Because of how much bigger a semi-truck is compared to a traditional motor vehicle, accidents can pose extreme dangers to the victims involved. Injuries from a truck accident will vary in severity, but in many cases, the resulting effects can be life-changing.
Recovering from your injuries and recovering financially can be difficult to juggle on your own, ultimately leaving you at risk of neglecting important aspects of both.
Retaining the help of an Acworth truck accident lawyer can help the victim prevent overlooking important details of litigation, and it can give a claimant more time to focus on healing, physically and emotionally.
Ali Awad, the founding and managing attorney of the CEO Lawyer Personal Law Firm, has built a locally trusted Acworth firm and nationally recognized brand in just a few short years by committing to serve community members like you with dedication and care. Our attorneys can help you seek the maximum compensation possible for your case from all at-fault parties, including the company responsible for your injury.
Having an initial consultation with the CEO Lawyer is completely cost-free and comes with no obligation to continue with any services. The purpose of the first meeting is to better understand the specifics of your case.
This is also a great time for a claimant to ask any questions or voice any concerns about the legal process behind settlement recovery. To schedule your initial consultation, call (470) 828-4288 or contact us online.
Working With an Acworth Truck Accident Attorney Can Benefit Your Case in Many Ways
An accident can be an overwhelming experience, but the claim process that follows can be just as difficult. Having an attorney by your side while you sort out the aftermath of a truck accident in Acworth can reduce your stress while inspiring confidence about the results you will achieve.
Your attorney will be there to answer questions and explain how aspects of the claim process unfold. They will also be your advocate during each step, helping you understand your options and stand up for your legal rights against all parties.
Your Acworth personal injury lawyer is an experienced legal professional who has overseen many cases similar to yours, and applying that knowledge to your case can be a valuable resource. Throughout the course of your personal injury claim, a trusted Acworth truck accident attorney can be there to:
- Review and organize all collected documentation: It is essential that an accident victim keep every bit of documentation related to the event. An attorney can look over every piece of evidence to search for proof of fault and the damages you have suffered.
- Manage communication with all other parties: In order for an auto accident claim to progress smoothly and without delays or hiccups, it is essential for all parties to communicate effectively. Throughout the investigation and negotiation stages of the claim process, your attorney can manage all communication with outside parties and relay important information back to you, keeping you informed and in control without placing the burden of response upon you every single time.
- Guidance on how state laws and legal requirements may apply to your situation: Every state will have different statutes on the process of a personal injury claim. An attorney can help you understand what will be important to your case in Acworth so you aren’t focused on irreverent or unhelpful information.
- Investigate your accident, including a thorough evaluation of claims of negligence: Proving that a person or entity acted with negligence and is therefore liable for damages caused during an accident can be difficult, but an attorney is trained to notice the key details relevant to establishing fault and documenting the damages suffered.
- Negotiate a settlement on your behalf: It can be daunting to present a settlement figure for the inexperienced and argue over the value during a formal negotiation, but your attorney can take the fight off of your hands, acting on your behalf while proposing a number that is likely to reach a settlement while paying as many of your related bills as possible.
What Commonly Causes Trucking Accidents in Acworth?
With an average of over 160,000 semi-truck accidents per year in the U.S., there are a multitude of variables that can cause these tragic accidents. One of the key details that must be sorted out promptly after an accident is how the events played out.
The biggest question that everyone wants an answer to after a crash is what went wrong — whether it was a driver’s decision or a malfunction of a vehicle.
Unfortunately, an accident is an unexpected and unpredictable event that is nearly impossible to prepare for, but as drivers, it is important to be aware of the dangers. Truck collisions can happen anywhere and anytime. Some of the most common causes across the nation include:
- Driver fatigue: Truck drivers often have long shifts and are sometimes incentivized by their company to work long hours in violation of regulations in order to make a quicker turnaround. Because of these risks, it’s important for all drivers to follow safety tips for sharing the road with big rigs to stay cautious and aware around large trucks.
- Intoxicated driving: Stimulants and relaxants are popular among truck drivers due to their irregular schedules and constantly interrupted sleep patterns. An analysis from the American Addiction Centers reports that about 26% of truck drivers consume drugs, whether for recreation, performance enhancement, or both.
- Distracted driving: Distractions can be anything from changing the radio station to eating while driving. While truck drivers practically live their lives on the road most weeks, it is important to make time for breaks so that they do not attempt to multitask while they drive.
- Poor vehicle maintenance: Trucks must go through strict maintenance protocols to keep the vehicles safe on the road. When a vehicle is improperly maintained, this creates an unsafe environment for all drivers on the road, including the truck driver.
- Road hazards: Dangers on the road are a big contributor to accidents, including unmanaged roads and unfit weather conditions. It is important to assess the road conditions and pull off to the side when you notice it is too dangerous to continue.
