DeKalb County Truck Accident Lawyer
Regardless of the exact type of truck involved in an accident, if the truck driver acted negligently, the trucker and their company could be held liable in court. A successful claim could require a careless party to cover damages which often include paying for medical costs, loss of income, loss of future earnings potential, and potentially non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. A DeKalb County truck accident lawyer could help you and your family fight for this compensation and confront negligent truck drivers and their employers.
When severe injuries arise from a truck accident, contact a dedicated personal injury attorney. They could examine the facts surrounding your case and possibly help identify liable parties.
Legal Basis for a Claim in DeKalb County
Most collisions between commercial trucks and other vehicles are accidents. However, this does not mean that the truck driver does not have legal liability. All drivers, whether they are behind the wheel of a large truck, a personal car, or even a motorcycle, have a duty to protect everyone else they may encounter while on the road. This duty is the core concept in the legal cause of action known as negligence.
Negligence claims often allow individuals who are injured in accidents to demand compensation from an at-fault party. To do so, the plaintiff in the case generally must be able to prove that the actions of the defendant violated this duty and that a physical injury resulted.
Proving a breach of duty is often the most complicated part of a truck accident claim. While the at-fault party could sometimes be identified by a police officer’s report where a truck driver has issued a ticket, other cases may need to investigate other elements of the crash including:
- Relative speeds of the vehicles
- The weather at the time of the incident
- The length of the driver’s shift at the time of the accident
- The weight of the truck’s payload
A DeKalb County truck accident lawyer could help investigate the incident and potentially create a demand package that clearly describes how the defendant could have been at fault for the accident. Additionally, they may look for evidence supporting a truck driver’s impairment or intoxication during the time of the incident. Intoxicated driving is a common contributing factor to accidents on the roadway.
Potential Injuries That May Occur
The core focus of any personal injury claim typically is a physical injury. In fact, a case potentially may not be able to move forward without a physical injury. Catastrophic injuries are common in truck accidents and some examples may include:
- Neck and back strains
- Deep cuts or bruises
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Severe burns
However, no matter how severe the injury, a case could still fail if a plaintiff does not file a claim in a timely manner. There is a law in Georgia known as the statute of limitations that controls when an injured individual may file a claim. If this time limit passes, the court may refuse to hear the case and the defendant’s insurance company could cut off negotiations. Under O.C.G.A. §9-3-33, truck accident cases must generally be filed in court within two years of the injury. Therefore, it is important to consult with a dedicated truck accident attorney in DeKalb County as soon as possible.
Contacting a DeKalb County Truck Accident Attorney
Truck accidents are among the most serious examples of personal injury cases. Even at low speeds, collisions between commercial vehicles and personal cars could inflict significant damage and extensive injuries. These injuries may lead to astronomical medical bills, but also to lost wages and intense mental anguish. A DeKalb County truck accident lawyer could help you obtain compensation and hold negligent parties accountable. Call today.
