Riding around in Sandy Springs and metro Atlanta almost inevitably means sharing the road with massive tractor-trailers and other large commercial vehicles. Because of their size, difficult maneuverability, and the frequency with which they travel, these huge vehicles all stand the risk of inflicting major damage in the event of a truck accident.
Anyone who has been injured in a truck accident knows just how steep the costs can be. Between medical bills, lost work income, vehicle repair costs, and other damages, a truck accident can lead to major financial setbacks.
One recourse injury victims can take advantage of, though, is to file an injury claim against the trucking company and all other at-fault parties involved in the wreck. Ali Awad, the CEO Lawyer, and the rest of his Personal Injury Law Firm understand the difficulty that can come with these types of claims.
Carrier companies are notorious for fighting liability and trying to settle as low as possible. Sometimes, they may even deny access to key evidence, like the truck’s “black box” telemetry data.
We’ll fight back against their tactics, simplifying your claims process while maximizing your chances of recovering all damages.
Find out more about how we can help you go up against big trucking companies and other commercial interests during a free, confidential case review with no obligation. Schedule your free case evaluation today when you call (833) 254-2923 or contact us online.
Working with an attorney gives you instant access to a wide range of knowledge, experience, and resources.
At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, we have won millions in settlements and jury verdicts for our clients. Our familiarity with the claims process and ability to anticipate common legal tactics commercial truck companies use help us increase your chances of obtaining a successful result.
You’ll receive a partner who will help see your claim through from start to finish. Our goal is always to move quickly, gathering evidence of fault and helping you estimate the full value of damages you have suffered, as well as those you are likely to suffer in the future.
We’ll help you avoid common mistakes while working to protect your own legal and financial interests through every step of the process.
Benefits and services you can expect to receive when you retain our legal representation include:
Overall, you significantly reduce your worries and the stress involved in filing your claim, and you’ll raise your chances of a successful result by securing your own attorney to represent you. You can expect compassionate, dedicated service and experienced counsel from our proven and driven attorney team.
Truck accidents can involve extremely complicated crash scenarios. Because of the vehicles’ size, commercial trucks are more likely than other vehicles to be involved in a multi-car accident.
Another driver or negligent party may have triggered the initial accident, meaning that multiple parties could hold a portion of fault for your damages.
By working with an experienced attorney, you can thoroughly investigate your accident and explore all angles for determining liability. Then, you will be able to file an injury claim — or a lawsuit — against each party involved.
Common categories of parties named in truck accident injury claims include the following.
In many situations, the company that owns the truck or that contracted the haul will assume the majority of liability for damages following a truck accident.
The doctrine of “respondeat superior” means that employers are responsible for the negligent acts of their employees, as well as the acts of certain individuals operating directly under their control. Because of this doctrine, a trucking company is supposed to pay for the costs of an accident, even if it was the driver’s own actions or mistakes that led to the collision.
Further, trucking companies and others that hire commercial drivers can hold liability because of their negligent actions in screening, hiring, training, or instructing those who are acting directly in their interests. A company that encourages drivers to skip mandatory rest breaks, for example, or that fails to properly drug test candidates, can demonstrate a pattern of negligence that makes them liable for the damages of an accident.
Thus, even when a company tries to classify someone as an independent contractor, they may still hold responsibility — in part or in full — for the accident’s costs.
In the small percentage of cases where a truck driver does assume liability directly, they are likely to be an independent owner-operator of the vehicle, which means they are expected to have a commercial liability policy of their own.
In Georgia, the minimum insurance that must be available to cover the medical costs of an accident that occurs during a commercial haul is $300,000. Many carriers and independent haulers will carry more, $750,000 – $1,000,000 per accident, in order to avoid being exposed to direct liability.
Often, drivers designated as independent contractors can also be determined to have been misclassified employees by virtue of the lack of control they have over their working terms or a lack of ownership of the vehicles and equipment used to haul the goods.
Commercial truck companies are responsible for maintaining the road readiness of their own equipment, but in cases where trucks or trailers are rented, the company that technically owns the vehicle may hold liability if it was determined that their own negligence contributed to the accident.
Lack of maintenance, failure to keep up-to-date with safety requirements, or failure to properly warn and instruct equipment users are all common reasons that a company that leases trucks and trailers could hold liability.
Similarly, when a third-party maintenance contractor performs poor work that the actual owner of the equipment would be unable to detect, they may hold a portion of liability for the outcome of a truck accident.
Sometimes, a design flaw or manufacturing defect in a vehicle could have been a major contributor to an accident’s circumstances. Examples include brake lines that fail or trailer designs that create an unreasonable risk of serious injury in the event of an accident.
Further, a failure to properly warn users or instruct them in the safe use of the equipment can be considered a form of defect, which would make them liable for injuries that result.
