One of the most terrifying
experiences that any person can experience is a collision with a tractor
trailer.
Tractor trailer accidents typically cause more catastrophic
injuries and wrongful deaths than other types of auto accidents.
18-wheelers are capable of tremendous destruction due to their sheer size.
These tragic wrecks 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.
My Atlanta Truck Accident Law Firm has extensive experience
handling claims for all types of motor vehicle accidents with large trucks and
tractor trailers. As an experienced Atlanta Truck Accident Attorney, I will promptly and
thoroughly investigate your case to assess damages and determine fault. Once
hired, I will communicate with the trucking company insurance company on your
behalf. I will give them only the
information they need to evaluate your claim and protect your privacy. If the insurance company refuses to recognize
the true value of your case, I will not hesitate to file suit and present your
case before a jury so that you can be awarded the compensation you
deserve.
The severe, debilitating
catastrophic and permanent injuries that arise from auto accidents with trucks,
tractor trailers, 18 wheelers and semis result in significant financial losses
to the individuals involved. Thankfully, the law provides an injured person
with the right to recover his or her damages from the responsible party.
Such damages include, but may
not be limited to, medical expenses, lost wages, funeral expenses and other
economic losses. Injured individuals are also entitled to recover for the pain
and suffering caused by the injuries and treatment. The spouse of the injured
person is often entitled to recover for the loss of services of his or her
spouse. Although a monetary recovery can never repair the damage that is done,
it can at least ease the financial burdens created by the collision.
Why Should you hire an Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer?
The insurance company for the truck driver
whose fault caused the wreck will start an investigation immediately. It is the
insurance company's responsibility to try to limit the compensation of the
injured person to the lowest possible amount in order to protect their profits.
Insurance companies have established very specific and elaborate policies on
handling truck accident claims, especially in the early stages. Insurance
company will take recorded statements from the persons involved in the truck
accident, have the vehicles examined, have photographs taken, obtain the police
report and try to establish the extent of the injuries suffered in the tractor
trailer collision. The insurance company is usually completes these tasks
within the first week after the truck collision and many of them within the
first 24 to 48 hours after the collision.
Insurance companies try to reach a
quick settlement with an injured person.
They often do this before the true extent of you injuries are
known. Their purpose is to avoid responsibility
for future medical expenses, lost wages and other damages that are likely to
develop. This is a situation that an experienced Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer
can help you avoid. When a person is
injured in a truck accident, it very often takes months or even years to
completely assess the person's injuries. At that point, the person may need
surgery, physical therapy or other extensive treatment. The injuries may even
leave the person permanently disabled. Therefore, the true value of a claim can
only be assessed after most of the medical treatment has been completed. The
State of Georgia provides in most, but not all, cases a two-year period of time
in which to file a lawsuit on a claim. Accordingly, there is no need to rush to
a settlement with an insurance company.
Other areas where an experienced Georgia Truck Accident Attorney can help you.
There are other significant issues
that develop for persons injured in a truck accident. For instance, if your
health insurance company pays for your medical bills they will very often seek
reimbursement from your settlement with the other driver's insurance company.
There are several legal limitations on these rights to reimbursement. An experienced Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer
can use the various laws in Georgia to maximize the amount of recovery that
you, the injured individual, gets to keep.
If you were on the job when injured,
the worker's compensation insurance company will try to obtain reimbursement of
their payments for medical expenses and lost wages. There are several legal
limitations on these rights to reimbursement as well. An experienced Georgia Truck Accident Attorney can use the various laws in
Georgia to maximize the amount of recovery that you, the injured individual,
gets to keep. These are important issues
that you need to understand prior to agreeing to any settlement.
An experienced Georgia Truck Accident Attorney
can often find additional insurance coverage to help you be completely
compensated.
In the State of Georgia,
companies operating trucks, tractor trailers, and 18 wheelers 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. Since these insurance
limits may be insufficient, very often the injured person must explore what
other insurance is available and the extent of the assets of the company
operating the tractor trailer.
In addition, other unknown persons or
entities may also have liability for the auto collision. For instance, if the
road or a light was defective, a government agency may share responsibility for
the collision. In addition, your own insurance policy may provide you with
coverage for your injuries.
An experienced Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer
can also determine whether or not your “uninsured” or “underinsured motorist”
insurance coverage can be utilized to help completely compensate you.
Since trucking companies and insurance
companies have vast experience in evaluating tractor trailer collisions, they
often will pay the lowest compensation possible. It is important to have an attorney on your
side with considerable experience dealing with these trucking companies and
insurance companies. It is always best to have an attorney who will not settle
your case for anything less than its full value. If the trucking companies and insurance
companies are not being reasonable in their valuation of your case, you need an
attorney who will fight for you, who will file a lawsuit, take your case to
trail and prove why you deserve to be compensated. My law firm will do that for you.