If you or someone you know has been involved in a truck accident and damages have occurred, you need to hire a qualified Carrollton truck accident attorney who has experience with accidents of this sort. Accidents involving tractor-trailers are often a tangled web. In Georgia, it can be difficult to navigate all of the pertinent local and federal laws while trying to determine who is liable.
The Law Office of John B. Jackson has experienced attorneys in Georgia that are familiar with all of the laws. They can also work on simultaneous negotiations with all of the parties that are involved. We have a great deal of experience when it comes to sifting through all of the complexities and making sure that our clients are given enough compensation to help them recover from the truck accident.
We have a free case review form that is available to those who would like to know more about how we can help you. There is a chance that you have the legal right to recover losses for your damages.
What is the Process of a Truck Accident Lawsuit?
The process following a truck accident generally follows these steps:
Investigation
Right after an accident, the insurance company that works for the driver or their employer will send experts to the scene to analyze any and all evidence. Their goal is to avoid any liability. Get in touch with the Law Office of John B. Jackson so you can have people there to help you conduct an investigation for you; one that will show who is really responsible for your injuries.
Insurance companies always try their best to convince someone to settle for as little money as possible. Do not discuss this accident with anyone besides the doctor who is treating you and the personal injury attorney you hire. The insurance company may have people try to discuss things with you in order to find a way to avoid paying what you are owed. When they reach out, you need to refer them to the attorney that is handling your case.
Creating A Claim
We will create a claim using any valuable information we find while investigating. An explanation of your injuries, the amount you are requesting for compensation and a description of the other party’s negligence will all be included. This will be the foundation for your Georgia truck accident case, which can reach a resolution through negotiations, arbitration or litigation.
Negotiations
Before a lawsuit is filed, your attorney will try negotiating with the insurer. If this is successful, you can get what you are owed without having to go to court. In case it is not a success, then you will have to formally file a claim. At that time, it is likely there will be more negotiating done. If there hasn’t been a mutual resolution at this point, then you will be heading to court.
Litigation
Your Carrollton car accident attorney and the ones hired by the liable party will have the chance to try to convince a judge and jury to rule on their behalf. After all evidence has been heard, they will give all of this information some thought before making a decision. They will determine who was at fault and whether any compensation is owed.
How Do You Prove Negligence in a Carrollton Truck Accident Case?
When we investigate, we try to find out whether the other party was negligent by doing the following:
- Checking to see if the truck was properly maintained.
- Checking the company logs to see if state and federal regulations were followed to the letter.
- Checking out the driver’s credentials.
- Determining whether any local traffic laws were broken.
- Taking a look at any and all evidence, talking to witnesses and if necessary, having experts help them recreate the accident.
- Identifying any manufacturing defects that may have played a role in the accident.
What are the 10 Most Common Types of Truck Accidents?
At John B. Jackson we have had experience working with numerous clients who have had their lives affected by terrible truck accidents. We have noticed that there is a pattern when it comes to the kinds of truck accidents that occur most often. Here are the 10 most common:
Rear-End
This is a common accident type, especially on expressways that are constantly busy. A rear-end accident that involves a large truck has the potential to be catastrophic. This all depends on the weight of the load they were hauling. We have worked with clients who have had serious injuries from being in a truck accident to those who have had their vehicles damaged so bad that fatalities occurred. This is why I am serious about hitting my hazard lights when traffic slow. I want to make sure that all drivers, including truckers, are at full attention while they are on the road.
Head-On
This is a very dangerous type of collision since it involves an 80,000-pound vehicle ramming into one that is considerably smaller. It is almost impossible for a smaller vehicle to prevail in this type of situation. Truck drivers have really tight deadlines they have to meet, so they are constantly under pressure. In order to make it to their destination on time, they drive while exhausted and distracted, which is not a good combination. Head-on collisions are an accident type that is extremely dangerous.
Jackknife
When a trailer folds in such a way that the cab is facing it, that is called a jackknife. This usually happens when a driver hits the brakes too quickly.
Tire Blowout
Trying to control a vehicle once a tire has blown out is an extremely difficult task, especially when a huge truck is involved. Blowouts on a truck can be catastrophic. We worked on a case where there was a blowout on the interstate and a truck went careening across the median and straight into oncoming traffic; tragic.
Truck Rollovers
This is another type of truck accidents that happens pretty often. If a truck cannot be controlled and it starts to slide, it may result in the vehicle rolling over. The way the vehicle is being handled and the way the load is situated can cause a rollover. This is even true in cases when the vehicle is not going very fast. Going onto a ramp or a curve can be dangerous if the load is not secured, In short, it can cause the truck to roll over on its side.
Air Brake
It is required that all tractor-trailers have their brakes checked before they are allowed to go on the road. They must also be inspected periodically to ensure quality. Bad brakes can be hazardous, especially when heading downhill since this will prevent a truck from stopping. This is why it is very important to have the air brakes checked often. We had a case where the driver jumped out after the accident and start screaming about how he has requested his brakes be fixed beforehand.
Under-Ride
An extreme head injury or death may occur if a small car ends up beneath a tractor-trailer from the side or rear. In the United States, there are guards that are commonly used, but they are weak and cannot guarantee safety, In Europe, there are guards required on the side of trucks to stop small vehicles from ending up beneath them when driving at night.
T-Bone
This is an impact from the side of a truck. Commonly, when this type of accident occurs, the driver of the smaller vehicle does not survive.
Lost Load
It is the duty of a truck driver to make sure their load is properly secured. Truck drivers have to check on this many times over the course of a trip. If they fail to do this, it can result in a terrible accident.
Blind Spots
Blind spots are significant when driving a truck and it is difficult to change lanes. Drivers are supposed to look into their mirrors to make sure that there are no small vehicles or motorcycles in their way. There are some technological advancements that have been made to assist with this. Drivers of smaller vehicles should try to stay out of truckers’ blind spots so there are no accidents.
What Compensation Can Be Recovered?
Damages a victim may be entitled to after a truck accident include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Mental anguish
- Funeral costs
Contact our Carrollton Truck Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation
You may have a case if you or someone you know has been injured in a Georgia truck accident. To learn more about your available options and how our Carrollton truck accident attorneys at the Law Office of John B. Jackson may be able to help, please call or complete our free case review form today.
Do not sit around and hesitate when you should be out there fighting to get the compensation you deserve. You did not cause your own injuries, so why should you have to pay for it. get in touch with us now so we can go over your case and determine what can be done to help you.
