Despite our best efforts to drive safely, many people experience auto collisions through no fault of their own. If that accident involved a truck, victims may find themselves dealing with serious injuries and extensive property damage. This traumatic experience leaves survivors and victims reeling. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed by what to do next. If you suffered injuries in a trucking accident, seek the legal advice of a qualified Atlanta truck accident lawyer. You have rights and may be entitled to receive compensation for the harm you suffered. Read on to learn more about trucking accidents and what you may be entitled to recover.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents can occur for any number of reasons. Most crashes stem from some form of driver error, which is why it’s so vital to retain a truck accident lawyer in Atlanta. Your attorney gets to work immediately to investigate the cause of the accident and gather relevant evidence to establish the truck driver’s liability. The most common causes of truck accidents include:
- Driver fatigue. Truck drivers should pull off the road or seek rest if they feel tired. Driving while fatigued can be as dangerous as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol because it limits a driver’s reaction time and awareness of their surroundings.
- Driving under the influence. Despite being against the law, unfortunately, many drivers get behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If it’s determined that the driver who caused your accident was also under the influence, they will also likely face criminal charges for their actions.
- Distracted driving. Truck drivers often find themselves in unfamiliar locations and must refer to their GPS or phones to find their way. However, they should never do this while driving. Looking down at your phone for even three seconds equates to driving the length of a football field blindfolded.
- Failure to maintain. Trucking companies and drivers have a duty to monitor the condition of their trucks. If any issues arise, they must address them immediately before putting the truck out on the roadway. Blown-out tires, faulty brakes, and other mechanical issues frequently cause avoidable accidents.
- Improper loading. Truck drivers should be trained to properly load their trucks to avoid imbalances that can cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle. Your attorney investigates whether the truck was improperly loaded and whether a driver or a cargo company’s negligence contributed to the collision.
An Atlanta truck accident lawyer works to determine the cause of your truck collision. Once the cause is determined, it is easier to establish liability and support your claim for recovery.
Common Injuries Suffered in Truck Accidents
Due to the size differential between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles, these collisions can be especially devastating. While injuries may range in severity, the most common injuries seen by a truck accident lawyer in Atlanta, GA, include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries,
- Concussions,
- Internal injuries,
- Internal bleeding,
- Spinal cord injuries,
- Paralysis,
- Whiplash,
- Back injuries,
- Broken bones,
- Severe lacerations and bruising,
- Disfiguration, and
- Burns.
Recovery from severe and catastrophic injuries can range from months to years. Some victims may never get back to how they were before an accident. It’s crucial to seek out a truck accident lawyer in Atlanta to assist you in your case. You may be facing an inability to work and a lifetime of medical needs. Obtaining the compensation to cover those costs helps to alleviate unnecessary stress and pain for you and your family.
Recoverable Damages After a Truck Accident
An Atlanta truck accident lawyer helps the clients recover in the form of compensatory damages and, in special cases, punitive damages. There are two types of compensatory damages, economic and noneconomic, covering various losses typically suffered by injured victims in personal injury cases.
Economic damages are direct financial losses directly resulting from the car accident. Common examples of economic damages include the following:
- Medical expenses,
- Lost wages,
- Loss of future earnings,
- Costs for replacing or repairing damaged property,
- Payment for household chores needed while injured, including child care services and cleaning services, and
- Expenses for equipment needed due to your injury, such as wheelchairs.
Receipts, invoices, and pay stubs provide your attorney with assistance on how to calculate these losses and also support your demand for recovery.
Noneconomic damages are more difficult to calculate as they compensate a victim for subjective injuries resulting from an accident. Common examples include:
- Pain and suffering,
- Emotional distress,
- Loss of consortium,
- Loss of enjoyment of life, and
- Permanent injury or disability.
Despite the difficulty in proving these damages, these losses are vital to a victim’s recovery.
Courts award punitive damages not to compensate victims for their losses, but rather to punish the wrongdoer for their conduct. It must be shown that the liable party acted in a willful or particularly egregious manner in causing the accident. Courts do not award punitive damages often. For example, a judge may require a driver who caused an accident while intoxicated to pay punitive damages if there were other present factors, such as the driver had multiple drunk driving offenses. Georgia law does not cap Punitive damages in personal injury cases and awards can sometimes be substantially larger than compensatory damages.
