Truck Accident Attorney in Athens

Being involved in any type of collision can be shocking and upsetting. However, the experience is particularly jarring – and dangerous – when a collision involves a large truck or tractor-trailer. The smaller passenger car typically gets destroyed in this type of crash, and its occupants are left with severe if not fatal injuries. You may need a truck accident lawyer in Athens to help.

At R. Alan Cleveland, LLC, we have some of the best truck accident lawyers in Athens. Our Athens truck injury lawyers are passionate about protecting the rights of truck accident victims and their families. If you face high medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other losses as a result of your crash, you are not alone. We have over 75 years of combined legal experience and a record of successfully handling truck accident cases on behalf of clients throughout Georgia. We are ready to help you today. To get started, contact us for a free consultation.

How Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Help Your Case?

When you are seriously injured in a truck accident due to someone else’s negligence, your focus will be on securing a settlement or verdict that fully compensates you for your losses. In order to do this, you will need to prove the fault of another party such as the truck driver and/or trucking company. The Athens truck accident attorneys at R. Alan Cleveland, LLC, will skillfully guide you through this process.

Our Athens truck accident lawyers can:

• Launch an immediate investigation into your crash
• Consult with accident reconstruction specialists and other experts
• Calculate your damages
• Initiate a claim against the at-fault party by filing a demand for damages
• Help you to assess any settlement offers that you receive
• Fight for you in court if litigation of your claim is necessary
• Help you with all other aspects of your case, including dealing with medical care providers and bill collectors

We will also provide you with updates and ensure that you know what is happening in your case at all times. Our attorneys give our personal cell phone numbers to our clients because we want them to feel free to contact us at any time if they have questions about their case. We take pride in not only aggressively pursuing maximum compensation for our clients but also in providing them with the highest level of client service. Contact our Athens truck accident lawyer today.

What Makes Tractor-Trailer Accidents Different?

For a number of reasons, tractor-trailer accidents are different than accidents involving standard passenger cars. Those differences include:

• Size and weight – Tractor-trailers are much larger and heavier than standard passenger vehicles, which means that the force involved in a trucking accident is much greater. Those in the smaller vehicles typically suffer significant harm.
• Multiple parties – Several different parties may be held accountable for the crash, including the truck driver, trucking company, trucker owner, shipper or loader of cargo, and the manufacturer of the truck or its parts.
• Timely investigation – Trucking companies and their insurers realize that the stakes are high when crashes happen. They will take immediate steps to avoid or diminish their liability. For this reason, your attorney will need to quickly preserve and collect evidence, including photos of the tractor-trailer, camera footage, black box data, logbooks, and inspection records.
• State and federal regulations – Many tractor-trailer accidents happen due to violations of state and federal safety regulations. It will be important to identify if any violations occurred in your crash, which can help to establish liability. For instance, if a driver violated federal hours-of-service rules, evidence of that violation could strengthen your claim.

Our Athens truck accident attorneys at R. Alan Cleveland, LLC, have an extensive background in truck accident litigation. We understand these unique aspects of truck crashes, and we know what takes to pursue maximum compensation for our clients.

What Are the Top Causes of Trucking Accidents?

Truck accidents, like other types of accidents, are almost always preventable. They would not occur but for someone’s negligence.

Examples of driver negligence that frequently leads to truck accidents include:

• Speeding
• Taking a turn too fast for the conditions
• Driving while distracted
• Driving while alcohol- or drug-impaired
• Driving while heavily fatigued
• Performing an illegal maneuver
• Aggressive driving such as following too closely

Trucking companies can be held liable for the negligence of their drivers. However, they may be liable for their own negligence. For instance, a trucking company may fail to conduct an adequate background check before hiring a driver, or it may fail to properly train and supervise the driver. A trucking company also is responsible for ensuring that every vehicle in its fleet is properly inspected and maintained.

Our Athens truck accident attorneys at R. Alan Cleveland, LLC, will investigate your crash and work with experts to determine its cause. Once we know what caused the crash, we can file a claim against all responsible parties and seek the full and fair compensation that you deserve.

How Can You Prove Fault in Your Truck Accident?

Because Georgia is an at-fault accident state, you will be unable to recover compensation unless you can prove that another party caused your truck accident. Proving fault requires thoroughly investigating a crash and gathering evidence.

Important types of evidence in a truck accident claim include:

• Truck driver’s logs
• Vehicle service and maintenance records
• Eyewitnesses statements
• Accident scene photos and video footage
• GPS and black box data
• Cell phone records
• Toxicology test results

A truck accident lawyer in Athens at R. Alan Cleveland, LLC, will not only gather this evidence, but we will also carefully analyze it and organize it in a compelling way that tells the story of how your accident occurred and who should be held accountable for it.

What Damages Can You Recover in a Semi-Truck Accident Claim in Athens?

You deserve to be compensated in full for the losses that you have suffered due to someone else’s negligence.

