Large trucks like big rigs and 18-wheelers are hazardous during an accident. The sheer weight and size of these vehicles can cause life-threatening injuries and other damage in Alpharetta. If you or a loved one were hurt in a trucking accident, talk to an Alpharetta big rig accident lawyer today.
Big rigs carry heavy cargo across county and state lines. Truckers and trucking companies might be careful to avoid harmful actions that lead to accidents. If someone is negligent and it causes a collision, the results can be devastating.
A crash can leave you and your family with questions about:
- Who is responsible for your accident and damages
- How much money you can recover for your injuries
- The best way to build a personal injury case
- Whether or not you need to take your case to court
- How a personal injury lawyer can help you
- When an insurance settlement is fair (and when it’s time to negotiate)
At John Foy & Associates, we can help answer these questions after a trucking accident. For over 20 years, we’ve helped accident victims win the compensation they deserve. We’ll determine your rights and recovery options during a FREE consultation.
Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online for your free consultation.
Proving Fault After a Big Rig Accident
All drivers in Alpharetta have a duty of care to drive safely. That includes big rig or tractor-trailer drivers. When a driver is negligent (another word for careless), their actions can cause an accident.
Big rig accidents are more complicated than your average car accident. While most crashes involve one or more at-fault drivers, other parties could be at fault for a truck crash.
The responsible party in a big rig accident could be:
- The truck driver if they are an independent contractor
- The trucking company if it is responsible for a driver’s actions or other practices
- A maintenance company if poor or faulty maintenance led to the accident
- A truck parts manufacturer if truck defects caused the crash
Truck drivers might be employees or independent contractors. Employers are typically responsible for the actions of their employees while on the job, according to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §51-2-2. But when a driver is a contractor, they do not have the same protections.
If the driver is a contractor, they could be personally liable for the accident. If the driver is an employee, the trucking company is probably responsible. Other parties might be responsible if other factors contributed to the collision.
In some cases, more than one party is liable. You’ll need to determine who was at fault so that you know where to take legal action. An experienced lawyer can investigate and help you move forward.
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How to Seek Compensation from an Accident
If someone else caused your big rig accident, you are entitled to compensation. You can file an insurance claim to recover your personal injury damages like:
- Costs of medical treatment
- Future medical care
- Lost wages from having to miss work time
- Loss of earning capacity
- Vehicle repairs or replacement
- Emotional damages like pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life
However, simply filing a claim is not enough. As an injured party, the burden is on you to prove fault. You’ll need to show that the at-fault party was negligent. Their negligence must have led to your accident and injury costs.
Here are some ways to build your claim and seek the compensation you deserve. An Alpharetta big rig accident lawyer can help.
Gathering Evidence
First, gather as much evidence as possible from the scene. You can do this immediately by:
- Taking pictures of the scene, injuries, and vehicle damage
- Getting the contact information for witnesses
- Exchanging contact and insurance information with the other driver(s)
- Getting emergency medical care at the scene, if necessary
Big rig accidents are often tragic. Injuries tend to be severe or life-threatening, so it’s important to show the full severity of the accident.
Calculating Damages
Keep track of all damages from the accident. For example, save all medical bills and other important documentation. You will need to include these in your claim.
Your lawyer can examine the evidence to calculate your damages. They’ll outline each loss and how much it’s worth. This will help you know how a fair settlement should look.
Filing an Insurance Claim
After calculating your damages, you’ll need to file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. This starts with a demand package.
The insurance company will often respond with a lowball offer. They’re hoping you’ll accept the offer and end your case. However, this will leave you paying out-of-pocket for costs you didn’t cause.
A lawyer can help by negotiating with the insurance company. In many cases, you can reach a fair settlement. If the insurer will not settle, you can take your case to court. To learn more about the process, contact John Foy & Associates for a free consultation.
Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
What a Big Rig Lawyer Can Do for You
Truck accidents are complicated situations. The crash can leave you with a lot of pain, stress, and confusion. We highly recommend reaching out to an experienced big rig accident lawyer.
A lawyer can help your case by:
- Gathering evidence from the scene
- Determining who is at fault
- Calculating your total damages
- Handling the insurance company for you
- Fighting for the full compensation you deserve
Insurance companies rarely make the process easy. They care most about their profit. After an accident, the insurer will try to deny liability or reduce their expenses. That can include blaming you or downplaying your damages.
A lawyer will protect your legal rights as fully as possible. Plus, insurers are more likely to make a fair offer if you have an attorney. Having a lawyer shows you are not afraid to fight for what you deserve.
Talk to an Alpharetta Big Rig Accident Lawyer
Call John Foy & Associates, the “Strong Arm,” after your accident. We are not afraid to fight for the compensation you deserve. We only represent injury victims, never insurance companies.
Working with us is risk-free for you. We do not charge a fee unless we win your case. You can get started today without upfront or out-of-pocket costs.
Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get started with a FREE consultation.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
