Trucking Accidents

One of the most terrifying experiences that any automobile driver can experience is an auto accident with a truck, tractor trailer, 18 wheeler, or semi truck. A significant number of these auto accidents result in the driver of the auto being severely injured or killed. Unfortunately, these types of collisions are all too common on our roads and interstates today. It is commonly believed that truck, tractor trailer, 18 wheeler and semi truck accidents result in a proportionally larger number of wrongful deaths and severe injuries relative to auto accidents. Click here to contact an Atlanta, Georgia Attorney or Lawyer who handles auto accidents involving trucks, tractor trailers, 18 wheelers or semi trucks.

A truck accident can involve any collision between an auto and a truck, tractor trailers, 18 wheelers and semi truck. These accidents most often result in serious and permanent injuries that can result in significant financial losses to the victims and their families. Georgia law, however, allows for a truck accident victim to recover damages for their injuries from the responsible party.

Such damages can include, but may not be limited to, medical expenses, lost wages, funeral expenses and other economic losses. Victims may also be entitled to recover for the pain and suffering as a result of their injuries and treatment. An injured person’s spouse may also be entitled to recover for the loss of consortium or services of his or her spouse. These damages recovered may help ease some financial burdens often suffered by a trucking accident victim as a result of the injuries sustained in the accident.

After the accident, the company for the truck, tractor trailer, 18 wheeler or semi truck and their insurance company will immediately start investigating the claim. The trucking company and insurance company will take steps to limit the amount of damages an accident victim recovers and will attempt to keep the recovery to the lowest possible amount. There is no doubt that these companies have multiple procedures and strategies on how to handle trucking accident claims, especially in the initial stages of the investigation.

For example, the insurance company mostly likely take recorded statements from the accident victims early on in the investigation. The insurance company will also conduct a physical inspection of the vehicles involved, which can include having pictures taken of the vehicles. The insurance company will obtain the police report and investigate the extent of the injuries claimed by the victim of the trucking accident. These steps taken by the insurance company are usually done within the first week after the trucking accident. In fact, many of steps will be taken by the insurance company within the first 24 hours after the accident. Click here to contact an Atlanta, Georgia Attorney or Lawyer who handles auto accidents involving trucks, tractor trailers, 18 wheelers or semi trucks.

Of course, the strategy employed by each insurance company may vary to some degree, but the goal for many insurance companies is to try to get the injured person to settle quickly. In doing so, the insurance company hopes to avoid or limit responsibility for any future medical expenses, lost wages and other damages that may develop as the claim progresses. It is important to know that this is a trap that an injured person must not fall victim to. When a person is injured in a trucking accident, the complete extent of the injuries are typically not known for several months. During this time, an injured person may discovery that surgery or other extensive treatment is needed. This is why it is so important for a trucking accident victim not to settle an injury claim too early.

Georgia law allows in most, but not all cases, a two-year period of time in which to file a lawsuit on a personal injury claim. Many injuries sustained in a trucking accident are not often times do not fully manifest for several months. These injuries may be so severe as to leave the victim permanently disabled even after corrective surgery. In fact, the true value of a claim can take only be assessed after a physician has established a firm prognosis. Therefore, there is no need to rush to a settlement with the insurance company for the trucking vehicle. An early settlement may only lead to regret later after when your injuries have become much worse.

There are other significant issues that develop for persons injured in an car accident with a truck, tractor trailer, 18 wheeler or semi truck. For instance, if your health insurance company pays for your medical bills they will very often seek reimbursement from your settlement with the insurance company or company for the truck, tractor trailer, 18 wheeler or semi truck. There are significant limitations on their right to obtain such reimbursement.

If you were on the job when injured in a trucking accident, the worker’s compensation insurance company will try to obtain reimbursement of their payments for medical expenses and lost wages. However, it is important to know that there are significant limitations on their right to receive reimbursement. These are important issues that you need to understand prior to agreeing to any settlement with the insurance company for the truck, tractor trailer, 18 wheeler or semi truck. Click here to contact an Atlanta, Georgia Attorney or Lawyer who handles auto accidents involving trucks, tractor trailers, 18 wheelers or semi trucks.

In the State of Georgia, companies operating trucks, tractor trailers, 18 wheelers or semi trucks generally carry a significant amount of insurance coverage. However, the State of Georgia only requires such companies to carry liability insurance coverage of $100,000.00 per person and $300,000.00 or $500,000.00 per accident. These insurance limits are often times insufficient to fully compensate a victim for their injuries. As such, an injured person may need to explore what other insurance is available and the extent of the assets of the company operating the truck, tractor trailer, 18 wheeler or semi truck.

In addition, other unknown persons or entities may also have liability for the trucking accident. For instance, if the road or a light was defective, a government agency may share responsibility for the auto accident. Further, your own insurance policy may provide you with additional coverage for your injuries from the your accident with the truck, tractor trailer, 18 wheeler or semi truck.

Determining the appropriate value of a claim for personal injury from an auto accident involving a truck, tractor trailer, 18 wheeler or semi truck is complicated. It involves evaluating the nature and extent of the injury, the economic losses that are recoverable, and the liability issues related to the auto accident. The location where a trial would take place and any prior injuries suffered by the claimant are issues that are also factored into any evaluation of a personal injury claim. Click here to contact an Atlanta, Georgia Attorney or Lawyer who handles auto accidents involving trucks, tractor trailers, 18 wheelers or semi trucks

Insurance companies for companies operating the truck, tractor trailer, 18 wheeler or semi truck have vast experience in evaluating personal injury claims from auto accidents and will seek to obtain the lowest settlement possible. Therefore, it is important to have an attorney or lawyer with considerable experience dealing with the insurance company on your behalf. Generally, it is best to retain an Atlanta auto accident lawyer or attorney who regularly handles personal injury claims involving trucks, tractor trailers, 18 wheelers or semi trucks. Your attorney or lawyer must be prepared to institute litigation on your behalf if the insurance company is unwilling to settle your claim for a fair value.

If you wish to discuss your claim with an Atlanta lawyer handling accidents involving trucks, tractor trailers, 18 wheelers or semi trucks without any charge or obligation, click here.