If you’ve been injured in a Georgia truck accident, you could be forced to face huge medical bills, emotional, physical, and financial stress, and lost income. Fortunately, the skilled and compassionate College Park truck accident lawyers at Humphrey & Ballard Law understand what you could be going through. That’s why we are always ready to use our vast experience and resources to help.
So, if you think we can help you, don’t hesitate to contact us immediately. We are flexible enough to meet with you not only in any of our offices, but also in your home, at the hospital, or anywhere else you would need us to be. Talk to us at 404-341-0499 to schedule your free consultation with a College Park auto accident lawyer.
Truck Accident Statistics for Georgia
Road crashes and truck accidents have been on the rise in Georgia. Now more than ever, there has been an influx of more drivers on the roads, including more trucking companies hauling freights to various locations. In fact, it’s estimated that by 2030, road accidents will be among the five top leading causes of death in the U.S.
Here are more statistics for Georgia:
- In 2019, there were 195 fatalities in truck accidents in the state.
- This means that trucks were responsible for 8.9% of all the fatal accidents that occurred in Georgia, a figure below the national average of 11%.
- About 78% of the victims of the fatal truck accidents in Georgia for the same year were in other smaller vehicles, a figure above the national average of 67%.
- The fatality rate of Georgia truck accidents is generally trending upwards, as truck accidents accounted for 204 deaths in 2019, which is down from a high of 278 in 2017 and higher than the 153 fatalities of 2012.
These numbers show that large trucks are some of the most dangerous vehicles on the road, as they are responsible for a high number of fatalities.
What Should You Do After a Truck Accident?
It is important to protect yourself physically and legally after a devastating truck accident. Here are some of the most important steps to follow soon after a truck accident in College Park, Georgia:
Call 911
You need to report the accident to the police immediately if no one else has done it. This is especially true if there are any injuries or property damage above $500.
Help Others and Don’t Leave the Scene
Georgia has strict laws with regard to leaving the scene of an accident; leaving could actually be prosecuted as a crime. Be sure to also check on other people at the scene and avail help to those who need it.
Exchange Info
Exchange relevant information with the people at the scene, including the names, phone numbers, addresses, and license plate numbers, along with insurance information. This applies to both the truck driver and the witnesses.
Document the Scene
Use your phone to take videos or photos of the scene of the accident, including damage to your vehicle, the injuries you sustained, the position of the vehicles, and other relevant details including skid marks, road conditions, nearby road signs, etc.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you think you weren’t injured or that you only suffered minor injuries, be sure to seek medical attention. Some injuries might not show up until a few hours or days later, and they might have already worsened by then.
Contact an Attorney
It’s also wise to contact a lawyer as soon as possible after the accident to handle the legal side of things while you focus on making a recovery. Our team of truck accident attorneys is always ready to help. You can contact us any time of the day to schedule a consultation with us.
What Are the Laws Regarding Truck Accident Liability?
To ensure your claim is successful, you should adequately prove that the truck accident resulted from the negligence of the truck driver, their employer, or any other third party that might have been involved.
To establish liability under Georgia laws, you typically have to prove the following as true:
- The truck driver was working as an employee of the trucking company during the time of the accident. If they were an independent contractor, the company might still be held liable for the actions of the driver
- The driver was acting on behalf of the company at the time of the accident. If the driver was pursuing a personal errand, it might be difficult to hold the trucking company liable
- The actions of the driver were beneficial or in service to the trucking company
How Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Help?
A truck accident lawyer from Humphrey & Ballard Law can help you claim maximum compensation for your injuries by:
Investigation
Experienced truck accident lawyers have the necessary skills and resources to investigate your case, collect and preserve evidence, obtain the necessary documentation from trucking companies and insurance companies, as well as interview witnesses, and pursue experts to recreate the accident.
Filing Your Claim
Your attorney will help you take legal action as soon as possible and ensure that all the paperwork is prepared and filed in time.
Negotiations
When you file a claim, you need to communicate with the insurance companies as you pursue the compensation you need and deserve. However, most insurance companies will try to devalue your claim or deny it altogether. Your attorney will handle communications and negotiations with them to ensure that they reach a reasonable settlement amount.
Litigation
In case the insurance company fails to reach a reasonable settlement amount, your case will proceed to trial. At Humphrey & Ballard Law, our lawyers have extensive trial experience, and you can rely on us to deliver a favorable outcome.
What Types of Compensation Can I Receive?
There are three basic types of compensation you could receive for your injuries in a truck accident.
Economic Damages
These include damages that can be verified objectively. They include medical expenses, hospital bills, property damage, lost earnings, lost earning capacity, and lost benefits.
Non-Economic Damages
These are the damages you suffered that are difficult to quantify objectively. They include pain and suffering, emotional distress, stress and anxiety, and inconvenience.
Punitive Damages
The court or jury may choose to award punitive damages in your case. They are quite rare, as they are solely meant to serve as an additional punishment to defendants who are found to be overly negligent, careless, reckless, or in gross disregard for human life.
How Much Is My Truck Accident Claim Worth?
Trucking accident cases usually settle for much more than car accident cases because damages and injuries sustained by victims are much higher. The nature and severity of the injuries suffered as well as the property damage involved will play a huge role when calculating the worth of a truck accident case.
Most serious cases are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not millions. If the injuries involve permanent disability, the case will typically have a much higher value. Reach out to the College Park truck accident lawyers at Humphrey & Ballard Law to learn more on how much your case might be worth.
Is There a Deadline for Filing a Claim?
Georgia law allows you two years to file a claim, and the clock starts ticking on the date of the accident. However, you should reach out to a lawyer as soon as possible to allow your lawyer to collect the necessary evidence before it disappears. Keep in mind that if you don’t meet the 2-year deadline, you will be forfeiting your rights to file the claim in the future.
How Is Fault in a Truck Accident Determined?
Determining the cause of your truck accident could be helpful in establishing fault in the accident, especially in cases that have more than one entity who could be at fault. Being able to list all the negligent parties that contributed to the accident could dramatically raise the amount of compensation you might receive.
Your lawyer will investigate the accident and assess the evidence to determine who contributed to the crash. We will leave no stone unturned to build a strong case for you and ensure you receive the compensation you need and deserve.
Can a Lawyer Prove the Truck Driver Was Negligent?
Yes. They will use the police report and the available evidence to show how the truck driver was negligent in their actions. Your lawyer may also hire expert witnesses to support the evidence and your case, or even submit witness testimony during settlement talks.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
There is more than one party that could be held liable for a trucking accident. For example:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company for which the driver was working for
- The company that was responsible for loading the truck
- The vehicle or vehicle parts manufacturers if a faulty part was found to be responsible for the crash
Reach Out to a College Park Truck Accident Lawyer Today!
Our College Park truck accident lawyers have the experience and resources needed to help you pursue justice and compensation for your damages. We have devoted countless hours in research and study of federal and state trucking laws, and we have successfully litigated against several trucking accident claims throughout Georgia.
Don’t accept any settlement offers from the insurance company until you have had a chance to consult with an experienced Georgia truck accident attorney on our team. Get in touch with Humphrey & Ballard Law at 404-341-0499 today. We offer free case evaluations to all our clients and you can always rely on us to seek justice.
