Trucking Accident Attorney Jonesboro

A serious truck accident can change a person’s life forever. A truck’s massive size, heavy cargo, and limited visibility make them a serious hazard to those who are forced to share the road with them. An accident victim can be left with sky-high medical bills, unable to work due to their serious injuries and immense pain. If you’ve been in an accident, speaking with a truck accident lawyer Jonesboro at the Ferguson Law Group can ensure that you receive maximum compensation for your injuries and other losses.

During this stressful time, our team of legal experts will take over settlement negotiations with insurance companies or the defense’s attorney, allowing you to focus on your recovery. We will work tirelessly to build a strong case that will hold the truck driver or any other responsible parties liable for all damages.

The Complexity of Truck Accident Claims

While most people assume that filing a personal injury claim for compensation after a commercial truck accident is similar to filing a claim after a car accident, this is far from the truth. Pursuing compensation for your truck accident injuries and other damages can be very frustrating and stressful, with the trucking company and insurance companies fighting you every step of the way.

Securing Evidence

A truck accident requires an in-depth investigation and examination of evidence that’s critical to the case, such as maintenance records on the truck, driving records, and the driver’s logbooks. A trucking company is required to keep detailed records for specific periods of time, however, after this point, they are free to destroy their records. The driver’s logbook entries or other records can also be falsified, or the wrecked semi-truck may be disposed of quickly.

Police reports become important pieces of evidence, especially if the trucker was issued a citation for any traffic violations that caused the accident.

Other types of evidence in a truck accident can include:

• Statements from eyewitnesses
• Data from the electronic onboard recording devices
• Vehicle inspection reports
• Truck maintenance records
• Driver medical history
• Employment records
• Driving records
• Driver logbooks

It can be difficult for the accident victim to secure this evidence on their own, which is why seeking legal representation as soon as possible after an accident can significantly increase the accident victim’s chances of receiving the compensation they deserve.

Layers of Insurance

Another major difference between a commercial truck accident and an accident involving two passenger vehicles is that the trucking company is required to maintain insurance that has a significantly higher policy limit. The result of obtaining these higher insurance policies is that some people may be able to obtain much larger awards for severe injuries compared to what they would receive in a traditional passenger car accident where the policy limit caps their recovery amount. In some cases, multiple insurance policies may be involved. These cases can quickly become very complex, especially when a person is dealing with several claims’ adjusters.

Federal Regulations

Semi-trucks also must comply with strict federal regulations, so the accident victim must know if their accident involves some type of violation of federal law. Truckers have mandatory limits on how many hours they are allowed to drive daily and weekly. Additionally, the semi-trucks must be maintained regularly according to federal regulations. The failure to comply with federal regulations with any of these rules can be considered negligent.

At the Ferguson Law Group, our attorneys know what it takes to go head-to-head with major trucking companies, and we’re prepared to go to battle for you.

Liability in Truck Accident Cases

A commercial truck accident is different from the average car accident since these accidents often result in catastrophic injuries, in addition to extensive property damage. Unlike the traditional fender bender where one driver is held liable, several different parties can be held responsible for a commercial trucking accident.

Some of the different parties that can share liability include:

• The truck driver
• Cargo loading company
• Trucking company
• Truck owner
• Maintenance company
• Shipping agency

In truck accidents, multiple liable parties are very common since many drivers are independent contractors who do not own the semi-trucks they’re driving. Additionally, one company may own the cargo or the trailer, while another company owns the tractor.

Our skilled truck accident attorneys in Jonesboro will thoroughly investigate an accident to identify all potentially liable parties and avenues of compensation.

How Our Jonesboro Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help

At the Ferguson Law Group, we will aggressively represent clients who have been injured in commercial trucking accidents in Georgia. We will conduct a thorough investigation of the accident, gathering all evidence that’s needed to prove negligence. We will also work tirelessly to identify all parties that may share liability for the accident, holding them fully accountable for the harm they have caused.

We will also deal with insurance adjusters on your behalf, working towards a fair accident settlement that covers all expenses you’re facing, or will face down the line, related to your accident. If an insurance company doesn’t present a fair settlement offer, we will file a truck accident lawsuit, showing a jury why you deserve maximum compensation.

Damages in a Jonesboro Truck Accident Claim

A truck accident will often leave the victim struggling to make ends meet. Serious injuries can require months or years of ongoing medical treatment, and some people are unable to return to work due to the severity of their injuries.

