Truck accidents are a sobering reality on the roads of Alpharetta, Georgia. They can cause major injuries and ample property damage, but they can also carry a life-changing emotional — and financial — strain.
Moreover, beyond the split-second accident itself, the road to recovery can come with its own pain points. Truck accident victims rarely have the patience to immediately hop into a complicated personal injury claims process, and for those who have sustained severe injuries (or property damage), it’s often unrealistic to expect that they’ll be able to keep up with all the legal obligations involved in a claim solely on their own.
This situation is where an Alpharetta truck accident lawyer can shine. Your attorney can not only help you organize all the necessary paperwork and evidence you’ll need to file to initiate the process, but they can also help protect your rights along the way.
When it comes time to negotiate with an intimidating insurance company, they can serve as your advocate and fight to secure you the maximum compensation you may be owed for your damages.
So don’t waste another moment. Reach out to our team today to see how we can help you start the claims process. At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, we want to equip you and your family with the tools (and peace of mind) you need to rebuild after your accident.
Call (470) 323-8779 or contact us online to speak with a member of our team about the specifics of your accident during a free, no-obligation case review with an Alpharetta personal injury lawyer.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident (And When to Reach Out to an Alpharetta Truck Accident Attorney)
When disaster strikes, it can be difficult to remain organized. Luckily, we’ve boiled all your immediate next steps down into a quick checklist. So here’s what to do immediately after your truck accident:
Step 1: Ensure Safety and Seek Medical Attention
- Check for Injuries: First, assess yourself and any others at the scene for any injuries. Then, call 911 immediately. If anyone is hurt, request an ambulance.
- Get to Safe Ground: If it’s safe to do so, move to a secure location away from traffic to prevent any further harm.
- Secure A Medical Evaluation: Even if you don’t feel injured, you’ll want to get a medical evaluation as soon as possible. At times, small aches and pains may give way to more serious, underlying issues. In addition, securing a detailed medical report immediately after your accident can help you establish a clear link between the accident and your injuries when it comes time to file a claim.
Step 2: Gather Crucial Evidence
- Take Photographs and Document the Scene: Use your smartphone or camera to take pictures of the accident scene. Make sure to properly document any vehicle damage and take note of the road conditions and traffic signs. Write down the names and contact information of any other drivers involved. For truck drivers, write down any identifying numbers on their cab and trailer and see if they will provide you with their personal CDL number.
- Obtain Witness Statements: Speak to any witnesses around the scene and ask for their contact information if you can; try to record their statement at the accident scene to ensure that they are able to describe the scene while it’s still fresh in their mind and while they’re still surrounded by any key details that may have impacted the accident.
Step 3: Report the Accident
- Notify Law Enforcement: While you should feasibly call the local police (or highway patrol) as soon as you’ve confirmed that everyone is safe or any injuries are addressed, it will likely take a second for the authorities to show up. So, if you have the time, make sure to document the scene while you wait.
Then, when they do show up, allow them to conduct an investigation so they can create a thorough accident report. This will be an essential document for your insurance claim. - Remain Calm, and Don’t Admit Fault: Fault must be determined through an investigation, so never assume that you caused or contributed anything towards the outcome of an accident. Answer all questions from police truthfully, and do not actively conceal any information you know to be relevant. At the same time, don’t volunteer anything that isn’t vital to the accident report, as it may potentially be used to misconstrue your level of contributed fault.
- Contact the Insurance Companies Involved: Each driver should inform their insurance company about the accident as soon as possible. You’ll want to give your provider all of the basic details, but avoid discussing the specifics of the accident until you’ve consulted with a lawyer.
Step 4: Consult a Truck Accident Lawyer
- Reaching Out: Once you’ve followed the above steps, it’s time to contact an attorney. Your lawyer will guide you through the legal process and assess the overall strength of your case to help you understand your rights and options.
- Reviewing Your Case: During your initial consultation, you’ll be able to discuss the specifics of your accident with your attorney. They can use this information to determine where negligence initially occurred, and if they believe that the other driver is at fault in the situation, they will be able to help you proceed through the claims process.
Be sure to detail any injuries or property damage that you incurred from the accident. Your attorney will take this into account when deciding the best path forward.
The Legal Process for Truck Accident Cases
For those who have never filed a personal injury claim, the road ahead can be confusing.
You’re sure to meet with a mix of different attorneys and insurance companies, and each will wield its own complicated jargon. In this way, following the steps involved in the claims process can seem unnecessarily difficult, and at times, it is.
But the reality is that these steps pave a set, standardized road you can use to secure compensation for your damages.
So, let’s break the legal process down into a few clear next steps.
Step 1: Initiating a Claim
- First, you’ll need to identify who is liable for your damages so your attorney will help you determine who is responsible for the accident. Keep in mind that this may include the truck driver, but it could also involve the trucking company or another third party.
