Savannah, GA Truck Accident Lawyer

Savannah, GA Truck Accident Attorney

Have You Been in a Truck Accident in Savannah, GA?

If you have been injured in a truck accident, you face a long road ahead. You need to focus first on recovering from your injuries, but you also need to think about your lost income and other losses. Your future and your family’s well-being are at stake, but a Savannah truck accident attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve.

To discuss your case and how we can help, contact us today at 912-341-6644 to schedule a free consultation.

Truck Accidents Happen in Savannah More Often Than You Think

Statistics available through the Georgia Department of Transportation provide a snapshot of motor vehicle accident information, including accidents involving different types of trucks. These statistics reflect the following for 2021:

• There were 177 tractor trailer accidents, resulting in 1 fatality and 51 injuries
• There were 148 single unit truck accidents, resulting in 2 fatalities and 36 injuries
• There were 77 panel truck accidents, resulting in 19 injuries
• There were 1,651 pickup truck accidents, resulting in 5 fatalities and 515 injuries

Considering these statistics are only for a single year, these numbers paint an unsettling picture. If you have been injured in a truck accident, you are not alone, and an experienced Savannah truck accident attorney is just a phone call away.

Was Your Accident Caused by Driver Fatigue?

Truck drivers spend long hours on the road, often from early morning until late at night. This means that truck drivers are much more likely to drive while drowsy than other motorists. While falling asleep behind the wheel is an obvious and extreme hazard to other drivers, driving while fatigued is dangerous by itself. Driving while fatigued can lead to the following issues:

• Inability to pay full attention. Drivers who are fatigued are more likely to get lost in their thoughts, daydream, or simply fail to be as alert as they should be. This means that they may not see potential hazards until it is too late.
• Slowed reflexes. Driving while fatigued decreases the driver’s ability to react as quickly as they would when well-rested. This means that they may not be able to stop in time or swerve to avoid an accident.
• Impaired cognitive abilities. The fatigue that truck drivers experience can be mental in addition to physical. This means that their ability to make good judgments becomes impaired. They may not be able to recognize dangerous situations as quickly, misjudge speeds or distances, or otherwise make poor decisions.

While fatigue can be sudden, truck drivers still have an obligation to get off the road if they cannot drive safely. If you have been injured in a truck accident that you suspect has been caused by driver fatigue, the best thing to do is contact a Savannah truck accident attorney as soon as possible.

Causes of Truck Driver Fatigue

Truck driving is a mentally and physically demanding job that results in fatigue by its very nature. However, there are many different causes of fatigue, some of which are avoidable. Some of these causes include the following:

• Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol – despite efforts to the contrary, truck drivers continue to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol which can cause them to become drowsy.
• Driving while under the influence of prescription medications – even if the medication is taken with a valid prescription, truck drivers should not be driving if their prescription makes them drowsy.
• Hours of service violations – Truck drivers are subject to stringent state and federal regulations regarding the number of hours they can spend behind the wheel and how many hours per week they can spend driving. Unscrupulous trucking companies and unrealistic delivery schedules can force drivers to stay behind the wheel longer than permitted by regulations.
• Drivers suffering from sleep disorders – Truck drivers should be well rested when they get behind the wheel. Drivers who are suffering from sleep disorders that result in poor sleep should not be driving, and trucking companies should remove drivers from duty who are unable to perform their jobs safely.

Truck drivers will rarely admit that they were fatigued or that the accident was caused by driving while drowsy. A Savannah truck accident attorney can help you gather the evidence you need to hold the driver and the trucking company accountable for your injuries.

How Our Team Builds a Strong Case after A Truck Crash in Georgia

After a truck crash in Savannah, it’s the small things that can make the biggest difference. You might think a photo or a short clip won’t matter much, but trust me, it can change everything later. Truck cases aren’t like regular car wrecks, you know? There’s always more to dig through once you start looking closer.

• Driver logs. We always check how long they were on the road. Ever seen someone drive for hours without a break? No rest, no focus. That’s usually when mistakes happen.
• Black box data. Most trucks record speed, braking, and other details. That little device can show what really happened in those last few seconds before the crash.
• Camera clips. Dashcams or nearby cameras sometimes catch what paperwork can’t. Maybe the driver looked down for a second or didn’t slow down fast enough.

