If you recently suffered injuries in a truck accident involving a negligent driver or company, a LaGrange truck accident lawyer at Moffitt Law, LLC, can help. Georgia civil law says you have the right to recover compensation for damages caused by the party responsible for your accident. Consider how this system works and what benefits you can derive from making a claim.
How Can Our Firm’s LaGrange Truck Accident Lawyer Help?
Hiring our firm’s truck accident lawyer in LaGrange ensures you have a legal professional protecting your rights and ensuring you understand the civil process. We handle all administrative responsibilities you have as the plaintiff and communicate with insurance companies on your behalf. Specific tasks we perform to build your case include:
- Investigating the crash to find evidence of negligence
- Identifying damages you can recover, including non-economic losses like pain and suffering
- Negotiating for a fair settlement
- Preparing your case for trial if necessary
- Offering professional guidance through the sometimes complex legal process
Truck accident cases can quickly become complex. Liability is often more challenging than other auto accidents, and trucking companies have extensive legal resources. Our presence removes the heavy burdens of building a compensation case and ensures you have compassionate support during this trying time.
Why Do Truck Accidents Often Happen?
Truck accidents are often the result of circumstances unique to the trucking industry. Examples include:
- Driver fatigue: Long hours behind the wheel and strict deadlines can lead to exhaustion. This tiredness impairs a driver’s reaction times and decision-making abilities, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Poor vehicle maintenance: Neglecting routine checks and repairs can result in critical failures, such as brake malfunctions or tire blowouts, directly leading to accidents.
- Overloading: Overloading affects the vehicle’s stability and maneuverability, making it difficult to control, especially in emergencies.
- Inadequate training: Inexperienced or inadequately trained drivers may lack the necessary skills to handle large vehicles under various road and traffic conditions, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
Understanding the common causes of truck collisions is vital for a LaGrange truck accident lawyer at our firm. It helps us determine who is responsible for the accident and who is liable for resulting damages. In a truck crash, the liable party could be the truck driver or trucking company.
What Laws Do Truck Companies and Drivers Have To Follow?
Truck companies and drivers must adhere to stringent laws that ensure both road safety and the efficiency of transport operations. One of the key regulations involves Hours of Service, limiting how long a driver can operate a truck to prevent fatigue. These rules require drivers to take regular rest breaks and set limits on their daily and weekly driving hours. Additionally, drivers must undergo rigorous substance abuse regulations, including periodic testing for drugs and alcohol, to maintain a safe driving environment.
Vehicle maintenance standards demand regular inspections and upkeep of trucks. These rules require checks on brakes, tires, lights and other essential components to ensure the vehicle is in safe working condition. Laws also mandate adherence to specific load limits, preventing trucks from exceeding set weight and size restrictions to maintain stability.
Trucking companies are responsible for truck maintenance, driver training and driver vetting. They can be liable for damages in accidents involving driver error or truck malfunction. For example, if a truck driver with a record of traffic violations causes an accident, the trucking company could be responsible for hiring the driver. Our firm’s LaGrange truck accident lawyer can help you understand who is liable for your accident and losses based on the evidence.
What Evidence Can Support Your Truck Accident Claim?
There are several types of evidence essential to support a truck accident claim:
- Accident report: Police responding to the scene will write an accident report detailing the parties involved and potential causes.
- Witness statements: Testimonies from people who witnessed the accident can offer valuable insights into how the accident occurred and corroborate your account.
- Truck driver’s log: Federal regulations require truck drivers to maintain logs of their driving hours. These logs can reveal if fatigue due to overdriving was a factor in the accident.
- Vehicle maintenance records: These records can show whether the truck was in proper working condition or if neglecting maintenance contributed to the accident.
- Medical records: Documenting injuries sustained in the accident is crucial. Medical records provide a clear link between the accident and your injuries, supporting claims for medical expenses and pain and suffering.
Collecting and presenting this evidence is an essential element of the job for our firm’s truck accident attorney in LaGrange, GA. It allows us to establish fault and secure fair compensation for your claim.
What Is the Process of a Truck Accident Lawsuit?
The process of a truck accident lawsuit begins with a consultation. We evaluate your case and advise on the best action plan. Next, we do a comprehensive investigation, collecting crucial evidence to build a solid claim for compensation.
Once there is enough evidence, our personal injury lawyer can file a lawsuit against the responsible parties, outlining your claims and the damages sought in the complaint. This moves into the discovery phase, where both parties exchange information through depositions, document requests and interrogatories, uncovering all relevant facts.
Before the trial, there is often a phase of negotiations and mediation, aiming to settle the case outside of court for a faster resolution. The case proceeds to trial if the parties do not reach a settlement. Here, a judge or jury examines the evidence and delivers a verdict.
Each step in the process demands meticulous attention to detail and legal expertise to ensure the best possible outcome for your case. We can often settle without entering the courtroom, but that option is available should the defense refuse to offer a fair payout.
When Should You Contact Our LaGrange Truck Accident Lawyer?
It is never too soon to contact a LaGrange truck accident lawyer at Moffitt Law, LLC. Victims of negligent truck drivers and trucking companies often face severe physical injuries and significant financial and emotional losses. We ensure you receive adequate compensation to restore your losses and rebuild. Contact us to schedule your free consultation today.