Atlanta 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

The average loaded semitruck weighs about 80,000 pounds. A car, in contrast, typically only weighs about 4,100 pounds when the vehicle is on the larger end.

As you can imagine, a collision between the two can be extremely destructive, especially for the much smaller vehicle. What’s more, most truck accidents in Atlanta happen on roads with high-speed limits.

A devastating truck accident in Atlanta can lead to losses in the form of medical bills, extensive property damage, lost wages, long-term recovery costs, and more. If you’re experiencing these types of losses, then it might be time to consider speaking one-on-one with an 18-wheeler injury attorney who can help you learn about your legal options and consider your best path forward.

Learn more about Atlanta truck accidents, how to handle them, your legal options, and how our firm can help you navigate a potential claim below.

Leading Causes of Atlanta 18-Wheeler Accidents

If you got into a serious accident, then you might currently be Googling phrases like, “I was in an 18-wheeler accident in Georgia yesterday, what do I do?” If that’s the case, then look no further! We’re here to help you navigate your situation.

If you’ve already received medical care, then your next step will be to go over the details of your accident to determine what caused it. This factor is paramount and will guide you with what to do next. That’s because under the law in Georgia, the at-fault party will be the one responsible for covering the financial losses associated with that accident.

Under the law, there are several types of driving behaviors that would amount to ‘negligence’, or legal fault. Below, we’ll go over a few of them.

Driver Fatigue

Driver fatigue is a major issue that causes countless accidents every year. When drivers are fatigued, their reaction speeds are slowed down. It’s also more difficult to focus on the road, which is a crucial aspect of driving safely. What’s more, drowsiness can make it difficult to identify and react to hazards on the road.

Some drivers are more vulnerable to feeling fatigued than others. For instance, delivery drivers and truckers rely on driving several hours a day to get paid and accomplish what they need to. As a result, they’re more likely to experience driver fatigue. If you were involved in a drowsy driving accident with a delivery car, like Amazon for example, then contact an Amazon delivery van accident lawyer for details on how you should proceed with any potential claim.

Alcohol or Substance Use

Another common cause of truck accidents in Atlanta is alcohol or substance abuse. Intoxication leads to impaired judgment, reduced reaction time, reckless driving behaviors, and accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, almost one in three (31%) of all traffic-related fatalities in the U.S. involved intoxicated drivers.

Alcohol isn’t the only substance that can lead to intoxication. It’s also possible to get charged with driving while intoxicated when you’ve taken prescription drugs or controlled substances that alter your physical or mental faculties. Police can determine if you’re intoxicated through a field sobriety test, observing evidence that suggests you’ve consumed intoxicating substances, or through a thorough investigation.

Poor Vehicle Maintenance

Poor vehicle maintenance can lead to part failure, which puts everyone at risk of experiencing an accident. When a car or truck isn’t maintained, parts like tires, brakes, wiring, steering components, and other essential parts can malfunction or break, leaving the car or truck going out of control on the road.

Drivers have a duty to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and safe to operate.

Delivery services and other companies that use commercial driving as a part of their business operations are legally obligated to ensure their vehicles are properly maintained. If you believe poor vehicle maintenance contributed to your recent truck accident with a big company, like UPS for example, then reach out to a UPS truck accident lawyer who has experience reading over the company’s contracts. Some companies utilize independent contractors as drivers, which could also impact your potential claim.

18-Wheeler Driver Mistakes

Atlanta truck accidents can also be caused by truck driver error. Truck drivers could cause a collision when they display the following types of driving behaviors:

• Texting while driving
• Speeding
• Aggressive driving like tailgating or road rage
• Inadequate training
• Inexperience
• Hitting a car in a blind spot
• Failure to yield
• Not adhering to traffic signals

If you believe the truck driver’s negligence was a major factor in your recent accident, then it’s best to get in touch with a truck accident lawyer for your next steps. Depending on what happened, multiple parties might be considered liable including the driver or the trucking company that hired the driver.

Understanding the Impact of 18-Wheeler Collisions

18-wheeler accidents often lead to very substantial losses when injuries are serious. It’s a good idea to talk to an Atlanta trucking accident lawyer if your accident resulted in a serious injury, substantial losses, and you think it was someone else’s fault.

What to Do After an Atlanta 18-Wheeler Accident

Were you just involved in an 18-wheeler accident in Georgia today? The aftermath of a truck accident is often a blur for survivors, especially if you sustained significant injuries. Your best course of action after a crash is to contact an 18-wheeler attorney to ensure you make the best moves in your circumstances. Below, we’ll go over some generic steps you should take after your crash to preserve your rights and potential claim.

Get Medical Help

The first thing you need to do after an accident is secure your physical safety. Due to the traumatic nature of a truck accident, it’s usually best to get initially checked out by an emergency responder at the scene of the accident. Call 911 or the local police station to receive the care you need.

