Semi trucks are all over the roads in Dawsonville, and although we should be able to trust truck drivers to exercise caution while driving, unfortunately that’s not always the case. Because of their size, truck accidents can cause extreme injuries and damage to those involved.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, you deserve financial recovery for what you’ve suffered. It’s time to speak with a Dawsonville truck accident lawyer.
At John Foy & Associates, we’ve worked countless trucking accident cases to help victims pay get what they need to pay for their medical bills, make up for lost work time, get back on their feet, or even recover money for a wrongful death. We’ve been in the business for more than two decades, and we know how to win cases.
We’d like to offer you a FREE consultation to hear your story and discuss how we can help. For your free consultation, call us at 404-400-4000 or fill out the form to your right today.
How does a Truck Claim Work in Dawsonville?
After a truck accident happens, there are four main stages of a truck accident claim:
1. Investigation
Right after the truck accident occurs, the insurance company for the truck driver (or the owner or maintenance company for the truck, depending on the situation) will send analysts to the accident scene. They’ll gather information and as much evidence as they can for the purpose of limiting any potential liability.
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses, so their aim will be paying out as little settlement as possible. They may try to get you to uncover information about the incident they can use against you, or they may try to offer you a low-ball amount upfront, which is usually nowhere near what you deserve.
While their investigators are on the scene, don’t discuss the accident or any injuries or damages with anyone except the doctor treating you and your lawyer. This is why you’ll want to contact a Dawsonville truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after the accident. They will conduct they own investigation for your case, as well.
2. Creation of Claim
After your personal injury lawyer investigates and gathers information, he or she will create your claim. This claim will state what your injuries were in the accident, a request for compensation for losses, and will explain the other party’s negligence and responsibility for your injury. This claim makes up the base of your truck accident lawsuit that can be resolved through negotiation of the settlement, arbitration, or litigation.
3. Negotiation of Settlement
Your attorney and the insurance company will usually negotiate a settlement amount after the accident, meaning you won’t need to go to Dawson County court. Once your lawyer officially files your lawsuit with the State of Georgia, there will usually be another round of negotiations. If those financial negotiations don’t reach a resolution, then your case may go to court. I most cases, you won’t need to go to court.
4. Litigation
If the case does go to court, the other party and your attorney will each present their case before a judge or jury. Then the judge or jury will deliberate and come to a verdict that will determine who is at fault. If the other party is found to be at fault, the verdict will also include the amount of money you can recover.
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The Trucking Company Or Its Insurer Already Offered Me Money. Should I Take It?
Insurance companies will do what they can to pay as little as possible when you make a truck accident claim, so it’s common for them to offer a certain amount upfront. They’re betting on the fact that you’re feeling desperate and in need to quick money, which can be especially the case in a severe trucking accident. However, it’s important to remember that this amount of money may not be enough to cover all of your expenses—past, present, and future.
You may have medical issues related to the accident that require ongoing treatment. Or you may not realize how many costs you’re facing now, including making up wages for lost time at work. This could add up to as much as tens of thousands of dollars in expenses related to the accident.
Resist the urge to accept any money until you speak with a Dawsonville truck accident lawyer first. They’ll be able to help you determine what you really need to get back on your feet and move on with your life. You deserve to be compensated for the full amount of what you’ve lost.
How does Fault Work in a Truck Accident Case?
To receive financial recovery in a truck accident case, you’ll need to be able to prove the other party (such as the truck driver, trucking company, or even the company that manufactured or repaired the truck’s parts) is at fault in the accident. Being “at fault” means the accident occurred due to their negligence, or carelessness. During their investigation, your attorney will look at a number of factors to help determine whether the other party is at fault. That includes:
- Reviewing the trucking company’s maintenance logs to see if the truck was properly maintained and that federal and Georgia state regulations were followed
- Identifying any possible defects in the vehicle’s manufacturing
- Investing the truck driver’s licensing and credentials
- Determining if all traffic laws were properly followed
- Investigating the scene of the accident, photographs or videos taken, Dawsonville police reports, and witness statements
After these areas have been analyzed and investigated, your attorney will move to processing your claim and getting ready for negotiation and litigation to determine if the truck driver or company was found to be negligent or “at fault.”
Talk to a Dawsonville Truck Accident Lawyer for Free
At John Foy & Associated, our lawyers know what to expect during truck accident cases. We know insurance companies will use tactics to pay you less than what you deserve—and we’re here to stand for you. Trucking accidents can be especially extreme, often resulting in severe injuries, vehicle damage, and even wrongful death.
We’re here to stand in your corner and never take the insurance company’s side. And we’d like to offer you a FREE consultation to speak with one of our attorneys about your case.
Give us a call at 404-400-4000 or fill out the form to your right for your free consultation call today.
706-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form