PKnight Transportation was already one of the largest full-truckload carriers in the U.S., but since its merger with Swift Transportation in 2017, they’re now the largest, with a fleet of tens of thousands of tractors and trailers.
It’s no wonder then, that the odds of getting into an accident with a vehicle from Knight Transportation are high. These vehicles travel for millions of miles each year, and it only takes one accident to destroy a driver’s life.
Fortunately, with the help of an Atlanta truck accident lawyer, you can file an accident claim against Knight Transportation. Most large trucking companies and their drivers are covered by huge insurance policies, which means you could win big on your accident claim.
Why Are the Value of Truck Accident Claims Higher?
When large commercial vehicles are involved, the damages and injuries are often more severe after a crash. This means that the value of your truck case could be far higher than any car accident case. Some factors that influence higher values include:
- 18-wheelers and commercial trucks weigh significantly more than passenger vehicles, so the force of impact in a crash is substantially greater. These “heavy heavyweight” wrecks usually cause terrible damage.
- Drivers of big rigs sit up higher, so in frontal accidents, the vehicle often collides with the passenger compartment instead of the undercarriage. This results in more dangerous cab intrusion injuries.
- Settlement payouts must factor in costs for healthcare, lost wages, rehabilitation, and many other damages. Severe injuries and longer recovery times mean the cost of compensation is much higher.
Our personal injury lawyers in Atlanta know that truck drivers and their employers are required to carry substantial amounts of insurance. By choosing an advocate like John Foy to take the lead, you can be confident pursuing the maximum settlement your case and injuries warrant.
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Proving Liability Against Knight Transportation
Establishing liability is a key element in any accident claim, and it can often hinge on intricate details of federal regulation compliance. Some of the ways we investigate and assign blame include:
- Requesting driver logs to check for fatigue or hours-of-service violations that could have contributed to the crash.
- Analyzing pre-trip inspection reports to see if the truck had any mechanical defects that were ignored.
- Sending subpoenas for maintenance records if a brake or tire failure may have been involved.
- Reconstructing electronic control module (ECM) data to determine vehicle speed and braking efforts.
- Interviewing witnesses and law enforcement to gather accident descriptions.
- Hiring accident reconstruction experts to evaluate the scene and traffic patterns.
Armed with evidence gathered through our investigations, we can establish Knight Transportation failed to properly oversee drivers and equipment. This strengthens your compensation claim for injuries resulting from their negligence.
Settlements We’ve Won in Truck Accident Cases
John Foy is no stranger to winning truck accident cases. Our personal injury attorneys have recovered over 1 billion for our clients over the past twenty years. Here are some of the settlements we’ve won against commercial trucking companies:
- $6.6 million for a tractor-trailer crash that crossed the median and struck the victim with the trailer.
- $2.8 million for a driver who stopped at a red light and got rear-ended by a truck
- $2.5 million in a wrongful death crash on I-20 West, where the truck was driving at night and did not have operating rear warning lights. The victim crashed into the rear of the trailer.
- $1.98 million for a worker who was dragged by a tractor-trailer for 45 feet on I-20 after the truck’s steering malfunctioned.
- $1.5 million for a truck that sideswiped our client due to an improper lane change.
How Can a Truck Accident Attorney Strengthen My Claim?
Pursuing compensation after a collision with a commercial vehicle from Knight Transportation requires knowledge of transportation industry regulations and accident litigation experience. Our attorneys can significantly boost the value and viability of your claim in several key ways:
- Thoroughly investigating the incident and preserving engine control module (ECM) data, drivers’ logs, inspection records, and witness testimony to fully establish liability.
- Properly assessing the full costs of your losses, from medical expenses to lost income, and accounting for benefits like lifelong care if partial or full disability resulted.
- Negotiating extensively with large insurance providers and settlement teams to obtain maximum damages reflecting the severity of the incident and outcomes.
- If negotiations stall, having the resources and willingness to litigate a strong court case to obtain a settlement through legal means if needed.
How Soon Must I File My Accident Claim Against Knight Transportation?
State injury laws mandate a deadline, known as the statute of limitations, for pursuing compensation. In Georgia, this filing period is two years from the date of a truck crash or any other personal injury matter.
It’s important to understand that evidence can disappear, and memories fade the longer a claim is delayed. For these reasons, we recommend contacting an attorney as quickly as is feasible after an injury event, even if you’re still receiving medical treatment.
If the two-year statute passes without legal action starting, you forfeit the ability to recover damages, even with a negligent party. Do not let this happen – call John Foy & Associates today for a free consultation about your options for a Knight Transportation accident claim.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form