Augusta Tractor-Trailer Accidents Lawyers

The primary responsibility of any tractor-trailer driver is to transport goods and products safely from one place to another. If they fail, lives could be lost. Truck drivers are required to take certain exams before they can secure a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and start driving trucks for a living. These tests include:

• A physical to ensure the driver has good vision and hearing
• A knowledge test based on regulations outlined in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations
• A road test to determine whether or not the applicant is fit for operating large vehicles

Unfortunately, truck drivers sometimes neglect studying the regulations and requirements of shares such as maintaining their vehicle to prevent breakdowns while transporting goods. This can lead them to hazardous situations for other motorists on the road that can lead to catastrophic injuries. Whether you were injured in a truck crash because of the negligent actions of a truck driver or the improper maintenance of a truck, you should get the legal help you need to get the compensation you deserve. Commercial trucks can cause serious damage. Don’t let your semi-truck crash affect you going forward. Our law firm has assisted many clients over the years with tractor-trailer accident cases. Get the fair settlement you deserve for the injuries sustained in your commercial truck crash. Seeking the proper legal help can give your mind some rest as you move forward with your case. A strong tractor-trailer accident attorney from our law firm can do what it takes to hold the liable parties in your case accountable, whether through trial or through a settlement. Truck companies and their insurers can give you a lot of resistance if you do not have the right tractor-trailer accident attorneys on your side. Tractor-trailers and their size and weight can impact you and your family for the rest of your life. Get the justice you deserve today by seeking the help of a tractor-trailer lawyer from our law firm.

What is the Georgia Truck Accident Statute of Limitations?

Something you need to understand right off the bat when it comes to dealing with a truck accident is that you are not given an unlimited amount of time to bring your case. You have two years to file your claim in civil court, and that time starts the date of your accident. If you decide to wait to talk to an attorney, you are running the risk of making their job of defending you harder. It takes time to build these cases, and you want to give them as much time as possible. Those two years can get away from you, so the sooner you reach out to an attorney, the better. If you miss this statute of limitations, you will no longer be allowed to collect compensation for your damages and injuries.

How Does Truck Accident Compensation Work?

Georgia state law declares that all personal injury cases must be in accordance with modified comparative negligence laws. These laws dictate how much you can be compensated for depending on your role in causing the accident. The rules for modified comparative negligence are as follows:

• If you are not at fault, you will get full compensation
• If you are partially at fault, you will receive reduced compensation
• If you are more than 50% at fault, you will be barred from receiving compensation

An example would be if you were trying to get around a swerving truck by going slightly over the speed limit and they ended up crashing into you anyway. In that scenario, you may be considered 10% at fault. If you were to receive a compensation award of $100,000, you would be able to collect $90,000 of the award to account for your fault. There are three main damages that go into determining a compensation award.

• Past and future medical bills
• Past and future lost wages
• Past and future pain and suffering

Generally speaking, if those damages are more severe, you can receive more compensation. There will be deliberations made about how much all of those damages are worth and a fair number will be negotiated by your attorney.

What is the First Step for a Successful Truck Accident Case?

If you want to ensure that you are eligible to receive compensation, you first and foremost need to understand that you are going to have to see a medical professional as soon as you can. Your health is the number one priority. The importance of seeking medical attention is two-fold. One, you want to recover and feel better as quickly as possible. These injuries won’t take care of themselves and you should treat them as such. Two, you want to be able to have written proof from your doctor that you were injured and that these injuries were caused by a truck accident.

What Mistakes Can a Tractor-Trailer Accident Lawyer Help Me Avoid?

There is one mistake that, in all personal injury cases, we urge our clients not to make. After your accident, the insurance company will be reaching out to you to get a statement from you. It may seem like they are helpful and want to resolve your case. This is not their goal. If you want to maximize your results, you won’t give them this statement. The insurance companies have adjusters trained to ask you questions that would result in you saying something damaging to your case. Once they have you on record giving this damaging response, they can refer to it as evidence to prove that they can reduce or eliminate your claim based on your statement. Our Augusta truck accident lawyers can take over this communication for you, protecting your rights from insurance adjusters who are trying to save their company money.

When Should I Call an Augusta Truck Accident Lawyer? 

If you have been seriously injured in a truck accident, we want to help. Please call our office today to set up a free initial consultation with our dependable and skilled Augusta truck accident lawyers. Allow us to take on your case and protect your right to full and fair compensation. Every tractor-trailer crash is different and may require a different legal approach. No matter if your accident was caused by a truck driver’s negligence due to alcohol impairment, malfunctioning brakes, truck driver fatigue, improperly secured cargo such as logs and crates, or manufacturer defects, you don’t deserve to suffer the consequences of an 18-wheeler crash. Trucking accidents can be complicated to handle without a capable personal injury law firm assisting you every step of the way. We have a history of getting settlements for our clients and using liability laws to get them the justice they deserve. If you or a loved one were hurt or killed in a trucking accident, contact Malchow Johnson Injury Lawyers today to get the legal help you need today.