Top 7 Reasons to Hire a Truck Accident Attorney After a Crash
Whether you're recovering from broken bones and internal injuries or just minor bumps and bruises, there are many good reasons to hire a truck accident attorney. When you compare truck accidents vs car accidents, truck accidents are much more difficult to navigate than a regular crash between two smaller passenger vehicles, because of federal regulations and other issues. Trucking companies can also drag the process out longer than necessary to pressure you into taking a lower settlement, as your medical expenses are piling up. It can be a stressful time, but you can rest easier knowing that you have an experienced truck accident lawyer in your corner.
Why Hire A Truck Accident Lawyer For Your Case? 7 Top Reasons!
1. Expert Knowledge of Trucking Laws & Regulations
Most commercial trucking companies use a "black box" that records important data about their truck drivers. The information on the box can be crucial for your case. The problem? Many trucking companies won't want to turn that data over to you, especially if it proves their driver was at fault. You need to hire a truck accident lawyer to obtain that evidence.
Trucking companies are also subject to federal regulations, such as Hours of Service (HOS) rules and vehicle maintenance and inspection reports. These rules can further complicate your case. A personal injury law firm with experience working with the trucking industry knows how to navigate these rules.
2. Insurance Company Negotiation & Court Experience
Insurance companies don't want to pay you. If you've ever heard the term "victim blaming," it's a real thing, and they will try to do it to you during negotiations. They'll try to blame the cause of the truck accident on something that you did, so they can lower or even eliminate your payout. They also understand that if you're facing large medical bills and missing work because of your injuries, you're vulnerable to being pressured into a lowball settlement. They'll delay the claims process as long as possible to try to make you give up hope.
Your truck accident compensation can end up much higher with the help of a skilled legal negotiator in the aftermath of a truck accident.
3. Thorough Investigation and Evidence Gathering
The size and weight of big rigs often mean that the injuries victims can suffer are catastrophic. You're not going to be able to investigate the accident if you're still recovering. Plus, where would you start?
An accident injury lawyer who specializes in truck accidents will have a team that can reconstruct the accident, using physics and years of experience, to prove what happened. You'll have a team of experts on your side who can interview witnesses, obtain the truck's black box and the truck driver's history, and much more. All the evidence that your personal injury lawyer and their experts gather will build a stronger case on your behalf. This will help to maximize the total compensation for your injuries.
4. Accurate Valuation of Your Accident Injury Claim
Another one of the benefits of hiring a truck accident lawyer is that your attorney will understand all the areas for which you can claim damages in Georgia, to make sure you get all of the money that you are entitled to for your injuries. If the accident was another party's fault, you are likely entitled to more than just your hospital bills and the damages to your vehicle.
Damages that your attorney can pursue on your behalf include:
- Lost wages
- Lost future wages
- Medical bills
- Ongoing medical treatment
- Emotional pain and suffering
- Lost earning capacity
- Loss of companionship
- And much more
You may be eligible for a wide range of compensation that your attorney can determine. For example, were you forced to hire childcare after your accident? Did you have to rent a car or ride the bus because your vehicle was totaled? Expert legal help for truck accidents can determine many different factors that can increase your monetary damages.
5. Experts In Identifying ALL Liable Parties
The truck driver may not be the only one at fault in a truck wreck. The trucking company may not have kept up with required maintenance. The driver may not have been properly trained. A defect on the truck could have contributed to the crash, which could partly make the manufacturer at fault. Warehouse workers may have improperly loaded the truck's cargo. Your attorney will determine every party that was liable for the tractor-trailer crash and seek fair compensation from them.
6. They Will Handle All Legal Deadlines and Legal Paperwork
You have a two-year statute of limitations from the date of the accident to file a truck accident claim in Georgia. If the crash involved a government-owned vehicle, the statute of limitations can be as little as six months. If you miss that deadline to file a claim, you forfeit the right to pursue damages. If your truck accident case goes to trial, there will be mandatory filing deadlines set by the court. Your attorney and their legal support staff are there to make sure none of these deadlines are missed.
7. Reduce Stress & Anxiety
Hiring a lawyer to handle your truck wreck case allows you to focus on your recovery while putting your life back together. A truck accident victim can experience a tremendous amount of stress and anxiety after being involved in a truck accident. Your attorney is there to do the "heavy lifting" on your case and make sure that you receive the full and fair compensation you deserve for your injuries.
How to Choose The Best Truck Accident Lawyer Near You
These are just some of the most important reasons to hire a commercial truck accident attorney. Truck accident cases have unique challenges that you won't find in a regular fender-bender between two passenger cars. When searching for a personal injury lawyer to handle your case, you want to find someone with specific experience in the trucking industry.
Here are some questions you should ask when evaluating whether an attorney is the right one to handle your case:
- How much experience do you specifically have with truck crash cases?
- What resources and experts do you use when building a case?
- Do you work on a contingency fee basis, and what costs should I expect?
If you live in Georgia or the surrounding areas and you've been injured in a commercial vehicle accident, 18-wheeler accident, or car accident, contact The Graham Firm, also known as the ‘Big Truck Lawyers’, at (404) 526-9955 for a free consultation about your case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accident Law
Attorney Charles Graham is the founder of The Graham Firm and one of Georgia’s most recognized truck accident lawyers. Known across the state as Big Truck Chuck, he brings a background that most personal injury attorneys simply don’t have. Before opening his practice in 2001, he served as a prosecutor with the Cobb County Office of the Solicitor General, trying hundreds of cases in court. He also spent years running his own commercial trucking operation, giving him firsthand knowledge of the federal regulations and industry practices that become critical evidence in serious injury cases. Since founding The Graham Firm, Attorney Graham has recovered over $100 million for Georgia accident victims. He is a Certified Million Dollar Advocate and Multi-Million Dollar Advocate and is licensed to practice law in the State of Georgia.