What to Do After an 18 Wheeler Accident in Georgia

Do you know what to do after an 18 wheeler accident in Georgia? If you were injured, it’s important to understand your rights after such an incident. You may be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries and losses if someone else’s negligence caused the wreck. You could seek compensation by filing a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company or by filing a lawsuit if the insurer won’t pay.

Taking the right steps in the immediate aftermath of an 18-wheeler accident can improve your chances of receiving fair compensation. Learn how to preserve evidence and avoid confusion over liability issues. Our experienced and knowledgeable truck accident lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve and need to get back to your life. Contact us online or call Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. at (770) 205-8827 for a free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing until we settle or win for you.

Steps to Take Immediately After an 18-Wheeler Truck Accident in Georgia

Your injuries might be severe after a crash involving a large commercial truck. If so, you may be unable to take some of the following steps. If you’re able, after an 18-wheeler accident, you should:

• Check yourself for injuries. If your injuries need urgent attention, tend to them. Check your passengers for injuries as well.
• Get to safety. Determine the safest way to move to a spot away from traffic. Don’t drive your vehicle unless you know you can do so safely.
• Check to see if anyone else involved in the wreck needs assistance. When speaking with others, never say anything suggesting that you might be uninjured or that you might have caused the crash. Exchange contact and insurance information with all other drivers involved in the wreck.
• Call 911 to report the crash. While waiting for an officer to arrive, take pictures of the scene. In addition, identify witnesses and get their names and contact information. Ask if they would be willing to provide recorded statements.
• Cooperate with the police. Be careful not to admit fault.
• See a doctor right away. Adrenaline can block your perception of pain after a frightening event. The fact that you don’t feel injured doesn’t mean you are injury-free.

Contact the insurance companies shortly after. Report the crash and inform them of your plans to file a claim.

However, it may be unwise to work directly with the insurance companies. Insurance claims adjusters will try to settle your case for as little money as possible to protect their company’s bottom line. Getting an experienced car or truck accident lawyer on your side will improve your chances of obtaining appropriate compensation.

Potential Liable Parties in an 18-Wheeler Accident Lawsuit

To file a claim for compensation after an 18-wheeler accident, you must know who was at fault for the crash. Parties that may be liable include:

• The driver
• The trucking company
• The truck’s designers or manufacturers if the crash resulted from a defect or mechanical error
• A truck’s maintenance and/or repair team
• Other drivers or pedestrians whose actions may have prompted the chain of events leading to the collision

In some instances, even government agencies could be liable for truck wrecks. This may be the case if a crash occurred because of a hazardous road condition. A government agency may be liable if it fails to address said condition in a timely manner. However, these scenarios are uncommon.

18-Wheeler Accident Settlements: Compensation Is Available

What is the average settlement for an 18-wheeler accident? There’s really no such thing as an “average” settlement because each accident is different. Many factors can affect a final settlement, including the severity of a victim’s injuries, whether they have any lost wages, and more.

When filing a claim, you typically may seek compensation for two types of losses:

• Economic damages
• Non-economic damages

An economic loss is a loss like medical expenses or lost wages. These are losses associated with your injuries that have exact dollar values.

Other losses – or non-economic damages – may not have a clear monetary value. For example, due to your injuries, you may experience pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and more. You deserve compensation for these intangible, non-economic losses as well.

What a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Do for You

Enlisting the help of our legal team when seeking compensation after an 18-wheeler accident is smart for many reasons. A lawyer can take on such tasks as:

• Determining who is liable
• Gathering evidence to prove liability
• Gathering documentation of your losses
• Adding up your losses to determine the amount of compensation you may deserve
• Submitting claim paperwork
• Negotiating with the insurance company
• Going to court to seek compensation if the insurer won’t offer a reasonable settlement

Contact a Lawyer for Your 18-Wheeler Accident in Georgia Today

At Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C., our personal injury lawyers understand that a crash involving a large commercial vehicle can dramatically impact your life. You don’t have to complicate your life further at this time by pursuing compensation on your own. Check out our recent personal injury case victories and the compensation we have won for our clients.

A Georgia truck accident lawyer from our firm can pursue compensation on your behalf while you focus on your recovery. For more information, contact us online today or call us at (770) 205-8827 for a free case review.

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