Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer
Trust the leaders who wrote The Field Manual For Commercial Motor Vehicle Claims.
Atlanta is a hub of transportation. With three major interstates converging near one of the country’s busiest international airports, the city sees its fair share of commercial shipping traffic, making truck accidents an unfortunate reality here. At Weatherby Law, we know first-hand the devastating consequences truck accidents leave in their wake. We’re equally familiar with how to overcome the unique challenges that truck accident cases present — after all, we wrote the book on the subject.
When an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer collides with a passenger vehicle, the results are often catastrophic. Victims face not only severe physical injuries but also overwhelming medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma. In these critical moments, you need more than just a lawyer — you need a dedicated advocate with specialized truck accident law knowledge.
As an experienced truck accident law firm, Weatherby Law brings unparalleled expertise to your case. We’ve spent years honing our skills in this niche area of personal injury law, successfully recovering millions for our clients. We know how to navigate the intricate web of federal regulations, industry standards, and corporate interests that often complicate truck accident cases.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident in Atlanta, don’t face your challenging recovery time alone. Let Weatherby Law stand by your side and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation, and experience the difference that true expertise can make in your case.
Why You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer in Atlanta
Truck accidents aren’t just bigger car accidents. Here’s what makes truck accident cases different from car accidents and why hiring a specialized Atlanta truck accident lawyer is instrumental for your recovery:
Complex Regulations
Truck drivers and trucking companies must adhere to strict federal and state regulations. Our attorneys are well-versed in these laws — including Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations — which cover aspects like driving hours, vehicle maintenance, and driver qualifications. We know how to identify violations that could be crucial to winning your case.
Severe Injuries and Damages
Due to the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks, accidents often result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities. These cases typically involve higher stakes and require a skilled attorney to accurately calculate and pursue full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term care needs.
Powerful Opposition
Trucking companies and their insurers have teams of lawyers at their disposal, ready and waiting to protect their interests. They will inevitably try to settle for far less than you deserve. Our experienced attorneys level the playing field, ensuring your rights are protected and that you receive fair compensation.
Evidence Preservation
Critical evidence in truck accident cases can disappear quickly. We act fast to preserve electronic logging devices, black box data, and other crucial evidence before it’s lost or destroyed.
At Weatherby Law, we bring years of experience in truck accident cases to the table. Our thorough understanding of the trucking industry, combined with our commitment to our clients, ensures that you have the best possible representation in your fight against insurance companies for justice and fair compensation.
Don’t risk handling a truck accident case on your own. The stakes are too high, and the opposition too formidable. Contact a truck accident attorney at Weatherby Law today for a free consultation and let us put our expertise to work for you.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Atlanta
Understanding the primary reasons behind truck accidents is crucial for developing a legal strategy and maximizing potential compensation. At Weatherby Law, we’ve handled numerous truck accident cases and have identified some of the most common causes:
Blind Spots (No-Zones)
Commercial trucks have extensive blind spots on all sides, known as “no-zones.” These areas can encompass entire lanes of traffic, making it difficult for truckers to see smaller vehicles. Always be aware of these zones when driving near large trucks.
Driver Fatigue
Despite regulations limiting driving hours, many truckers push their limits due to tight schedules. The resulting fatigue severely impairs judgment and reaction time, significantly increasing accident risk.
Improper Loading
Incorrectly loaded or secured cargo can shift during transit, causing the truck to become unstable. This can lead to rollovers or jackknifing, endangering everyone on the road.
Speeding and Aggressive Driving
The pressure to meet deadlines can lead to speeding, which is particularly dangerous for large trucks due to their longer stopping distances and higher risk of rollover.
Poor Maintenance
Trucking companies and drivers are responsible for regular vehicle inspections and maintenance. Neglecting this duty can lead to mechanical failures like brake malfunctions or tire blowouts.
Distracted Driving
Like any driver, truckers can be distracted by phones, GPS devices, or other activities. However, given the size and weight of their vehicles compared to passenger vehicles, the consequences can be far more severe.
Impaired Driving
While less common due to strict regulations, some truckers still operate under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or certain medications, severely compromising their ability to drive safely.
Weather Conditions
Atlanta’s weather can change rapidly. Rain, fog, or even occasional ice can make truck operation hazardous, especially if the driver doesn’t adjust their driving accordingly.
Inadequate Training
Some trucking companies may cut corners when it comes to training their drivers, particularly for handling adverse conditions or emergencies.
Injuries and Damages from Truck Accidents
Due to the severity of truck accidents, victims often suffer catastrophic back and neck injuries, burns, broken bones, internal damage, or head trauma. Not only do injuries like these take their physical toll, but they also can cause emotional distress due to the loss of enjoyment in life resulting from residual impairment.
For these reasons, Atlanta truck accident lawyers like Weatherby Law consider all damages suffered and fight for the financial recovery that reflects the extent of these damages. Since every case is unique, the type and amount of compensation can vary based on the specific circumstances of the truck accident.
Victims may be eligible for the following types of compensation as a result of their injuries:
Medical Expenses:
All reasonable medical bills incurred as a result of the accident, including current treatments and estimated future medical costs.
Lost Wages:
Compensation for any time missed from work due to the accident, including decreased earning capacity if the injury impacts your ability to work in the future.
Pain and Suffering:
This non-economic damage is left to the “enlightened conscience of the jury” and often constitutes the largest portion of the award. It compensates for physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Atlanta
Your recovery from a truck accident begins in the moments immediately following. If you or a loved one has had the misfortune of being in a truck accident, we recommend keeping calm and following these instructions:
Dial 911
Don’t hesitate — call emergency services right away. Even if injuries seem minor, it’s crucial to have police and medical professionals on the scene. Your health should be priority number one. Not to mention, unbiased reports from healthcare providers can prove invaluable later on.
