Waycross, GA Truck Accident Lawyer

Waycross Truck Accident Attorney

Commercial trucks are crucial to Georgia’s economy and the supply chains of the United States. Every day, commercial truck drivers across the country deliver millions of tons of cargo to many communities. Most drivers in the Waycross area encounter large tractor-trailers and other commercial vehicles daily, and it is important for all drivers to acknowledge the dangers that these vehicles can present. Any car accident in Waycross has the potential to cause serious harm, but this danger is much greater when a large commercial truck crashes.

If you or a member of your family recently sustained injuries and economic losses from a truck accident that someone else caused in the Waycross area, the first steps you take after the accident can significantly impact your recovery. You have the right to seek accountability and compensation for your losses, but you will need a seasoned Waycross truck accident attorney to help you recover successfully.

Helping Truck Accident Victims Recover in Waycross, GA

The team at Spohrer Dodd Trial Attorneys can provide the compassionate legal counsel you need during this difficult time. We take the time necessary to learn as much as we can about each new client’s unique challenges and concerns as they begin their recovery efforts. Truck accidents tend to be more difficult to resolve than standard passenger car accidents in several ways, but our firm is ready to provide the comprehensive support you need to recover as fully as possible.

Proving Liability for a Truck Accident

The first challenge you face in the aftermath of a truck accident is proving fault for the crash. You must identify the driver or drivers responsible for the accident and then prove the full scope of the damages they caused. Truck accidents can occur for many of the same reasons that standard car accidents happen, including distracted driving, speeding, and moving violations. However, they are also vulnerable to tipping or rolling over due to improperly balanced cargo, poor maintenance, or truck driver error.

Another factor that might complicate a truck accident case is vicarious liability. Trucking is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the country. When trucking companies and other employers fail to follow applicable regulations, they can face vicarious liability for the actions of their employees. It is also possible for a truck accident to happen because of intentional misconduct, such as driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs.

Your Waycross truck accident attorney can assist you in gathering the evidence needed to prove the exact cause of your accident. This may require:

• Physical evidence from the scene of the accident
• Testimony from witnesses who saw the accident happen firsthand and others involved in the crash
• Expert witness testimony

Your attorney may seek to obtain traffic camera footage and other digital evidence to help you prove your case. Once you have identified the party responsible for causing the crash, you can start recovering compensation for your damages.

Recovering From a Waycross Truck Accident

Recovery from any vehicle accident in Georgia typically begins with an auto insurance claim. As a fault state, Georgia requires every driver to have personal auto insurance that includes coverage for bodily injury and property damage in an accident they cause. Commercial truck drivers and their employers must also have this insurance, and some have more expansive policies than the average driver. However, this does not mean that you can definitely recover all your damages through auto insurance alone or that dealing with insurance companies will be easy.

Your Waycross truck accident attorney can deal with insurance company representatives on your behalf and ensure that they treat your claim fairly. Once you receive your settlement from the insurer, any outstanding damages must be recovered through a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. Under Georgia’s personal injury laws, the plaintiff in this type of case has the right to seek compensation for:

• Any medical expenses not covered by insurance. The plaintiff has the right to seek repayment of all immediate and future medical treatment costs arising from the accident in question. If you suffered any severe injuries, the defendant is not only liable for immediate treatment costs but also any future rehabilitative care and therapy that you may need to recover as fully as possible.
• Lost income and lost earning power. The victim may not be able to work while they recover from their injuries, or they could be left unable to work at all due to permanent disability. Your Waycross truck accident attorney can help you calculate the total future income you lost because of the defendant and add this to your claim.
• Property damage. Your claim can cover vehicle repair costs and other property losses that were not covered by the defendant’s insurance.
• Pain and suffering compensation. Georgia law allows you to seek as much pain and suffering compensation as you deem appropriate to reflect the physical pain and psychological distress the defendant inflicted in the accident. Your Waycross truck accident attorney can help you determine a suitable amount to reflect the severity of your injuries and the scope of any long-term damage you suffered from the incident.

Once you have an experienced Waycross truck accident attorney handling your case, you might be surprised to learn that you have the right to claim far more compensation than you may have initially expected. When you work with Spohrer Dodd Trial Attorneys in any civil claim for damages, we can work to uncover every viable avenue of recovery to enhance your final case award. You can rely on our team to help you prove liability, guide you through the insurance claim filing process, and build a comprehensive personal injury claim that seeks maximum compensation for your damages.

FAQs for Truck Accident Lawyers

Q: How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim for a Truck Accident?

A: If you cannot obtain complete compensation for your damages through an auto insurance claim, you will need to file a personal injury claim against whoever caused your accident. Under Georgia law, you have two years from the date an accident happened to file your claim. Failure to file the personal injury claim within the statute of limitations means losing your ability to claim compensation from the defendant. Even if two years seems like more than enough time, it is always preferable to file the claim as soon as possible to improve your chances of success.

Q: What Happens If a Truck Accident Causes Fatal Injuries?

A: If your loved one died in a recent truck accident, your family would likely have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim in place of the personal injury claim they could have filed if they had survived. A wrongful death claim aims to recover compensation for the losses suffered by the victim’s family. However, state law restricts the damages that are available in these claims and upholds certain procedural requirements that you must fulfill to succeed with the case.

Q: How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Truck Accident in Georgia?

A: Georgia’s personal injury laws allow the victim of a truck accident or other personal injury to seek full compensation for all economic losses they suffered in the incident. You may be able to recover compensation for your vehicle repairs and medical expenses through insurance, but any remainder can be sought through a personal injury claim. This claim can also enable you to recover compensation for long-term damages such as ongoing medical expenses, lost future earning potential, and your pain and suffering.

Q: What Happens If Multiple Drivers Share Fault for a Truck Accident in Waycross?

A: It is possible for the facts of your case to reveal that more than one driver is liable for the damages in question. It is possible for multiple defendants to share fault for a plaintiff’s damages, and it is also possible for a plaintiff to bear partial fault. If the plaintiff is less than 50% at fault, they may still claim compensation from the defendant, but they will lose a percentage of their case award to reflect their share of fault. If they are 50% or more at fault, they lose the ability to claim compensation from the defendant.

Q: How Much Will It Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?

A: The majority of personal injury attorneys in Georgia operate on a contingency fee basis. This means that the client only pays their attorney a fee after they win their case, and the fee paid is a percentage of the total compensation won from the defendant. If the attorney is unable to secure compensation for their client, there is no fee at all. This billing system makes legal representation more accessible to those who need it most without adding to their financial concerns following a serious injury.

Spohrer Dodd Trial Attorneys: Your Waycross Truck Accident Attorneys

The attorneys at Spohrer Dodd Trial Attorneys have considerable experience handling truck accident claims and many other types of personal injury claims for our clients in the Waycross area. We take time to learn as much as possible about each client’s unique story, providing detailed guidance for all aspects of their case as it unfolds. If you are ready to learn what a Waycross truck accident attorney can do for you, contact Spohrer Dodd Trial Attorneys today to schedule a consultation with our firm.