Potential Injuries From an Accident With a Tractor Trailer
The resulting injuries from a truck accident in Acworth can leave the victim with long-lasting pain or permanent conditions that may highly affect their quality of life. Healing from an auto accident will be a different experience for every victim, but some injuries are more commonly reported than others.
When treating truck accident victims, some of the most common injuries seen by medical professionals include:
- Head injuries, including concussions and other TBIs
- Neck injuries, including whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Breaks and fractures
- Back injuries
- Internal injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Crushing injuries
What Kinds of Damages May Be Included in a Compensatory Settlement?
It is understandable to wonder how you’ll pay back all of the debts and expenses that have been incurred over the course of your accident. As the bills line up, a victim can feel pressure to settle early and take an undervalued amount to relieve the pressure.
An attorney can help ensure that your claim is valued accurately and help prevent you from paying for related expenses out of your own pocket later down the road.
Your auto accident claim may include compensation for damages, including:
- Medical expenses and the cost of continued treatment
- Lost wages, including future wages lost due to limited ability or full inability to work
- Physical rehabilitation
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering and mental anguish
- Loss of companionship
Who Could Be at Fault for a Truck Accident Claim in Acworth?
The party named at fault for a truck accident depends on the circumstances of the crash and other relevant factors. In many cases, the trucking company will assume liability for the negligent actions of its drivers.
There may also be other vehicle operators involved in a claim, which can end up splitting liability amongst several parties. Possible named parties in a truck accident injury claim include:
- Carrier companies who assume responsibility for the actions of employees and most drivers operating under their contracts
- Truck owner-operators who must carry their own commercial liability insurance policy when working as an independent contractor
- Truck cab and trailer manufacturers, if a defect led to the crash or caused injuries to be worse than they would have been otherwise
- Negligent maintenance companies, if falsified records or other professional negligence led to a condition causing the accident or intensifying its consequences
- The company that leased or loaded the trailer if the state of goods or the trailer itself contributed to the accident
- Other drivers whose actions caused the accident or contributed to subsequent collisions once the first impact occurred
- Property owners whose neglect or failure to follow regulations contributed to an accident’s likelihood or the intensity of damages
Determining liability can be challenging, especially when trucking companies try to pin the blame on everyone else. Working with an attorney can help you determine who is at fault based on the letter of the law and the outcomes of previous cases similar to yours.
What Should I Do After an Accident With a Semi-Truck?
Experiencing a crash with a truck is nothing less than frightening and overwhelming. Many victims of auto accidents may feel confused about the next steps or what they can do to protect their case from the early steps.
After an accident with a truck, the victims of the collision can follow the steps listed below to gather evidence, advocate for their own health, and protect their claim’s value:
- Always Call 911: Reporting an accident is vital; having a police respondent come to the scene creates an official, objective report that captures key evidence and contact information. Also, claims cannot start until a crash report is filed, so always be sure to call 911 at the scene and request that law enforcement come to help with the wreck.
- Do Not Admit Fault: Any explicit or implied acceptance of fault could hurt the final value of your claim. Remain calm, and try to avoid discussing fault at the scene. Instead, focus on the facts of what you saw and experienced and only relay this information to the responding officer.
- Get Prompt Medical Care: If anyone is hurt or could be hurt at the scene, request an ambulance. Always accept transport to a nearby ER if EMTs recommend it. Otherwise, seek care and a full diagnosis as soon as possible. Report all symptoms in detail, and make sure your accident is noted as the case of any injuries.
- Gather Accident Scene Evidence: When physically possible, try to capture photos and videos of the accident scene from the first moment. Get shots of the scene and wreckage as a whole, including nearby landmarks. Take close-up photos of the damage and your injuries as they develop. Also, speak to any eyewitnesses and get their contact information.
- Try to Get the Truck Driver’s CDL and Vehicle Info: All truck drivers are supposed to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL), so be sure to get this number along with the number of their liability insurance policy. Also, write down any numbers and license plates you see on the cab and any trailers being towed.
- Call an Attorney Before You Talk to Insurers: Insurance companies that represent commercial carriers are prepared to mobilize quickly and make all efforts they can to reduce the potential size of a payout. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you are represented, aware of your rights, and prepared to assert your claim to damages recovery.
Call an Acworth Truck Accident Law Firm After You Have Been Hurt
An accident with a truck can leave you with new debts and expenses to bear, along with long-lasting pain — or even the development of new disabilities or other long-term health conditions from your injuries.
Ali Awad and his experienced legal team are standing by to help you confidently walk through the steps of litigation. Having an attorney by your side empowers you and protects your legal interests when facing big businesses that want to limit their own exposure to liability.
Schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with an Acworth attorney who wants to see you succeed when you call (470) 828-4288 or contact us online today.
