Savannah Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck collisions can seriously injure passengers in personal vehicles. The average truck weighs 10,000 pounds, while a fully loaded semi can reach 80,000 pounds, the maximum allowed by law. Passenger cars, however, average between 2,000 and 3,500 pounds.

The weight difference is a critical factor in determining accident severity. Speed and impact location also play a role. Contact a Savannah truck accident lawyer to understand your compensation options when you are involved in a tractor-trailer wreck. Our seasoned personal injury attorneys can help with your case.

Why Are Truck Accidents So Dangerous?

Energy is released when trucks collide with passenger cars. Because the truck is larger, the energy’s impact is more significant on the smaller vehicle, causing more property damage and passenger injuries. The higher the speed at the time of impact, the more energy is released and the more severe the damage.

Side-impact accidents often result in more serious injuries because the passengers and driver are least protected. Even cars with side airbags do not protect against head injuries. Because trucks have a higher profile, their bumpers may align with a car’s body, bypassing some of its safety features. For more information about the implications of a trucking crash, contact a Savannah lawyer today.

Potentially At-Fault Parties for a Truck Accident

Georgia is an at-fault state, requiring the injured party to prove negligence. It also follows a comparative fault model when assigning responsibility. Because of this, injured parties may be partially responsible for an accident and still receive compensation. However, the compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to them unless the percentage is 50% or higher. In such cases, no compensation is available.

Employers may be liable for an employee’s wrongful act if the employee was operating within the scope of employment. This vicarious liability allows injured parties to include a trucking company in a personal injury lawsuit if the driver was working at the time of the accident. An experienced Chattahoochee Injury Law attorney could help determine fault after reviewing your accident case in more detail.

Necessary Evidence to Prove Fault

A successful complaint requires evidence that truck drivers were responsible for obeying traffic laws and failed to do so. As a result of those failures, the accident occurred, causing injuries. Evidence may include the following:

Police Report

Georgia law requires anyone involved in a collision with injuries or property damage exceeding $500 to report it immediately. Most trucking accidents involve police at the scene. The investigating officers will file a report that includes any issued citations.

Medical Records

If medical attention was unavailable at the accident site, everyone involved should have a healthcare professional examine them. Not all injuries are apparent at the scene. A physician can check for injuries and recommend treatment to reduce potential impact.

Medical records should include the initial contact and subsequent hospital stays, doctor visits, and emergency services. They may contain test results, treatment plans, and medications.

Witness Statements

If possible, gather contact information from witnesses while at the scene. Witnesses may have pictures or videos of the wreck that can be used as evidence. A truck crash lawyer in Savannah can follow up with witnesses to ensure pertinent evidence is not lost.

Get in Touch With a Truck Accident Attorney in Savannah Today

Injured parties can seek compensation for measurable economic losses and noneconomic damages for pain and suffering. However, you must file within two years or risk having the case dismissed and compensation no longer available.

When involved in a tractor-trailer collision, consult a Savannah truck accident lawyer as soon as possible to help preserve evidence, gather witness statements, and negotiate the best possible settlement.