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Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyers

Q: What Should I Do After a Truck Accident??

When a truck hits you, you will need a lawyer to act fast to preserve the crash evidence. The trucking company possesses critical evidence such as the crash data recorder, dash cam video footage and driver’s logs. If you don’t hire a lawyer and notify the trucking company ASAP that they need to preserve that evidence, the trucking company might destroy it. If the trucking company still destroys the evidence after your lawyer notifies them that they need to preserve it, the court might decide to impose severe sanctions against the trucking company. If you didn’t send that notice in time, you will miss that opportunity.

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Thousands of trucks travel through Atlanta each day. Although those trucks are a valuable part of Atlanta’s economy, they frequently cause harmful collisions. In fact, many truck accidents cause fatal injuries. If you were injured in a truck accident, you need to contact an Atlanta truck accident lawyer.

Our Atlanta personal injury lawyers have successfully represented truck accident victims for decades. We’ll deliver the best customer service and the greatest result. Our prior victories and our 5-star client reviews validate that promise.

Call us today at (404) 939-9470. Also, you may fill-out our online contact form to schedule a free case review. If you’ve got questions, we’ve got the answers.

Truck Accident Types

Our Atlanta truck accident lawyers represent injury victims in the following truck accident cases:

18-Wheeler and semi-truck accidents
Underride and Override Accidents
Spilled Load Accidents
Jackknife Accidents
Wide Turning Truck Accidents
Rollover Accidents
Truckers Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
Trucking Blind Spot Accidents

If you were hurt or you lost a loved one in a truck accident, contact us to discuss your legal rights. If another party caused the crash, we’ll help you recover damages.

Atlanta Truck Accident Common Causes

There are approximately 5,000 Georgia truck accidents every year. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:

Distracted Driving
Drowsy Driving
Drunk Driving
Failure to Check Blind Spots
Failure to Keep a Lookout
Improperly Loaded Cargo
Insufficient Driver Training
Insufficient Vehicle Maintenance
Mechanical Failure
Overloading
Poor Road Conditions
Poor Weather
Speeding
Unqualified Driver
Vehicle Defects

After a serious truck accident, you may not know what caused the wreck. That’s okay. However, you should call an Atlanta truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Your lawyer will investigate the crash, review the evidence, and analyze liability. Then, your lawyer will get to the bottom of what happened and advise you on the best course of action to recover compensation for your injuries.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

If you were injured in a truck accident, you may have suffered one of the following injuries:

The physical and mental repercussions of a truck accident can be severe. For instance, you may be out of work for a long period of time. Additionally, you may require new vocational training. Also, some victims are completely unable to return to work.

In addition to the common physical injuries after a truck accident, you may experience anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, personality changes, and more. Our Atlanta truck accident lawyers will analyze all of your injuries. Then, we’ll help you maximize your settlement.

No case is too big or too small for us. We specialize in helping injury victims that suffer from a permanent disability, or the loss of a loved one. However, we are glad to help you even if you’ve only suffered moderate injuries.

Steps To Take an Atlanta Truck Accident

There are several steps you should take after a truck accident to strengthen your case. For instance, you should:

Call 911 to ask for the police or emergency services.
Assist anyone in need.
Exchange information with any other drivers.
Obtain the truck driver’s insurance information.
Obtain witness’s names and contact information.
Document the scene by taking photos and video on your phone.

It can be difficult to be polite and responsive after a traumatic experience. Likewise, you may feel overwhelmed. However, try to keep a cool head and gather as much information as possible. That way, you will be in a much better position to settle your case for top value.

After you speak to the police officer, you should go get checked out at the hospital. The hospital doctors will treat your wounds and check for concussions, broken bones and internal bleeding. Once the doctor discharges you, you should head home and relax. Then, you should contact the Atlanta truck accident lawyers at Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers. We’ll take it from there.

Learn More About Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers

About the Firm

$1.475 million settlement for a client that sustained a shoulder injury when an ambulance struck his vehicle.

$1,100,000 settlement for a client that underwent neck surgery and back surgery after a truck struck her vehicle.

$1,000,000 settlement for a client that was injured in a pedestrian–truck collision. Our client was intoxicated and walking down the middle of a four lane road when she was struck by a truck driver who failed to control his speed and failed to maintain a watchful eye. The truck driver also fled the collision scene.

Trucking Laws & Regulations

Commercial truck drivers and their employers must also obey many federal and state laws that aren’t applicable to ordinary drivers. Those Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations are strict. If the truck driver or their employer violated one or more regulations at the time of the accident, then they are in big trouble.

Trucking regulations encompass licensing, hours of service, inspections, repairs, maintenance, and much more. Commercial drivers must have their commercial driver’s license (CDL). Then, depending on the type of truck and its cargo, they may also have to obtain additional endorsements.

Many truckers also drive many more hours than they are allowed to. Sometimes they do that to earn more money. Other times they do that because of pressure from their bosses. Those long hours inevitably lead to truck accidents. Then, the truck drivers alter their service logs to hide the evidence. Your trucking accident lawyer will do everything they can to expose those lies.

Trucks must also follow strict rules on how they load cargo, how much cargo they may carry, as well as when to conduct inspections and make repairs.

Additionally, truck drivers have strict rules against impaired driving. Truckers can be charged with a DUI if their blood alcohol concentration is .04 percent or higher – not the typical standard of .08 percent.

