According to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, there were 1,554 fatalities that were caused by motor vehicle crashes in Georgia in 2016. A significant amount of these crashes involved a large truck. Commercial trucks can cause serious damage in the event of an accident. If you were injured in a truck accident due to the negligence of another party, you may be entitled to compensation.
Common Injuries
A truck accident can lead to severe injuries, such as:
- whiplash
- injuries to the back and neck
- internal bleeding
- head/brain injuries
- broken bones
In the most tragic cases, a truck accident may result in wrongful death.
Understanding the legal theories that apply to truck accidents in the state of Georgia is crucial in creating a strong case in court. The best way to do this is to hire an experienced lawyer who is well versed in these theories. An attorney can help you in creating the best possible liability claim.
After the Accident
There are certain steps that one must take following an accident. These include: collecting evidence, notifying the police, and contacting an injury accident lawyer.
If you are involved in a truck accident, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention if necessary. Depending on any injuries that you sustained, you may need to go to the hospital.
Collecting Evidence
The evidence that you provide in court is crucial for the outcome of your case. If you are able to, take pictures of the scene immediately after the crash, find out the company that the truck driver works for, and get the contact information of any witnesses. If you need to receive immediate medical attention and cannot do this, get another person at the scene to do so. It is also important to call the police as soon as possible so that they can make a report of the incident.
Avoid speaking to the truck driver as much as possible. Certain comments, such as apologizing, can hurt your case later on.
Determining Who Is Liable
There are several parties who may be held responsible, depending on the nature of the accident. There are strict rules and regulations set in place in Georgia by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that trucking companies must follow. If the truck driver or company was not in accordance with any of these rules and an accident occurred, then you may be able to prove their negligence. Whoever violated the rules is liable for the incident and is responsible for providing the victim with compensation.
In certain cases, a third party, such as the manufacturer of the truck, may be held responsible for the incident.
If you were involved in, or suffered the loss of a loved one, in a truck accident, you have rights. Allow us at the Nye Law Group to provide you the assistance you need during this difficult time. Our expert team of lawyers will help you in building your case. Call us at (912) 200-5230 for more information.
