Who Is Liable After a Truck Accident in Georgia?

If you have been injured in a truck accident through no fault of your own, you may wonder who you can hold liable for your losses. In many truck accidents in Georgia, the truck’s driver or the trucking company is legally responsible for injuries and property damage. However, in some cases, other parties can also be held liable, including the trailer’s owner, the truck’s manufacturer, the people who loaded the truck, the owner of the cargo, or the mechanics who failed to properly maintain the cab or trailer. An experienced truck accident attorney can investigate the facts of your case to determine who can and should be held responsible for compensating you.

For over 30 years, the Savannah personal injury attorneys of Spiva Law Group have advocated for the rights of Georgia residents who have been injured in semi-truck accidents that weren’t their fault. We have the experience and resources to handle even the biggest cases. Because our firm limits the number of cases we handle, we’re able to provide each of our clients with the focus and attention they deserve.

If you have been injured by a truck crash in Georgia, turn to Savannah truck accident lawyer Spiva Law Group today for a free initial case evaluation with a seasoned member of our legal team. We can identify who could be held liable for your injuries and help you pursue financial accountability from them.

How to Determine Liability in a Georgia Commercial Truck Accident Case

Determining liability following a truck accident in Georgia requires reviewing many different types of evidence, such as:

• The truck driver’s hours-of-service logs
• The truck driver’s employment and driving records
• Drug/alcohol test results
• Data from the truck’s “black box,” or electronic data recorder
• Cargo or load manifests
• Trucking or cargo/freight company dispatch records
• Truck inspection and maintenance records
• Post-crash vehicle inspections
• Surveillance and traffic camera footage
• Eyewitness testimony
• Police accident reports
• Expert accident reconstruction reports

Why Are Truck Accident Cases Different Than Car Accident Cases?

Preparing and pursuing truck accident cases can differ from car accident claims in several important ways, including:

• Truck accidents tend to cause more serious injuries, which means that accident victims may need to seek more significant compensation that includes money for future anticipated expenses.
• Truck accident investigations require reviewing many more pieces of evidence due to the highly regulated nature of the trucking industry and the large number of documents it generates.
• Multiple parties may have liability for a truck accident. Several companies are often involved in operating commercial trucks and may share liability in causing an accident.
• Trucking companies can have complicated, layered insurance coverages that make it difficult to determine how much coverage might be available in a truck accident case.

What Should I Do If the Trucking Company Is Blaming Me for the Accident?

If the trucking company tries to blame you for a truck accident, you should:

• Avoid discussing fault with the truck driver, the trucking company, or their insurance company
• Decline to provide a written or oral statement to the insurance company
• Refuse to sign any documents presented by the insurance company without first having them reviewed by an attorney
• Speak with a truck accident attorney as soon as possible so that you can push back against the trucking company’s efforts to shift the blame onto you

What Should You Do After a Truck Accident in Georgia?

The following steps can help you preserve your rights to pursue a claim for compensation following a truck accident:

• Report the accident to authorities and request an ambulance if you are injured.
• Take photos and videos of the crash scene, if possible.
• Seek medical attention from a doctor or hospital as soon as possible so that any injuries you may have sustained in the accident are diagnosed and treated.
• Follow your healthcare provider’s treatment instructions.
• Keep copies of your medical records, bills, invoices, and pay stubs or income statements to document the expenses and losses you suffer because of your injuries.
• Keep a journal to document your recovery from your truck accident injuries and their impact on your daily life.

Finally, speak with a truck accident attorney from Spiva Law Group for help demanding financial recovery and accountability from the parties at fault for the accident.

What Sort of Compensation Is Available for a Georgia Truck Accident?

If you have been injured in a Georgia truck accident, you may be entitled to recover compensation for financial and personal losses that you have incurred or will incur as a result. A Savannah truck accident attorney can help. This compensation may cover:

• Medical and rehabilitation expenses, including medical costs you anticipate incurring in the future
• Lost wages from missed work
• Loss of earning ability and employment benefits due to long-term or permanent disability from gainful employment
• Physical pain
• Mental or emotional distress or trauma
• Reduced enjoyment and quality of life from disabilities, scarring, or disfigurement
• Vehicle and property damage

What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Georgia Truck Accident Claim?

Under Georgia law, the statute of limitations for truck accident claims typically gives you only two years from the date of a crash to file a lawsuit against the at-fault truck driver or trucking company. If you wait to file your lawsuit until after the statute of limitations has expired on your truck accident claim, you risk that your case will end up being permanently dismissed by the court. If that happens, you will have lost your right to demand compensation for the injuries and other losses you suffered because of the accident. This makes it essential to speak to a Georgia truck accident attorney as soon as possible to start preparing and pursuing your case.

Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in Georgia Today

Don’t wait to talk to a truck accident lawyer in Georgia if you suffered injuries in a crash. Contact Spiva Law Group today for a free, no-obligation consultation regarding your legal options for pursuing financial recovery for your injuries and losses.