Seek the assistance of an Atlanta truck accident lawyer to prove these losses and recover the compensation to which you are entitled.
How Long Do I Have to File My Claim?
It’s important to remember that there is a statute of limitations of two years for filing any potential claim you may have against the truck driver who caused your accident. Failing to file within this statutory period bars a person from filing their claim. You never want to lose your opportunity to pursue justice for the harm you suffered due to someone else’s negligence. In Georgia, the statute of limitations for personal injury and other civil cases is two years from the date of the accident. There are rare situations where the statute of limitations may be “tolled” or delayed. Even if you may be permitted extra time due to one of these exceptions, it’s important to speak to an attorney as soon as possible to avoid missing your day in court.
What to Do After a Truck Accident
The moments after a crash can feel chaotic. So it’s no surprise you may be wondering what to do after a truck accident. Start with medical care—even minor symptoms can signal serious internal injuries. Contact law enforcement and request an official report. Take photographs, gather witness contact information, and document any unusual aspects of the truck, cargo, or driver’s behavior. Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies before you speak with an attorney. Preserve all receipts and medical records. If you are physically unable to collect evidence at the scene, an attorney can move quickly to gather what you couldn’t.
When to Consult a Lawyer for a Truck Accident
Sometimes, knowing when to consult a lawyer for a truck accident isn’t always clear. In a nutshell, you should speak with a lawyer as soon as possible, especially when a commercial vehicle is involved. Evidence such as driver logs, phone data, maintenance records, and black-box information can disappear quickly. Trucking companies often send teams to the scene within hours. The earlier you involve legal counsel, the more they can do to preserve those materials and prevent insurers from shaping the narrative before you have a chance to speak. Even if you are unsure whether you want to file a claim, a consultation helps you understand your options and protects your future choices.
What Does a Truck Accident Lawyer Do?
A truck accident lawyer:
- Investigates the cause of the crash, identifies all liable parties, and builds a legal strategy tailored to your injuries and long-term needs;
- Sends a letter demanding that the truck company preserve all evidence;
- Inspects the tractor-trailer involved in the collision;
- Works with experts in accident reconstruction, biomechanics, trucking compliance, and medicine;
- Gathers black-box data, analyzes company records, challenges unsafe practices, and negotiates with insurers; and
- If negotiations fail, they prepare the case for trial.
In short, the answer to “What does a truck accident lawyer do?” is that they combine legal analysis, investigative skills, and a deep understanding of how the trucking industry operates.
How to Choose a Truck Accident Lawyer
Look for an attorney with experience specific to commercial-vehicle collisions. Ask about past results, trial readiness, knowledge of federal trucking regulations, and recognition from trusted legal organizations. Review their communication style. Your lawyer should explain things clearly, answer questions honestly, and keep you informed throughout the process. When thinking about how to choose a truck accident lawyer, consider someone who treats your case with urgency and respect, not as a file that blends into a stack.
How Can an Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer Help Me?
An Atlanta truck accident lawyer steps in when the situation feels too big to manage alone. Trucking companies and insurers protect their interests immediately, and you need someone who can keep pace. When asking “How can an Atlanta truck accident lawyer help me?” consider this: A lawyer evaluates the facts, preserves evidence, communicates with insurers, and shields you from tactics designed to minimize your claim. They calculate damages, coordinate medical documentation, identify all responsible parties, and build a case strong enough to withstand commercial carriers. Their goal is simple: protect your rights, reduce your stress, and put you in the strongest possible position for recovery.
Contact an Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer
At Evans Litigation and Trial, LLC, those injured in truck accidents receive the benefit of a dedicated trucking attorney serving clients across Georgia. Our legal team is committed and passionately focused on helping truck accident victims and their families. We provide relentless advocacy and secure rightful compensation for those affected by devastating trucking accidents. We understand the hardships you may be facing and are ready to fight for your rights. Contact us today by phone or email to learn how we can help guide you through the complexities of trucking accident cases.