Document, Document, Document
Your smartphone is your best friend here. Snap photos of everything: the vehicles, the road conditions, any visible injuries, and even the weather. These details might seem trivial now, but they could significantly benefit your case down the road.
Can You Get a Witness?
Did anyone see what happened? Politely ask for their contact information and an eyewitness account of the accident.
Keep Calm
It’s natural to want to discuss the accident… but resist the urge. Don’t admit fault or apologize, as these statements can come back to haunt you. Stick to exchanging insurance and contact information with other involved parties.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Give your insurance company a heads-up about the accident, keeping it brief and factual. Don’t give recorded statements or sign anything without consulting a truck accident attorney first
Call Weatherby Law
Before you get too deep into discussions with insurance companies or other parties, reach out to us. As experienced Atlanta truck accident attorneys, we can help protect your legal rights as you make important decisions along the path to recovery.
How Truck Accident Investigations Work
At Weatherby Law, our truck accident lawyers investigate every aspect of your truck accident case. We examine logbooks, maintenance records, and even the truck’s “black box” data to identify all contributing factors. By acting quickly, we’re able to secure this evidence before it’s lost or erased, ensuring we build the strongest possible cases for our clients.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident?
Unlike most car accidents, truck accidents often involve multiple potentially liable parties. These can include the driver, the trucking company, the vehicle manufacturer, cargo loaders, and maintenance providers. We have the resources to investigate these different parties, prove their negligence, and assign accountability to those responsible for your injuries.
Negligence is defined as a failure to meet one’s expected duty of care, resulting in the harm of others. If you were injured as a result of a truck driver who failed to obey traffic signals or a cargo loader who didn’t secure their payload properly, Weatherby will find out. We will then prove that this breached duty of care caused your injuries.
The Legal Process for Truck Accident Claims
Because there are so many moving parts and potentially liable parties involved, the timeline of a typical truck accident case can vary. Georgia’s statute of limitations states that you have two years from the date of your injury to file a claim seeking compensation. In other words — don’t wait around to schedule a consultation with Weatherby Law. After all, the critical process of filing a claim can be time-consuming and overwhelming without the assistance of an Atlanta truck accident lawyer.
We will help you handle communications with insurance companies, ensuring you don’t inadvertently say anything that could harm your case. We will also prepare and file related legal documents to initiate your claim within the required timeframe.
If, after negotiations with insurance companies, a fair settlement can’t be reached, your case may go to trial and we will represent you in court.
Why Choose Weatherby Law Firm for Your Truck Accident Case
At Weatherby Law Firm, we’re selective about the cases we handle. When choosing who to call for help after a truck accident, you should be selective too.
Our firm’s track record is a testament to our expertise and personalized approach. Our team of Atlanta truck accident lawyers has decades of combined experience, having recovered millions for our satisfied clients. We know how to leverage evidence and legal precedents to maximize compensation for those who have been injured in truck accidents.
“Great experience from start to finish. Alex Weatherby and his team went over and above while working on my case. I was presented with different options and together we decided on the best course of action. His communication and follow-up went above and beyond. Highly recommend this firm!” — Rick
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it cost to hire a lawyer after a truck accident?
There are no upfront costs! As an injured plaintiff, you pay us based on contingency fees — meaning, we only collect fees if we win compensation for you.
How do I choose the right attorney for my trucking accident lawsuit?
Selecting the right truck accident attorney is a critical step in your healing process. Consider reviewing past cases and client testimonials. Scheduling a free case evaluation to meet your lawyer and evaluate how they treat you. How they communicate with you is a telling indicator of how they will handle your case.
Who is liable for a truck accident?
This depends on the facts. Just like passenger vehicle drivers, commercial truck drivers are not responsible for an accident merely because it occurred. There may be negligence on behalf of the driver, the trucking company, the truck manufacturer, third parties, or a combination of all groups. We have the skills and experience to determine and prove accountability where it is due.
Who is liable in a truck accident?
This depends on the facts. Just like other drivers, truck drivers are not responsible for an accident merely because it occurred. There must be negligence on behalf of the truck driver for liability to set in. We have the skills and experience to determine and demonstrate liability.
What should I expect when filing a claim against the trucking company?
After a truck accident, act quickly — call the police for investigation, notify your insurance company, and seek medical help. If possible, take photos at the scene to document the roadway and vehicle positions. As the injured party, send a preservation letter to the trucking company to save all relevant records.
An Atlanta truck accident lawyer will assist with all of these activities. Subsequently, they will help you gather medical records and send a demand letter. The attorney will aim to negotiate a resolution pre-suit; if unsuccessful, they’ll file a complaint in the appropriate court.
How long do truck accident cases take?
At Weatherby Law, we pride ourselves on moving cases forward as quickly as possible. We know that your recovery isn’t complete until your case is resolved. Even so, it may take at least several months for a resolution. If litigation is involved, it can take up to several years. We fight for you every step of the way.
We Wrote the Book on Truck Accident Law
As the owner and founding attorney of Weatherby Law, Alex Weatherby actively practices truck crash law and regularly mentors other lawyers. His book, The Field Manual For Commercial Motor Vehicle Claims, is a testament to his mission — to make our roadways safer through litigation and education.
Contact an Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Have you been involved in a truck accident in Atlanta? Let’s talk about your experience over coffee and explore your legal options together.
Your road to justice starts with a free case evaluation at Weatherby Law.