Semi-truck drivers often travel millions of miles in the same vehicle. In that distance, they are bound to make mistakes—and they do so as they are traveling through the Roswell area. In fact, driver error is the number one reason that semi-truck and 18-wheeler accidents occur. And, when these crashes happen, they can be devastating because of the huge size difference between these large vehicles and the average passenger car. When truck accidents happen, you need a Roswell semi-truck and 18-wheeler accident lawyer to help you with your legal claim.
Our lawyers know how hard semi-truck accidents can be on both victims and their families—from an emotional, financial, and physical perspective. They can affect virtually every aspect of your life. That’s why our lawyers never charge victims anything for consultations. And we collect NO fee from you at all unless you get money from a settlement or by winning at trial. Let us give you a free consultation. Give us a call at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
What are some of the most common injuries from an 18-wheeler accident?
Because semi-trucks are so large, they often cause serious injuries when they are involved in a collision with another vehicle. These physical damages can range from soft tissue injuries to life-long damages. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Head and brain damage, including traumatic brain injury
- Broken bones or fractures
- Injuries to the limbs that require amputation or surgery
- Spinal cord injuries that could result in complete or partial paralysis
- Burns from hazardous loads or fires
- Neck and back injuries
- Internal damage
- Rib injuries
- Damages from the seat belt or airbags
Fatalities are also more common in truck accident cases because of the often-severe nature of these collisions.
What kind of damages are available in a semi-truck accident case?
The damages available to you may not be the same as someone else’s case. Every situation is different, so your potential to get money damages will also vary.
Money damages in truck accident cases are designed to compensate you for your losses. The law tries to put you in a place where you would have been as if the accident had not occurred. That means that you may be able to collect money for your quantifiable losses that have already happened, including:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
You can also get damages for the losses that you are expected to experience in the future. Some of these are easier to predict than others. For example, if your doctor expects that you will not be able to work for six months, then part of your settlement should include six months’ worth of wages. But, it becomes less clear when you think about the things that could happen to your job in the next six months. The answers to the following questions will influence how much you get for your settlement just to cover your employment.
- How sure is the doctor that six months is the maximum?
- How much longer will you be out of work if there are complications in your recovery?
- Will your job still be available in six months? (Is your employer going to hold it open for you?)
- Will you miss out on raise opportunities or bonuses while you cannot work?
- Will you physically or mentally be able to return to the same job?
The same type of uncertainty applies to your medical expenses and treatment as well.
You can also get money for damages that are even harder to predict and quantify. These things generally include things like:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship for loved ones
- Loss of support in the household
No amount of money can ever really make up for these losses, but the law does provide that money damages are available to you to account for these damages. Your attorney will be able to help you predict what amount of money may be appropriate for your case. In some situations, they can do this just by their own experience, but in other cases, you may need an expert to help predict what your losses are currently and what they may be in the future.
How is a semi-truck accident case different from a car accident case?
Semi-truck crashes not only often result in more severe injuries than passenger vehicles, but they are also generally more complicated legal cases as well. There are many reasons for the additional complexities, such as:
- They often involve several parties.
- These cases may include more than one insurance company.
- The insurance companies involved are well-versed in truck accident cases.
- Truck drivers and trucking companies must follow regulations and other laws that don’t apply to most passenger vehicles.
- The insurance policies involved are much larger.
- Property damage is usually greater than those involved in passenger vehicle collisions.
It takes an experienced and skilled attorney to deal with a truck accident case because they are so different from the average car accident. Although inexperienced lawyers may try to help with a truck case, they may not be able to spot violations of the unique truck laws that apply to drivers and trucking companies. These violations are often very important to your case. You can’t get just any personal injury lawyer to help with a semi-truck accident case.
When should I get an attorney involved in an 18-wheeler accident?
Immediately. A trucking company’s insurance adjuster will start their investigation literally hours after the crash. You need to take quick action to start your own investigation as well. This involves things like:
- Getting statements from the drivers and witnesses involved
- Getting a copy of the police report
- Assessing damage and injuries
- Determining what caused the accident and whether money damages are appropriate
You need to be on the same timeline as the insurance company so you can fully understand how much your case is really worth after a crash. A semi-truck lawyer is a great asset to get this process going right away.
Talk to a Roswell Semi-Truck and 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer for Free
Our lawyers are here to help you. We are ready to put our over 20 years of experience to work for you—and there is no cost to you unless you win money. Let us help you get back on your feet after a truck accident. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to schedule your FREE consultation today.