Truck Accident Lawyer in Augusta

The beautiful city of Augusta, Georgia might be the last place you’d expect to experience an accident with a commercial truck. However, a truck accident can occur anywhere and can instantly alter your life forever.

The massive weight of large trucks and their cargo and the sheer size of commercial trucks can cause even a fender bender to result in severe injury and unexpected financial costs. 

In the aftermath of a truck accident, your road to recovery might be long and you might feel as though you have to adjust to a new normal. You may wonder if you can receive justice for the trauma you’ve endured as the result of another person’s negligence.

The good news is that if someone else is liable for your truck accident, you may have a valid claim to just compensation. 

A truck accident lawyer in Augusta can help you determine if there are multiple parties who bear responsibility for your collision. The right attorney will also negotiate with insurance companies that may offer you an extremely low settlement amount or even completely deny your claim. 

At The Scott Pryor Law Group, we care about your unique experience and can help you explore the merits of your case. Our truck accident lawyers will guide you through the legal process and support your pursuit of justice. Let us handle your legal fight so that you can focus on healing and living the life you deserve.

• Why you need an Augusta truck accident lawyer
• What you need to know about truck accidents in Georgia
• Common injuries a truck accident lawyer in Augusta sees
• Common types of truck accidents in Augusta
• When you should file a personal injury claim after an Augusta truck accident
• How to prove liability in a truck accident
• Compensation after a truck accident in Augusta
• How The Scott Pryor Law Group can help

Why you need an Augusta truck accident lawyer

You can file an insurance claim and personal injury lawsuit on your own. However, it may be difficult to navigate through the complexities of your case without the help of an attorney. 

An Augusta truck accident lawyer has experience in determining the compensatory damages you should seek and negotiating with insurance companies to secure a just settlement offer.

For example, you may need help in discerning if multiple parties are liable for your accident. An Augusta truck accident lawyer has access to the vital resources you will need to prove negligence, such as forensic experts, driving records, previous complaints against trucking companies, and more.   

Insurance companies are also notorious for offering a quick, lowball settlement amount to tempt truck accident victims whose medical expenses create a dire need for financial help. It’s important to remember that these insurers have a fleet of lawyers at their disposal and once you’ve accepted a settlement offer, you may not have a valid claim for future compensation. 

The Scott Pryor Law Group knows how to deal with insurance companies and understands the complexities involved in a truck accident case. We can advise you on your insurance claim and help you to determine whether or not the evidence in your case is strong enough for a personal injury lawsuit to be filed.

What you need to know about truck accidents in Georgia

Poor road conditions, quick turns and stops, and improperly loaded cargo often lead to truck accidents. Unfortunately, the massive size and weight of commercial trucks leave little room for even the most minor driver or trucking company error. 

Commercial trucks weigh between 10,000 and 85,000 pounds, and exceed the weight of a compact car by 5xs, the weight of a sedan by 4xs, and are 3xs the weight of a standard SUV. Because they’re so much larger than any other vehicle on the road, commercial trucks can cause severe damage in collisions in Georgia.  

Georgia is consistently ranked in the top ten states prone to commercial truck accidents. Over 50,000 truck accidents occurred in the state in 2023. In 2022, truck accidents that caused fatalities broke the state’s previous record — there were 260 wrongful deaths as the result of truck collisions. If you’ve suffered as the result of a Georgia truck accident, you are not alone.

It’s also important to note that there are federal mandates in place that trucking companies and their drivers must closely follow. Driving, maintenance, safety, and training regulations are in place to keep the majority of commercial trucks safe and operational. We depend on these vehicles for numerous consumer goods and services, and must share our roads with them. 

Nevertheless, here are some of the statistics on why commercial truck accidents often occur:  

• Commercial trucks may fishtail in high winds or icy conditions.
• It can take a truck up to 525 feet to come to a full stop.
• Improperly loaded cargo may cause imbalance that a truck driver cannot control, and can cause a truck to flip.
• Annually, 130,000 significant injuries occur in U.S. truck accidents and require medical attention.
• Hazardous or toxic material may not be properly contained before being loaded onto a truck and may spill on the road.
•  It takes a commercial truck 40% longer than non-commercial vehicles to come to a full stop.   
• Vehicles that tailgate commercial trucks are in danger if a truck must make an abrupt stop, and can become wedged underneath the truck’s trailer.

