Getting into an accident with a large commercial truck can be life-altering. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were 4,311 large trucks and buses involved in fatal crashes, which was an eight percent increase from the previous year. In total that year, there were 415,000 reported crashes, and 83,000 of those resulted in injuries.
Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, which can cause serious injuries to a driver in a regular automobile. A driver involved in a truck accident can incur injuries that can impact their mobility, their cognitive function, and ability to work. If you have been in an accident with a truck, it’s likely that you have lots of questions and are unsure of how to navigate the legal system for the first time.
Here are a few sample questions you may have for a PI attorney after a big truck accident.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MY ACCIDENT?
In many accidents, it’s not always cut and dry who is responsible for the accident. Sometimes it’s blatant, like when a truck driver runs a red light and hits another vehicle, but other times it’s not as clear. When you get into an accident with a big truck, there’s also the additional question of whether the driver is responsible or the truck driver’s company. If a truck driver’s company was negligent in inspecting the vehicles or weighing it down too heavily with cargo, then the trucking company may be held responsible for any damages in an accident.
HAVE YOU WORKED ON A BIG TRUCK ACCIDENT BEFORE?
When you are about to hire a PI attorney to represent you in a truck accident lawsuit, then you’ll need to know if they have worked on this kind of case before. Like any other professional that you hire, you’ll want to know how many years of experience they have and if they can give you any examples of similar past cases for your reference.
HOW DAMAGES CAN I RECOVER?
If you plan on pursuing legal action against the truck driver or the trucking company, the end goal is to recover damages that you experienced because of the accident. Damages are monetary losses in the form of medical bills, car repair costs, lost wages from work, and pain and suffering.
Your lawyer can help add up these costs and give you an approximate value for your case.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident with a large commercial truck in Georgia, then you will need an expert PI attorney to help you navigate the legal system. Contact the Fry | Goehring in Atlanta today and someone will contact you shortly regarding your case.