- Next, you’ll need to determine your overall damages. To calculate the full extent of your damages, your attorney will review any medical expenses you may have incurred, as well as the larger impact of any lost wages, property damage, or pain and suffering.
Step 2: Mediation and Negotiations
- In many cases, your truck accident claim will be resolved through mediation, which is a less formal process that encourages compromise or arbitration. Your lawyer will represent your interest during these negotiations and be able to push back if things get heated.
- Evaluating Settlement Offers — Your attorney will also assess any settlement offers from the at-fault party or their insurance company. They can advise you on whether the offer will adequately compensate you for your losses to ensure that you’re not accepting an offer that leaves money on the table.
Step 3: Litigation: The Last Resort
- If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your attorney will prepare your case for litigation. This will involve gathering evidence, preparing witnesses, and strategizing for the courtroom.
- In court, your lawyer will present your case before a judge and jury. There, they’ll be able to argue your position, cross-examine witnesses, and ultimately fight to secure a favorable verdict for you or your loved ones.
While an attorney will be a helpful asset at any stage in the claims process, this is where they will be particularly invaluable. No one wants to face the courtroom on their own, and doing so will almost certainly ensure a stressful process.
Statistics for Truck Accidents in Alpharetta
As a state, Georgia sees about 180 to 230 fatal truck accidents every single year. However, while that number is certainly intimidating, these accidents only account for about 14% of the state’s fatal motor vehicle accidents.
So, at times, experiencing a serious accident with a large truck can seem particularly isolating. Nevertheless, in 2022 alone, the United States saw 81,000 crashes occur between a truck and another vehicle. So, if you’ve experienced a recent truck accident, know that you’re not alone.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Alpharetta
Truck accidents can encompass a wide range of scenarios. With everything from rear-end collisions to jackknife accidents to underride accidents, there’s typically a way to trace the accident back to a sudden moment of negligence or oversight.
Distracted driving, speeding, and driver fatigue are all common causes of truck accidents. Given the size of these vehicles and the long hours that drivers often endure, even a split-second mistake can give way to life-changing damages.
Because of this, truck accidents also often result in more severe injuries and property damage. Consequently, insurance claims for truck accidents may involve higher compensation amounts to cover medical bills, rehabilitation, and property repairs.
Additionally, the trucking industry is subject to a web of federal and state regulations like hours-of-service rules, weight restrictions, and maintenance requirements. These parameters can make it easier to trace an accident back to a certain violation.
So, if you’ve been involved in a serious truck accident, don’t feel like you need to handle the recovery process alone.
How Does an Alpharetta Truck Accident Lawyer Help Me Build a Strong Case?
From the moment you are injured to the final acceptance of a settlement — or court award — every step of a truck accident injury claim matters. Hiring an attorney means having someone present during each major moment, helping optimize your moves while keeping you informed of all your legal options.
When you choose to work with an injury lawyer, they can provide your case with the following key services and benefits:
- Explanation of your legal rights and options, including the common outcomes other cases like yours led to and what factors are most important to success
- Comprehensive case management through the entire lifeline of your case, potentially including a jury trial or even an appeal, based on the unique factors involved
- Tireless legal representation and advocacy in the face of defendants, insurance companies, or counter-claims seeking to pressure you into giving up
- Rigorous investigation of all case factors and liable party contributions, helping you build a strong legal claim based on both legal precedent and hard-hitting evidence outlining negligence or other wrongful behaviors
- Accurate valuation of all damages suffered by you and your household in order to ensure that your losses can be properly compensated and that you won’t be left with future expenses or leave money on the table commonly claimed by other injured parties
- Resources and representation to reduce your own stress and burdens, thanks to our outstanding staff, who can reduce the volume of calls, paperwork, and tough conversations you have to handle during your all-important recovery time
- Referrals to trustworthy local resources for healthcare, vehicle repairs, and more
- Aggressive pursuit of all damages, including via a lawsuit or jury trial if either is necessary to increase your chances of successful damages recovery
- Assistance with making the most of your settlement or award, including options that can reduce the hits you’ll take through taxes, court fees, or other costs
Importantly, all our services come at no up-front cost to you. We represent our clients on a contingency basis, meaning that we only receive our own payment for services rendered if we are able to successfully obtain compensation for your losses.
This arrangement enables clients from a diverse range of backgrounds and financial means to obtain the legal representation that could literally change the trajectory of their lives. It also motivates us to do everything we can to maximize the size of your settlement and ensure that you are able to succeed on your claim.
Contact an Alpharetta Truck Accident Law Firm Today
At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, we’ve helped countless victims recover from serious truck accidents. We know that these accidents will typically involve a more complicated claims process, but our legal experts are here to help.
Contact our team today to see how we can work with you and your family to fight for any compensation you may be owed for your damages. Call (470) 323-8779 or contact us online to speak with a member of our team during a free, no-obligation case review with a truck accident lawyer near you.
