Large trucks and other commercial vehicles are an integral part of the economy as they help to efficiently distribute resources to the community. But car wrecks that involve a semi-truck can lead to people sustaining extensive injuries due to the difference in size and weight between the average 18-wheeler and the average passenger vehicle.
When you have been hurt by a semi-truck, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your injuries, especially if the wreck was caused by the truck driver’s intentional choices, such as driving while intoxicated. A law firm like Smith Hulsey Law cares about its community and the people in it, and our diligent truck accident attorneys may be able to help people injured in drunk driving truck accidents in Winder recover fair and just compensation for their injuries. Our firm has a proven track record of success and has even obtained three different million-dollar recoveries for pedestrians within the last three years.
State laws make it illegal for any person to operate a vehicle while their blood alcohol concentration is 0.08 grams or greater. There is an additional standard for commercial drivers as Georgia Code § 40-6-391(i) prevents an operator from driving any commercial motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of 0.04% or more. A conviction under this statute could lead to a fine, time in jail, community service, and potentially a requirement to attend a substance abuse program.
Although criminal punishments will not directly help a person injured in a drunk driving 18-wheeler crash in Winder, an attorney from our firm could help the injured person use the truck driver’s violation of the law as evidence of their negligence in a civil lawsuit, which would allow the injured motorist to recover damages.
Proving that a driver was intoxicated becomes much harder as time passes after the accident. When the person injured in the accident suspects that a semi-truck operator was intoxicated at the time of a crash, they should report the wreck to the authorities and inform the responding officers of their suspicions as soon as possible.
Even when a person injured in a drunk driving accident with a commercial vehicle in Winder and has a strong case, they cannot wait too long to file their claim. Georgia Code § 9-3-33 provides that all lawsuits based on a personal injury must be filed no later than two years from the date the injury occurred or was discovered. Generally, this will be the date of the accident.
Although two years may appear to be a long time, the time does pass quickly. Our attorneys are highly detail oriented and could skillfully investigate and analyze the facts of an accident to build a strong argument before filing the claim. Additionally, as time passes, it becomes harder to find good evidence to support an injured person’s argument. Therefore, even when an injured person is not yet sure whether they want or need to file a lawsuit, the best decision is to reach out to our legal team to receive initial advice as soon after an accident as possible.
When you are injured in a drunk driving truck accident in Winder, you likely have serious injuries, and it may be difficult for you pay all the associated medical bills, especially if you must miss time from work to recover. You deserve someone who will stand up for your rights and interests while you focus on healing.
A good lawyer knows that every situation and context is different, which is why our attorneys at Smith Hulsey Law will listen and work with you to understand your goals and needs in your unique situation. Schedule an initial consultation with our firm to learn more about how we may be able to help.
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