Augusta, GA Truck Accident Lawyer

Augusta, GA Truck Accident Attorney

According to statistics compiled by the Georgia Department of Transportation, there have been 810 tractor-trailer accidents from 2017 through 2021 in the city of Augusta, GA. 6 of these accidents have resulted in fatalities, 3 of which were in 2021. 260 accidents have resulted in serious injuries, and 2021 saw 176 accidents alone, the highest number of truck accidents since 2019.

Regardless of what the statistics may say, a truck accident can change your life forever. You may be unable to work, take care of your family, or engage in the basic functions of daily living. If you have been injured in a truck accident, an Augusta truck accident attorney can help you get the compensation you need to rebuild your life. Call us for a free no obligation consultation at 706-955-1559.

What Should You Do if You Have Been in a Truck Accident?

The moments following your accident can be confusing and overwhelming. You may not know what happened, you aren’t sure whether you are injured, and you don’t know what to do. The actions you take during those moments, however, can be critical to getting fair compensation in the event you need to pursue a claim. If you are able, we recommend that you take the following steps:

• Remain calm. First, you don’t want to get into an altercation with the other driver or anyone else involved in the accident. Second, remaining calm will allow you to make better decisions. Third, remaining calm will allow you to observe the situation more accurately and remember important details more accurately.
• Contact the police. Even if you don’t believe the police are necessary or that you are injured, the police can secure the scene and direct traffic to keep everyone safe. Furthermore, they will create an accident report, which could later become an important piece of evidence in your case.
• Get the driver’s information. You need to know his name and contact information, as well as who he works for, the contact information for his employer, and who their insurance company is.
• Get the names and contact information of witnesses and other parties. You may need their contact information in the event you need to obtain a statement or confirm important facts. Get their name, address, cell phone number, and email address.
• Take pictures. Take pictures of the scene of the accident, damage to your vehicle and any other vehicles, and photos of any injuries you may be aware of.
• Do not admit liability. Even if you think you may be partially to blame, you shouldn’t accept fault for the accident to any extent at this time.
• Call for an ambulance if you think you have been injured. It is often difficult to tell whether you have been injured or to what extent you have been injured. If you think you have been injured, you should seek immediate attention. Do not attempt to drive yourself to the hospital or just go home and assume you will be fine.

Of course, we realize that you may be reading this because you have already been involved in a truck accident. Whether you forgot to do some or all of these things, do not lose hope – you can still pursue a claim for your injuries and other losses. A seasoned Augusta, GA truck accident attorney can review your case, determine what evidence you need, and help you understand your options.

Seek Medical Treatment Immediately

If you haven’t done so already, you need to get a thorough medical examination if you are experiencing any symptoms whatsoever. It’s not uncommon for injuries to begin manifesting themselves days or even weeks after your accident. If your symptoms become worse or you begin experiencing additional symptoms, do not hesitate to schedule a follow-up appointment or seek a second opinion.

Make sure that you keep copies of all medical bills and records related to your injuries. You will need these later on if you need to pursue a claim.

Perhaps more importantly, you should follow your doctor’s treatment recommendations. If you do not and you later need to pursue a claim, the trucking company or its insurance company will claim that you would have followed your doctor’s orders if you were truly injured. In other words, they will use it as evidence against you in order to deny your claim or pay as little as possible.

Why You Should Talk to an Augusta, GA Truck Accident Attorney

Figuring out your treatment and whether you have a claim can be a lot to think about when you are in pain and not sure what to do next. Even if you aren’t sure whether you have a claim, here are some of the reasons why you should contact an Augusta truck accident attorney:

• They can identify all of your potential losses. One of the mistakes that many accident victims make is focusing solely on their medical bills. However, that is only one component of your potential claim. If you have to miss work, you are entitled to compensation for lost income. You may also be entitled to compensation for any pain and suffering you experience. In general, you are entitled to be made whole. An Augusta truck accident attorney can provide an estimate of what your case may be worth so that you can make an informed decision as to whether or not you should pursue a claim.
• They can identify who should be held accountable for the accident. Unlike passenger vehicle accidents, identifying the at-fault party in truck accident cases is often difficult. Ultimately, truck accidents often entail pursuing a claim against one or more corporate entities. An experienced Augusta truck accident attorney will be able to identify the correct party or parties to pursue in your case.
• They can explain your options. A knowledgeable Augusta, GA truck accident attorney can assess your case, evaluate its strengths and weaknesses, and discuss the potential outcomes. This enables you to make an informed decision as to whether or not you should pursue a claim.

