Truck accidents occur for many reasons, but most of them involve some sort of negligence. The truck driver may have been behind the wheel for far too long, or the trucking company may have neglected routine maintenance. These are not harmless mistakes – they are reckless acts of disregard for other drivers.
This is where a skilled Macon truck accident attorney can step in. We’ll investigate your case and work hard to determine who is liable for your damages, whether that’s the truck driver, their management company, or both.
Call (478) 216-1664 or contact us online for a free consultation.
Steps to take after being hurt in a truck crash
1. Move to a safer location
See if your vehicle is driveable. If it starts, get your car off the road to a safer spot. A parking lot close by would be best, but at the very least, try to get to the shoulder of the road. Moving your vehicle to a space away from the road is better than staying in the path of oncoming traffic.
2. Call 911 and ask for police and an ambulance
If possible, see how many others involved in the accident are hurt and tell the 911 dispatcher. They’ll send ambulances as well as police to the accident scene. Also, try to give the dispatcher as detailed a picture as you can of your injuries. That will help first responders provide the most effective treatment.
3. Tell your side of the story to the responding police officer
The officer is going to ask you questions about how the accident occurred. Be truthful, but don’t say anything that could hurt your case like “I’m sorry” or “I didn’t mean to.” Don’t accept any blame. Simply tell the officer the facts regarding the wreck without giving any opinions.
4. Notify your insurance company
You’ll need to get in touch with your insurer as soon as possible to report the accident. If you wait too long, that could give your insurance company an excuse to deny your claim.
5. Gather evidence at the scene
It’s going to be difficult to take pictures of the accident scene, but you should if you’re physically able to do so. Any evidence you can collect will be vital to your chances of obtaining full compensation. Get photos of vehicle damage, skid marks, stop signs and traffic lights, and other important road and weather conditions.
6. Visit urgent care or your primary care physician
You should accept a ride to the hospital so you can undergo a thorough examination as quickly as possible. If you don’t want to go, at least visit the nearest urgent care facility or your family doctor. You’ll get the treatment you need while establishing that you have an injury. This will be important from a legal perspective.
7. Consult with a Macon truck accident attorney
Next to getting the medical treatment you need, nothing else will be more important than speaking with a Macon truck accident attorney. Your lawyer will investigate the accident to find out how it occurred and who was responsible. This investigation needs to begin immediately before critical evidence disappears forever.
Make sure you meet the deadline to file a claim
All states have a deadline for filing a personal injury claim known as the statute of limitations. In Georgia, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident.
If you wait too long, you won’t be able to take any kind of legal action and will be responsible for all of your accident-related expenses.
Possible damages you can claim
The expenses you’ve incurred due to your accident are known as damages. They typically come in two forms – economic and non-economic.
Economic damages
You’ve probably already accumulated a lot of medical bills. Plus, you may not be able to work because you’re too badly hurt. These medical expenses and lost wages are examples of economic damages. Your attorney will use your bills and pay stubs to prove them.
Non-economic damages
Proving non-economic damages, such as emotional trauma and pain and suffering, is a different story. You’ll want a Macon truck accident attorney with extensive experience to show you deserve compensation for your non-economic damages as well.
We fight trucking insurance companies to get you the maximum compensation
The policies that cover trucks can be worth $1 million or more. Insurers will fight extremely hard to protect them.
When you look for a Macon truck accident attorney, check to make sure they have a track record of defeating large insurance companies. You need an attorney who will fight just as hard and won’t be intimidated.
Parties who may be liable for the crash
You should also choose a lawyer who has extensive experience investigating truck accident cases. The reason is that more than one party may be liable. As mentioned earlier, the truck driver or the trucking company could be responsible, as could third parties.
For example, the company that loaded the cargo onto the truck could have been negligent, as well as the manufacturer of a component that may have failed, such as the braking system or a tire.
How your truck accident lawyer will prove liability
Your lawyer’s investigation will be critical. Again, it needs to begin as soon as possible, since the accident scene can quickly change. Weather can play a role in those changes, as can road construction.
When you hire a Macon truck accident attorney, they’ll immediately get to work collecting evidence on your behalf. They’ll not only look at the accident scene, but they’ll also obtain footage from any nearby cameras that might show how the wreck took place.
Plus, your lawyer will get the police report, interview witnesses, and take other steps to make your case as strong as possible.
Length of time you can expect your claim to settle
No reputable attorney will promise that your case will settle in a certain amount of time without having all the facts. That said, the stronger your case, the less time a settlement should take.
Semi-truck “black boxes”: What they are and how they may be used in your case
A “black box” is a device that contains critical data on the truck driver’s actions and behaviors. You’ve no doubt heard of the term after an airplane crash. The black box in a truck is somewhat similar. It provides a clear picture of how the truck was operating at the time of the accident.
For instance, it can show the speed the truck was traveling, how the components of the truck were working, and more. This data could prove crucial to your ability to obtain maximum compensation.
Common truck accident injuries
These are just a few of the many devastating injuries that can result from a truck accident:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Broken bones
- Amputation
- Severe burns
- And many others
Dos and don’ts of dealing with insurance after a crash
One of the most important things you should remember is to try and avoid any contact with any adjusters working for the insurance companies covering the at-fault parties.
These adjusters are highly skilled. They know how to trick accident victims into accepting blame for an accident. Don’t let this happen to you. Always refer any adjusters to your Macon truck accident attorney.
Cost of hiring a truck accident lawyer
There is no initial cost when you hire a Macon truck accident attorney from our firm. We’ll only receive money if you win your case.
Why you should visit a doctor as soon as possible
You need to see a doctor immediately so you can get the treatment you need. But you also need to get medical help so that you don’t jeopardize your case. If you don’t see a doctor and follow instructions, the insurance company could easily claim that you’re not really hurt. This could make it impossible for you to get the money you deserve.
Our Macon truck accident attorneys are here to help
Talk to an expert Macon truck accident attorney for more information on how we can get you every dollar you deserve. Contact us online or call (478) 216-1664 for a free case review.