After the initial aftermath of the accident, you should get a full physical checkup at a hospital. Make sure to follow your doctor’s instructions when it comes to tending to your physical recovery.

Preserve the Accident Scene

If possible, then attempt to preserve the accident scene before police arrive. Take photographs of the damage and locations of the car and truck. If video evidence exists on a nearby dash cam, then be sure to find a way to preserve that as well. Later, an 18-wheeler attorney can use that evidence to help you build up your claim.

Keep Track of Your Damages

In the following days after the accident, you might start to see your losses stacking up. From medical expenses to lost wages, you’ll want to start keeping a record of all of your losses. Keep any repair estimates, medical bills, and other documents you receive regarding losses associated with your accident.

Be Careful What You Say After an 18-Wheeler Accident in Atlanta

If your accident was recent, then you may want to get in touch with an 18-wheeler accident in Atlanta today. The longer you wait to get solid legal advice, the more chances you have to unintentionally derail your claim. For instance, saying the wrong thing to the other party, an insurance adjuster, or even the police at the scene of the accident can cause problems for you later on. Never minimize your injuries, say you aren’t that hurt, claim your losses aren’t that bad, or assume any level of fault in the accident without first talking to a lawyer.

Damages Available in an 18-Wheeler Accident Case

After a trucking accident that’s someone else’s fault, you should be able to file a claim for compensation that fully financially restores you to the position you were in before the accident. That means the damages you seek out should cover the expenses you experience in the form of medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and possibly more depending on the extent of your losses. Typically, you can’t seek out more in damages than you lost.

Georgia’s Statute of Limitations in Truck Accidents

In general, you will have two years from the date of the accident to seek out a claim for compensation after a truck accident in Georgia. Still, there are exceptions to this, like if the accident happened when you were a minor and you just turned 18. If you believe you might have a unique circumstance that allows you to seek out a claim after the statute of limitations has passed, then contact an 18-wheeler accident lawyer who can help you determine your options.

Seek Legal Help ASAP

One of the best things you can do after your crash is to get in touch with an 18-wheeler attorney as soon as possible. Right away, your lawyer can start providing you with solid legal advice you can rely on when speaking to other parties, getting the care you need, seeking out repair bills, and more.

If you were involved in a crash with a commercial truck, then it’s even more important to get in touch with a lawyer with specific experience with that company. If your collision involved FedEx, for example, hire a FedEx truck accident lawyer with experience reviewing FedEx contracts.

Why Choose Our 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers in Atlanta, GA?

The best 18-wheeler accidents lawyer to handle your case should be local, highly experienced, qualified, and proven. Here at Singleton Law Firm, we know our representatives embody all those traits. Below, we’ll go over a few more reasons why you should choose to work with us when it comes to your truck accident claim.

Personalized Legal Representation

The best 18-wheeler accident lawyer to handle your case won’t treat you like another check. Instead, they’ll focus on your personal story. The right attorney will want to dive deep into what happened to really hone in on how the truck accident has impacted your life, your family, and your future. By taking this personalized approach, we can help you build a solid case that truly reflects the extent of your losses.

Assessing the Value of Your Car Accident Claim

The best eighteen-wheeler accident lawyer for your claim will also be able to properly value your car accident claim in full. You’ll only have one opportunity to really expound on your losses, so if you don’t measure your losses accurately the first time, then you could forfeit your right to be able to collect those damages later. Here at Singleton Law Firm, we make sure to assess your claim correctly from the start to ensure your claim is accurate.

Understanding of the Law

A quality 18-wheeler injury attorney has a firm foundation and understanding of the law surrounding truck accidents. The right lawyer for your case should be skilled at leveraging the law to successfully pursue claims for compensation for clients.

Ability to Negotiate with Insurance Companies

Your 18-wheeler injury attorney will also be tasked with negotiating with insurance companies and other parties over how much compensation you should receive after your accident. The right lawyer will back up your claims with solid evidence, documentation, expert witness testimony, and more to ensure that the other party understands the extent of your losses and settles for an appropriate amount.

Handling Your Case With Care

The best 18-wheeler lawyers will handle your case with care. Here at Singleton Law Firm, we know you only have one shot at getting the compensation you need to cover your losses and move on from your accident once and for all. We strive to help all of our clients with the utmost care and compassion.

Talk to an Atlanta 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer for Free Today

There are many factors that could cause an Atlanta 18-wheeler accident. If you’ve been involved in a crash that led to substantial losses, then it’s crucial that you begin working on identifying what led to your collision. If someone else’s carelessness or recklessness caused or contributed to your accident, then they might be held financially responsible for some of your losses.

The best way to find out more about your legal options is to contact a local 18-wheeler injury attorney. The right lawyer will go over the facts of your case, the extent of your losses, and help you determine if it’s in your best interests to pursue compensation by filing a claim.

Are you ready to get started? Did you experience an accident in Atlanta or a nearby area? If so, then schedule a consultation with Singleton Law Firm now to discuss what happened in more detail with our lawyers.