What Should I Do if I’m Injured in a Penske Truck Accident?

If you have been injured in a Penske truck accident, it is crucial to remain calm and do everything possible to hold the liable party accountable. Since Penske trucks are typically driven by people who rent them and, therefore, do not have enough experience to drive large trucks safely, Penske truck accidents are very similar to other types of motor vehicle accident claims.

 With the support of an Atlanta Penske truck accident lawyer from John Foy & Associates, you can get the guidance you need to navigate the claims process and get the fair compensation you deserve. Not only could the Penske truck driver be held accountable, but the owner of the Penske truck, the owner of the Penske company where the truck was rented, and other third parties could all share culpability. Contact us for a free consultation today and learn more about what to do if you are injured in a Penske truck accident.

Penske Trucks Cause Accidents More Often than You Think

Penske Transportation is a company that offers rental trucks and handles transportation logistics. These types of commercial truck accident claims can be notoriously complicated, as individuals renting Penske trucks, Penske transportation, and other third parties could all share the blame. Some of the different situations in which you may require the help of an Atlanta truck accident lawyer include:

• Being hit by a driver who rented a Penske truck
• Being hit by a Penske-employed truck driver
• Being struck by a third party who leased the truck from Penske

Penske truck accidents can be notoriously complex, which is why it is so important to have a knowledgeable Atlanta personal injury attorney working for you. Our law firm will carefully investigate to identify the cause, fault, and value of your damages. From there, we will have a better understanding of how to best approach your Penske truck accident claim.

Here Is What to Do After a Penske Truck Accident

For your Penske truck accident case to be successful, we must prove liability based on a preponderance of the evidence, according to Georgia Code §24-14-1. Much of the most valuable evidence is only available for a short period of time. For this reason, the initial steps you take after the collision could have a significant impact on the outcome of your case.

Contact Emergency Responders

Your first responsibility is to contact emergency responders. This means dialing 911, contacting local police, an ambulance, and the fire department if necessary. These law enforcement officials can document evidence that we can later tap into and use to support your Penske truck accident case.

Gather Supporting Evidence

While you wait for an ambulance to arrive, you should do what you can to collect valuable evidence that can help prove the defendant’s liability or your version of events. This would be an excellent time to save your dash cam footage, take photos of your damaged vehicle and the damage to the Penske truck, and record traffic conditions at the accident scene.

You should also make an attempt to talk with witnesses to the accident and request their contact information. This way, your personal injury attorney can reach out to them for a deposition as soon as possible. The sooner we speak with witnesses, the better, as they may forget important details when the collision is no longer fresh in their minds.

Get Medical Attention

Even if your injuries do not seem catastrophic, you need medical attention. Do not make the mistake of waiting to get medical help. If you do, your condition could rapidly worsen and lead to more debilitating injuries, or possibly even death, if left untreated. You can go with emergency responders to the local ER, contact your primary care doctor, or visit a nearby urgent care facility, but get a comprehensive medical evaluation.

Hire a Penske Truck Accident Lawyer 

Once you are stable, do not wait another moment to consult a dedicated Penske truck accident attorney. You are going to want a high-powered legal advocate in your corner who will work tirelessly to maximize your compensation. While you heal from your injuries, we can begin investigating, start working on depositions, prepare insurance claim filings, and prepare your case for trial.

Determine Fault for the Accident

One of our first steps will be to investigate and figure out how the accident occurred. This will allow us to identify potential parties who could be sued for your damages. Not only could you have grounds for a claim against the Penske truck driver, but you may also have the right to sue Penske Transportation, depending on the specific details of your case.

Calculate Your Damages

Before we prepare your insurance claim or file a lawsuit, we need to know how much compensation your damages are worth. To evaluate these costs, we will need to consider your economic and non-economic damages. Some examples of these could include:

• Trauma
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of income
• Lost quality of life
• Mental anguish
• Medical expenses
• Loss of household services
• Loss of consortium
• Punitive damages per Georgia Code §51-12-5.1

Negotiate with the Insurance Company for the Best Possible Compensation

The at-fault party likely has some type of insurance coverage in place. However, that does not mean the insurance company will pay out on your claim without question. In fact, you should expect some pushback from the insurer, as it will lose money by paying out on your Penske truck accident claim.

Bring Your Case to Trial if Needed

Insurance may not be enough to cover your losses. We may need to bring forward a personal injury lawsuit to get the most out of your claim. Fortunately, you will not need to deal with the same types of restrictions that come with an insurance claim if your personal injury lawsuit is successful.

Consult a High-Powered Penske Truck Accident Law Firm Today

After everything you have been through, taking legal action may seem like too much to handle, especially while you are still in the throes of your recovery. Fortunately, you can heal while your Atlanta Penske truck accident lawyer from John Foy & Associates handles the legal details. We are available 24 hours a day and have successfully recovered over $1 billion in damages for our clients over the last 25 years.

 When you need a powerful legal advocate you can rely on to offer sound legal advice and support, our firm is a top choice. Our in-demand law office will stop at nothing to recover the fair compensation you deserve. Submit our quick contact form or call our office to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation as soon as today.