- Truck Accident Archive
Truck trailer accidents are common in Georgia. Truck accidents are caused due to a variety of reasons like driving on the wrong side, overload vehicles, driving overtime, driving under the influence, and so on.
Georgia is one of the states with the highest number of fatalities caused by truck accidents. Truck accidents are dealt with a bit differently than car accidents. If you are involved in a truck accident, your legal battle may be harder as it involves dealing with more than one defendant. It is difficult to determine the accused in the first instance.
This is why it is necessary to take the help of a truck accident attorney in Macon. However, the immediate moments after a truck accident in Macon, GA, can help you get the upper hand.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident in Macon, GA
Here is how should react in the moments after a truck accident.
Call 911
Since there are higher chances of getting injured when a truck accident is involved, calling 911 after an accident is better. You should ask the witnesses to call 911 if you are seriously injured.
Even if there are no apparent injuries, calling 911 and the police officers is advisable. The police officers are responsible for preparing the accident report used as a basis of evidence. It briefly contains the interview of the drivers involved and other necessary details about the accident.
Even if the truck driver or trucking company is based in another state, the case will be filed in the state where the accident occurred. Having no police report and medical report generated by the medical team makes it difficult to get a claim.
Check If Any Passengers Are Injured
Sometimes a truck accident may leave more than one passenger or person injured. If you are amongst those not severely injured, it is safe to inspect others for their injuries and help them out.
Collect Evidence
Try documenting the accident to the best capability. This involves collecting possible evidence on the accident scene, like taking pictures of the vehicles involved in the accident.
It may also involve collecting necessary information like the name and contact number of the witnesses, the name and address of the other driver, video footage from surveillance cameras nearby, and so on. Having first-hand evidence helps the attorney in filing the rightful claim. Extracting the evidence collected by the police officer may take time; thus, having your evidence is always helpful.
Do Not Admit Fault
You may also be interviewed by the police investigating officers to record your statement. While being interviewed, you should give answers precisely and not give answers to questions you don’t know.
You can also refuse to give a statement and hire an attorney in Macon, Georgia. Also, when answering questions, you should not use words that make you appear at-fault of the accident. What you say can be used as evidence before a court of law.
Also, in Georgia has a comparative negligence law. This means that if both the drivers involved in the accident are partially at fault, the compensation is calculated based on the percentage of fault.
The trucking company or insurance company are used to fighting such legal battles and has insurance adjusters. These are responsible for negotiating and reducing the compensation to the minimum. Having an attorney by your side may help you deal with such situations better.
Seek Medical Attention
This step can be followed just after calling 911 and calling the police officers. If the injuries are serious, any witnesses should call the emergency medical ambulance. One should never refuse to get started with the emergency technicians even when there are no visible injuries.
You should follow their directions as advised. Going against anything at this point can lessen your chances of getting compensation. Even if the injuries are not seen, it is better to seek medical attention as some injuries take time to show up and are life-threatening.
Notify Your Insurance Company
You should inform your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible. Any delay may allow the company to deny your claim on the grounds of delayed reporting.
When notifying the insurance company, avoid going into details of the accident and only mention the key facts like what happened, where the accident took place, and so on. Do not get into details until you have a hands-on police report or have an attorney by your side.
Contact a Truck Accident Attorney in Macon, GA
Contact a truck accident attorney before it’s too late. It doesn’t take much time for truck insurance companies to reach the spot of the accident and tamper with the evidence. If you have decided to take the help of an attorney, it must be taken within the right time.
The truck driver will certainly be supported by the trucking company’s legal team protecting their rights. If you need to build a stronger representation for yourself, hiring an attorney in Georgia can help you.
The attorney will fight your case and handle everything related to it. You will feel a lot more relaxed and boost your confidence with a good truck accident attorney. The attorney will also be responsible for calculating the financial compensation estimate, collecting the evidence, collecting police report, and presenting your case in the court (if the mutual settlement does not work)
How Much Does a Truck Accident Attorney in Macon, Georgia Charge?
Truck accident attorneys in Macon, Georgia, charge either hourly or fixed rates. It is more suitable to hire an attorney that charges a fixed rate i.e., a fixed percentage out of the total compensation amount.
Such attorneys only charge when they win the case and nothing if they lose. You can first consult a firm through their toll-free number. Consultation is free of cost and allows the victim to know if their case is stronger enough to fight the legal battle. The attorney then understands the case in brief and suggests you the next step.
If it is decided that both the drivers were 50% at fault for the accident, both the parties are denied any compensation for the injuries and damage. This may be beneficial for the truck driver but not for the victim. Thus, hiring a Macon personal injury attorney is recommended.
