Decatur Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer

Decatur Semi-Truck Accident Attorney

Semi-trucks and other large commercial vehicles are essential to the supply chain of the greater Decatur area and the economy of the United States. Drivers in Decatur are likely accustomed to encountering these large vehicles while driving, and it is important for all drivers to know what to do if an accident happens.

A Decatur semi-truck accident lawyer is the ideal resource to consult if you believe another party is liable for a recent accident that injured you.

Experienced Legal Counsel for Semi-Truck Accident Claims in Decatur, GA

The attorneys at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm have extensive professional experience helping clients in Decatur, GA, with all manner of personal injury claims. We have helped many past clients prove liability for their injuries and have secured more than $50 million in damages throughout the years of our firm’s operation. We know the challenges anyone is likely to face in the aftermath of a semi-truck accident in terms of recovering their damages.

If you believe another party is responsible for causing a recent truck accident and you are not sure how to recover your losses, we can help. Recovery from any vehicle accident in Decatur typically begins with an auto insurance claim, but a personal injury suit will be necessary if insurance cannot fully compensate you for your losses. This is likely after a truck accident because these accidents tend to cause tremendous injuries.

You have a limited time in which to file a personal injury suit and an even shorter time in which to file an auto insurance claim after an accident. The sooner you connect with a Decatur semi-truck accident lawyer, the more time your legal team will have to build your case. Additionally, you will be more likely to not only win your case but also maximize your total recovery.

Proving Fault for a Semi-Truck Accident in Decatur, GA

Fault is a primary concern for anyone attempting to recover from a vehicle accident. You must prove the exact cause of your accident before you can recover any compensation. It is important to remember that if a plaintiff in any civil case bears partial liability for their damages, it will diminish their recovery under Georgia’s modified comparative fault rule. As long as they are less than 50% at fault, they can still recover some compensation from a defendant.

Your Decatur semi-truck accident lawyer can help obtain traffic camera footage, cell phone records, vehicle computer data, eyewitness testimony, and other forms of evidence to help establish fault for your recent accident. It’s possible for liability to fall on the driver of the semi-truck that hit you, a different driver, or a combination of liable parties.

It is also possible for vicarious liability to apply in your case, implicating a truck driver’s employer as sharing fault for the accident. If an investigation reveals that a truck driver’s employer was responsible for causing the accident, they could face shared responsibility for the resulting damages under the vicarious liability rule. Your attorney can explain how this legal issue could impact your case.

For an Immediate Consultation call us at 404-975-1775

Claiming Compensation for Your Damages in Decatur, GA

After identifying the party or parties responsible for causing your accident in Decatur, GA, you can proceed with claiming compensation for the resulting damages. This process will begin with an auto insurance claim, as Georgia law requires every driver to have insurance coverage that meets basic requirements. Your Decatur semi-truck accident lawyer can be a valuable asset for navigating the insurance claim filing process successfully.

Once you recover as much as you can from the at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy, any outstanding damages must be recovered through a personal injury claim. Under the state’s personal injury statutes, the plaintiff has the right to claim full repayment of any direct financial losses resulting from the defendant’s actions. These are likely to include:

• Property Losses: This may include vehicle repair or replacement costs not covered by the defendant’s insurance.
• Medical Expenses: Semi-truck accidents can easily cause devastating injuries, many of which can require extensive medical care. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and severe bone fractures are just a few possibilities. The defendant is liable for all the medical care you will require to reach maximum medical improvement from your injuries, including future rehabilitative treatment costs.
• Lost Wages: When a plaintiff is unable to work while they recover from their injuries, the defendant is liable for the income the victim cannot earn during their recovery period. This also applies to future income the victim can no longer earn if the accident left them disabled. Your Decatur semi-truck accident lawyer can help assess the impact of the accident on your earning power and add these projected losses to your claim.

Along with these economic damages, a plaintiff will also have the right to claim as much pain and suffering compensation as they deem appropriate to reflect the physical pain and psychological distress the defendant caused with their actions.

