Fort Oglethorpe Truck Accident Lawyer
Crashes involving any type of vehicle can be serious, but those between a car and a large truck may be among the most severe. This is because a truck’s large size and heavy weight can cause more damage, resulting in serious injuries. In Georgia in 2016, there were 179 fatalities involving a large truck, according to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.
If you or a loved one is involved in a crash with a truck, a Fort Oglethorpe truck accident lawyer could help you hold the responsible party accountable and pursue the financial compensation you need to move forward. If you need guidance through this time of loss and recovery, get in touch with one of our dedicated personal injury attorneys to see what your options may be.
Top Factors Contributing to Truck Accidents
Among its many other responsibilities, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration analyzes data on crashes involving large trucks. Its most recent review identifies driver-related reasons for truck accidents including but not limited to:
- Speeding of any kind
- Driver distractions
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Impairment due to alcohol, drugs, fatigue or illness
- Obscured vision
- Failure to stay inside one’s lane
- Improper lane changing
- Reckless driving
Vehicle-related factors such as issues with tires or the braking system can also cause a truck accident. An experienced Fort Oglethorpe truck accident lawyer could help identify the responsible party or parties so a plaintiff can seek fair compensation. Compensation may include recovery for various economic damages, as well as noneconomic damages such as pain and suffering. In Fort Oglethorpe, there may be exceptions to compensation caps in injury cases.
Defining Negligence in Fort Oglethorpe Truck Accident Cases
When an accident is caused by a truck driver’s unsafe driving behavior, the injured party may have a cause of action for negligence. To prove the trucker was negligent, the plaintiff must meet a four-part test:
- The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty
- The defendant breached his or her duty
- The breach directly caused the plaintiff’s injuries
- The injuries resulted in damages
In certain truck accidents, there is more than one party at fault. Sometimes, the plaintiff may also be liable. When that occurs, the plaintiff can still recover damages from the defendant under the Official Code of Georgia Annotated §51-12-33 if he or she is less than 50 percent responsible. It should be noted, though, that any damage award that plaintiff received would be reduced in proportion to his or her percentage of fault. An experienced personal injury attorney could help establish fault in a truck accident to ensure that the injured individual is able to recover damages.
Statute of Limitations in Fort Oglethorpe
Georgia state law establishes certain time limits within which an injured party must bring a civil cause of action. For personal injury cases centered around causes of actions like truck accidents, the statute of limitations is generally two years. After that time, the plaintiff may be barred from recovering damages. A Fort Oglethorpe truck accident lawyer could help an injured person file a claim within the statute of limitations.
Contact a Fort Oglethorpe Truck Accident Attorney Today
If you are involved in an accident with a large truck, the damage to you and your automobile may be significant. If the damages are the result of someone else’s negligence, you should not have to bear the financial and medical consequences.
In these situations, you may be able to prove negligence in a personal injury claim. Having a seasoned Fort Oglethorpe truck accident lawyer by your side could help you hold the trucker or trucking company accountable for their actions so you can get on the road to recovery. Call us today to get started on your case.
