Semi-trucks travel throughout the nation and frequently come through Macon. Semi-truck drivers need to be cautious on the road and mindful of those they share it with. If they engage in a negligent act that causes an accident, the resulting damages will be their responsibility. If you were involved in a semi-truck accident, contact a lawyer to get started on filing your claim.
Filing a claim can be difficult as the law can make it confusing to know how to even begin. The lawyers at John Foy & Associates can help you understand your case and all of the legal options you have for compensation.
To learn more about what you can do and how much you can get in your settlement, call our Macon truck accident lawyers today to schedule an appointment.
How Our Lawyers Help You File a Claim
When it comes to filing a claim, you need to ensure that you have these key things done first:
- All of your evidence is gathered up and supports your case.
- All of your medical treatment is complete.
- All of your damages have gotten calculated.
You need these things done first because you put yourself at a severe disadvantage if you file without them.
Filing without strong evidence means that the defense and the insurance company will be able to disprove the merits of your claim. Filing too early before all your medical treatment gets finished means that should you settle before completely healing, you will have to pay for the remainder of the costs out of pocket. Lastly, if you miscalculate your damages and a settlement gets reached, you cannot recuperate any of those losses.
The Macon personal injury lawyers at our law firm will ensure that you meet these three essential things first before you start a claim. We will help you get organized quickly to get the compensation you need as soon as possible.
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Types of Damages from Semi-Truck Accidents
Semi-trucks are large vehicles that can cause a host of different severe damages. Damages fall into two distinct categories, economic and non-economic. You can recover compensation for both so long as they get calculated correctly.
Economic Damages
Economic damages have a fixed monetary value and include:
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capability
- Medical costs for treatment, equipment, rehab, physical therapy, prescriptions, etc.
- Vehicle repair
- Property damages
Remember always to save your receipts. These will help us when we calculate the value of your settlement.
Non-Economic Damages
These damages do not have a fixed monetary value and include:
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disability and disfigurement
These damages will vary depending on their severity and the context in which they apply to your life. While there is no concrete set value to place on these damages, we will assess all of them in regard to your case and include them in your settlement. A free consultation lawyer in Macon can offer an estimate after a case review.
Proving Negligence and Fault After Your Accident
Semi-truck drivers have training, rules, and regulations they must follow while on the road. Any deviation, intentional or unintentional, from those set standards can count as negligence. Even though you are the victim, you still need to prove that they were negligent and thus at fault for your accident.
To do this, you will need to collect important evidence such as witness testimonies, photographs, medical records, and a police report. Under the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §40-6-273, all drivers on the road have a duty to report any accident with injury, death, or apparent damages of $500 or more to law enforcement. The report that the police will file regarding your accident is a critical piece of evidence, and you should always get a copy of it.
Once you have all of your evidence, you can establish that an accident happened through the semi-truck driver’s negligent actions, which directly resulted in your damages. Rest assured, our lawyers will be with you every step of the way throughout this process. We will negotiate for you and take your claim to court if a settlement cannot be reached.
Consult with an Attorney Before You Talk to the Insurance Company
Before you discuss anything with the insurance company, you should consult with a semi-truck accident lawyer first. Remember that insurance companies are trying to protect their interests, not yours. They will try and get you to settle for less than what your settlement is truly worth. Do not let them shift the blame of your accident onto you and get away without having to pay compensation.
We will make sure that the insurance companies do not take advantage of your lack of legal knowledge. Our team in Macon knows how to handle them and will fight for your interests at the negotiating table.
Talk to Our Semi-Truck Accident Lawyers Today
You only have two years to file a claim for your accident. Get started on your claim today with one of our lawyers. We will help you hold all parties responsible for your damages accountable for their actions. Trust in our years of experience to get you the best settlement possible.
For a free consultation, call or contact us online today.
478-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form