If you or a family member suffered injuries from a tow truck accident in Macon, you have rights. You might deserve financial compensation to cover your damages. At John Foy & Associates, we can help you fight for it.
Our Macon tow truck accident lawyers have been helping accident victims for over 20 years. We know what it takes to win cases. Plus, we won’t charge a fee unless we win you compensation. To get a free consultation, fill out our online contact from or call us. You can take charge with a truck accident lawyer in Macon.
What Type of Settlement Can You Expect from a Tow Truck Accident?
The type and amount of settlement you can expect after a tow truck crash depend on the unique details of your claim. After reviewing your case, a Macon personal injury lawyer can better estimate the settlement you could receive.
Your settlement will depend on:
- Your total damages
- The percentage of fault
- The insurance company’s response
- Whether or not you have a lawyer
Let’s look at each of these factors and how they relate to your accident.
Tow Truck Accident Damages
You must know your damages before seeking a settlement. Personal injury damages are any losses you have because of the accident.
According to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §51-12-2, there are two types of damages:
- Special damages with a set dollar amount
- General damages that do not have a set value
Special damages include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Vehicle damage
General damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Scarring or disfigurement
Some damages are more straightforward to calculate than others. Typically, general damages are worth about three to five times that of your special damages. Your lawyer will use a formula to determine the number.
Once you know your damages, you’ll understand the type of settlement you deserve. You can file a personal injury claim or lawsuit to request compensation.
Partial Fault Laws in Georgia
Georgia is a modified comparative negligence state. That means that several parties can be partially at fault for an accident. It also means you can recover damages if you were less than 50% at fault.
If you are partly at fault, it will affect your settlement. The insurance company or courts will reduce your compensation by your percentage of fault.
For example:
- Say you suffered $100,000 in damages from a tow truck accident.
- You were five percent at fault, and the tow truck driver was 95% at fault.
- Your damages would be reduced by five percent, equalling $95,000 that you can claim.
If you think you’re partially responsible, talk to a lawyer first. Don’t admit fault or say “sorry” to anyone without consulting a lawyer.
It’s human nature to apologize after an accident. However, you might not hold any fault at all in what happened. If you imply fault, the other driver or insurer might use it against you.
Handling the Insurance Company
Insurance companies often make the claim process difficult. The at-fault party’s insurance company will look for ways to deny liability.
We have seen insurer tactics like:
- Offering a lowball settlement upfront
- Accusing you of causing the accident
- Asking for a statement and using it against you
- Leading you to downplay your injuries
Insurance companies might also delay answering an injury claim. They hope the victim will give up or finally accept a low settlement out of desperation. Don’t let these tactics fool you.
Before talking to the insurer, contact John Foy & Associates. We’ll protect your rights and handle the insurance company for you. To learn your next steps, contact us for a free consultation.
Call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online for your free consultation.
Getting Help from a Lawyer
Legal help levels the playing field for accident victims. Tow truck companies have extensive insurance companies and their own teams of lawyers. When someone is injured by a tow truck, it can feel like a David and Goliath situation.
Having a lawyer on your side protects your rights. You’ll have your own professional to handle the legal details.
A Macon tow truck accident lawyer can help by:
- Gathering evidence from the scene
- Collecting proof of your damages
- Determining your total damages
- Working with other experts to build your case
- Handling all communication with the insurance companies
- Fighting for the full compensation you deserve
It’s best to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Every case is different, so there’s not one set settlement that everyone can expect.
Our team has personally won millions of dollars in results for our clients. Many of our significant verdicts come from cases involving large trucks. Also, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means that we only get paid when we win. A contingency lawyer in Macon then received a percentage of the compensation or settlement.
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Steps You Should Take After the Accident
The moments, days, and weeks after a tow truck accident can be overwhelming. You and your lawyer will gather information and work on fighting for your rights.
Before you even contact a lawyer, there are actions you can take.
Report the Accident
Always report an accident with injuries, deaths, or at least $500 in property damage. Most tow truck-related accidents in Macon fall into one of these categories.
Call 9-1-1 to report the accident to the police. If you need emergency medical attention, tell the dispatcher that you need an ambulance, too.
Check for Injuries
Check yourself and others for injuries. Call for an ambulance if anyone needs one. Do not wait to get medical attention after this type of crash.
Get Information at the Scene
Someone can clean up an accident scene quickly. You can help your case by gathering information while you’re still at the scene.
Get evidence like:
- Pictures of your injuries and vehicle damage
- Photos of the entire accident scene
- Contact and insurance information from all other drivers
- Names and contact information from eyewitnesses
Also, make sure to get the tow truck driver’s permit information. It should be on the side of the vehicle. If you notice anything else odd, take pictures or write it down. You can mention it to your lawyer later.
Next, call a tow truck accident lawyer. You can go over the details with an attorney. Even if you don’t hire them, you can learn a lot about your options during a consultation.
Talk to a Macon Tow Truck Accident Lawyer for Free
After your accident, contact John Foy & Associates for the help you deserve. There is no charge unless we win your case. Call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online for a free consultation.
478-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form