company. With an experienced lawyer, a victim can negotiate to seek the compensation they deserve.
Building a successful claim involves steps. After the collision, you will need to prove that:
- The semi-truck driver owed you a “duty of care.”
- The driver failed to uphold their duty of care.
- Because of the breached duty, the accident occurred.
- You suffered injuries and have damages because of the crash.
All motorists have a duty to drive safely and not cause harm. Semi-truck operators and other commercial drivers have an even higher obligation on the road. According to OCGA §46-9-1, common carriers (those who transport goods or people) must use “extraordinary diligence,” and the law is against them after an accident.
When a collision with a large truck happens, the truck driver is often at fault. The other driver also typically suffers severe injuries—or loses their life. If you were the other motorist, you have a right to fight for money.
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Vital Steps to Build a Truck Accident Case
Building an injury claim takes time. We highly urge you to call an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Even during a free consultation, a lawyer can tell you a lot about your options.
Besides speaking with a legal professional, here are some other actions you should take after a crash.
Report the Accident
If a truck driver causes an accident, they should call 9-1-1 to report it. But if the trucker doesn’t call the police, make sure you or someone else involved does instead.
The responding officer should gather information and create a crash report. Ask about this record and how you can get a copy.
Get Medical Attention
Most truck collision victims are passenger vehicle occupants, and they suffer terrible injuries. If you need immediate medical help, don’t wait—call for an ambulance.
On the other hand, if you don’t receive help at the scene, see a doctor promptly. Waiting for more than a day can be dangerous to your health and your legal rights. Be sure to see a doctor, follow your physician’s orders, and attend all follow-up appointments.
Take Pictures
If you’re well enough to do so, take pictures at the accident scene. Your lawyer can also return to the location to snap photos. Get images of your injuries and vehicle damage, as well.
Save Records of Your Damages
Keep track of documents like:
- Medical bills
- Doctor notes
- Vehicle repair quotes
- Medication receipts
- Notes about your experience
You will need these sources of evidence when building your case. If you’re not sure what to say, err on the side of caution; it’s better to save too much than not enough.
Speak with an Experienced Attorney
When you call a lawyer, make sure they handle personal injury cases and have experience with commercial truck accidents. The attorney should also have examples of taking cases to court and winning complete settlements for clients.
At John Foy & Associates, we’ve won over $1 billion in results for our clients. Many of our most successful cases have involved large trucking companies. We’ll discuss your accident for free, and you don’t have to pay a thing unless we win you money.
How Common Are Accidents with Semi-Trucks?
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were just over 5,000 large trucks and buses involved in deadly accidents in 2018. Semi-trucks cause about 11% of all traffic deaths in the U.S.
While large truck collisions are less common than other crashes, they are some of the most fatal. If you or a loved were a victim of these types of accidents, you’re not alone—and you have rights.
Which Damages Can You Claim?
Georgia law allows you to recover damages if you were less than 50% at fault for an accident. If you bear no responsibility for the crash, you can request compensation for all of your losses. The law uses the term “personal injury damages” for anything you’ve lost from an accident.
Here are damages someone might suffer from a truck crash:
- Doctor and hospital bills from treating your injuries
- Prescription or over-the-counter drug costs
- Lost income from having to miss work time
- Lost earning capacity if your injuries force you to make less income
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs
- Pain and suffering
When you add up all of the damages from a commercial vehicle accident, your losses can total hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars. However, don’t assume your damages without consulting a lawyer. Even if your losses seem great, you could lose out on significant money if you don’t get professional insight.
Your attorney can assess each cost and calculate what a fair settlement should be. Then, you can file your claim knowing you’re seeking the fullest compensation possible.
Suing for Pain and Suffering After an Accident
Pain and suffering damages are more complicated than medical bills and lost income. These non-economic losses are about the physical and mental suffering you’ve experienced. When an accident involves severe injuries, pain and suffering damages are essential.
You might suffer from:
- Loss of enjoyment of life or inability to do things you used to enjoy
- Embarrassment or fear due to scarring or other disfigurements
- Anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Mental anguish or emotional distress
- Loss of companionship if a loved one died in the crash
Of course, there is no dollar amount to describe the emotional suffering someone goes through. But since the law can only compensate you with money, you’ll need to determine what you deserve for your pain and suffering.
Your attorney will use a formula to put a number on your distress. Often, the equation is your total economic damages times a number between 1.5 and 5. To learn more about what you deserve to recover, call a semi-truck accident lawyer.
Get a Free Consultation with a Savannah Semi-Truck Accident Attorney
At John Foy & Associates, we’re ready to fight for your legal rights. Reach out today for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to get started for free.
912-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form