Savannah Commercial Truck Accident Lawyer

Savannah Commercial Truck Accident Attorney

Commercial trucks are essential to Georgia’s economy and the supply chains of the entire country. You’re likely accustomed to encountering these large vehicles while driving, and it is vital to know what to do if you experience an accident with one of them.

Savannah commercial truck accident injury attorneys provide invaluable support in the recovery efforts a victim must attempt in the aftermath of these incidents.

Legal Counsel for Commercial Truck Accident Claims in Savannah, GA

Merritt & Merritt has many years of experience handling all types of personal injury cases in Savannah, GA, and our firm has successfully recovered more than $50 million in damages for our clients.

We know how damaging a commercial truck accident can be and the many pressing legal questions you are likely to have in the aftermath of such an accident. Our firm can help maximize your recovery in the most efficient possible manner.

Truck accidents may happen for many of the same reasons that all other vehicle accidents happen, but they can raise very complex questions regarding liability for the resulting damages and the victim’s options for legal recourse.

With experienced Savannah commercial truck accident injury attorneys on your side, you can approach these difficult legal issues with peace of mind and the greatest chance of maximizing your recovery.

Proving Liability for a Commercial Truck Accident in Savannah

The most important legal challenge you will need to overcome as you seek compensation for your damages from a commercial truck accident is proving fault for the accident. You will need to prove exactly how the accident happened and identify the party or parties liable for the incident. Fault could fall on the driver of the truck, the driver of another vehicle, or a combination of other parties. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:

• It is dangerous for any driver to speed, but especially so for commercial truck drivers. These large vehicles require more time and stopping distance to avoid collisions, and catastrophic or fatal injuries are most likely to occur when accidents happen at higher speeds.
• Distracted driving: Every driver has a duty of care to operate their vehicle attentively. Failing this, they can easily cause serious accidents that inflict tremendous harm on multiple victims in a very short time.
• Intoxicated driving: It is illegal for any driver to operate their vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Penalties for intoxicated driving often include heavy fines, jail time, and driver’s license suspension. If a truck driver causes an accident from intoxication behind the wheel, they are likely to lose their commercial driver’s license (CDL) and will need to find a new job along with their other penalties.
• Improperly loaded truck cargo: Large commercial trucks must be packed correctly to ensure they are not off-balance. The party responsible for loading a truck could face liability for an accident if they did not pack the truck correctly and contributed to causing the accident.
• Improper maintenance: Commercial trucks require far more maintenance than most passenger vehicles. If the party responsible for maintaining a commercial vehicle did not do so correctly and an accident happens from a mechanical failure, that party faces liability for the resulting damages.

These are just a few possible causes of a commercial truck accident. Savannah commercial truck accident injury attorneys can help their clients gather evidence from the scene of a crash, traffic camera recordings, statements from eyewitnesses, and other forms of evidence to help them prove liability for these accidents.

The legal issue of vicarious liability can come into play if the facts show that an employer is responsible for the actions of their employee. For example, if a commercial truck driver caused your accident due to their employer’s failure to enforce industry regulations, vicarious liability is likely to apply to your case. Your attorney can explain how any such issues could influence your recovery efforts.

For an Immediate Consultation call us at 912-341-6644

Recovering Compensation for Your Commercial Truck Accident Claim

If you intend to pursue any type of civil claim for damages in Savannah, GA, the ultimate goal of your case is to be made as whole as possible again after suffering the effects of the defendant’s negligence or misconduct.

Once you have proven the cause of your damages, the next step of your case is to prove the full extent of those damages and prove they solely resulted from the defendant’s negligence or illegal misconduct.

Your recovery is likely to begin with an auto insurance claim. Georgia law requires all drivers to have liability coverage that comes into play when they cause accidents, and this requirement extends to commercial truck drivers. Savannah commercial truck accident injury attorneys help their clients navigate the insurance claim filing process efficiently, resolving any issues they encounter with an insurance carrier.

After you secure as much compensation as you can from auto insurance, any remaining losses must be claimed through a personal injury suit against whoever caused your accident. Under the state’s personal injury statutes, the plaintiff has the right to claim compensation for any economic damages they sustained that insurance can’t cover. These typically include property damage, medical expenses, and lost income.

