Jasper Truck Accident Attorney
Dealing with the fallout of a truck collision can feel overwhelming and traumatizing. Truck accidents can be particularly devastating to everyone who finds themselves in the path of destruction. Massive vehicles, like semi-trucks, have the power to cause pain, panic, and chaos if they become the catalyst for a bad accident. If you are ever involved in a truck accident, it is vital that you take the necessary steps to protect yourself by hiring a Jasper truck accident lawyer.
Before you start working toward filing a truck accident claim, you should make note of Georgia’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims, which include trucking injury claims. In Georgia, you only have two years to develop your case, speak with truck accident attorneys, file your claim, and pursue compensatory damages from the responsible parties. That deadline is not as far away as you might think. The timeframe starts on the day of the accident. If you miss your window, your case may be tossed out.
The Immediate Aftermath of a Truck Accident
While it is entirely possible to suffer life-changing injuries in a car accident, it is more likely that you would endure such injuries in a truck accident. Truck accidents are more unpredictable and harder to control. The injuries you suffer as a result of a truck accident could prove to be permanent and cause you daily pain. You may be counting on your settlement to pay for the medical assistance that you might need for the foreseeable future. Here are some steps you can take to secure that settlement:
- Keep Calm: Being the victim of a truck accident can be one of the scariest moments of your life. It’s natural to feel panic in the moment. The combination of fear and shock might hurt your case, as you could forget to take certain steps to protect your claim. Try your hardest to keep calm, take a few moments to breathe, and start to assess your situation with a clear head.
- Look for Injuries: Once you have calmed yourself, you should start checking your body for any obvious injuries that you might have received. If there are any passengers in your car, do the same for them. Check for bloody spots on your clothes, bruises, sprains, and broken bones. If you’re in pain but don’t appear to have an injury, be sure to tell the EMTs what you are feeling.
- Call 911: Once you are physically able to do so, call 911 as soon as possible. It is legally important that you report the accident to the police, as any failure to report an auto accident that resulted in a death, a serious accident injury, or $500 in property damage could violate Georgia state law. You will want police to block off the area and EMTs to check people for injuries.
- Move Your Vehicle: As long as the police allow you to do so, you may want to move your car out of the road to avoid causing another accident. If the car is too damaged to move or you are too injured to move it, just leave the car where it is.
- Document Evidence: Once you have been medically cleared by the EMTs and the police have given you permission, you can start documenting the necessary evidence to start building your claim. Take photos of anything relevant at the scene, including your injuries, the damage to all vehicles involved, street signs, and road conditions. Speak to any witnesses willing to give a statement and get their contact information.
- Exchange Information: You must exchange insurance and contact details with the truck driver. Be sure to get the name of their trucking company as well as contact info for that entity. While exchanging insurance, do not admit any fault for the accident, even if you know that you caused it. Admitting fault can hurt your case.
- Go to the Hospital: While the EMTs may have cleared you at the moment, it is vital that you see a doctor who can give you a more thorough check-up. You may have internal damage that wasn’t seen before. Also, a record of your medical visits and a treatment plan can be beneficial to your case.
- Call Your Insurance: Reach out to your insurance provider to inform them of the accident. Don’t admit any fault for the accident to them either.
- Talk to a Lawyer: Finally, before pursuing a damage claim, you should speak with trusted and experienced truck accident lawyers who can provide input and guidance to help you secure the compensation you deserve.
Jasper Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me (706) 276-3636
FAQs
Q: How Much Will I Get Paid If an 18-Wheeler Hits Me in Georgia?
A: There’s no telling how much you will get paid if an 18-wheeler hits you in Georgia. Every truck accident case is different and has its own details that will impact the amount that you may receive in the settlement. It is important to pursue a number that you and your lawyer feel appropriately reflects the damages you’ve suffered as a result of the accident.
Q: How Long Will an Accident Stay on One’s CDL Record in Georgia?
A: An accident can stay on your commercial driver’s license (CDL) record in Georgia for at least three years if the CDL driver is found to be at fault for the accident. If the accident is particularly bad and resulted in significant injuries or property damage, there is a chance that the CDL driver could lose their license for good.
Q: What Makes Up a Truck Accident Settlement?
A: A truck accident settlement will be based on the total amount in damages that you feel you are owed, which both parties have agreed on. This can include, among other possible losses:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damages
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
You may even be owed punitive damages if your case made it to court.
Q: What If the Accident May Have Partly Been My Fault?
A: If the accident in Jasper, Georgia, was partly your fault, you still may be able to pursue compensatory damages under Georgia’s comparative negligence law. A professional lawyer can help navigate this process. Essentially, the percentage that you are found to be at fault will be deducted from your total payout. A judge will determine just how at fault you might be for the accident and work from there.
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At Teague Law, we can provide you with quality legal counsel and help you get the most out of your truck accident settlement. Contact our law firm to speak with a team member today.
Call or text (706) 276-3636 or complete a form