When a driver of a passenger vehicle’s action triggered the initial collision, or when their actions caused a secondary impact to happen when it should not have otherwise, they can share liability for a truck accident.
Your attorney will look at each collision that occurred and consider its cause on a separate basis. Then, they will determine the percentage of fault other drivers involved in your accident should assume based on their negligence and its role in contributing to your injuries.
If a defect on a public or private roadway led to the accident or contributed to its severity, the agency or property owner most responsible for its maintenance can be named as a party in an injury claim.
Knowing how each party’s actions and decisions contributed to an accident is critical because each will be assigned a portion of liability for the resulting damages.
If, for example, a careless SUV driver and a drowsy semi-truck driver both contributed equally to causing a wreck where you were injured, they could split the total cost of your damages 50/50.
Each party involved will be assigned their own portion of fault, which can make truck accident claims become complicated quickly. Further, trucking companies and others involved in the wreck may try to allege that you contributed to a fault of your own, reducing your available award by that percentage.
A personal injury lawyer can assist greatly in deciphering who, exactly, holds what percentage of fault, pursuing them each for damages. They can also help you fight against allegations that you contributed to the fault, or at the very least, seek to reduce your assumed percentage of fault as much as possible so that you are able to claim the most damages you can in the aftermath of your truck accident.
A truck accident will likely lead to damages in one or more of the following categories:
What you say and do after a truck accident can have a huge effect on your ability to claim full compensation. It is particularly important to avoid making statements indicating fault and to also seek a medical evaluation immediately after your accident.
Below are some more key steps to take that can help you maximize your chances of successful damage recovery:
Ali Awad, the CEO Lawyer, and his team are passionate about helping injury victims in their time of greatest need. The last thing we want is for you to leave money on the table, eventually paying out of pocket for damages inflicted by someone else’s negligent behavior.
Let us help you recover more, medically and financially, in the wake of your serious accident with a commercial vehicle. We are available to represent you and to help you stand up for your own interests in the face of corporate intimidation.
Find out how much your case could be worth — and how we can help you maximize your chances of success — during a free, no-obligation case evaluation. Call (833) 254-2923 or contact us online to schedule your free case review today.
Tell Us More About Your Injury Below So That We Can Get You The Most Money
After a personal injury, you're bound to have legal questions. The CEO Lawyer Ali Awad can provide you with answers to these questions, just as he's given answers to his millions of curious social media followers. Take a look at some of the most common personal injury law questions for general information, and then reach out to one of our seasoned attorneys for specific guidance on your case!
To quickly resolve matters following an accident, insurance companies will offer you less than you deserve in compensation for your injuries. Many victims feel pressured to accept these offers as the bills begin to pile up, but that is rarely a good idea. The insurance company is looking to protect its bottom line; and will offer injured victims less than they deserve. An experienced personal injury attorney understands how to negotiate with the insurance company and can look out for your best interests by getting you the compensation you deserve after an injury. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, it is important to avoid negotiating or providing recorded statements to the insurance company without first seeking help from a qualified personal injury attorney.
The best way to determine if you have a personal injury case is to speak with a knowledgeable attorney. Our legal professionals have the expertise to evaluate your case and determine a strong legal strategy so that you can obtain the greatest amount of compensation possible under the law. We will enlist investigators, assistants, and other specialists to collect accident reports, speak with witnesses to your accident, and put together a plan. While you focus on your physical recovery, we will remain committed to fighting for the compensation that you deserve.
Accident victims have a limited time to file a personal injury lawsuit. This time period is referred to as the statute of limitations, and in Atlanta, it lasts only two years. This means that if you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, you have only two years to pursue a personal injury suit. If you wait too long to reach out to an experienced attorney, you might be forever barred from seeking the compensation you deserve.
During your initial consultation with CEO Lawyer team, we will go over the important details of your personal injury accident, which include the nature and extent of your injuries, how your injuries have impacted your ability to earn a paycheck, the cost of your medical treatment, and whether further medical treatment will be required. We will answer any questions you might have, as well, in regards to our experience, our track record of success, and what to expect from the legal process. Many personal injury victims wonder if they will be able to afford the legal fees required to pursue a lawsuit. CEO Lawyer injury and accident attorneys will not ask for any type of upfront fee unless we are successful in obtaining compensation for you. That means that if you have been harmed in a motor vehicle accident, slip and fall accident, defective product accident, or any other type of personal injury accident, you can absolutely afford to contact our law office today for assistance. In fact, you cannot afford to wait. Reach out today. We understand that some accident victims might have already obtained the assistance of an attorney but may be dissatisfied with the services provided. We are standing by and prepared to help you change legal representation, regardless of where you are in the process.
If you or a loved one has been injured in any type of personal injury accident, you should not hesitate to speak with the experienced attorneys at CEO Lawyer personal injury law firm. Call, email, or fill out our online contact form today so that we can begin helping you pursue the compensation you deserve.