Truck Accident Attorney in Atlanta
When you’re on the road in Atlanta, Georgia, you’re sharing the road with commercial trucks, and an accident can occur at any time. Even if you take every precaution, you don’t have control of the vehicles around you. Unfortunately, even a fender bender with a commercial truck can be a traumatic experience.
The enormous weight and sheer size of a commercial truck can cause severe damage to smaller vehicles and can leave you with life-altering injuries. You might be left with unexpected and mounting bills and a long road to recovery. If someone else is liable for your truck accident, you deserve justice, which a personal injury attorney in Atlanta can tirelessly seek on your behalf.
Nevertheless, legal liability in a truck accident case can prove complex. Although you can file a personal injury lawsuit on your own, the right truck accident lawyer in Atlanta can compassionately guide you through the complexities of the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
The truck accident lawyers of The Scott Pryor Law Group can offer the legal knowledge, support, and understanding that you need.
- Why Atlanta Truck Accidents Are Often Severe
- Statistics on Truck Accidents in Atlanta, Georgia
- Why You Need an Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer from Scott Pryor Law Group
- How Our Truck Accident Lawyers in Atlanta Prove Liability after an Accident
- Compensation in an Atlanta Truck Accident Our Lawyers Can Obtain for You
- How The Scott Pryor Law Group Can Help: Call Our Atlanta Truck Crash Lawyers Now!
Why Atlanta Truck Accidents Are Often Severe
Regardless of the size of a vehicle, any accident may result in pain and suffering, extreme trauma, and severe injury. However, commercial truck accidents are uniquely positioned to cause property damage and personal injury.
Contributing causes to the severity of accidents involving big rigs and semis include:
- Commercial trucks weigh anywhere between 10,000 and 85,000 pounds (the average compact car weighs 2,000 – 3,000 pounds, a mid-size sedan weighs 3,200 – 3,500 pounds, a standard SUV weighs 3,500 – 6,000 pounds, and a motorcycle weighs just 300 – 500 pounds)
- The average truck takes 40% longer to come to a complete stop than its passenger vehicle counterparts
- A commercial truck can take up to 525 feet to stop
- Improperly loaded truck cargo can contribute to a commercial truck flipping
- Truck cargo may include hazardous or toxic material which can spill and cause significant accidents
- High winds can contribute to a trucker losing control of their vehicle
- U.S. truck accidents contribute to a yearly average of 130,000 injuries
- Cars that tailgate trucks can become wedged under the trailer should a commercial truck come to an abrupt stop
Although truckers and trucking companies must comply with federal regulations and are required to take extra safety precautions, this doesn’t always happen. If you’ve suffered as a result of a truck accident that wasn’t your fault, you may have a valid legal claim for compensation. Let an experienced lawyer for truck accidents in Atlanta from our firm handle the legal process on your behalf!
Statistics on Truck Accidents in Atlanta, Georgia
As the capital of Georgia, Atlanta is a bustling hub for business, finance, the film industry, and a thriving cultural scene. This means that Atlanta highways are often packed with a wide variety of vehicles and bumper-to-bumper traffic, and accidents can occur.
Unfortunately, truck accidents are prevalent in Georgia, and motorists should always avoid tailgating a large truck and ensure they’re at least a full car length beyond a truck before passing. According to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHSA), Georgia has the 14th highest fatality rate in commercial truck accidents.
Truck drivers in Atlanta are also under strict federal regulations for non-stop driving time, and must not exceed 11 hours after 10 hours off-duty or carry cargo that exceeds 80,000 pounds.
Why You Need an Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer from Scott Pryor Law Group
After a truck accident in Atlanta, you can file an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit on your own. However, there may be more than one party at-fault for your truck accident, and the complexities of the legal system may be tough to navigate without an attorney.
The right Atlanta truck accident lawyer will be able to help you understand the merits of your legal case, determine the compensation you should take, and support you in your fight for justice.
Contact The Scott Pryor Law Group for a free consultation!
How Our Truck Accident Lawyers in Atlanta Prove Liability after an Accident
If a truck accident in Atlanta involves recalled parts or improperly loaded cargo, multiple parties may be liable for your injuries and damages, not only the driver. A truck accident attorney from our Atlanta office will investigate these key elements to build your case:
- Black box data: Trucks have Event Data Recorders (EDRs) that track speed, braking, and movement. Discrepancies in this data can support your claim.
- Driving logs: Truckers must record their hours and breaks. An Atlanta truck accident lawyer can spot inaccuracies that indicate negligence.
- Trucking company records: Missing maintenance or safety violations can link employer negligence to the crash.
- Driver history: Violations, lack of a valid license, or poor employment history strengthen your case against the driver or even the trucking company.
Trust our Scott Pryor truck accident attorneys in Atlanta to hold all responsible parties accountable and obtain the biggest settlement possible for your harm and losses.
Who Can Our Truck Accident Lawyers Hold Liable in Your Case?
In the chance you are the victim of truck crash with multiple parties involved, our truck accident attorneys in Atlanta will examine the cause and circumstances of your collision to identify all the responsible parties, beside the driver, including (but not limited to):
- Cargo company: Improperly loaded cargo can shift dangerously or spill, contributing to accidents.
