Georgia’s Statute of Limitations for Commercial Truck Accident Claims

<strong>What Is a Statute of Limitations?</strong>

A statute of limitations is a time limit imposed by law. It is any law that bars civil claims or criminal proceedings against a party once a certain amount of time has passed. This type of law establishes the maximum amount of time in which parties may initiate legal proceedings. The length of time may vary among states and for different types of claims or offenses. In civil matters, such as truck accident cases, the statute of limitations begins to run from the date of the injury or, in some cases, from the date the injury was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. 

Statutes of limitations are passed for practical reasons. They serve as an equitable means of limiting the initiation of legal proceedings to a reasonable time after an event has occurred. If too much time has passed, proceedings may not be fair, as critical evidence may have been lost, and witness memories may not be clear. 

<strong>What Is the Statute of Limitations for Truck Accidents in Georgia?</strong>

The statute of limitations for truck accidents and other personal injury matters is in the Georgia Code § 9-3-33. Injuries to the person. The statute states: “Except as otherwise provided in this article, actions for injuries to the person shall be brought within two years after the right of action accrues, except for injuries to the reputation, which shall be brought within one year after the right of action accrues, and except for actions for injuries to the person involving loss of consortium, which shall be brought within four years after the right of action accrues.”

Passenger vehicle occupants often suffer serious injuries in a collision with a large commercial truck. A personal injury claim is a way to hold responsible parties accountable and recover the compensation you need to get your life back after a catastrophic collision. You have two years from the date of injury (in most cases) to file a lawsuit for damages in civil court. If you fail to file within this time frame, your compensation claim will be forever barred. A lawyer for your Lawrenceville commercial vehicle lawsuit can help you solve the case.

<strong>Why Should You Contact a Truck Accident Attorney as Soon as Possible?</strong>

Truck accidents often cause severe injuries that require extensive medical treatment and time away from work. By contacting a skilled attorney as soon as you are able, you ensure that your claim for compensation will be filed in the allotted time, so you do not miss out on your opportunity for justice. To recover compensation, you must first establish fault and liability. The sooner you speak with an experienced truck accident lawyer, the sooner your attorney can investigate your accident and gather evidence to support your claim. This evidence will likely include data contained in the truck’s “black box.” We can take prompt legal action to preserve electronic black box data that might otherwise be destroyed. 

<strong>How Important Is Truck Black Box Data in a Truck Accident Claim?</strong>

Black box data can serve as valuable evidence in a truck accident claim. For example, it can provide data about the speed the truck was traveling and whether the driver was braking at the time of the crash. These electronic control modules (ECMs) contain “snapshot” data regarding the truck’s operations. They may be used to monitor driver performance and whether hours of service comply with federal regulations designed to reduce fatigued driving. Black box data can be vital in proving a truck accident claim. 

<strong>What Can The Scott Pryor Law Group Do for You?</strong>

If you have been hurt in a truck accident, we can handle your claim for compensation while you focus on recovering from your injuries. Founding attorney of The Scott Pryor Law Group has been named among the top 1% of trial attorneys in the country and awarded membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. We can negotiate skillfully with insurance companies on your behalf and fight effectively for the compensation you deserve in court if necessary. Call us today at (404) 474-7122.

Scott Pryor

Managing Attorney | CEO

Scott is a U.S. Marine Veteran. He is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and is listed in the top 1% of trial attorneys in the nation by the Litigator Awards. He is also a member of Super Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers, the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association—Champion Level and sits on the Communications Committee of GTLA and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

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