Were you or a loved one injured in an accident involving a large semi-truck or big rig in Atlanta, GA? An experienced Atlanta truck accident lawyer can help you recover fair financial compensation from the responsible party. You may deserve money for things like medical bills, lost wages, and your pain and suffering.
At Guardian Accident & Injury Lawyers, we have over 75 years of combined experience handling complex personal injury claims. We’ve put our skills to work and recovered over $250 million in compensation for injury victims like you.
Standing up to a large trucking company and its insurer can be overwhelming. Contact our law offices in Atlanta, Georgia, today to schedule a free consultation, or call (404) 255-9000 and learn how we can help.
How Can Guardian Accident & Injury Lawyers Help After a Large Truck Accident in Atlanta, GA?
Commercial truck accident cases can be extremely complicated. You’re probably going to be dealing with a commercial insurance company. The trucking company may already have its lawyers involved. Multiple parties can share blame–and you’re already dealing with painful injuries.
When our Atlanta personal injury lawyers at Guardian Accident & Injury Lawyers take on your case, we’ll handle every issue that arises.
That includes:
- Launching our own investigation into the crash
- Analyzing all available evidence
- Identifying all parties who are legally responsible
- Assessing your damages and determining how much your case is worth
- Hiring experts who can testify regarding complicated aspects of your case
- Fighting back if the other side blames you for the crash
- Negotiating with the insurance companies for a full and fair settlement
Our Atlanta personal injury attorneys have the skills to negotiate for the full compensation you deserve. Insurance companies also know that if they refuse a fair deal, we’re ready to fight for you at trial. To get started, book a free consultation with our legal team today.
How Common Are Truck Accidents in Georgia?
According to data published by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), 9,055 large trucks were involved in accidents across the state of Georgia in 2023. That’s a significant increase from the 6,599 truck accidents reported in 2022.
3,654 people were injured in those motor vehicle accidents. Unfortunately, 192 people were killed in fatal trucking accidents in 2023.
What is My Atlanta Truck Accident Case Worth?
Our lawyers will first have to analyze the facts of your case before we can accurately estimate its value.
Different factors play a role in determining the value of a personal injury case, including:
- The extent and severity of the injuries you have suffered
- How the injury impacts your ability to work
- Your medical treatment costs
- The extent of the pain, suffering, and trauma you have experienced
- Whether the injury damages your quality of life or lifestyle
- Changes in your earning capacity due to a long-term disability
- Your expected future needs, including future medical costs, rehabilitation, in-home assistance, etc.
You don’t have to let the trucking company’s insurer dictate the terms of your settlement. Without an experienced lawyer in your corner, the insurance companies always have the advantage in settlement negotiations. After all, they see cases like yours every day.
Our Atlanta truck accident attorneys can force the insurance companies to take your case seriously. While you’re recovering, our lawyers will be building the strongest case possible. Reach out to our law firm today to get started.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Truck Accident Victims in Atlanta?
Your settlement or verdict should account for all of the losses you have experienced. That includes economic damages and non-economic damages.
Examples of your damages may include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Skilled nursing care
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of companionship
In cases involving intentional misconduct or recklessness, we may also pursue punitive damages. These damages are awarded to punish the defendant rather than compensate for a specific loss.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Lawyer to Handle My Truck Accident Claim?
Our personal injury law firm works on a contingency fee basis. Before you hire us, you’ll agree to pay a percentage of your awarded compensation. Typically, the percentage is somewhere between 33% and 40%, depending on your case. We don’t charge any upfront fees when you decide to hire us.
Who Could Be Liable for My Truck Accident Injuries?
Even if a negligent truck driver caused the accident, it’s possible that someone else could be financially responsible.
Depending on the situation, responsible parties could include:
- Trucking companies
- A truck leasing company
- Companies responsible for inspecting and maintaining the truck
- Cargo loading companies
- Manufacturers of defective truck safety equipment
Each responsible party could be liable for their proportionate share of the damages. Identifying all parties who share legal responsibility can be key to recovering the full compensation you deserve.
What Happens to My Right to Compensation If I’m Being Blamed for a Truck Accident in Georgia?
It’s possible that you could walk away with a reduced amount. You could also lose your right to damages entirely.
Georgia has a modified comparative negligence law. You’re completely barred from recovering compensation if your share of fault is at least 50%. Assuming you share less blame, your damages are reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault.
Dividing up responsibility isn’t an exact science. The insurance company may make it sound like it has significant evidence to back up its allegations. That’s not always true. If someone is trying to pin the blame on you, contact our team at Guardian Accident & Injury Lawyers for help today.
Our Attorneys in Atlanta Are Ready to Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Truck Accident Injuries
Trucks are extremely large and heavy. When involved in car accidents with smaller passenger vehicles, it’s those occupants who are most vulnerable to serious injuries.
Our legal team at Guardian Accident & Injury Lawyers handles all types of injury claims, including those where the victim has suffered:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Shoulder injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Facial injuries
- Whiplash
- Organ damage
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Receiving medical attention should be your top priority. When you’re ready, call our lawyers for a free case review. We’re prepared to put our track record of success to work for you.
What Causes Most Truck Accidents in Atlanta?
Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Tailgating
- Fatigued truck drivers, often due to violating FMCSA hours-of-service rules
- Lane departures and weaving between lanes
- Aggressive driving
- Dangerous turns
- Failure to maintain the truck in safe working order
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Drunk driving or drug use
- Hazardous road conditions
- Problems with the tractor-trailer
- Inexperienced or unqualified truck drivers
- Dangerous cargo
Truck drivers do receive specialized training. They’re required to carry a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Still, negligent truckers cause accidents all the time. If you are a victim, our lawyers can help you prove what happened and who is responsible.
How Do I Prove That I Deserve Compensation After a Truck Accident in Georgia?
Negligence is typically the legal basis for a commercial vehicle accident claim.
Negligence means:
- The defendant had a legal duty of care
- They breached that duty through some act or omission
- The breach directly caused your accident
- You suffered identifiable damages
Other legal theories could play a role in your case. For example, accidents caused by defective parts are often based on strict liability theories.
What Types of Evidence Do I Need to Win a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Atlanta?
Different types of evidence can be relevant, including:
- The truck’s electronic recording device, or “black box”
- Physical evidence from the accident scene, including skid marks, vehicle damage, etc.
- Police and accident reports
- Medical records
- The truck driver’s hours-of-service logs
- Pre- and post-trip inspection logs
- Dash cam footage
- Statements from eyewitnesses
- Information about the trucking company’s policies and procedures
Trucking companies have significant resources. They have teams of investigators, insurance adjusters, and lawyers working to minimize the value of your claim. The odds are good that they’re already working on your case.
Our attorneys can help you even the score and locate the evidence you need to prove your case. Contact us today to get started.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Truck Accident in Georgia?
Under Georgia law, you typically have two years from the date of the accident to take legal action (with limited exceptions). It’s important not to let the two-year statute of limitations expire. If you wait too long, you completely lose your right to sue for damages.
Call a Skilled Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
It’s important to act quickly if you were injured in an accident involving a large truck or commercial vehicle. Contact an experienced Atlanta truck accident lawyer at Guardian Accident & Injury Lawyers to get help fighting for the compensation you deserve.