Truck accidents can have severe effects on individuals and their families. Our Johns Creek truck accident lawyer can help those affected understand their rights and legal options during such challenging times. The aftermath often includes physical pain, emotional anguish, and financial hardships due to medical bills and lost income.
At Barrios Virgüez Attorneys: Accident & Injury Law, our legal team is committed to putting clients first. As a community-focused law firm, we understand the importance of compassionate legal representation during a difficult time.
Our knowledgeable personal injury attorneys can explain who may be liable and how legal action works under Georgia law. Schedule a free consultation today.
Who Is Liable in a Truck Accident?
Who is at fault for a truck accident depends on the facts of the situation. Understanding who might be responsible matters for injured people, as it affects their chance to bring a personal injury claim and recover damages like medical bills, lost income, and emotional suffering.
There are several parties that could be held responsible after a truck accident, such as:
- Truck drivers: If the accident was caused by the driver’s actions—such as negligent driving, fatigued driving, or distracted driving—the driver may be held responsible. In cases of drunk driving or driver error, the truck driver could be the liable party.
- Trucking companies: These corporations may also be liable if their actions contributed to the accident. These can include failing to properly train drivers, pushing drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines, or not properly maintaining their trucks.
- Truck manufacturers: Mechanical failures, such as brake failure, tire blowouts, or defects in the truck, may indicate that the truck or its parts manufacturer is liable for the accident.
- Other drivers: If another driver caused the crash through reckless or negligent behavior, such as failure to yield, speeding, or improper lane changes, they could also be held responsible for the accident.
Our legal team can help you understand who is liable for your situation and what you should do after a truck accident to protect your legal rights. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation with a Johns Creek truck accident attorney.
Georgia Comparative Negligence Laws
Georgia follows a “fault” system, meaning more than one person or group can be found partly responsible for a crash. This matters in truck accident cases because several parties are often involved, and their behavior before or during the crash may have played a role in causing it.
Under Georgia’s comparative negligence rule, each party involved in the accident can be assigned a percentage of fault. For example, if a truck driver was speeding but another driver failed to signal when changing lanes, both parties could be found partially at fault for the crash.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Several factors can lead to these accidents, and identifying the cause is important for determining who is at fault and how to seek the appropriate compensation for damages, medical bills, lost income, and other losses.
- Distracted driving: Truck drivers can lose focus if they are using a phone, GPS, or other electronic devices in the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Driving under the influence: Operating a truck while impaired by alcohol or drugs—prescription, over-the-counter, or illegal—can lead to serious and preventable accidents.
- Speeding: Exceeding speed limits or driving too fast for road conditions can contribute to accidents, especially on highways or during bad weather.
- Brake failure: A braking system failure can cause the driver to lose control of the truck, leading to serious crashes.
- Slippery roads: Rain, snow, or ice can reduce tire grip on the road, making it easier for trucks to slide or lose control and cause accidents.
- Unevenly distributed cargo: If the load is not evenly distributed, it can cause the truck to tip or swerve, creating a dangerous situation.
Knowing the typical reasons behind truck accidents can help you better understand your rights if you’ve been in a crash. Whether the cause was driver error, mechanical failure, or dangerous weather conditions, it’s important to gather all relevant evidence and seek guidance from a well-practiced truck crash lawyer in Johns Creek to explore your options for fair compensation.
Types of Damages in Truck Accident Claims
When you are involved in a truck accident, the damages you may experience can affect both your finances and your well-being. Damages are typically divided into different categories, each addressing specific types of harm or loss.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the tangible financial losses you incur as a result of a truck accident. Some examples of economic damages in a truck accident claim include medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.
Non-Economic Damages
These damages include things like physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life caused by the truck accident. Even though they are not as easy to calculate as medical bills or lost wages, they still play an important role in reaching a fair settlement.
Punitive Damages
These damages are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter others from similar behavior. Punitive damages are not commonly awarded, but they may be considered if factors like drunk driving, impaired driving, or driver fatigue contributed to the accident.
Knowing what kinds of damages you can seek after a truck accident is an important step in the legal process. A Johns Creek truck accident attorney can explain the average settlement for a truck accident and the type of damages you may be entitled to claim.
A Johns Creek Truck Accident Attorney Can Explain Your Legal Options
If you have been involved in a truck accident, it can be overwhelming to understand your rights and the steps you need to take to seek fair compensation. The legal process following a truck accident may seem complex, especially when dealing with medical bills, insurance companies, and the aftermath of serious injuries.
Our Johns Creek truck accident lawyer can do many things for your case. We can walk you through the steps needed to file a personal injury claim and help you understand how the legal system works in Georgia. Our team at Barrios Virgüez Attorneys: Accident & Injury Law can also manage discussions with the responsible parties to protect your rights and work toward fair compensation.
Schedule a free consultation today.
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