Winder Truck Accident Lawyer

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Getting into a wreck with a truck can be a devastating experience. Tractor-trailers and big rigs are much heavier than most cars and can cause severe damage to the passengers of the smaller vehicles in a collision. Unfortunately, these types of crashes tend to be catastrophic, if not fatal.

If a negligent trucker caused you or a loved one to suffer severe harm, call a Winder truck accident lawyer at Smith Hulsey. Our experienced personal injury attorneys could help you seek damages to pay for your medical expenses and recover from this traumatic incident. En Español

Who is Liable for a Tractor-Trailer Crash?

Under Georgia law, the insurer of the at-fault person is responsible for paying the damages of anyone injured in the accident they caused. After any crash that causes injury, the police will make a report that typically assesses fault.

However, a diligent lawyer could gather other types of evidence that establish fault, including:

  • A truck’s log and maintenance record
  • The driver’s employment history
  • Cell phone records
  • Past moving violations.

The sooner a lawyer begins an inquiry for a Winder truck accident, the more likely this evidence will be available to them. As such, it is recommended that injured victims seek legal counsel as soon as possible after a tractor-trailer crash.

Commercial Trucking Laws

In determining who was at fault for a wreck in Winder, a skilled attorney will investigate the trucker’s compliance with the applicable traffic laws. A truck operator may be held liable if they failed to obey trucking regulations and caused a traffic collision as a result.

In addition to highway traffic laws, commercial truck drivers must comply with specific rules about the length of their shifts and the number of hours they may drive in a week. Trucking companies must also adhere to a strict maintenance schedule to ensure their vehicles are safe for operation. Failure to observe any of these requirements could be evidence that a truck driver or their employer was responsible for a collision.

Potential Defendants in Truck Accident Cases

Accident claims involving big rigs or semi-trucks can be complicated because there might be multiple liable parties. One important role of an injured person’s attorney is to identify as many people as possible who might bear some responsibility for the truck accident and who could be liable for damages.

Many tractor-trailer crashes involve multiple vehicles, and every driver could be a potentially liable party. Common defendants in these types of claims include the:

  • Truck owner, if it is not the driver
  • Company that loaded the truck
  • Maintenance company that worked on the truck
  • Driver’s employer, if the driver’s training or safety record is an issue
  • Truck manufacturer, distributor, or seller, if the truck was defective
  • Local or state government where the accident occurred, if road maintenance or signage might have contributed to the accident

Injured victims are often more successful at obtaining fair settlements if several insurance companies make contributions toward damage awards. However, pursuing recovery from multiple parties can be more complex, so it is best to work with a knowledgeable legal professional in Winder after a truck crash.

Damages in a Trucking Collision Claim

Money cannot compensate for everything a truck accident survivor goes through. However, financial compensation can help ease their worries, ensure that they get the necessary medical care, and provide some security for their family.

The negligent party could be liable to pay an injured person’s medical costs, including those they might incur in the future. Damages also could reimburse various other expenses and losses, such as:

  • Lost wages
  • Costs of modifying a home or car to accommodate a disability
  • Mental health treatment necessitated by the accident
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

The lawyers at our firm are well-equipped to advise Winder residents about what damages might be available after a truck crash.

Call a Winder Truck Accident Attorney Today

Importantly, an injured person only has two years from the date of their accident to bring a lawsuit seeking damages. Considering the complexity of many truck accident cases, this is not a lot of time.

Retaining a Winder truck accident lawyer early on could have a big impact on the outcome of your case. Steadfast legal guidance could also relieve some of your stress and allow you to focus on recovering. Give us a call today for a consultation.

Smith Hulsey Law

Smith Hulsey Law
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