The plaintiff has the right to seek compensation for immediate economic damages as well as projected future economic losses resulting from the accident. For example, if you were permanently disabled from your injuries, the defendant is responsible for the future income you are no longer able to earn. Additionally, you also have the right to seek as much pain and suffering compensation as you believe to be appropriate to reflect the severity of your damages.

Determining Liability When it Comes to Truck Accidents

A commercial truck accident can cause devastating injuries, and holding the trucking company accountable is key to your recovery. Georgia law allows you to pursue companies for their drivers’ or contractors’ negligence. Key factors include:

• Negligent Hiring. Companies that fail to screen drivers with histories of reckless driving or safety violations can be held liable if their negligence leads to your accident.
• Inadequate Training. Failing to train drivers on safe handling of large trucks or emergency protocols can establish company fault, especially if poor skills cause a crash.
• Vicarious Liability. Companies are responsible for employee drivers’ actions during work hours, meaning a driver’s mistake, like running a red light, implicates the employer.
•  Neglectful Maintenance. Ignoring truck upkeep, such as worn brakes or faulty tires, can cause accidents, making the company liable for overlooking critical safety checks.
• Overloading Issues. Exceeding weight limits can destabilize a truck, leading to rollovers or collisions, with the company accountable for improper loading practices.

Our Savannah commercial truck accident lawyer team at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm reviews company records and driver histories to build a strong case, helping you secure compensation for medical bills or lost wages.

Understanding Complex Federal and State Trucking Regulations

Commercial truck accidents involve complex rules that can strengthen your claim. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations and Georgia laws set strict standards for trucking operations. Key regulations include:

• Hours of Service. FMCSA limits driving hours to prevent fatigue-related crashes.
• Vehicle Inspections. Georgia requires regular truck maintenance for safety.
• Driver Qualifications. Companies must verify drivers’ licenses and training.
• Cargo Securement. FMCSA mandates proper loading to avoid unbalanced trucks.
• Drug Testing. Drivers must pass tests to ensure sobriety.

Our team at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm examines compliance logs to show how regulatory violations caused your injuries, supporting your case for fair compensation.

How Our Team Handles Evidence Collection in Commercial Truck Crashes

Gathering strong evidence is critical to proving fault and the impact of your injuries in a commercial truck accident. Truck-specific evidence includes:

• Driver Logs. Records reveal if fatigue from excessive hours caused the crash.
•  Black Box Data. Truck recorders show speed, braking, or steering patterns.
• Dash cam and CCTV Footage. Videos capture driver errors, like distraction or reckless driving.
• Maintenance Records. Documents prove if poor upkeep led to mechanical failures.
• Filing Deadline. Submit your claim within Georgia’s two-year statute of limitations.

Our team collects this evidence to support your case for medical costs or pain and suffering, ensuring your claim stands up to scrutiny.

How We Defeat the Insurance Company’s Tactics

Have you ever dealt with insurance companies before? If so, you know how reluctant they can be to pay out. They may try to drag things out or lowball you. They may also high-pressure tactics to try to force you into a settlement. We don’t let that fly. Effective counter-strategies our team employ include:

• Target Company Insurance. File against the trucking company’s liability policy, which covers damages from driver or company negligence.
• Counter Low Offers. Use medical records to challenge adjusters’ attempts to minimize settlements for injuries like broken bones.
• Explore Layered Policies. Trucking companies often have multiple insurance layers, providing additional coverage for severe claims.
• Address Comparative Fault. Fight against claims you contributed to the accident with evidence.

Find Legal Counsel You Can Trust in Savannah

Experienced Savannah commercial truck accident injury attorneys are the ideal resources for any victim to consult after they have been harmed in any kind of commercial truck accident.

The team at Merritt & Merritt has years of professional experience helping our clients recover from all types of personal injuries in Savannah, and we are ready to leverage this experience for you in your impending recovery efforts.

Contact Merritt & Merritt Law Firm today to make an appointment for a free consultation with an experienced team of Savannah commercial truck accident injury attorneys you can trust with your case and learn how we can empower your recovery efforts.