What To Do After a Truck Accident in Georgia
Riah Greathouse, Esq. · December 15, 2022The Greater Atlanta area has many truck accident hotspots, especially along Interstate 85 and the I-285 Perimeter. The leading Georgia counties for traffic fatalities are in the Atlanta Metro area: Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and Gwinnett, which together had 23% of the state’s 2020 fatalities.
That year, Georgia had 234 fatalities involving a large truck. 2019data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration show that 14% of America’s fatal crashes and 8.6% of nonfatal crashes involved a large truck or bus.
If you’ve been in a semi-truck accident in Georgia, our team at Greathouse Trial Law can help. Our experienced personal injury attorneys will help you determine the rightful compensation amount, and guide you through the next steps. Call us at (678) 310-2827 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free case evaluation with a truck accident lawyer.
Steps To Take After a Truck Accident
If you’ve been in a truck accident, try to stay calm and take the following steps:
1. Call for First Responders
If you can, call 911 immediately. Remove yourself and any other drivers and passengers from direct danger, and stay put while waiting for first responders. It’s critical that you don’t flee the scene.
2. Check Yourself and Others for Injuries
You may not feel pain if you’re in shock. Scan your body carefully to see if anything’s bleeding or broken. If you’re unsure, try not to move and wait for help. If you can, check other people for injuries, but don’t move them unless they’re in harm’s way.
3. Secure Your Car
Move your vehicle away from traffic. If that’s not possible, put on the hazard lights.
4. Cooperate with the Police
Answer their questions and point out any damage that may not be readily apparent. These details will go in the police report, a key piece of evidence when you make an insurance or personal injury claim later.
5. Exchange Information With the Truck Driver
Ask for their name, company, license, insurance, and contact information. Don’t sign or share anything other than your name and insurance details.
6. Document the Scene
If you can, take photos and videos of the accident and your injuries. Document any cuts, bruises, bleeding, property damage, license plates, weather conditions, and the vehicles.
7. Speak to Witnesses
If there are any eyewitnesses, take their names and contact information.
8. Seek Immediate Medical Attention
If you don’t, the insurance company may try to argue that you’ve exaggerated or faked your injuries.
9. Call Your Insurer
Let them know that an accident occurred, but don’t share other information or sign anything before you’ve consulted with a lawyer.
10. Speak with a Truck Accident Lawyer
Our experienced personal injury attorneys at Greathouse Trial Law can analyze the accident, tell you whether you have a case, and support you as you pursue compensation.
What Compensation Can You Seek for a Truck Accident in Georgia?
You might be able to seek compensation for the following:
Past and future medical costs
Reduced earning capacity
Decreased quality of life
Pain and suffering
Mental anguish
Funeral and burial expenses (for a wrongful death case)
Who Is Responsible for Truck Accidents in Georgia?
Any of the following parties could be liable, depending on the circumstances:
The truck driver
The driver’s employer
The owner of the truck or truck trailer
The leasing or maintenance company
The truck manufacturer
The motor carrier’s insurance company
How Much Compensation Can You Claim?
How much you could claim depends on the driver’s employment status (employee or subcontractor) and whether the company owned or leased the truck.
Georgia is a state with modified comparative fault rules. This means that as long as you were less than 50% at fault, you may still be able to seek damages, albeit reduced.
What’s the Statute of Limitations?
You have two years from the date of the accident to bring a personal injury claim and four years to file a property damage claim.
Talk to Our Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer Today
You can stop searching for a “personal injury lawyer near me.” Greathouse Trial Law can help if you’ve been in a truck accident in Georgia, whether it involved a semi-truck, a tractor-trailer, an 18-wheeler, or other truck models.
Our attorneys can explain the insurance claims process, collect evidence to support your claim, communicate with other parties on your behalf, and represent you if the case goes to trial.
We serve the Greater Atlanta area, including Forsyth County, GA. Call (678) 310-2827 or complete our online form to schedule a free case evaluation.
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