Gwinnett County Truck Accident Attorney

Truck Accident Attorney Gwinnett County

Did you sustain injuries in a truck collision due to another party’s negligence? You could have the right to bring a personal injury claim against the responsible party.

However, pursuing a claim for damages resulting from a collision with an 18-wheeler truck is complex. It’s best to speak with an experienced truck accident attorney in Gwinnett County.

At Blasingame, Burch, Garrard & Ashley, P.C., our attorneys have more than three decades of experience assisting injured victims. We are committed to helping you hold the liable parties accountable for their negligence.

For a free consultation, please call (706) 354-4000 or send us an online message today.

If you have catastrophic injuries from a truck crash or your loved one was killed in a crash with a semi-truck, call us 24/7 at 706-354-4000 and speak to an attorney. If it’s after hours or on a weekend or holiday, hit the prompt to speak to a personal injury attorney immediately.

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Common Causes of Semi-Truck Collisions

Wrecks involving large commercial trucks differ from those involving two-passenger vehicles. Trucking companies have additional rules and regulations that apply to these 18-wheeler trucks. Unfortunately, some companies push their drivers to violate these rules, or the trucking company cuts corners leading to safety hazards. 

Examples of some of the common causes of semi-truck collisions include:

  • Distracted driving, such as looking at GPS, texting, eating, changing the radio station, looking at truck logs, etc.
  • Driving too many hours without breaks and becoming fatigued
  • Violating traffic laws such as speeding, not stopping at a red light, or illegal turns
  • Unsafe passing or driving too fast for conditions
  • Excessive load on the truck that exceeds the maximum capacity
  • Improperly loaded cargo
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Defective equipment such as brakes or tires
  • Adverse weather or road hazards

Multiple factors can contribute to a semi-truck collision. Your semi-truck accident lawyer will help you determine who is at fault.

For example:

A truck driver struggling to stay awake starts looking at their phone to play some music. The driver does not realize traffic is slowing down in front of him. The heavy load isn’t stabilized when he stops and begins to swing around. This motion causes the truck to jackknife and strike vehicles coming from the other direction.

Examples of Trucking Rules and Regulations

To help you understand why we recommend hiring a knowledgeable Gwinnett County truck accident attorney, here’s a look at some of the federal regulations that apply specifically to truck drivers:

  • Long haul truck drivers who are hauling property have a window of 14 hours to drive a total of up to 11 hours before the law mandates they take a ten-hour (consecutive) break
  • They must also take a 30-minute break if they have driven a period of eight cumulative hours
  • Drivers cannot drive more than 60 hours in one week, or more than 70 hours in a span of eight days

There are exceptions to some of these rules for short-haul drivers. And the clock resets once a driver has taken 34 or more hours off consecutively.

Determining Fault in an 18-Wheeler Wreck

It’s crucial to hire a skilled Gwinnett County tractor-trailer accident attorney who has experience handling commercial truck collisions. You need someone who can identify all the potential causes of a crash and the responsible parties.

Determining the responsible parties can be complex in these types of cases. You may have a claim against the driver, the trucking company, vehicle manufacturer, another driver, a government entity, and more. You need a lawyer who knows how to build a strong case and identify those responsible for compensating you for your injuries and property damage.

Georgia is a modified comparative negligence state. That means you could collect compensation even if you are partially at fault for the collision.

Unfortunately, you won’t receive 100% if you are a percentage at fault. But as long as you are less than 50% at fault for the collision, you will be eligible to collect a portion of your damages. For example, if a jury finds you 15% at fault, you will receive 85% of your damages.

Augusta Truck Accident Lawyer

What Types of Injuries Are Common in Tractor-Trailer Collisions?

Injuries involving a collision with a large truck, such as an 18-wheeler, are often severe. The weight and size difference between these large vehicles and smaller passenger vehicles can lead to catastrophic results in the event of a wreck.

Even a seemingly minor impact can lead to life-changing injuries for smaller vehicle occupants. That is why it’s crucial to hire the best truck accident attorney in Gwinnett County. It helps if you have an attorney who understands how to fight for the maximum compensation when you have severe injuries.

Some of the most common injuries we see in victims of tractor-trailer collisions include:

Many of these injuries require ongoing medical treatment for the foreseeable future. Insurance companies will do their best to minimize the severity of your injuries or argue liability to reduce their potential payout.

Your Gwinnett County tractor-trailer accident attorney will be responsible for building the strongest case possible. You need evidence that proves the severity of your injuries and confirmation they occurred in the accident.

Recoverable Damages in a Georgia Truck Collision

Understandably, prospective clients want to know how much compensation they will receive in a truck collision claim. There is no average settlement amount or jury award in these cases because every collision is different.

When you meet with a Gwinnett County personal injury lawyer at Blasingame, Burch, Garrard & Ashley, we will discuss the specifics of your case. We will tell you what types of compensation should apply in your case and how best to prove your damages.

Examples of recoverable damages in a truck collision case could include the following:

  • Medical expenses to date
  • Future medical expenses
  • Loss of earnings to date
  • Future loss of earning capacity
  • Property damage
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of Consortium

Future medical expenses and future earning capacity can be worth significant amounts in severe accidents. You need a lawyer who understands how to value these types of cases to ensure you’re demanding what your case is worth. Our attorneys can work with industry experts who can prepare a report that accurately reflects some of these costs. 

Suppose you try to handle your case independently. In that case, you may not realize you can collect for future losses, such as ongoing medical treatment or the inability to return to your former career.

Should you settle your case and find out you need additional surgery, the defendant’s insurance company will not offer you more money. They will have you sign a release of all claims extinguishing their future financial responsibility for any losses related to this case. This is another reason why it’s essential to have a skilled Gwinnett County tractor-trailer accident lawyer on your side.

Contact a Truck Accident Attorney in Gwinnett County

If you sustained injuries in a truck collision caused by another party’s negligence, you don’t have to handle your claim alone.

The accomplished legal team at Blasingame, Burch, Garrard & Ashley is here to help. We have 40 years of experience with personal injury cases in Georgia. We will help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

If you are searching for a truck accident lawyer in Gwinnett County, call (706) 354-4000 or send a message to schedule an initial consultation. There is no fee unless we recover money for you in your case.