Our Athens truck accident attorneys will aggressively advocate for your right to compensation, which may include:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost income and diminishment of future earning ability
• All other out-of-pocket expenses related to your injuries
• Non-economic losses such as pain, suffering, and emotional distress

The economic damages that you suffer – your actual financial losses – will be calculated by considering their actual monetary value. For example, if you suffer $100,000 in medical expenses, then you should be paid $100,000 in damages. Non-economic losses such as diminished quality of life, on the other hand, can be more difficult to calculate. We can guide you through the process of determining these damages and demand just compensation for you when dealing with the insurance companies.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Truck Accidents in Georgia?

Section 9-3-33 of the Georgia Code sets out the limitations period for filing lawsuits related to personal injury claims, including truck accidents. The statute provides a two-year window from the date of the truck accident to initiate a lawsuit.

However, the individual circumstances of your case could alter this timeframe. Typically, the right to sue starts on the accident date. But certain conditions can extend or shorten this deadline. Contact our Athens personal injury lawyer today.

Exceptions to the Georgia Truck Accident Statute of Limitations

There are some exceptions to the two-year limitations period, including:

• Minor victims – An injury victim under 18 years old at the time of the accident generally has until age 20 to file a lawsuit.
• Legally incompetent victims – Those legally declared mentally incompetent at the time of the accident have two years after regaining competency to file their case.
• Government agencies – Georgia law requires formal notice of a claim against governmental entities. You must give this notice within one year to the state and within six months to local governments.

To ensure you meet the deadline, it is crucial to engage a lawyer as soon as possible after being injured in a truck accident.

What Should I Do After a Truck Accident in Athens?

When you are involved in a truck accident in Athens, immediate and appropriate action is crucial. Taking the following steps will help you protect yourself and your claim:

Seek Medical Attention Immediately

First and foremost, prioritize your well-being. Even if you do not think you have suffered any harm, some injuries might not be immediately obvious due to the adrenaline and shock from the accident. Seek medical attention right away for a comprehensive health assessment and necessary treatment.

Report the Accident to the Authorities

Contact the police to report the accident. They will document the incident, conduct preliminary investigations, and create an official accident report. This report can be a vital piece of evidence if you decide to pursue a legal claim.

Document Everything Relating to the Accident

Accurate record-keeping is your ally in any injury claim. Collect as much information as you can about the accident. This documentation includes:

• Photographs of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damage to your vehicle
• Contact information and statements from any witnesses to the accident
• All medical records and bills related to the accident to help determine the financial impact of your injuries

Avoid Making Statements to Insurance Adjusters

You might receive a call from an insurance adjuster looking to settle your claim quickly and for as little money as possible. While they may seem helpful, remember that the adjuster’s goal is to minimize the amount of money the insurance company pays out. Do not provide any recorded statements or sign any documents without consulting your attorney.

Hire an Experienced Athens Truck Accident Attorney

Dealing with the aftermath of a truck accident can be overwhelming, particularly when dealing with insurance companies and complicated legal processes. An experienced Athens truck accident attorney can provide valuable assistance, help protect your rights, and fight to get the compensation you deserve.

Does It Matter How My Truck Accident Occurred?

Circumstances around truck accidents can vary significantly, with diverse factors potentially contributing to each incident. Consider the following:

• Trucker fatigue is a contributing factor in approximately 30 to 40 percent of all truck accidents. Fatigued drivers struggle to focus and can easily cause accidents due to decreased reaction times or falling asleep at the wheel.
• Upon roadside inspection, many trucks have violations considerable enough to warrant immediate removal from the road. These infractions often relate to critical safety standards, heightening the risk of accidents.
• Truck drivers often manipulate their driving logs to stay on the road longer than regulations permit. This practice often results in driver fatigue and could compromise road safety.
• Due to their size and design, trucks are challenging to control or maneuver, especially in adverse conditions or tight spaces. This inherent difficulty can lead to accidents if drivers are not skilled or alert enough.

However, the essential point is not necessarily how your truck accident occurred but whether negligence was involved. If a negligent party caused the accident, you could make a solid claim for your case. Always consult with an attorney first to fully understand your rights and the potential for compensation.

Why Are Truck Accidents So Dangerous?

Truck accidents pose a severe threat due to the sheer size and weight disparity between trucks and other vehicles. A fully loaded big rig can tip the scales at a whopping 80,000 pounds, dwarfing the average passenger car’s modest 4,000 pounds. Besides weight, large commercial trucks exceed other vehicles in size and height, exacerbating the danger they pose.

This discrepancy in size and weight can lead to catastrophic consequences in a crash. When a commercial truck collides with a smaller vehicle, the occupants of the smaller vehicle often suffer a much larger force of impact, resulting in severe injuries, substantial vehicle damage, and an increased probability of a tragic loss of life.

Trucks also require a longer stopping distance, making it more challenging to avoid sudden road hazards or respond quickly in an emergency. Additionally, their height and length can limit visibility and make it harder for truck drivers to see smaller vehicles or pedestrians. All these factors combine to make truck accidents some of the most dangerous events on the road.

Our Athens, GA Truck Accident Attorneys Are Ready to Help You

At R. Alan Cleveland, LLC, we understand how terrifying and life-changing a truck accident can be. If you or a loved one has been harmed in a truck accident in Athens or elsewhere in Georgia, our lawyers will be ready to establish your case and seek maximum compensation for you. Don’t let another day go by before you take action. Contact us today for a free consultation.