Unlike common car accidents, accidents involving commercial and professional truck drivers are more complex. Truck drivers have an added responsibility to the general public to make sure they are fit to drive, including limiting the number of hours they are on the road and making sure their equipment is roadworthy.
Due to the sheer size and amount of force involved, accidents involving trucks can easily generate an immense amount of damage, often with tragic results. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed in a trucking accident, you need an Atlanta truck accident attorney who will aggressively pursue the full compensation you are entitled to under the law. Call us today for a free consultation.
At the Atlanta, Georgia, firm of Hilley & Frieder, skilled personal injury lawyer Mia I. Frieder has built a successful practice with her husband Ron Hilley. They listen to your story, review the accident report, and work hard to make sure that you are reimbursed by the negligent party who caused the accident.
At Hilley & Frieder, P.C., we stand up for those who have been injured in truck accidents throughout Atlanta. Our practice is focused on handling personal injury, medical malpractice, workers’ compensation, and long-term disability claims. Our team has extensive experience handling a wide range of claims, including all types of auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, truck accidents, and more.
Truck drivers have an added amount of responsibility on the road. As professional drivers, they have a duty to make certain that they are following the appropriate rules and do not compromise the safety of others by driving too long or becoming fatigued. Unfortunately, many drivers do not adhere to the rules, causing accidents that could have otherwise been prevented.
There are many reasons why accidents may be caused. Our truck accident lawyers will carefully examine the accident report and review all evidence to determine the cause of liability. We can even call upon experts to provide authoritative testimony about the cause of the accident. We will work tirelessly on your behalf and seek to obtain just compensation for your injuries. Common causes of truck accidents can include:
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) establishes and enforces regulations for truck drivers and their employers. You can hold a driver or his or her employer liable for your accident if you find they are in violation of FMCSA rules.
These regulations include the following:
Compliance with FMCSA regulations is important for trucking companies, truck operators, and motor vehicle drivers alike. One of your attorney’s first steps will involve requesting documentation from the at-fault driver’s employer to determine whether any violations took place.
Federal laws and FMCSA regulations are two ways in which truck accidents differ from car accidents in the eyes of civil law. Your case may involve broken federal motor carrier safety laws, for which the trucking company or another entity may be liable for the wreck. There are also other ways your case may be unique from a typical car accident case. For instance, truck accidents offer unique sources of evidence:
A lawyer can help you gather this evidence in the aftermath of your truck accident. The injuries involved in a truck accident are also often more catastrophic than a traditional car crash. This makes it even more important for victims and survivors to seek assistance from attorneys to obtain fair awards from insurance companies; otherwise, they may accept settlement offers from insurance companies that undervalue serious losses.
Finally, a truck accident may involve the law of vicarious liability. Vicarious liability stems from a legal doctrine that means “let the master speak.” It is a law that holds most employers, including truck companies, legally responsible for the actions of their on-duty employees. If a negligent truck driver caused your crash, therefore, you will most likely be going up against the entire company.
Hire an attorney for assistance with all the unique aspects of a truck accident claim, including negotiating with a trucking company’s insurance provider in pursuit of fair compensation.
A truck accident lawyer in Atlanta can give you all the information you need to know about the insurance process for a truck accident claim. Your attorney will have experience going up against major trucking corporations and their insurance carriers to negotiate for maximum financial relief. Your attorney will also have the power to represent you at trial if the insurance company involved in your case refuses to offer a fair or reasonable settlement.
A truck accident lawyer can complete many important tasks on your behalf while you focus on healing:
For a more comprehensive list of legal services we can provide for you at Hilley & Frieder, P.C., contact us for a free consultation. We tailor our legal services according to what each unique client needs.
Truck accidents can be very dangerous, and you may experience extreme shock after the collision. However, these moments are some of the most important for your future case. Immediately after the accident, take the following steps to seek help and preserve your claim.
If you can move around the accident scene without further injury or danger, take the following steps:
Under Georgia law, negligent trucking companies and truck drivers are responsible for paying for your economic and non-economic damages after an accident they are liable for. Economic damages involve your tangible, financial losses, while non-economic damages involve your emotional and physical pain and suffering.
Common damages in truck accident claims include the following:
In an accident involving commercial or professional drivers, liability rests with the trucking company as well as the driver. These cases require the help of a law firm capable of finding out what happened and whether any regulations were violated by the driver or company.
Ultimately, the trucking company is responsible for allowing the driver to hit the road in their truck. From the moment the accident happens, you can be sure that they will be doing everything they can to find ways to avoid paying for their negligence.
Financial compensation will not solve all of your problems after a serious truck accident in Atlanta. It can, however, successfully hold the careless party accountable and help your family pay for expensive medical bills and other debts. It can allow you to move forward after a difficult and traumatic time in your life.
You can recover compensation for your damages in a truck accident case by filing an insurance claim with the at-fault party’s provider. The at-fault party will be responsible under Georgia’s fault-based insurance law. File your claim with help from a personal injury lawyer. If the insurance company refuses to treat your claim fairly, your lawyer can help you file a personal injury lawsuit in Fulton County instead.
In Georgia, the statute of limitations gives you no more than two years to file a lawsuit. Be sure to act quickly to avoid missing your deadline. If you miss your time limit, the courts will most likely dismiss your case. Once you file a lawsuit, your lawyer can help you prove liability and go up against one or more defendants at trial.
Don’t let them get away with it. Contact our firm today for a free consultation with a skilled Atlanta truck accident lawyer.