Why truck accidents often result in severe personal injury

A standard vehicle isn’t built to bear the impact of a commercial truck. Thus, even minor accidents at low speeds may cause significant property damage and result in traumatic injuries.

Even if you feel your injuries are minor after your accident, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention and receive an official diagnosis. In the aftermath of a collision, shock and adrenaline may also cover the severity of your injuries. Internal bleeding, torn ligaments, and other potentially dangerous injuries may initially go undetected.

Documentation of your medical diagnosis and treatment is crucial to your legal personal injury claim.  

Contact The Scott Pryor Law Group for a free consultation

Common injuries a truck accident lawyer in Augusta sees

The truck accident attorneys of The Scott Pryor Law Group have clients who suffer a wide array of significant injuries as a result of a collision. However, the most common injuries we see in truck accidents that lead to personal injury lawsuits include:

• Bone fractures
• Facial injuries
• Hemotomas (deep bruises)
• Ligament damage
• Neck injuries
• Paralysis
• Spinal cord injuries
• Sprains
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

Common types of truck accidents in Augusta

The most common types of truck accidents in Augusta often result in valid legal claims and may lead to compensation for an injured driver. These collisions include:

• Jackknife accidents: If a commercial truck is imbalanced, or a truck driver speeds, quickly changes lanes, or spins out in inclement weather, a jackknife accident could occur.
• Overweight truck accidents: When cargo is loaded improperly or surpasses weight restrictions, it could cause a truck driver to lose operational control or a truck to tip over.
• Rear-end collisions: Rear-end collisions might occur if a truck is following another vehicle too closely, is speeding, and if the roads are icy, slick, or wet. 
• Rollover accidents: Rollover accidents can occur when commercial trucks are making sharp turns, abrupt stops, driving at excessive speeds, or quickly changing lanes.
• Side impact collisions: When a truck driver merges into a lane without seeing vehicles blocking its path, fails to yield while merging, or drives at excessive speeds, an accident can occur. Sideswipes, “T-bone” accidents, and other side impact collisions are often caused by a truck driver’s blind spots. 
• Tire blowouts: If you’ve driven on Augusta’s highways, you’ve probably spotted discarded truck tire treads on the side of the road. A commercial truck averages 100,000 annual miles on the road, and its tires must be replaced often. If the tread wears out before replacement can occur, the tire can blow out and cause significant safety risks for other vehicles. 

When you should file a personal injury claim after an Augusta truck accident

You can (and should) consult an Augusta truck accident lawyer in the immediate aftermath of your accident. The right attorney can advise you on how to proceed with your insurance claim, and if you choose not to accept an offered settlement, guide you through the process of filing a personal injury lawsuit.

The Scott Pryor Law Group offers an obligation-free initial consultation to help you determine what steps you should take, and you may avoid accepting a low settlement offer. By partnering with a personal injury attorney, you can also protect yourself from inadvertently implicating your own liability and from unscrupulous insurers.

The Georgia state Statute of Limitations requires all personal injury claims to be filed within two years of the date of an accident, and if you fail to meet this deadline, you may be unable to pursue legal action. A truck accident lawyer in Augusta can help to ensure you file your claim before the statute of limitations runs out.  

How to prove liability in a truck accident

Truck accident cases often involve multiple parties and proving liability can be a complex challenge. An Augusta truck accident lawyer with The Scott Pryor Law Group has experience sifting through the evidence and determining which parties can be named in a personal injury lawsuit.

Here are some of the factors that can help prove liability after a collision.

Georgia comparative fault laws

Georgia state law §51-12-33 mandates that if all named parties in an accident claim are partially at fault, it could affect compensatory claims.  For example, if a plaintiff is 50% at fault for a truck accident, they no longer have a valid legal avenue to compensation. 

If a plaintiff is determined to be 0%-50% at fault, the amount of compensation awarded to them may decrease. However, if a plaintiff holds less than 0% responsibility in a truck accident, the compensation you can seek will not be impacted in your accident.

