Trucking Accident Attorney Augusta

Typically, commercial truck accidents don’t usually receive as much attention as passenger vehicle accidents, however, they are often more serious. By law, any vehicle weighing over 10,000 pounds is considered a truck, but many trucks are significantly larger and can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. In comparison, the average car weighs only 3000 to 5000 pounds. The larger weight and size of these trucks make it more likely that catastrophic injuries or fatalities will result when they are involved in an accident. A commercial truck may also be hauling hazardous or bulky cargo that can significantly increase the risks of injury and fatalities in an accident. If you have been involved in a truck accident, contact a trucking accident lawyer Augusta at the Ferguson Law Group as soon as possible to discuss how you can hold the responsible parties liable for your damages.

Negligence in Commercial Truck Accidents

Many truck accidents are the result of negligence. If the driver’s attention or inaction causes an accident, the accident victim may be able to recover financial compensation for injuries or the death of a loved one. These damages can include medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses.

A truck accident is defined as an accident or a series of incidents involving a vehicle that weighs over 10,000 pounds that results in bodily injury, property damage, or death. Most of these commercial truck accidents are found to have been caused by the fault of another.

For an accident victim to receive compensation, the case must meet the following criteria:

The accident occurred due to the recklessness or fault of another

The accident victim’s death or injury was caused by the accident

The injuries resulted in damages

Evidence in a Truck Accident Claim

Negligence can be proven through several forms of evidence, including:

• Police reports
• Video footage
• Photographs
• Driving logs
• Expert testimony
• Eyewitness testimony

In many of these cases, other types of evidence can also prove helpful to determine negligence. This other evidence can include signs of distracted driving, driver impairment, or improperly loaded cargo.

Causes of Augusta, GA Trucking Accidents

A truck accident can result from many contributing factors and a variety of circumstances. In some cases, the accident can occur after the law has been violated. Traffic violations that can cause an accident can include improper lane changing, improper turning, failure to yield, speeding, or driving too closely.

The risk of an accident from these types of law violations is significantly higher with commercial trucks than with passenger vehicles since trucks are much heavier and corrective actions can require more effort and time.

One of the most common causes of truck accidents is driver error.

Driver error is usually due to one or more of the following conditions:

• Driver fatigue
• Lack of training
• Improper cargo loading
• Reckless driving
• Intoxication

Driver fatigue is the leading cause of truck driver error. Several measures have been implemented to help guard against driver fatigue. Truckers are required to go off duty after driving for 14 consecutive hours. Additionally, they may not log over 60 hours of driving in seven days. A trucker is also required to go off duty for 34 consecutive hours after 7 to 8 days of duty.

Equipment failure is another common cause of truck accidents in Augusta. A trucking company or a semi-truck owner is required to perform regular maintenance according to strict maintenance schedules that can include components such as:

• Hitches
• Chassis
• Lighting
• Tires
• Engine
• Fuel line
• Brakes

Keep in mind, negligence in a truck accident claim isn’t limited to just the driver and the trucking company. An accident can also occur due to faulty road design and poor road conditions. When a road isn’t maintained properly or is designed poorly, government bodies can be found negligent.

Truck Accident Injuries

An injury resulting from a truck accident can be fatal or serious. Some injuries can result in permanent disabilities that include paralysis or brain damage.

Some of the most common injuries that are sustained by truck accident victims include:

Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury can result from an object making direct contact with the head, or a TBI can be caused by the violent movement of the head, causing the brain to bounce against the skull. A brain injury can cause permanent loss of motor skills and mental impairment.

Spinal Injury

A spinal injury can be very serious since it can result in partial or total paralysis. This type of injury can occur in the neck or lower spine.

Back Injury

A herniated disc and other types of back injuries can result from a truck accident. Some of these injuries can require several years of pain management and physical therapy.

Burns

During a truck accident, a fire may occur. This is especially common when the commercial truck involved in the accident is carrying some type of flammable cargo. These burns can be disfiguring and extremely painful.

Contusions, Lacerations, and Bone Fractures

Bruises, cuts, and broken bones are among the most common types of injuries in trucking accidents. Many of these injuries are very treatable, however, they are often accompanied by more serious injuries.