When a trucking accident case goes to trial, the accident victim can be awarded compensatory damages, which is a combination of non-economic and economic damages.

Economic damages include:

• Modifications made to the home and vehicle to accommodate disabilities
• Travel expenses for treatment
• Past and future medical expenses
• Reduction in future income
• Lost wages
• Property damage

Non-economic damages are not quantifiable:

• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Jonesboro

While the trucker is usually at fault for commercial truck accidents, there may be other factors that can cause the accident. For example, a trucker may be unable to control their truck because of improperly loaded cargo or mechanical issues.

Some of the most common causes of semi-truck accidents include:

• A trucking company requiring or promoting an unrealistic schedule
• Brake failure
• Failure to properly maintain the truck
• Inadequate training
• Mechanical defects
• Inclement weather
• Unsecured loads
• Overloaded trailers
• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Driver fatigue

To avoid liability, a trucking company or their insurance representative may try to place the blame on the accident victim. They will look to diminish or deny the accident victim’s claim to save themselves money. Because of this, you must hire a truck wreck attorney in Jonesboro who has experience dealing with these companies, one who knows exactly how to fight back against their tactics.

Catastrophic Injuries Caused by Truck Accidents

Not many accident victims walk away from a trucking accident unharmed. In most cases, a victim will sustain injuries that involve a long recovery period. In a severe accident, the victim may never fully recover, or the injuries sustained can result in death.

Some types of injuries will not only restrict a person’s ability to walk, but it could also impact their ability to take care of themselves. These accident victims can require 24-hour full-time assistance with all daily activities.

Common injuries sustained in a truck accident can include:

• Amputation
• Disfigurement and scarring
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Neck injuries
• Broken bones
• Internal organ damage

Family members who have lost a loved one due to a commercial trucking accident can seek justice through a wrongful death suit.

What to do Following a Truck Accident

A trucking company has a duty to operate its vehicles in a safe manner and is required to properly train its drivers. The company must also regularly inspect its trucks and trailers. The trucking company’s drivers must have delivery schedules that are considered reasonable. The company must also ensure that its drivers always comply with highway safety regulations.

Unfortunately, even though many federal and state safety rules govern the trucking industry, commercial truck accidents are still very common.

After a commercial truck accident, the accident victim must know how to protect their health and their rights.

Contact the Police

Following a commercial truck accident, the first thing you should do is contact local or state law enforcement. The police must come to the scene of the accident. This ensures that there is an investigation into what caused the accident. A police officer will create an official accident report that can be used as evidence in your case.

Gather Evidence

While a commercial truck accident often results in catastrophic injuries, if you’re physically able to move around the scene of the accident, use the camera on your phone to take photos of vital pieces of evidence.

Photographs can be invaluable pieces of evidence for your attorney, especially when you have taken photos from a variety of distances and angles. A photo can capture many elements of an accident before the accident scene has been cleaned up and evidence is lost.

Medical Attention

Anyone injured in a commercial truck accident needs professional medical attention right away. If there is a medical emergency, an ambulance should be contacted to transport you to the nearest medical center. Anyone in the vehicle who has sustained mild or moderate injuries should still be checked out in the emergency room. Even if you’re not sure how extensive your injuries are it’s still crucial that you are seen by a medical professional and get a comprehensive evaluation. Aside from protecting your health, you need this type of medical documentation to support your claim.

Document the Accident

After the accident has occurred, you should also keep a journal that documents your life after the accident. By documenting all this information and including dates, you can easily recall certain facets of your experience that can be difficult to remember as time passes.

This type of documentation can be used as valuable evidence in your claim.

Contact a Jonesboro Truck Accident Lawyer

After an accident, you should speak with an experienced Jonesboro truck accident attorney as soon as possible. You shouldn’t go up against a major trucking company and insurance companies alone. A truck wreck lawyer will know exactly how to handle insurance companies to negotiate a fair settlement. Keep in mind, truck accident claims are notoriously complex. You need an attorney who is familiar with the specialized rules and regulations that govern these types of accidents.

Speak with a Semi-Truck Lawyer Today

If you’ve been involved in a truck accident in Jonesboro GA, contact one of the top attorneys at the Ferguson Law Group today to protect your rights and your claim. Our attorneys have a proven track record of successfully negotiating truck accident settlements on behalf of our clients. We are not afraid to take your case to court to ensure that justice is served.

We will fight aggressively to ensure that you receive maximum compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation and find out how our legal team can help.