You should contact an Atlanta truck accident lawyer to determine whether the truck driver violated any state or federal regulations. Our team at Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers is prepared to investigate the crash, review the evidence, and determine whether the other party violated the law.

Liability in Truck Accident Cases

Careless driving is one of the most common causes of accidents. However, truck drivers are not the only liable parties. When the truck driver is at fault and employed by a company, their employer may also be liable. The trucking company may also be liable if an issue with the cargo, maintenance, or repairs caused the accident. If a vehicle defect contributed to the crash, then the truck manufacturer may be liable. Also, if another vehicle was responsible, then we may seek compensation from that at-fault driver, as well.

If the truck driver tries to blame you, you should discuss your rights with an Atlanta truck accident lawyer.

Damages in Truck Accident Cases

Another difference between truck and car crashes is that truck collisions typically result in larger verdicts and settlements. That is because truck accidents cause more serious injuries and property damage than car crashes. One of our semi-truck accident lawyers will discuss with you the best course of action to secure compensation for your damages, including:

Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
Past, present, and future medical costs
Pain and Suffering
Permanent disability or disfigurement
Property damage

★★★★★

"When I felt all hope was lost, I contacted Graham Scofield to see if he could represent me. He immediately called me back and thoroughly reviewed with me the case. He was the most patient, kind, sympathetic and the upmost professional attorney throughout the entire process. He was also extremely knowledgeable about the law and was creative when the case worked through the twists and turns. He was also a heck of a fighter for me and got me more settlement than I was expecting. I only wish I called him sooner! Thank you so much Graham, you are an amazing lawyer!!" -Jason Niziol

Fatal Truck Accidents

If someone you love died in a fatal truck accident, you can file a wrongful death claim. Spouses, children, and parents of the deceased are all potential claimants. Estate representatives also can file wrongful death claims.

Wrongful death claims enable you to recover compensation for the loss of your loved one’s care and companionship. If the deceased was your family’s breadwinner, you can also recover damages to cover your lost household income. Additionally, funeral expenses are recoverable.

To learn more about wrongful death truck accident claims, call our Atlanta truck accident lawyers. If you’ve got questions, we’ve got the answers.

Atlanta Truck Accident FAQ

What Should I Do After a Truck Accident?

When a truck hits you, you will need an lawyer to act fast to preserve the crash evidence. The trucking company possesses critical evidence such as the crash data recorder, dash cam video footage and driver’s logs. If you don’t hire a lawyer and notify the trucking company ASAP that they need to preserve that evidence, the trucking company might destroy it. If the trucking company still destroys the evidence after your lawyer notifies them that they need to preserve it, the court might decide to impose severe sanctions against the trucking company. If you didn’t send that notice in time, you will miss that opportunity.

Can I Sue The Company that Employed the Truck Driver that Injured Me?

Yes. If the truck driver was driving in the scope of his employment at the time of the collision, you can sue his employer for your losses. Many employers deny that the truck driver was working at the time of the collision in an attempt to avoid compensating a victim. If that happens to you, you will need a lawyer to help you collect evidence to prove that the truck driver was on the job at the time he caused the collision.

How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?

Personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means that the client only pays fees if they recover compensation. Lawyers deduct a percentage from the amount that the client receives, pursuant to a contract the client signs when the client retains the lawyer. You shouldn’t hire a lawyer that won’t handle your case on a contingency fee basis.

How Long Does It Usually Take to Settle a Car Accident Lawsuit?

If you have relatively minor injuries and only receive medical treatment for 1-3 months, your case can typically be settled in 4-6 months. If your injuries are serious and you treat for at least 6-9 months, your case will typically take 12-18 months to resolve.

How Long Do I Have to Sue A Truck Driver?

Georgia law gives accident victims two years from the date of the collision to sue the truck driver. That may seem like a lot of time. But, it goes much quicker than most people expect, especially if the victim has serious injuries that require months, or years of medical treatment. It also may take your lawyer months to investigate your claim and gather evidence if liability is disputed. The sooner you hire a lawyer, the better. Georgia law gives accident victims two years from the date of the collision to sue the truck driver. That may seem like a lot of time. But, it goes much quicker than most people expect, especially if the victim has serious injuries that require months, or years of medical treatment. It also may take your lawyer months to investigate your claim and gather evidence if liability is disputed. The sooner you hire a lawyer, the better.

Why Should I hire Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers?

Lawyers that advertise on TV, billboards, radio, and buses don’t have the time or the resources to successfully litigate truck accident cases. Their goal is to settle your case as quickly as possible – even if that means settling your case for far less than its true value. If they can’t get your case quickly settled, they will abandon your case.
At Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers, we have the time, the dedication, and the resources to recover every last insurance dollar that you’re entitled to receive. We’re also not afraid to litigate a challenging case. We’ve recovered tens of millions of dollars in truck accident cases including a $16 million dollar verdict in 2016.

Contact an Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer Today

Following a truck accident in which you are injured or lost a relative, you will benefit from contacting us at Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers. We understand the difficulties you face after a serious accident and are here to take the burden off of your shoulders. We have over 33 years of experience helping individuals who have been seriously injured or lost loved ones.

We represent people in truck accident cases throughout Fulton County, DeKalb County, Clayton County, Gwinnett County, Cobb County, and across the rest of Georgia.