- Manufacturer: Faulty or recalled parts, like malfunctioning brakes, can make the manufacturer liable for damages.
- Truck driver: Drivers impaired, speeding, or violating commercial driving standards may hold full or partial responsibility.
- Employer: If the driver is on the clock or the company neglects training, maintenance, or safety protocols, the employer may also be sued.
Let our winning truck accident lawyers in Atlanta help you hold all liable parties accountable and pursue the compensation you’re entitled to.
How Our Truck Accident Attorneys Use Modified Comparative Negligence in Georgia in Your Favor
Georgia is one of a dozen US states with a modified comparative negligence law in place. This law reflects the fact that in many accidents, more than one driver holds partial liability.
Georgia code §51-12-33 allows the courts to find more than one party at fault for a truck accident. For example, if you file a lawsuit against a truck driver, but it’s determined that you’re over 50% responsible for your accident, you may not have a valid claim for compensation. However, if your liability is between 0% – 50%, you may still be entitled to recoup some of your losses, but the amount will decrease based on your percentage of fault.
A truck accident lawyer in Atlanta from The Scott Pryor Law Group will honestly and transparently explore the strength of your case with you, and help you to make an informed decision about your next legal step.
Common Types of Truck Accidents Our Atlanta Attorneys Handle
Scott Pryor Law Group’s truck accident lawyers in Atlanta often deal with various types of collisions, including:
- Jackknife accidents: Occur when a truck’s trailer swings out, usually due to speeding, abrupt lane changes, or slippery road conditions.
- Overloaded trucks: Excessive or improperly loaded cargo can make the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
- Rear-end collisions: Large trucks need more distance to stop; speeding or inattentive driving can lead to rear-ending other cars.
- Rollover accidents: Sharp turns, high speeds, or sudden maneuvers may cause a truck to tip over.
- Side impact collisions: Also known as T-bone collisions or sideswipes, these happen when a truck driver fails to check blind spots or neglects to yield while merging.
- Tire blowouts: Worn or poorly maintained tires can burst, creating dangerous situations for nearby motorists.
Our experienced legal team is here to help you handle the complexities of any truck accident claim in Atlanta, so don’t hesitate to reach out immediately! As with all personal injury claims’ statute of limitations, time is running out!
Compensation in an Atlanta Truck Accident Our Lawyers Can Obtain for You
After an Atlanta truck accident, the compensation you might seek is broken down into categories known as damages. The three categories of damages you can anticipate if you win your claim are economic (also known as special damages), non-economic (also referred to as general damages), and punitive damages.
An Atlanta truck accident attorney from The Scott Pryor Law Group can help you determine the present, ongoing, and future costs — both measurable and immeasurable — that you can claim as damages.
Let’s take a look at the definitions and examples of each category.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the quantifiable losses you’ve incurred as a result of your truck accident. Although economic damages can also include anticipated future costs, they are claimed based on documented bills or financial losses. Economic damage claims include:
- All medical expenses (including ongoing treatment, future doctor’s appointments, and surgeries)
- Assisted living or rehabilitation facility costs
- Lost wages (including bonuses, paid time off, and tips)
- Home healthcare costs
- Property repair and replacement costs
- Transportation costs ( including rental car fees, ride shares, and public transportation)
Non-economic Damages
Non-economic damages cover the immeasurable losses that you’ve suffered as a result of your Atlanta truck accident. Although nothing can make up for these losses, monetary compensation can help to alleviate your financial burdens and allow you to focus on your recovery.
Non-economic damage claims can include:
- Catastrophic injury
- Chronic pain
- Disfigurement
- Emotional trauma
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Wrongful death
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are rarely sought in personal injury cases but are often added to a verdict by a judge or a jury, In fact, Georgia state code § 51-12-5.1 refers to punitive damages as “vindictive damages.” These damages are handed down if the defendant in your truck accident case is proven to have exhibited gross negligence.
For example, if a truck driver was employed without a commercial driver’s license and was under the influence of alcohol or drugs when your accident occurred, a judge or jury may determine that they were grossly negligent and might find them responsible for punitive damages as a consequence of their actions.
A plaintiff might receive 25% of total punitive damages and the remaining 75% is allocated to the treasury of the state.
How The Scott Pryor Law Group Can Help: Call Our Atlanta Truck Crash Lawyers Now!
At The Scott Pryor Law Group, we understand how traumatic a truck accident can prove, and how daunting it may feel to battle a large trucking company or a fleet of insurance company lawyers. Your experience and individual story matter — and we’re committed to compassionately fighting for and supporting you on the road to justice.
You don’t have to walk this path alone. A truck accident lawyer at The Scott Pryor Law Group can help you gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, file time-sensitive court documents, obtain eyewitness and forensic expert testimony, and so much more.
We’ll clearly and consistently communicate with you throughout every step of the legal process and as your advocates in court, we’ll fight for the compensation you deserve. We can’t guarantee a successful verdict, but we’ve won 7-figure settlements for many of our clients — including a $4,500,000 settlement that stands as the highest-ever compensatory amount for a truck accident in Greenville County, South Carolina.
Your road to recovery and justice is just a click away. Schedule your free consultation today.