Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer in Lawrenceville

Did you suffer injuries in a collision with a semi-truck or another commercial vehicle? You might have the right to compensation. The Lawrenceville commercial vehicle accident lawyers at The Scott Pryor Law Group have decades of combined experience and proven success in these complicated cases. As a former Marine, Attorney Scott Pryor understands the importance of service and commitment, and his team brings those values to every case. Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation.

Table of Contents

• Understanding Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Lawrenceville, GA
  • Common Causes of Commercial Vehicle Accidents
  • Differences Between Commercial Vehicle and Personal Vehicle Accidents
• Determining Liability in Commercial Vehicle Accidents
  • Potentially Liable Parties
  • Comparative Negligence in Georgia
• The Importance of Hiring a Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer
  • Our Past Successes in Commercial Truck Accident Claims
• Steps to Take After a Commercial Vehicle Accident
• Pursuing a Claim: Legal Process and Compensation

Understanding Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Lawrenceville, GA

A commercial vehicle is usually a large, heavy truck or van that a company uses for specialized purposes. Some examples of commercial vehicles include:

• 18-wheelers
• Construction equipment
• Delivery vans
• Tanker trucks
• Moving vans
• Garbage trucks
• Cement trucks

Common Causes of Commercial Vehicle Accidents

Some common causes of Georgia commercial vehicle crashes include:

• Distracted, fatigued, or intoxicated truck drivers
• Mechanical failures due to vehicle defects or poor maintenance
• Truck drivers speeding, following too closely, or engaging in other careless behavior
• Truck drivers changing lanes without checking their blind spots
• Trucks tipping over due to loose or unbalanced cargo
• Truck drivers not yielding when required

Differences Between Commercial Vehicle and Personal Vehicle Accidents

One essential difference between commercial vehicle and passenger car crashes is that trucks are much larger and heavier. That extra size and weight these vehicles bring to a collision can result in more severe injuries and more extensive property damage.

Commercial vehicle cases also involve complex federal and state regulations governing trucks and trucking companies. Another potential complication is that a truck accident claim might involve multiple parties, such as the driver, trucking company, and insurers. These complicated cases require specific types of evidence that can be difficult to obtain, such as driver logs, vehicle maintenance records, and the truck’s electronic control module data.

Determining Liability in Commercial Vehicle Accidents

Usually, the person or organization responsible for a commercial vehicle accident is the one whose careless actions caused the crash. For example, suppose a truck driver was speeding and looking at their phone when they rear-ended someone. Speeding and distracted driving are both negligent behaviors. Therefore, the truck driver would likely be liable for the collision in this scenario, but only if the victim’s lawyer could prove the truck driver was negligent. Common types of evidence in these cases include:

• The police crash report
• Eyewitness accounts
• Traffic camera or surveillance footage
• The truck’s maintenance logs
• Data from the truck’s electronic data recorder, or “black box”
• Photos and video from the crash scene
• Forensic crash analysis by expert witnesses

Potentially Liable Parties

You’ll need an experienced truck accident lawyer to identify who caused a collision and is liable for your injuries. The potentially liable parties in these cases include:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company
• The truck’s owner, if it’s someone other than the trucking company
• Maintenance providers
• The company that made the truck or a defective component
• Other drivers

Comparative Negligence in Georgia

Under Georgia’s comparative negligence rule, if you are partly liable for a commercial vehicle accident, your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault. So, if you’re 10 percent liable for the collision and your losses add up to $100,000, you’d only be able to secure 90 percent of your compensation, or $90,000 in this example.

However, under this same rule, you cannot recover compensation if you are 50 percent or more responsible for the crash. An experienced truck accident attorney can gather evidence to minimize your percentage of liability, preserving your right to compensation.

The Importance of Hiring a Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer

Commercial vehicle accident lawyers in Lawrenceville understand the unique challenges and laws in these cases. That in-depth knowledge helps them protect your rights and maximize your compensation. Some ways that a Lawrenceville commercial vehicle accident attorney can help you with your claim include:

• Collecting evidence from the scene and other sources to identify the liable party or parties
• Documenting your financial losses, physical injuries, and emotional distress to increase your claim’s value
• Communicating with the insurance companies while you heal
• Taking your case to trial, if necessary
• Explaining legal concepts and answering your questions

Our Past Successes in Commercial Truck Accident Claims

The Scott Pryor Law Group has had significant success in past commercial truck accident claims. In one noteworthy case, we recovered $1 million for a client hurt in a truck crash. Another client recovered $750,000 with our help after a truck rear-ended them. You can count on us to investigate the collision thoroughly and protect your rights at every stage of your case.

Steps to Take After a Commercial Vehicle Accident

Follow these steps to guard your health and legal rights after a commercial vehicle accident:

• Call 911 to report the collision and summon emergency medical personnel.
• If possible, take photos and collect other evidence from the scene.
• Get the truck driver’s contact details, employment information, and insurance policy numbers, if possible.
• Seek immediate medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor.
• Follow your doctor’s orders and attend all follow-up appointments.
• Don’t discuss the accident online.
• Don’t give any recorded statements to insurance companies.
• Contact a commercial vehicle accident lawyer right away.

Pursuing a Claim: Legal Process and Compensation

Usually, a truck accident claim starts with your attorney sending a demand letter to the at-fault party’s insurer once the investigation is completed. Your lawyer will present evidence and highlight the harm you’ve suffered to make a compelling case, then negotiate for an appropriate settlement amount. It might take a few months to a year or longer before your case concludes.

Most truck accident cases end in insurance settlements because insurers prefer a certain settlement to an unpredictable trial. However, your lawyer might file a lawsuit and take your case to court if the insurers won’t make a reasonable offer. Under Georgia law, you usually must file a commercial vehicle accident lawsuit within two years of the crash date.

It’s up to your lawyer to present a strong case and argue on your behalf. Your claim could include compensation for:

• Current and future medical expenses
• Lost income and reduced future earnings
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Damaged personal property, such as the cost to repair or replace your car

Acting quickly is essential for recovering maximum compensation. Call The Scott Pryor Law Group now or complete our contact form for a free consultation with a commercial vehicle accident lawyer in Lawrenceville, GA.