Side Impact Truck Accidents in Richmond Hill

When you are involved in a side-impact truck accident in Richmond Hill, it is challenging to identify the responsible parties and get the compensation you deserve. For example, if the driver works for a commercial trucking company, both the employer and the driver may be at fault under Georgia law.

However, establishing fault requires a highly skilled tractor-trailer collision attorney who can assess the evidence and identify the best course of action. Call Chattahoochee Injury Law today for more information and to speak with a hardworking legal professional.

What is Negligence?

Georgia is an at-fault state. Before injured parties in Richmond Hill can receive compensation, they must prove that the trucker was responsible for the side-impact accident. They can do this by establishing four conditions: duty of care, breach of care, causation, and damages.

Duty of Care

A duty of care is a legal obligation to act reasonably to keep others safe on Georgia’s highways and roads. Truck drivers assume this duty by obeying traffic laws and acting with the safety of others in mind.

Breach of Care

When truck drivers violate Georgia’s traffic laws, such as failing to stop before entering an uncontrolled intersection, they have breached their duty of care. Truckers do not have to be cited for a traffic violation to have breached their duty of care, and a lawyer can help clients find other evidence showing a breach.

Causation

Injured parties must demonstrate that the driver’s action or inaction caused the accident and resulting injuries. In Richmond Hill, there must be a clear link between a trucker’s actions and the injuries of a side-impact truck accident.

Damages

The injured parties must show that they suffered economic and noneconomic losses from the accident. Under Georgia state law, economic damages may include medical expenses and lost wages, while noneconomic damages include mental and emotional distress.

An experienced Chattahoochee Injury Law attorney can help establish the four principles required to prove negligence and get injured parties of a side-impact truck accident the compensation and justice they deserve.

Evidence Needed After a Truck Accident

Evidence collection typically begins with the police report and includes witness statements, photographs, and videos. It may also require expert opinions and accident reconstructionists to explain the intricacies of the incident.

Police Reports

Police reports are the official accident record. They may include diagrams of the accident site, issued citations, and investigator notes.

Medical Records

Medical records include diagnostic tests, treatment plans, and medications. Patient electronic health records (EHRs) cover hospital stays, doctor visits, or emergency services.

Anyone involved in a side-impact truck crash in Richmond Hill should seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if no injury is apparent. Doctors can check for potential injuries and prescribe treatments if necessary.

Witness Statements

If possible, collect contact information from witnesses. They may have pictures or videos of the accident scene to be used as evidence.

Traffic Cameras

Depending on the location, traffic cameras may have recorded all or part of the crash. Even if they did not, the footage can document the weather and road conditions at the time of the incident.

Available Compensation After Truck Accidents

Georgia’s statute of limitations requires parties to file a claim within two years of the accident date or risk losing the right to pursue compensation. Consulting a knowledgeable personal injury attorney can help meet these deadlines.

Economic Compensation

Economic compensation covers measurable medical expenses such as physical therapy, doctor visits, and hospital stays. If injuries prevent a person from returning to work, they can seek compensation for lost wages. If the injuries result in permanent impairment, they can also receive compensation for future earnings.

Noneconomic Compensation

Noneconomic compensation refers to the pain and suffering that injured parties experience. Changes in social relationships or quality of life can add to the physical trauma of a truck wreck.

Contact a Lawyer For Help After a Richmond Hill Side-Impact Truck Accident

Being involved in side-impact truck accidents in Richmond Hill can be overwhelming, especially if you or someone you love was seriously injured.

Talking to a determined personal injury law firm like Chattahoochee Injury Law can ease the stress of dealing with the aftermath of a collision. Call our law office today to schedule an initial consultation.