ELD Logs and Driver Fatigue Evidence

Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) are mandatory devices that keep track of how a commercial truck operates. It automatically logs driving time, on-duty status, breaks, and location data. This helps prevent issues that commonly occur with paper logs, such as falsification or being conveniently “lost.” In truck accident cases, ELDs can show if the driver:

• Worked too many hours straight without resting (the limit is usually 11 hours in a 14 hour window)
• Did not take sufficient breaks (drivers must take a 30 minute break after 8 hours)
• Violated the 60/70-hour limit (drivers may not drive after 60/70 hours after being on duty for 7/8 consecutive days)

The Merritt & Merritt Law Firm consults with trucking industry experts to analyze the logs to demonstrate slowed reaction times or micro-sleeps that contributed to the incident. Companies sometimes pressure drivers to “bend” rules; ELDs help provide an objective record of how rule-bending contributed to the crash.

Cargo Shifts and Liability

Cargo shifts occur when loads are improperly secured or unbalanced. This errors frequently cause the trailer’s center of gravity to move unpredictably during turns or lane changes. This instability frequently leads to sways that the drivers cannot control. This creates jackknifing and rollovers, which can cause devastating injuries if a pedestrian or driver is hit. When cargo contributes to an accident, parties that might be liable include:

• Shippers who packed the cargo
• Loaders who secured it with straps, chains, or blocks
• Drivers who accepted the load without inspection
• Trucking companies that failed to enforce securement standards or weight limits

Federal regulations require specific methods for different cargo types, like blocking lumber or containing liquids, with violations proving negligence. Overloading strains brakes and tires beyond capacity, amplifying risks on slopes or in emergencies. Claims review:

• Loading manifests
• Securement photos
• Weight tickets
• Post-crash cargo position

An Augusta truck accident lawyer uses this evidence to hold the entire supply chain accountable when a preventable shift caused devastating harm.

Multi-State Trucking Regulations

Semi trucks frequently cross state lines, falling under federal FMCSA regulations that govern:

• Hours of service
• Vehicle weight
• Cargo securement
• Driver qualifications
• Maintenance standards

These rules ensure uniformity, but states add requirements like permits for oversize loads or specific routing in Georgia. Violations such as exceeded driving hours, poor log accuracy, and inadequate inspections prove negligence regardless of where the crash occurred.

Multi-state routes complicate jurisdiction when:

• The load originated in one state
• The driver is based in another
• The crash happens in Georgia

Claims leverage federal standards for minimum safety, showing where companies or drivers fell short across borders. An Augusta truck accident lawyer navigates these overlapping regulations to build cases that use the strongest applicable rules for maximum accountability.

Corporate Fleet Safety Records

Trucking companies maintain extensive fleet safety records, including:

• Driver qualification files
• Vehicle maintenance logs
• Inspection reports
• Violation histories tracked by the FMCSA’s Safety Measurement System

Fleet safety records can demonstrate that a trucking company promoted unsafe driving or routinely skips routine maintenance. Internal audits can also demonstrate that the company was aware of the dangers posed by their drivers and policies. The Merritt & Merritt Augusta truck accident lawyer team demands access to these records to uncover how the accident happened and to ensure that the proper parties are held accountable.

Injured in a Truck Accident? Talk to an Augusta, GA Truck Accident Attorney Today

At Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, we are committed to helping people rebuild their lives after being involved in a truck accident. For this reason, we provide free consultations with no obligation to anyone who has been injured in a truck accident. Call us today at 706-955-1559 to talk with an August, GA truck accident attorney who can help you start moving forward.