Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer
How are truck accident cases different from other motor vehicle accident cases?
From Trent‘s interview for the Masters of the Courtroom series on ReelLawyers.com. Read the transcript.
Chances are that if you are reading this page right now, you don’t need to be told how devastating an accident with a “big rig,” 18-wheeler, or commercial truck can be. In an instant, lives can be thrown into turmoil by the negligent actions of a careless or reckless driver. In the aftermath of a truck crash, it can be confusing to know what to do next or whom to turn to for answers you can trust.
The Atlanta truck accident attorneys at Warshauer Woodward Atkins can help you understand your legal rights if you or a loved one has been involved in a truck wreck. We are here to evaluate your case, explain your options, and suggest what we believe to be your best course of action. Most importantly, we can help to relieve some of the pressure of your unexpected burden and guide you toward restoring some normalcy to your life.
Pursue Compensation with Our Help Today
If you or someone in your family has been seriously injured, or if you have lost a loved one in a catastrophic truck or traffic accident, you know that no amount of money will compensate you for the harm you have suffered. Nevertheless, you may be able to achieve some peace of mind in knowing that the high costs associated with your accident will be covered and that some measure of justice has been served.
Georgia residents can trust the Atlanta injury lawyers at Warshauer Woodward Atkins to protect their interests and fight aggressively on their behalf. Whether we are able to settle your case out of court or have to try your case to verdict, we work tirelessly to ensure that the party responsible for your emotional, physical, and financial hardships is held responsible for their actions.
Common Causes of Truck Wrecks in Georgia
According to a June 2013 report released by the American Association for Justice, almost triple the amount of people are killed in truck accidents compared to aviation, boating, and railroad accidents—combined.
Some common causes of truck accidents include:
- Poor maintenance or lack of upkeep
- Brake failure
- Tire blowouts
- Spilled cargo due to improper loading
- Driving while fatigued or drowsy
- The use of drugs or alcohol
- Distracted driving that involves talking on a cell phone or texting
- Improper inspections of the truck, trailer, cargo security and emergency equipment
- Negotiating curves at unsafe, excessive speeds
- Failing to use proper warning flashers or markers when stopped on the road
- Defective or damaged vehicle parts
In Georgia, you may be eligible to collect compensation for injuries sustained in a truck accident, even if you were partially at fault. The doctrine of comparative negligence means that an injured party may recover damages in proportion to the fault of others, so long as the other parties are more than 50 percent responsible for the incident. For example, if the injured party is proven to be 35 percent responsible for the accident, he or she is still entitled to recover 65 percent of the damages to which he or she would be entitled if the defendants were fully at fault.
As noted above, Georgia law does not allow damages to be awarded to someone who is found to be 50 percent or more at fault for an accident. Rather than guessing as to the degree of your fault in an accident, however, we encourage you to contact Our Atlanta truck accident lawyers at Warshauer Woodward Atkins for a thorough evaluation of your case.
