Navigating the aftermath of a big rig accident involves understanding your rights and how to secure the remedies and damages you’re entitled to. If you’ve been in a semi-truck accident in Georgia, knowing the steps to seek justice and compensation for your losses is helpful. Keep reading to learn about semi-truck accidents, what causes them, and how an attorney can help you fight for damages in the aftermath.
What Are Common Types of Semi-Truck Accidents?
Georgia had 5,569 large truck crashes in 2023; 120 were fatal, and 2,492 resulted in injuries. Some of the most common types included:
- Jackknife accidents. These accidents often happen when a truck driver loses control, and a truck’s trailer swings out to the side, forming an angle resembling a jackknife;
- Rollovers. Rollovers occur when a truck driver loses control and the truck rolls over onto its side, often crossing lanes and creating a barrier that can lead to multi-vehicle collisions;
- Rear-end collisions. Because of their immense size and weight, when a semi-truck hits a vehicle from behind, the impact can be catastrophic, causing severe damage and injuries;
- Blind spot accidents. This type of big rig wreck occurs when a vehicle is in a truck’s blind spot, and the truck driver is unaware of its presence during lane changes or turns; and
- Tire blowouts. Blown-out tires can cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle, while debris from the blown tire can harm other motorists.
Understanding the type of semi-truck wreck you are involved in is the first step toward seeking justice and compensation. A skilled truck accident attorney at Evans Litigation & Trial Law, LLC, can review your accident type, explain the law, and clarify your rights and options.
How Do I Win a Truck Accident Case?
To win a semi-truck accident case, your lawyer must establish that someone’s negligence caused your accident and that the accident caused your damages. This requires showing:
- The truck driver or trucking company had a duty to operate the truck safely and follow all traffic laws and regulations;
- The driver or company failed to meet this duty;
- The breach of duty directly caused the crash; and
- The accident resulted in quantifiable damages such as medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
Establishing liability is a complex process that requires thorough investigation and understanding of trucking laws and regulations. It’s also important to note that Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Under this rule, you can still recover damages if a judge or insurer finds you less than 50% responsible for your accident. However, if you are 50% or more responsible, you may not collect a settlement. For these reasons, the first thing you should do after a semi-truck crash is reach out to an experienced truck accident attorney who can help you navigate the legal process, gather evidence, and build a strong case.
What Evidence Will Help Me Prove Liability?
The types of evidence you and your attorney will gather to help establish negligence include:
- Police and accident reports—these provide an official account and may include crucial details about what caused the accident;
- Witness statements—eyewitness testimonies can support your account of the events leading to the semi-truck wreck;
- Expert witnesses—accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and economic loss experts can offer authoritative opinions that bolster your case;
- Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs)—these devices record a truck’s driving hours and can show if a trucker was driving more than legally permitted;
- Maintenance records—records can reveal if the driver or trucking company failed to maintain the truck according to industry standards;
- Surveillance footage—traffic cameras or nearby security cameras can capture the accident as it happened, providing clear evidence of fault; and
- The truck’s black box—like airplanes, many trucks are equipped with a black box that records data before, during, and after a crash.
A skilled firm like Evans Litigation & Trial Law can help you gather, preserve, and present this evidence, ensuring victory in your fight for fair compensation and justice.
How Can a Truck Accident Attorney Help Me Get Justice?
A skilled truck accident attorney at Evans Litigation & Trial Law offers invaluable assistance, including:
- Expertise in trucking regulations—we thoroughly understand the laws and regulations governing the trucking industry, which is essential in building a strong case;
- Investigative resources—we have the means to conduct thorough investigations to uncover crucial evidence, such as driver logs, truck maintenance records, and black box data;
- Deadline navigation—Georgia imposes a statute of limitations on personal injury cases, which means you have two years from when the truck accident occurred to file a lawsuit. Once you file a lawsuit, the court will set many other deadlines as well. We will make sure you file all claims correctly and meet all deadlines;
- Negotiation skills—we can handle complex and uncomfortable negotiations with insurance companies to ensure you receive a fair settlement that covers all your damages; and
- Litigation representation—if we can’t settle, we will take your case to court and fight fiercely for fair compensation before a judge or jury.
An experienced truck accident attorney at Evans Litigation & Trial Law can help you pursue remedies and damages to rebuild your life. More importantly, our commitment to fighting tooth and nail for a just outcome makes you likelier to walk away with a resolution you can feel good about.
Contact Evans Litigation & Trial Law, LLC Today
Alfred L. Evans has over 23 years of litigation and trial experience fighting for personal injury victims and has recovered tens of millions in settlements and verdicts for his deserving clients. He received a 10.0 peer review rating through AVVO, was voted Super Lawyer in 2015 and 2016, a Top 100 Super Lawyer in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, and was awarded Top 10 Trucking Lawyer from 2020-2023 by The National Trial Lawyers. Better yet, his lengthy experience working in insurance defense allows him to predict the other side’s defenses and strategies and apply this insider knowledge for his clients’ benefit. Contact Evans Litigation & Trial Law today for a free initial consultation, and let Alfred L. Evans fight for your maximum recovery.
Alfred L. Evans III, an Atlanta native and Hampden-Sydney College alum, is a seasoned personal injury lawyer with a unique background in insurance defense. Founding Evans Litigation and Trial Law in 2013, he specializes in wrongful death litigation, trucking litigation, and various vehicle accident cases. Recognized as a Super Lawyer and a “Rising Star” by Superlawyers, Alfred applies his in-depth knowledge of the insurance and trucking industries to maximize client recoveries.
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