We take all those pieces and put them together so the full story comes out. That way, it’s not just about what’s written in a report, it’s about what really happened.

Figuring Out Who’s Really at Fault

Truck crashes get messy fast. Sometimes it’s the driver’s fault. Other times, it’s the company that pushed them too hard to meet deadlines. Georgia law allows both to be held accountable, and we make sure blame goes where it should.

• Reckless driving. Speeding, texting, or tailgating. It’s dangerous and it shows.
• Bad hiring. Some companies skip checking a driver’s record. If they hired someone unsafe, they share the blame.
• Company responsibility. Even if the boss wasn’t behind the wheel, they’re still responsible for what their driver does on the job.
• Little or No Training. If the company didn’t train their driver properly, that can be part of the problem too.
• Skipping Maintenance. Failing to fix broken lights or worn-out brakes puts everyone in danger.

We look into both the driver’s history and the company’s behavior to make sure your case covers all sides of the story.

What to Do After a Truck Crash in Savannah

Dealing with a truck accident can feel overwhelming. Still, there are a few steps that help protect your claim right from the start.

1. Call the police. The report can back up your side of the story.
2. See a doctor. Even if you don’t feel hurt, pain can show up days later.
3. Take pictures. Get shots of the cars, road, and anything that shows what happened.
4. Talk to witnesses. Try to get names and numbers. They might’ve seen something important.
5. Don’t wait too long. There’s usually about two years to file a case, but time moves fast.

Our team walks you through each step so you don’t have to deal with it alone.

How Insurance Companies Try to Trick Victims of Truck Accidents

Insurance companies move fast after a wreck. Sometimes too fast. It almost feels like they want you to take the first offer and move on. You might have seen this before. They call, they sound kind, and they act like they are helping. But deep down, they just want the case to close before you know how much your claim is really worth.

You’ve seen it happen, right? Maybe to you, maybe to someone you know. They slide some papers your way, you sign, and later you’re sitting there thinking, “That’s it? That’s all I get?”

Here’s what usually goes on:

• Big company coverage. Trucking companies often have large insurance plans. It sounds like a good thing, but it also means they have a team of lawyers ready to pounce on unrepresented victims.
• No personal insurance. If the truck driver has no coverage, we check if your own policy can help.
• Fast, low offers. They might throw out an early offer that sounds fair at first. But once the real costs add up, you see it’s not even close.
• Layered policies. Some trucking companies use more than one plan. That can make it harder to figure out who pays what, but we handle that part.
• Blame shifting. This is their favorite move. They say you were partly at fault to lower what they owe. That’s why we always say to hang on to everything. Photos, notes, receipts, all of it. You never know which one might save you later.

A Savannah, GA Truck Accident Attorney Answering Your Common Questions

At Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, we have helped hundreds of people across Georgia recover from their truck accidents. Our extensive experience gives us a depth of knowledge that many other firms simply don’t have, and helps us get the answers our clients need.

Who is responsible – the driver or the trucking company?

In most cases, the trucking company can be held liable even if the driver’s negligence caused the accident. However, trucking companies will attempt to shield themselves from liability by hiring drivers as independent contractors. Working with a Savannah truck accident attorney can ensure that you hold the right party accountable for your injuries and other losses.

Is there a deadline for pursuing a claim?

Under Georgia law, you must file a lawsuit within two years of the date of your accident or you will lose your rights to any compensation. This deadline applies even if you don’t plan to go to court, as insurance companies will simply deny your claim. And while two years sounds like a long time, the sooner you engage a Savannah truck accident attorney, the better your chances of a successful outcome.

Will I have to go to court?

Most truck accident cases settle outside of court. However, you may have to go to court if your case involves complex legal issues or important facts are in dispute. That doesn’t mean that you don’t need to wait to talk to an attorney until you need to file suit – in fact, a Savannah truck accident attorney can handle your claim with the insurance company and is your best chance for avoiding court altogether.

Talk to a Savannah, GA Truck Accident Attorney Today

At Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, we understand how overwhelming it can be to face the future after your truck accident. That’s why we work with our clients side-by-side, every step of the way. To discuss your case and how we can help, contact us today at 912-341-6644 to schedule a free consultation.