Valdosta, GA Truck Accident Lawyer

Valdosta Truck Accident Attorney

Large commercial trucks are a crucial component of the supply chain in the United States, and drivers throughout the Valdosta area encounter large trucks every day on local roads. While most drivers reach their destinations without issue, it is possible for truck accidents to happen in many ways. These incidents almost always result in far worse damage than standard passenger vehicle accidents.

If you or a family member recently suffered injuries and economic losses in a truck accident that someone else caused, a Valdosta truck accident attorney is the optimal asset to have on your side as you seek compensation for your damages. The attorneys at Spohrer Dodd Trial Attorneys have years of experience helping clients through all types of personal injury cases in Valdosta, including those pertaining to commercial truck accidents. We can help you determine your most likely options to obtain legal recourse and assist you in recovering as much compensation as possible for your damages. The sooner you connect with our team, the sooner we can begin building your case.

How to Prove Fault for Truck Accidents in Valdosta

The first challenge you will face in the aftermath of a commercial truck accident is proving how the accident happened and identifying the party or parties responsible for causing it. Georgia follows the fault rule for all vehicle accidents, meaning that all drivers are required to carry auto insurance with liability coverage for any bodily injury and property damage they cause. Proving fault is an essential first step in your recovery, whether you expect to fully recover through auto insurance alone or you are preparing to file a personal injury claim against another driver.

Truck accidents happen in many ways, and a few of the most commonly reported causes of these incidents include:

• Distracted driving. This is a leading cause of all vehicle accidents throughout the U.S. each year. Truck drivers and other drivers who become distracted behind the wheel are dangerous to themselves and others around them. Even a few seconds of inattentive driving is enough to cause a devastating crash.
• This is dangerous for any driver, but especially for truck drivers. Large commercial trucks require more time and distance to slow down or stop to avoid collisions. Speeding significantly increases the chances of an accident resulting in catastrophic or fatal injuries.
• Imbalanced cargo. A tractor-trailer needs to be packed correctly so that its cargo is not imbalanced. If cargo shifts in transit, it can cause the driver to lose control around a sharp turn, resulting in a tip-over or rollover accident.
• Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs. DUI is illegal in Georgia and every other state, and the penalties for DUI can include fines, jail time, and driver’s license suspension. If a truck driver causes a DUI accident, they are likely to lose their commercial driver’s license (CDL) in addition to their liability for the damages they caused.
• Poor maintenance. Commercial trucks have greater maintenance demands than standard passenger cars. The party responsible for maintaining a commercial vehicle could face liability for any resulting damages if they fail to perform maintenance correctly in any way that results in an accident.
• Truck driver error. Commercial truck drivers must follow strict industry regulations, and their employers are also beholden to specific regulations. Your Valdosta truck accident attorney can help you determine whether any regulatory violations may have caused or contributed to your accident. It is also possible for vicarious liability to apply to an employer if they contributed to causing the accident in any way.

These are only a few possible examples of how truck accidents might happen in Georgia. Your attorney can help you gather evidence like:

• Traffic camera footage
• Cell phone records
• Vehicle computer data
• Eyewitness statements
• Physical evidence from the scene of the crash

These can help you prove fault for your damages and hold the at-fault driver fully accountable for the losses you suffered.

Claiming Compensation for Your Truck Accident in Valdosta

Recovery from your truck accident in Valdosta is likely to begin with an auto insurance claim against the at-fault driver. Your Valdosta truck accident attorney can help you navigate the claim-filing process and resolve any problems you might encounter with the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier. After you receive your settlement, you may have outstanding damages that insurance can’t cover. If so, or if the at-fault driver does not have insurance, you will need to file a personal injury claim to recover the remainder of your damages.

Under Georgia’s personal injury laws, the plaintiff in a truck accident case has the right to claim full repayment of any economic damages the defendant inflicted. These are direct financial losses resulting from the accident in question and may include:

• Vehicle repair costs
• Medical expenses
• Future medical treatment costs
• Lost income
• Lost future earning potential

Your attorney can help you accurately calculate these damages and secure any documentation you may need to prove that they are the direct results of your truck accident.

Georgia’s personal injury statutes also allow the plaintiff to claim pain and suffering compensation. This should reflect the overall severity of the harm they suffered and the scope of any long-term complications they are likely to face because of the accident. There is no cap or limit on pain and suffering compensation for vehicle accident claims in Georgia, and your attorney can assist you in determining a suitable amount.

If you select Spohrer Dodd Trial Attorneys as your legal counsel, we can work to maximize your recovery in the shortest possible timeframe. We know how to uncover all the various damages you can seek from the defendant who caused your accident, and our attorneys can guide you through the process of proving accountability for those damages. You have a limited time in which to file your case, so it’s vital that you connect with legal counsel you can trust as soon as possible. That way, you can have the greatest chance of success with your claim.

FAQs for Truck Accident Lawyers

Q: How Much Is My Truck Accident Claim Worth?

A: If you can prove that another party is responsible for causing your recent accident, they are liable for all economic losses you suffered from the accident. These may include immediate and future medical treatment costs, lost wages, lost future earning capacity, and property damage. You will also have the right to seek as much pain and suffering compensation as you believe to be appropriate to reflect the overall severity of the harm you suffered. Your Valdosta truck accident attorney can provide an estimate of your case’s potential value if you win.

Q: How Long Does It Take to Resolve a Truck Accident Claim in Valdosta?

A: Resolving a truck accident case or any other car accident claim in Valdosta can take several weeks to several months or even longer than a year. The time your case will require to complete largely depends on whether the defendant accepts liability for the accident. If they accept liability, they are likely to agree to settlement negotiations. If you must take the case to court, litigation may take several months or longer before the judge reaches a conclusion.

Q: What Happens If I’m Partially at Fault for the Accident?

A: Georgia enforces a modified comparative fault rule that applies if the plaintiff shares fault with the defendant for causing the damages in question. As long as the plaintiff is less than 50% at fault, they can recover compensation, but they lose a percentage of their case award equal to their percentage of fault. If they are 50% or more at fault, they may not claim compensation from the defendant and will be responsible for their own damages.

Q: Do I Really Need to Hire a Valdosta Truck Accident Attorney?

A: Even if fault for your recent truck accident seems perfectly clear, you should not assume that you can resolve your claim on your own. An experienced attorney can make every aspect of your recovery efforts easier to manage, and you are more likely to maximize your final recovery with their help. When you choose Spohrer Dodd Trial Attorneys to handle your case, you can have a responsive legal advocate available to answer your questions and address your concerns at any point during your proceedings.

Q: What Does It Cost to Hire a Valdosta Truck Accident Attorney?

A: Spohrer Dodd Trial Attorneys accepts personal injury clients on contingency, removing the risk of a client paying more in legal fees than they win in compensation for their damages. With a contingency fee agreement, our client pays a percentage of their final case award as our fee, but this would only happen if we win their case. If we cannot recover a case award for any reason, there is no fee for the client, so you can approach your case without fear of what you may need to pay in legal fees.

Experienced Legal Counsel for Truck Accident Claims in Valdosta, GA

Every year, thousands of truck accidents occur throughout the United States for many reasons. However your recent accident occurred, you will need legal counsel you can trust to guide you through the legal proceedings ahead as you seek compensation for your losses. The sooner you reach out to our firm, the more time we have to build your case, Contact Spohrer Dodd Trial Attorneys today to arrange a consultation with our team to learn more about the legal services we offer in Valdosta.