Georgia Truck Accident Lawyer
When you or a family member is involved in a truck-related accident, the injuries can be devastating. Lifelong disability, paralysis, traumatic brain injuries and even death can result from these tragic collisions. Those who have lost loved ones or suffered disabling injuries from truck accidents know the effects it can have on your life.
The situation may get worse when insurance companies, trucking companies or other parties try to avoid responsibility and refuse to pay. You need someone who can protect your rights, hold the responsible parties accountable, and get you the compensation you deserve. The Georgia truck accident lawyers at Stokes & Kopitsky, P.A. can aggressively protect your rights and get you the full compensation for the damages you’ve suffered.
Truck Accidents – By the Numbers
Truck accidents can be worse than other kinds of motor vehicle accidents due to the large size and mass of the truck and the vast amounts of damage it can do. These vehicles can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, or 15 to 25 times more than the size of your average car.
Even with the dedicated training programs available for truckers, truck accidents still occur on our roadways. In the year 2015, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 667 people died from truck accidents and 116,000 people suffered injuries across the country.
Negligence in Truck Accidents
Many injurious or fatal truck accidents occur because of negligence on the part of the truck driver. This often happens when a trucker is focused on making good time and goes for too long without taking a rest, exceeds the posted speed limit or tailgates another driver. Distracted driving, such as texting behind the wheel, is another common cause of truck accidents. Finally, driving while intoxicated is one of the leading causes of fatal vehicular accidents on the road today.
Also, improper loading of a truck can lead to the vehicle being off-balance, which causes accidents. Inadequate maintenance or defective parts can lead to mechanical failures, which can have tragic consequences. Understanding what caused the accident will determine against whom you file suit.
Trucking Company Bonding
The Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §46-7-3 states that all trucking companies and carriers have to carry a bonding or insurance policy to cover damages that result from accidents. These bonds must cover not only medical costs, but income lost, and costs for pain and suffering. Since damages resulting from a trucking accident can range into the millions of dollars, these policies provide vital protection.
However, the insurers often try to avoid paying out the full damages. They may try to deflect responsibility or get victims to accept lesser compensation or partial blame. This is in an effort to save their company money rather than pay out the necessary compensation to aid in your recovery.
Do I Need a Georgia Truck Accident Attorney?
There may be many parties involved in your truck accident case, from the truck driver to the loading company, the owner of the trucking company, and even the manufacturers of the parts in the truck. You need experienced representation to pursue your case.
The attorneys at Stokes & Kopitsky, P.A. are eager to put our thirty-plus years of experience to work aggressively representing your rights and seeking the compensation you deserve for your trucking accident injury. We have a legacy of satisfied customers, and you could join that list. If you would like more information, call us at 404-892-0011 or contact us online today.
