Fuel truck drivers have to follow strict state and federal regulations outlined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Fuel is hazardous, and mixing it into a truck accident can cause a disastrous accident to occur. If you’ve been in a fuel truck accident, please contact our law firm as soon as possible.
The Athens fuel truck accident lawyers at John Foy & Associates will help you file a claim to receive financial compensation for your damages. Don’t delay. Please call us today at (404) 400-4000. You will receive a free consultation and case review to help you get started.
Is It Possible to Win a Settlement without a Lawyer?
There is no requirement for fuel truck accident victims to retain a lawyer when they file a claim. You are free to pursue your settlement in whatever way you choose. However, you need to know that fighting for your settlement alone can put you at a major disadvantage against the insurance companies.
Even if you’re in a devastating accident with a fuel truck, most insurance companies still won’t pay the full amount of compensation you need. You shouldn’t expect any sympathy from them since most insurance companies are large businesses only looking to maximize their profits. The last thing they want to do is give you a fair settlement.
Our law firm has had decades of experience handling insurance companies. We can represent you during a trial or negotiations and ensure that your voice gets heard. Our fuel truck accident lawyers won’t let you get manipulated and exploited by an insurance company.
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Who do I Sue in a Fuel Truck Accident?
Figuring out whether you file a claim against the driver or the trucking company depends on the circumstances of your accident.
The Fuel Truck Driver
The fuel truck driver is typically responsible for any accidents since they’re the ones most directly involved. Drivers can cause fuel truck accidents by:
- Disobeying traffic rules and regulations.
- Driving drunk or high on drugs.
- Driving tired on the road well past the legal limits.
Regardless of how it happened, you will need sufficient proof that the fuel truck driver failed to provide you with a reasonable duty of care because of their negligence. This can prove to be quite difficult if you don’t know where to begin. Luckily, our attorneys know exactly where to start and what to look for, so your claim gets backed by solid evidence.
The Trucking Company
Trucking companies aren’t immune from being liable for a fuel truck accident. These companies have an obligation to:
- Hire the best drivers for the job with the proper licenses and certifications.
- Provide their drivers with time to rest and not push them to go past working hours.
- Maintain the fuel trucks they own so that there’s no risk of any accidents.
If the fuel truck company fails to do any of the above, you can also hold them responsible for your accident. Thus, you can recover financial compensation at their expense as well.
How Soon Should I Contact a Lawyer?
We recommend that you get in touch with one of our fuel truck accident attorneys immediately after your accident. The statute of limitations in Georgia only gives you two years from the date of your accident to file a claim. If you let the statute of limitations expire, there’s nothing our lawyers can do to help you.
Building a case and gathering evidence takes quite a bit of prep work to do. The longer you let time pass, the harder it becomes to get the critical evidence you need to win your settlement. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
Shouldn’t I Just Take the Initial Settlement Offer from the Insurance Company?
No, you shouldn’t. Never, under any circumstances, should you accept the initial settlement offer from the insurance company. In fact, try to avoid talking to them at all unless you absolutely can’t avoid it. Insurance companies aren’t offering you a settlement out of the goodness of their hearts.
What they’re trying to do is to get you to settle fast without any legal representation. Insurance companies do this because they know that you can win the settlement you genuinely deserve once you hire a lawyer. Always get in touch with a lawyer first before signing or agreeing to anything.
20 Years of Dedicated Legal Service
For over two decades, John Foy & Associates has helped personal injury victims in Georgia win fair compensation from greedy insurance companies. If you’re in Athens and need legal assistance with your claim, please don’t hesitate to call us today at (404) 400-4000. Take advantage of our 24/7 support and free consultations.
706-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form