The skilled and experienced Carrollton truck accident lawyers at Harley, Rowe & Fowler understand just how dangerous being hit by an 18-wheeler or other commercial truck is!
A wreck involving a truck is exceptionally dangerous for occupants of passenger vehicles. This is because of these trucks’ sheer size and weight, which weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. When an 18-wheeler or semi-truck hits a pedestrian or passenger vehicle, there is a very high likelihood of severe or fatal injuries for the pedestrian and the passengers in the lighter vehicle.
Tragically, there’s more to the story. Truck drivers have a culture of hard-driving because they are paid by the mile, meaning the faster they deliver their cargo to the intended destination, the more they get paid. Trucking companies also prefer it this way. This culture results in exhausted drivers operating thousand of pounds trucks traveling at 60 mph.
For decades, Hartley, Rowe & Fowler has stood up for injured people in Georgia. Our team of experienced Carrollton truck accident lawyers has helped countless individuals and their families get the financial compensation they need for lost income, medical care, and financial stability.
Share your story with our legal team if you want to know what you can do after a truck accident. We offer a free initial consultation so you’ll be able to explore your legal options with an experienced Carrollton personal injury attorney. Schedule your free case review today. Call 678-825-6004 to get answers!
Truck Accident Statistics in Georgia
The trucking industry has gained great notoriety over the years. With a plethora of reckless drivers of such heavy and large trucks, accidents are bound to happen. Below is a look at disturbing truck accident statistics for the year 2020 in Georgia from a summary report published by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration:
- 5,620 vehicles were involved in truck-related crashes.
- 5,403 vehicles were involved in non-fatal truck-related crashes.
- 217 vehicles were involved in fatal truck-related crashes.
- There were 5,097 total truck-related crashes.
- There were 195 fatal crashes involving trucks.
- There were 2,597 serious injuries in crashes involving trucks.
- 220 fatalities occurred as a result of crashes involving trucks.
What Should You Do After a Truck Accident?
Following a truck accident, taking immediate action can go a long way in helping you jump-start the legal process. There are steps you should take after a truck accident in Carrollton to protect your safety and increase your chances of recovering compensation.
These include:
- Call the Police: They will document the crash and gather facts for legal purposes. If you fail to call 911, it will be your word against the truck driver.
- Help Others: Immediately check on those involved and call for medical help if anyone is hurt.
- Seek Medical Attention: Make sure to seek medical attention even if your injuries are superficial. It is crucial that you get medical attention right away for your health and to have a record of your injuries and treatment.
- Exchange Info: get the contact information of parties involved, such as phone numbers, addresses, the truck’s license plate number, model, make, registration number, the driver’s insurance info, and their license number.
- Document the Scene & Speak With Witnesses: If possible, take pictures or record videos of the scene, the damage to the vehicle, and your injuries.
- Contact a Truck Accident Attorney: Call 678-825-6004 to talk for free with the experienced Carrollton truck accident lawyers and discuss your legal options.
What Are the Laws Regarding Truck Accident Liability?
The state of Georgia uses the modified comparative fault system under Georgia Code § 51-12-33 to determine who is liable for damages in a truck accident.
The modified comparative negligence law says that when you file a truck accident claim against one or more parties for property damage or personal injury and you are to some degree at fault for the damages or injury claimed, the judge shall determine your percentage of fault and reduce the amount of damage otherwise awarded to you in proportion to your degree of fault.
Note that under this rule, you can only be awarded damages if and only if you were less than 50% at fault for the accident.
In assessing liability for a truck accident, the jury or judge shall consider the fault of all individuals or entities who shared fault in the alleged damage or injury, regardless of whether the individual or entity was, or could have been, named as a defendant in the lawsuit.
How Can a Carrollton Truck Accident Lawyer Help?
Carrollton truck accidents are complex as special laws help regulate commercial trucking companies and their divers and determine how to establish liability. Our Carrollton truck accident attorneys understand the unique challenges of filing a truck accident claim or lawsuit. We have detailed knowledge of the laws regarding liability and a thorough understanding of the regulations that govern trucking accidents in Georgia.
Our lawyers will help you every step of the way with every aspect of your case, including but not limited to:
- Investigation
- Filing a Claim
- Settlement Negotiations
- Litigation
Contact Harley, Rowe & Fower today to get started.
What Types of Compensation Can I Receive in Carrollton After a Truck Accident?
Trucking accidents are devastating. Chances are, if you were injured in one, your life might never be the same again. At Hartley, Rowe & Fowler, we understand that you aren’t just facing medical expenses today; you could be staring the down years into the future. That’s precisely why we’ll help you pursue the rightful compensation for all your losses, including:
- Economic Damages: E.g., Current and future medical bills, vehicle repair, cost of prescriptions, medical equipment and rehabilitation, loss of current and future earnings, and transport costs related to treatment.
- Non-Economic Damages: E.g., Pain and suffering, emotional trauma, present, and future impairment, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, and wrongful death if a loved one passed away following a trucking accident.
- Punitive Damages: Our lawyers can pursue punitive damages and try to prove to the judge and jury that the liable party acted egregiously or maliciously.
Is There a Deadline for Filing a Big Rig Accident Claim in Carrollton, GA?
Filing a big rig or truck accident claim in Carrollton and throughout the state of Georgia comes with various laws and requirements. The law governing the time limit for filing a truck accident lawsuit is referred to as the “statutes of limitations.”
You must follow this law to recover damages after suffering property damage or bodily injury in a truck accident. The time limitation put on filing a truck accident in Georgia is two years from the date of your accident. Failure to file your lawsuit within the set deadline could bar you from recovering any damages.
Can a Lawyer Prove the Truck Driver Was Negligent?
When a truck driver operates 18-wheelers and other commercial trucks carelessly, they put all road users at serious risk. This can be through distracted driving, breaking the law, DWI, fatigue, etc.
If you have been hurt because of a truck driver’s negligence, our truck accident attorneys may be able to help conduct investigations to prove the truck driver’s negligence. We can review the police report, witness statements and consult an accident reconstructionist to determine the truck driver’s fault in the crash.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
When a trucking accident occurs in Carrollton, more than one person or entity may bear responsibility for the resulting damages. Any number of parties’ negligence may have contributed to the accident, and liability will be determined by the facts and evidence of your case.
Potentially liable persons and entities in a truck accident include the:
- Truck driver
- Owner of the truck
- Trucking company
- Vehicle or parts manufacturers
- The company that loaded the truck
Our dedicated Carrollton trucking accident attorneys can review and investigate your case to determine all potentially liable individuals and entities, so they are named in your lawsuit, thereby maximizing your chances of recovering fair and just financial compensation in your truck accident case.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Most trucking accidents we see at Hartley, Rowe & Fowler are caused by some negligence, including:
- Driver fatigue
- Drug and alcohol impairment
- Reckless driving
- Distracted driving
- Poor weather conditions and road defects
- Lack of or poor truck maintenance
- Oversized or improperly secured or loaded freight
- Not following traffic regulations
- Speeding
- Equipment malfunction
- Poorly trained or inexperienced truckers
Contact Harley, Rowe & Fowler Today
If you have been severely hurt in a trucking accident in Carrollton, you may be faced with several burdens ranging from severe pain to a mountain of medical bills and mental stress. The knowledgeable and skilled Carrollton truck accident lawyers at Hartley, Rowe & Fowler know how to help. We’ve been serving truck accident victims for decades and know how best to handle your case.
We’re ready to talk and take your case on a contingency fee basis. Call us at 678-825-6004 whenever you’re prepared to discuss your truck accident. Schedule your free consultation.