There is no limit to this aspect of their case award in a semi-truck accident claim, and the amount the plaintiff receives typically depends on the overall severity of their injuries.

About Federal and Georgia Trucking Regulations

Semi-trucks operate under strict rules meant to protect everyone on the road. Federal regulations control how many hours a driver can work, require regular vehicle inspections, and set safety standards for cargo. The Georgia Department of Public Safety also produces a Transportation Rulebook, which provides further safety standards, especially as they relate to hazardous materials.

Fatigued drivers, overloaded trucks, or poorly maintained vehicles create dangerous conditions. State and federal regulations exist to prevent these forms of negligence from happening. Unfortunately, far too many truck drivers and trucking companies flaunt the rules and put drivers like you at risk.

Understanding these regulations is essential if you’ve been hurt in a truck accident. If you can demonstrate that a truck was operating in violation of the rules, then that is robust evidence that they are at fault. Our Decatur semi-truck accident lawyer team uses this evidence to help make sure negligent drivers and trucking companies are held responsible for putting others at risk.

Determining Liability in Semi-Truck Crashes

Truck accidents are more complicated than standard car collisions. Semis are heavy, and even minor errors can cause devastating injuries. Figuring out who is responsible often requires careful investigation. Trucking companies can be liable for improper vehicle maintenance, inadequate training, or pressuring drivers to exceed safe schedules. Drivers may be at fault for speeding, distracted driving, or ignoring hours-of-service rules. Insurance companies sometimes try to shift blame onto the smaller vehicle, claiming shared responsibility. Georgia follows comparative negligence rules, which can reduce your compensation if you share any fault. Our attorneys know how to unravel these cases and show that the trucker or company’s negligence was the leading cause of your injuries.

Evidence Collection and Expert Testimony

The evidence can make or break a semi-truck case. Police reports, medical records, and crash scene photos document what happened. Trucking logs, GPS data, and maintenance records can reveal whether the trucker followed regulations. Witness statements are often crucial, as they confirm what happened before, during, and after the collision. In many cases, accident reconstruction experts are needed to demonstrate precisely how the crash occurred and why the trucker was at fault. Our team acts quickly to preserve all evidence and works with investigators and experts to build a clear, compelling case that supports your claim for recovery.

Insurance Coverage and Settlement Challenges

Semi-trucks are massive pieces of machinery that can legally weigh up to 80,000 pounds (40 tons). Even at slow speeds, a collision with one of these trucks can cause permanent, devastating injuries. Of course, alongside the injuries come expensive medical bills, lost wages, and rehabilitation expenses.

We carefully review every available insurance policy, including the trucking company’s liability coverage and any personal policies you may have. Then we develop a strategy to pursue full compensation for medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and future care. If necessary, we are prepared to take your case to court to make sure your rights are protected and negligent parties are held accountable.

What to Expect From Your Semi-Truck Accident Attorney

When you have an experienced Decatur semi-truck accident lawyer representing you, they can assist you with every aspect of your recovery efforts, from proving fault to negotiating a settlement for your personal injury claim.

The team at Merritt & Merritt develops an individualized case strategy for every client we represent, helping them maximize their recovery through all available channels of compensation.

Our firm has the skills, resources, and experience necessary to resolve the most challenging personal injury cases in the Decatur area, and we are ready to assist you with your recovery efforts following your recent accident. You must file your case within the appropriate time limit, so it is vital to connect with an attorney you can trust as soon as possible after any accident.

Contact Merritt & Merritt Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Decatur semi-truck accident lawyer to learn more about the legal services we offer and find out how we can help with your impending truck accident claim.

Decatur Semi-Truck Accident Resources

• Decatur Police Department
  420 West Trinity Place
  Decatur, GA 30030
  Phone: (404) 373-6551
• Decatur Health Department
  DeKalb County, 445 Winn Way
  Decatur, GA 30030
  Phone: (404) 294-3857