Unfortunately, the sheer size of a commercial truck makes it more prone to accidents, which often lead to serious injuries. If you or a loved one has sustained injuries in such an incident, you could be dealing with chronic pain, devastating medical expenses, and a handful of other challenges.
Fortunately, a Valdosta truck accident lawyer from our firm can take on your case and pursue the compensation you need to recover from your accident. At John Foy & Associates, our Valdosta personal injury lawyers have been helping injury victims for over 20 years. We can help you and your family seek the compensation you deserve.
Compensation Our Valdosta Truck Accident Lawyers Can Pursue
If you suffered injuries in a trucking accident that wasn’t your fault, you have certain legal rights. According to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §51-1-6, you can recover financial compensation if your injuries and losses were caused by another party’s negligence.
Everyone in Georgia has a duty of care to others. That includes driving safely and not acting in a way that could cause harm. If a truck driver or trucking company is not careful, they might be at fault for an accident. Our truck accident lawyers in Valdosta, GA, can work tirelessly to identify the at-fault party, prove they should be held liable, and demand the following damages:
- Medical bills
- Emergency medical expenses, including ambulance transportation
- Cost of future medical care
- Prescription medication costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
Wrongful Death Damages
Tragically, many truck accidents are severe and result in fatal injuries. If you lost a loved one, you might have grounds for a wrongful death claim. A Valdosta wrongful death lawyer from John Foy & Associates can assess your case and pursue the following damages on your behalf:
- Medical costs your loved one incurred prior to death
- Pain and suffering the loved one experienced before death
- Lost wages that the loved one would have earned
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of companionship or consortium
- Mental anguish
Our law firm will consider every way the accident has affected you, including your emotional damages. We know how to outline each damage to help you avoid paying anything out of pocket. If you or your loved one were not at fault, you shouldn’t have to bear the accident costs.
Get the strong arm
Common Causes of Truck Accidents We Can Investigate
Our firm has handled countless truck crash cases over the years. We know how to investigate and file a claim for nearly any type of accident. You can rely on a truck accident lawyer from Valdosta, GA, to help you make a full financial recovery after a truck crash caused by any of the following factors:
- Driver fatigue
- Distracted driving
- Excessive speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Reckless driving
- Poorly-secured cargo
- Drunk driving
One of the most common causes of truck collisions we see is fatigued driving. Since truck drivers spend many hours behind the wheel and trucking companies set strict deadlines that pressure drivers to work long hours, these accidents are more common than you’d think.
While the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has hours of service regulations for drivers, companies don’t always comply with these rules. Drivers might forgo breaks or even falsify records to meet deadlines. If your accident was caused by drowsy driving, you can count on us to find the evidence required to file a strong claim.
Parties Who Can Be Held Liable for Your Accident
It’s important to note that the truck driver isn’t always the liable party after a truck crash. For example, poor truck maintenance could lead to problems that a driver cannot detect. If your crash was caused by a maintenance issue, the company in charge of keeping the truck in good working order could be held liable for your losses.
In addition, a manufacturing company could be held liable if the collision was caused by a defective truck part. When our team reviews your case, we will investigate the cause of your accident. We’ll look at driver records, work logs, company regulations, and more. Our lawyers leave no stone unturned when working on your case.
Depending on the evidence and information we gather, our attorneys may determine that one of the following parties is liable:
- Truck driver
- Trucking company
- Truck maintenance provider
- Truck parts manufacturer
- Cargo loaders
- Another driver who was involved in the incident
How a Valdosta Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help You
In addition to identifying the liable party, there are a handful of other steps a truck accident lawyer from Valdosta, GA, can take to make your personal injury claim as successful as possible. Here’s what an experienced attorney can do to obtain the financial remedies you need to move forward:
- Collect driver logs, maintenance records, and police reports
- Analyze witness statements
- Reconstruct the accident scene
- File an insurance claim on your behalf
- Work with medical experts to calculate future medical costs for severe injuries
- Calculate your total damages
- Communicate with the insurance company on your behalf
- Negotiate for a fair settlement if you get a lowball offer
- Represent you in court if your case goes to trial
- Ensure all important court filing deadlines are met
- Provide effective legal advice and answer any questions you have about the legal process
Thankfully, most accident claims end with an insurance settlement. However, some situations require further action. If the insurance company does not offer what’s fair, we can help you take your case to court and fight for maximum compensation.
Our Valdosta Truck Accident Attorneys Can Handle the Insurance Company
Unfortunately, insurance providers rarely play fair after an accident. If the truck driver was at fault, their insurance company should cover your accident costs. However, the insurer will look for ways to avoid paying everything you deserve.
Truck accidents are often severe, causing serious financial losses and catastrophic injuries. If you were a victim of a crash, you must ensure you’re fighting for the full recovery. Insurance companies will use tactics to reduce what they have to pay. These tactics can include:
- Downplaying your injuries and damages
- Asking you to give a recorded statement to use against you
- Trying to convince you that you don’t need a lawyer to reach a settlement
- Offering you a lowball settlement upfront
- Taking a long time to answer your truck accident claim
Our team knows how to combat every insurance company trick. With over 20 years of experience representing accident victims and dealing with insurers, we know what to do.
Our Valdosta truck accident attorneys can stand firm against any dishonest tactics and protect your rights. In addition, insurance companies are more likely to make a fair offer if you have a lawyer. Having legal representation shows insurers that you’re taking your case seriously and are willing to fight for fair compensation.
How Long You Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit
If you’ve been hurt in a trucking accident, you’ll have a limited amount of time to file a personal injury lawsuit for compensation. Under the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) § 9-3-33, you have two years from the date of your accident to hire an attorney and file a civil suit against the at-fault party.
If you don’t submit your lawsuit within this period, you won’t be able to seek damages. Instead of losing your right to pursue compensation, contact a Valdosta truck accident attorney today. As long as you reach out to us soon, we’ll be able to file your suit before the statute of limitations expires.
Get Help from a Valdosta Truck Accident Lawyer Today
When you work with the team at John Foy & Associates, you can have peace of mind that your claim is in excellent hands. With 20-plus years of experience, we know how to investigate accidents, navigate complicated legal proceedings, and build cases that get real results.
Don’t wait to get started on your case. Contact our team today to schedule a free consultation with a Valdosta truck accident lawyer. We’ll meet with you to discuss your legal options and answer any questions you have about your case.
229-232-8678 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form