TRUCKING ACCIDENTS
TRUCK ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS
NORCROSS TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER
Trucking accidents can have devastating effects on the lives of Norcross residents. Due to the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks, collisions with these vehicles often result in severe, life-changing injuries, even for the safest drivers and passengers.
Truck drivers and the companies that employ them can be held responsible for accidents caused by negligent driving or violations of safety regulations. Victims of trucking accidents have the right to demand compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial impact of these accidents, including property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
A Norcross truck accident lawyer could help you pursue this compensation. Your personal injury attorney could work with you to gather critical evidence, establish that the truck driver or trucking company was negligent, and make demands for full compensation both in settlement negotiations and in court.
TRUCK ACCIDENTS AND THE LAW
Every driver in Norcross and across the country assumes a responsibility—or duty—to operate their vehicle safely, ensuring they do not place others at unnecessary risk. This duty is crucial for all drivers, especially those behind the wheel of large commercial trucks, due to the potential for severe harm.
Truck drivers and the companies that employ them must adhere to strict safety standards and regulations. When they fail to uphold this duty, and another party suffers an injury, they can be found legally negligent or “at fault” for the accident. Common ways that truck drivers may be at fault for a collision include:
Speeding
Ignoring Traffic Control Signals
Distracted Driving
Failing to check blind spots before changing lanes
Driving while drunk or under the influence of drugs
A Norcross trucking accident attorney could work closely with an injured victim to gather the evidence needed to prove that a truck driver or their employer was responsible for the accident. They could then use this evidence to demonstrate negligence and demand appropriate compensation for the victim’s injuries and losses.
In addition, a knowledgeable lawyer could help ensure that a case does not fail because the plaintiff waited too long to file it. The statute of limitations, as outlined in Official Code of Georgia §9-3-33, limits the time a Norcross court will hear a case alleging personal injury to two years from the date of the accident. Ensuring timely action is critical to securing the compensation deserved.
WHAT IS COMPARATIVE FAULT?
While there is no such thing as a no-fault accident in Norcross, it is never a given that one party will carry all the responsibility for a collision. Of course, it is a plaintiff’s goal to show that a defendant was the sole liable party. However, state law allows a defendant to argue that an injured plaintiff share some or all of the responsibility.
According to the Official Code of Georgia §51-12-33, courts must use the concept called modified comparative negligence to assign blame for accidents. This means that if a jury believes a plaintiff to be partially at-fault for a collision, that jury must reduce the plaintiff’s award after trial. If this fault rises to 50 percent or more, the jury cannot award any payment. A Norcross truck accident attorney could help to defeat allegations of comparative negligence.
HOW COULD A TRAFFIC TICKET IMPACT A CLAIM?
As stated above, some of the ways that defendants may be liable for car crashes are when they violate a rule of the road. Determining whether a responding police officer issues a ticket to the defendant is essential to pursuing an effective claim.
This is because of a concept of law called negligence per se. In short, this means that a civil court in a negligence case can presume a defendant to be liable for a crash if that defendant was breaking a law at the time of the incident. Examples such as speeding, tailgating, and failing to yield could all take advantage of this area of the law. A Norcross car crash attorney could help to track a traffic ticket through court to determine if a conviction could help a civil claim for damages.
POTENTIALLY COMPENSABLE EFFECTS OF A CRASH
Any trucking accident, even one that may seem minor, can have a devastating impact on a person’s health. The most immediate concern is typically the physical injury that results. Even a seemingly simple collision with a commercial vehicle could strain the ligaments in a person’s back or neck, or even cause more severe injuries such as broken bones, concussions, or even result in death.
A trucking accident claim can always demand payments to cover the costs of past and future medical treatment. However, a comprehensive claim should also consider the full impact of the incident on the plaintiff’s life.
Many victims of trucking accidents miss significant time at work while recovering. Whether it is due to needing to attend doctor appointments or coping with a permanent disability from the incident, a civil claim could demand payments for these economic damages.
Additionally, a thorough claim should address the emotional impact of the incident. This could involve demanding compensation for physical pain, loss of quality of life, or even a loss of consortium with family members. A trucking accident lawyer in Norcross could help accurately evaluate a potential case and make appropriate demands for compensation.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN PURSUING A CLAIM
Obtaining proper compensation following a trucking accident can be a lengthy and challenging process. Not only must victims arrange for their own insurance company to cover medical bills, but they must also safeguard their legal interests against the defendant’s insurance company, which often has significant resources.
This requires adhering to a precise process. Plaintiffs must be diligent in gathering evidence to support their case and avoid making incriminating statements to the defendant’s insurance representatives. It is also crucial to maintain consistency in their account of how the accident occurred and how it has impacted their daily lives. Finally, approaching the negotiating table from a position of strength is essential. A Norcross trucking accident injury claim lawyer could take the lead in pursuing a claim, allowing injured individuals to focus on their recovery.
A TRUCKING ACCIDENT ATTORNEY MAY BE ABLE TO HELP
All too often, distracted, impaired, or aggressive driving by a truck driver can lead to a disastrous collision. When the negligence of a truck operator or other responsible party leads to your injuries, you should not have to bear the resulting costs alone.
If you were injured in a trucking accident, consider reaching out to a Norcross trucking accident lawyer for assistance. By enlisting a qualified attorney, you can rest assured knowing that a legal professional is on your side. To schedule a consultation and discuss your claim, call today.
GET AN HONEST ASSESSMENT OF YOUR CLAIMS
If you or a loved one have suffered an injury due to the negligence of another, contact the experienced Norcross personal injury attorneys at 700GOODLAW to discuss your case and various legal options that are at your disposal. To learn more and begin your road to recovery fill out the contact box at the top of the page or give us a call.