The aftermath of a truck accident in Valdosta means painful or life-threatening injuries, costly medical bills, and many other burdens. Thankfully, you don’t have to handle the damages alone. If you didn’t cause your accident, you likely deserve financial compensation.
Our Valdosta semi-truck accident lawyers at John Foy & Associates are here to help. We know how to help you seek compensation after a semi-truck accident in Georgia. With over 20 years of experience, we know what it takes to build strong, successful cases. To get started today with a free consultation, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
Can You Sue for Being Hit by a Semi-Truck?
If someone else’s actions caused your injuries, you can sue for damages. A lawyer can help you bring a personal injury lawsuit.
You can also file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. If you can get a fair settlement offer, you won’t need to go to trial.
When valuing your settlement, a lawyer will consider your:
- Total medical costs
- Lost income
- Lost earning potential
- Vehicle damage
- Pain and suffering
Every case is different. However, semi-truck settlements can get into the millions of dollars. We have personally won huge verdicts from clients injured by a commercial truck.
Contact us today to learn more. We’ll examine your case to determine your options. We can estimate the type of settlement you might deserve.
Get Legal Help Before It’s Too Late
After an accident with a semi-truck, there are a couple of facts to remember.
First, you only have two years from your accident date to bring a legal claim. Second, the trucking company and the insurance company will fight against you.
Trucking companies purchase comprehensive insurance policies in case of accidents. If a driver is at fault, the company will spring into action. Their insurance company will look for ways to avoid paying for your costs.
Dealing with the Insurance Companies
Insurance companies know that most victims have never had to deal with a legal claim. Unfortunately, the insurer might use that fact against you. Common tactics include:
- Calling you to get a recorded statement
- Offering you a meager settlement (and hoping that you’ll take it)
- Downplaying your injuries
- Doubting your accident damages
- Using something you’ve said against you
Be careful about saying anything to the insurance company. If they try to contact you, it’s best to have a lawyer first. You can direct the agent to your lawyer instead of worrying about what to say.
Insurance companies have their own legal teams, too. They might send people to the scene to gather evidence against you. The goal is to reduce what the insurer has to pay for each accident.
Our lawyers know how to handle insurance companies. With a reputation as the “Strong Arm,” we don’t back down from sneaky tactics. We’ll protect your rights while you focus on recovery.
Meeting the Statute of Limitations
You must bring a personal injury claim within two years of an accident, according to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §9-3-33. In some cases, you have even less time.
It’s best to start working on your case immediately. You will need time to gather evidence and build up your claim. The sooner you can get started, the better you can protect your rights.
You don’t have to worry about these details alone. At John Foy & Associates, we can start building your case today while you spend time healing. To discuss your options during a free consultation, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online today.
We Can Help You Prove How Your Semi-Truck Accident Happened
As a victim, the burden is on you to prove your accident cause. You’ll need to investigate the crash and gather evidence of fault.
Truck drivers and their employers must be careful to follow regulations. If someone isn’t cautious enough, they can cause a severe accident. When you bring a legal claim, you’ll need to know the cause of your crash.
Here are some common reasons semi-truck accidents happen.
Overworked Drivers
Commercial drivers often work long hours. They can have up to 11-hour shifts, sometimes traveling overnight. Drivers should take breaks, but only after eight-hour periods.
Trucking companies also have high standards for their drivers. They might set unrealistic deadlines to move products faster. This can put a lot of pressure on the drivers.
Unfortunately, driver fatigue is widespread with truckers. If the driver doesn’t get enough sleep, they can make careless mistakes like:
- Speeding
- Texting while driving
- Driving while distracted
- Driving under the influence
- Failing to yield
- Running red lights
Any negligent driver can make these types of mistakes. However, the consequences are worse with large trucks. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), large trucks can weigh 20-30 times that of passenger cars.
Semi-trucks often cause catastrophic damage during collisions with other vehicles.
Poorly-Loaded Cargo
Commercial trucks carry all sorts of items across city and state lines. Some cargo is hazardous if it falls off the vehicle. Also, incorrectly-loaded cargo can lead to accidents in many ways.
Drivers and loading companies should be careful to load items properly. If that doesn’t happen, terrible accidents can happen.
Faulty Maintenance or Parts
Most of the time, a semi-truck accident will happen because the driver or company was at fault. But poor maintenance or defective parts can sometimes cause accidents.
Commercial trucks must undergo regular inspections before being driven. If a truck is not fit to drive, it shouldn’t be used until it’s safe. However, a trucker or their employer might fail to keep up with regular maintenance needs. Or, the maintenance company might perform poor services.
Defective truck parts can also sometimes cause accidents. In that case, the manufacturing company is usually at fault. You’ll need to provide evidence that the defect led to your crash.
Atlanta Roots, Nationwide Reach.
Distance is no obstacle. We work with clients across the country and make sure every one of them feels taken care of, no matter how far the call travels.
When Partial Fault Exists in Semi-Truck Accidents
Georgia is a comparative fault state. That means more than one party can be partly responsible for an accident. Here’s how it works:
- A victim can recover damages as long as they were less than 50% at fault.
- Someone who is 50% or more at fault cannot recover compensation.
- If you were partially at fault, the courts will reduce your damages by your percentage of fault.
Reach out to us if you’re worried about being partly at fault. Do not discuss responsibility or blame with the other driver or their insurance company. Contact our lawyers to evaluate the accident and any fault you might hold.
Many clients are surprised to learn that they hold no percentage of fault. It’s easy to blame yourself, and the insurance company might also try to blame you. But get legal assistance before assuming anything.
Get Help from a Valdosta Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one were victims of a semi-truck accident, John Foy & Associates can help. We do not collect a fee unless we win your case. Plus, the consultation is 100% free.
Call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online for a free consultation.
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