Evidence to prove negligence

A truck accident lawyer in Augusta will explore evidence that points toward negligence and helps you to determine which parties should be included in your lawsuit. Your attorney may ask to examine the following: 

• Company records: Trucking companies are legally required to keep records of safety measures, performed maintenance, and incidents involving their trucks. If there is a pattern of neglect or failure to comply with regulatory standards, a lawyer might use this to point toward company liability.
• Driving Logs: Truck drivers log over 300 billion annual miles on U.S. roads and are required to take time off between routes. They must record every trip, every stop, and every incident in a driving log. A truck accident lawyer in Augusta can review driving logs to look for any errors or discrepancies that might strengthen your case.
• Truck’s Black Box: Trucks are equipped with black box event data recorders (EDRs) similar to the devices found in airplanes.Similar to the recording devices found in commercial airplanes, trucks are required to carry black box data recorders (also known as Event Data Recorders — EDRs). A black box records a truck’s speed,  brake application, driving time, and more. An attorney can study the black box data to find anomalies and evidence of liability.  
• Trucker’s Employment History: If a trucker has a spotty employment record or has been involved in past accidents, this history may be used to establish a pattern of negligence.

Parties that may be liable for your truck accident

Liability in your truck accident may extend beyond a truck driver. In fact, multiple parties may be responsible for your collision and could owe you compensation. A truck accident lawyer in Augusta may find the following parties hold responsibility for your accident:

• Cargo company: Truckers haul thousands of pounds of cargo on every route. If a cargo company loads a truck with improperly contained materials, overloads a truck, or has exhibited negligence in some other manner, the company could become a named defendant in your lawsuit. Improperly loaded cargo can cause imbalance, weight shifts, and hazardous spills.
• Driver: A truck driver could be the only liable party in your accident if they are off the clock or under the influence of drugs and alcohol when the collision occurs. If a driver violates time off mandates without an employer’s knowledge, this may also be cause for full liability.  
• Trucking Company: A trucking company that violates employment law or safety and maintenance standards, and employs untrained drivers, the company may be partially at fault for your accident.
• Truck manufacturer: A truck manufacturer that has installed malfunctioning parts may be found responsible for an accident. For example, faulty brakes could lead to a collision and may be the responsibility of the manufacturer.

Compensation after a truck accident in Augusta

Compensatory damages after a truck accident in Augusta cover the losses you’ve incurred as a result of your collision. Damages fall under three categories: Economic (also referred to as special damages), Non-economic (also referred to as general damages), and Punitive Damages.

An Augusta truck accident lawyer from The Scott Pryor Law Group will help you to determine the specific damages you should claim. Here’s a look at each category.

Economic Damages

Economic damages cover the measurable losses you’ve suffered as a result of your accident. These damages include bills that have a set monetary value, and can include present and future costs.

Examples of economic damages include:

• Assisted living costs
• Lost wages (including bonuses, paid time off, and tips)
• Medical expenses ( all doctor’s appointments, ER visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, surgeries, and treatment needed as a result of your accident)
• Property repair and replacement costs
• Transportation costs ( including public transportation bills, rental car fees, and ride shares)

Non-Economic Damages

Awarded non-economic damages recognize the immeasurable losses you’ve experienced as a result of your accident. There is no way to make up for the pain and suffering you’ve experienced, but monetary compensation for these damages may help alleviate your financial burden and allow you to focus on healing.

Non-economic damages can include:

• Catastrophic injury
• Chronic pain
• Disfigurement
• Emotional trauma
• Loss of limb
• Paralysis
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Wrongful death

Punitive Damages

Georgia state code § 51-12-5.1 defines punitive damages as “vindictive damages” as they are often meted out by a judge or jury as punishment to a grossly negligent defendant. Punitive damages are used to deter other parties who act with similar disregard for others.

For example, a trucking company that knowingly fails to adhere to safety standards and employs a truck driver who doesn’t possess a commercial driver’s license, could be liable in your accident. In this case, a judge may decide to award you punitive damages. 

In Georgia, 75% of punitive damages is allocated to the state treasury and 25% is awarded to the plaintiff.

How The Scott Pryor Law Group can help

The Scott Pryor Law Group understands that the trauma you’ve experienced can have a lasting impact on your life. Your story, and your suffering, matter. You need a truck accident lawyer in Augusta who will passionately fight for your justice

The Scott Pryor Law Group is dedicated to advocating for you, battling insurance companies on your behalf, and standing beside you as you walk the path of recovery.

You are not alone. 

We can’t guarantee a successful outcome, but we have won 7-figure settlements for many clients — including a $4,500,000 settlement that stands as the highest-ever compensatory amount for a truck accident in Greenville County, South Carolina.

Schedule your free consultation today.