Atlanta truck accident lawyer

Truck accident claims are often challenging — and not just because of the severity of the injuries they can cause. Trucking companies have deep pockets and powerful teams of lawyers who are intent on paying out as little compensation as possible.

At Harrison Injury Law, we have the experience and resources to take on these powerful entities. We’ve achieved life-changing results for our clients — including $1.5 million for the victim of a trucking collision in 2019 — and we’re ready to fight for you, too.

The steps you take in the immediate aftermath of a truck accident can be critical to the success of your claim. Here are some tips to help you protect your rights.

1. Move to a safer location

Remaining in the middle of a busy roadway puts you at risk of further injury. If possible, move your vehicle to the side of the road or a nearby parking lot. If your vehicle is inoperable, you should only exit it if you can safely do so — otherwise, wait for emergency responders to arrive.

2. Call 911 and ask for police and an ambulance

It’s important to call 911 and request emergency help, even if you do not feel injured. The police should be called to the scene to investigate the incident and document what occurred. An ambulance may also need to be called, to assess and treat any injuries.

3. Tell your side of the story to the responding police officer

When the police arrive, tell them what happened from your perspective. You should provide as much detail as possible, but avoid making any assumptions or guesswork. Your statement will be included in the official police report, which the insurance company will likely see, so make sure it reflects the facts.

4. Notify your insurance company

Your insurance company should be notified of the crash as soon as possible. While you should provide them with a basic overview of the incident, avoid giving them any detailed or incriminating information. You should also never admit fault for the crash, even if you believe you may have been partially responsible.

5. Gather evidence at the scene

Before you leave the scene of the crash, take some time to document the incident. Photo and video evidence can be incredibly helpful in establishing the facts of the crash, so be sure to take pictures of your vehicle, the other vehicles involved, any road hazards, and any visible injuries. 

Additionally, if there were any witnesses to the accident, get their contact information — their testimony can be a valuable asset if you later seek compensation.

6. Visit Urgent Care or your primary care physician

Even if you don’t think you were injured, you should still seek medical attention. Some injuries can take days or even weeks to manifest. The sooner you get treatment, the better your prognosis may be, and the easier it will be to make a successful injury claim.

7. Consult with an Atlanta truck accident lawyer

After you’ve taken care of your medical needs, contact an Atlanta truck accident lawyer. You may be entitled to compensation, but winning a case against large truck companies isn’t easy. An experienced attorney can assess the strength of your claim and guide you through the process of obtaining compensation.

Georgia law sets a strict deadline to file a claim, known as the statute of limitations. For most truck accident cases in Georgia, you must file your claim within two years of the date of the accident that caused your injury.

If you fail to file a claim within this timeframe, you may not be able to seek compensation for your damages, so prompt action is key. The sooner you consult an Atlanta truck accident attorney, the better your chances of obtaining the compensation you deserve.

Economic damages

Non-economic damages

Truck drivers and trucking companies carry large insurance policies to cover the costs of any accidents they may cause. However, many insurance companies are reluctant to pay out claims in full, even when the evidence is overwhelming.

That’s where we come in. At Harrison Injury Law, we don’t just seek a settlement you can live with — we fight for maximum compensation. This means we go above and beyond to advocate for compensation that accounts for the full extent of your losses. Whether we need to negotiate with the insurance company or take your case to trial, we’ll fight for you every step of the way.

Commercial trucking operations are intricate systems involving numerous moving parts. As a result, when a crash occurs, there are often multiple parties who may be liable for the damages incurred. These may include:

• The truck driver
• Another motor vehicle driver
• The truck driver’s employer
• The individual or business responsible for loading the truck
• The manufacturer of a faulty truck part
• The government agency responsible for road maintenance

If our attorneys represent you, we’ll seek to identify all the parties who contributed to your accident and hold them accountable for their negligence.

After we’ve identified the potentially liable parties, we must demonstrate that each of them was negligent in some way. This requires us to show that they owed a duty of care to you, that they breached this duty, and that their breach caused your injuries.

To do this, we’ll draw on a variety of evidence, including police reports, photos from the accident scene, medical records, expert witnesses, and eyewitness testimony.

Another form of evidence we may use in your case is the data collected by the truck’s black box, also known as the event data recorder. This device records a variety of information, including the truck’s speed at the time of the crash, whether or not the brakes were applied, and accelerator activity.

We may be able to use this data to demonstrate the truck driver’s negligence, or that of the trucking company, giving you a better chance of obtaining full compensation for your damages.

The sheer size, weight, and speed of commercial trucks can result in catastrophic injuries with life-altering consequences. Common truck accident injuries include, but are not limited to:

• Whiplash
• Neck, back, or spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Internal bleeding or organ damage
• Broken or fractured bones
• Burns, cuts, or bruises
• Post-traumatic stress disorder

For many truck accident victims, these injuries are only the beginning of their struggles. Depending on the injury’s location and severity, permanent complications such as paralysis, chronic pain, disfigurement, and limb loss can arise. These complications can dramatically reduce victims’ quality of life and require a lifetime of medical care.

Our attorneys will handle most of the correspondence with the insurance company. However, there may be times when the insurance adjusters will attempt to contact you directly. If that happens, there are a few “dos” and “don’ts” to keep in mind.

Do:

• Be respectful but firm when responding to questions
• Provide only basic information about what happened, and refer all other inquiries to your attorney
• Take notes on the conversation and provide them to your attorney

Don’t:

• Sign any documents or accept any offers from the insurance company without consulting your attorney
• Admit fault or blame yourself for the crash, even if you think it was partially your fault
• Agree to a recorded statement without consulting your attorney first

Remember: the insurance company is not on your side. If you’re ever uncertain of how to handle a situation, contact your attorney for help.

You’re dealing with enough stress after being injured in a truck accident, and the last thing you need to worry about is the cost of legal help. We understand, which is why our truck accident attorneys in Atlanta work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you don’t have to pay us a dime unless and until we recover compensation for you.

We’re also proud to offer a competitive fee structure that’s designed to leave you with as much money in your pocket as possible. This reasonability doesn’t come at the expense of quality — our cost-benefit ratio is second to none, and our client’s interests always come first.

Shock and adrenaline can mask the symptoms of an injury following a truck accident, making it difficult to assess just how badly you’ve been injured. As a result, you may be tempted to avoid seeking medical attention.

However, this is not advisable. Not only can this delay your recovery, but it also makes it difficult to prove that your injuries were caused by the accident. By visiting a doctor soon after the crash, you’ll create a record of your injuries that may demonstrate a clear link between them and the accident. This type of evidence can be nearly impossible for the insurance company to refute, which can make all the difference if you decide to file a truck accident claim.