How a Truck Wreck Attorney Can Help

Many truck accident victims decide to let their case be handled by the insurance company, but this is usually a mistake. An insurance company increases its profits by paying out the least amount possible and neglecting to pay for legitimate damages.

An experienced Augusta truck wreck attorney can protect the accident victim’s rights and ensure they receive the full financial compensation they deserve.

Building a Case

A truck accident can have catastrophic consequences for the victim. The weight and size difference of commercial vehicles involved often results in more severe injuries and fatalities.

In most cases, truck accident fatalities are occupants of the smaller passenger vehicles involved.

The accident victim’s attorney will have the burden of proving that the trucker or trucking company was negligent in causing the accident victim’s injuries or death. Establishing liability and collecting damages on behalf of the truck accident victim tends to be very complex since there can be multiple parties responsible.

To collect and preserve evidence, the accident victim must speak with a qualified Augusta personal injury attorney. The truck accident lawyers at the Ferguson Law Group have several years of experience handling these types of complex cases and will immediately begin investigating an accident, gathering crucial evidence, and building a solid case in support of the accident victim’s claim for compensation.

A trucking company has the resources to hire a team of defense attorneys. Additionally, the accident victim will also have to deal with the trucking company’s insurance carrier. Both parties will conduct their own investigation, leaving the accident victim feeling overwhelmed and not knowing where to turn.

Settlement Offers

Insurance companies are quick to offer lowball settlements that are not nearly enough to cover the cost of medical expenses, property damage, pain and suffering, and other losses.

During this time, it’s important that you not speak with an insurance company after an accident. Instead, you should speak with an attorney as soon as possible to protect your claim. An insurance company will want to record your statement, using your answers against you, in their attempt to pay out as little as possible. A qualified attorney will take over communication with defense attorneys and insurance companies to protect their clients.

Compensation Available in Truck Accident Cases

The damages available in trucking accident cases can include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Disfigurement and scarring
• Loss of consortium

Factors that can Impact the Value of Your Claim

The amount of compensation a truck accident victim may be able to receive can depend on specific circumstances of the case and a variety of factors.

Some of the common factors that can impact the value of a truck accident claim can include:

• Amount of medical bills
• Quality of evidence collected
• Pre-existing injuries or medical conditions
• Occupation of the accident victim
• Age of the accident victim
• Liability of every party involved
• Severity and duration of the injuries the accident victim sustained

Do I Need to Hire a Truck Accident Attorney?

Seeking compensation from a large trucking company isn’t simple since these companies usually have vast resources and help from top-tier law firms. Working with a knowledgeable and experienced truck wreck lawyer means that you will have someone in your corner advocating for your rights and making your voice heard.

An attorney who has extensive experience with complex truck accident claims will know how to investigate a claim, identify all parties responsible, prepare the case for trial, and present a strong case based on the evidence they have gathered.

Our Attorneys will Fight for You

At the Ferguson Law Group, our truck wreck attorneys know that dealing with an unexpected death or a catastrophic injury can be overwhelming. However, if you put off contacting an attorney for too long you can potentially damage your case.

All trucking companies have their own legal team of investigators who will start building a defense almost immediately after an accident. Their legal team and investigators will conduct their own evaluation of the accident, taking any possible pre-emptive actions to avoid or reduce liability. This is done long before a claim is ever filed.

These companies hire aggressive legal teams and so should you.

If you put off contacting an attorney, evidence can be lost, repairs can be made, and details can be forgotten. All of this makes it more challenging to identify all of the parties at fault. Our team of experienced trucking accident lawyers won’t waste any time working hard to build a strong case on your behalf. The sooner you call, the sooner we can begin protecting your rights.

Contact an Experienced Augusta Truck Accident Lawyer Today

If you have been injured in a truck accident, contact the Georgia truck accident lawyers at the Ferguson Law Group right away to discuss your options. Our experienced lawyers will explain the types of damages you may be eligible to recover and will fight to ensure that all of your losses are compensated.

We will work tirelessly to help you secure maximum compensation so that you have the resources you need to rebuild your life and focus solely on your recovery. Our attorneys have helped countless accident victims to successfully recover compensation for their injuries by utilizing our resources, legal skills, and vast knowledge of the insurance industry. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how the legal team at the Ferguson Law Group can help.