Albany, GA Truck Accident Attorney

Albany, GA Truck Accident Lawyer

With less than 78,000 people, you might think that Albany doesn’t see many truck accidents. Statistics compiled by the Georgia Department of Transportation suggest otherwise – there were 55 tractor-trailer accidents in 2021 alone, 31 of which resulted in serious injuries. Been in a truck wreck call us today at 229-469-8266.

Those who have been injured in a truck accident face a long road ahead. Their first focus should be on their health, and treatment may require weeks or even months of recovery. In the meantime, they may be unable to work or pay their bills. Trying to sort out an insurance claim and everything that goes along with that is simply too much for most people who are struggling to get back on their feet. If you have been injured in a truck accident, an Albany truck accident attorney can help you put your accident behind you.

Most Truck Accidents Are Caused by Truck Driver Negligence

Just like any other motor vehicle accident, most truck accidents are the result of the truck driver’s negligence. Some of the most common examples of truck driver negligence include the following:

• Speeding
• Following too closely (“tailgating”)
• Unsafe lane changes
• Aggressive driving
• Distracted driving
• Drowsy driving
• Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Driving too fast for weather or traffic conditions
• Running red lights or stop signs
• Going too fast in a turn

If your accident was caused by negligence on the part of the truck driver, you may be entitled to compensation. However, you will have to prove that their negligence caused your accident. An experienced Albany truck accident attorney will know what evidence you will need to support your claim.

You Can Hold the Trucking Company Liable for The Driver’s Negligence

Even if the truck driver is at fault, you will likely be able to hold the trucking company accountable for the accident. This is because of a legal doctrine known as “respondeat superior” – a Latin phrase that means “that the master must answer.” In other words, under the law, an employer may be held liable for an employee’s negligence provided that the employee was acting within the scope of their employment.

As a result, you can pursue a claim against the trucking company even though they were involved in the accident in no way whatsoever. This is good news for accident victims because the trucking company will likely have the financial resources necessary to cover your losses. Even so, they will be represented by counsel whose sole focus will be limiting the company’s potential exposure. You can therefore expect them to dispute your claim or attempt to pay as little as possible.

Of course, there are exceptions. Many trucking companies will attempt to avoid liability by hiring drivers as independent contractors. In addition, they may be able to avoid liability if they were doing something illegal such as driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or were driving for personal reasons.

The bottom line is that it will not be easy to pursue your claim, especially without an attorney. An experienced Albany truck accident attorney will be able to address these issues and any others that may arise in your case.

An Albany, GA Truck Accident Attorney Handling All Types of Truck Accident Cases

There are many different types of truck accidents, many of which are similar to those involving passenger vehicles: head-on collisions, side-impact (‘t-bone”) accidents, and sideswipe accidents. However, there are other types of accidents that are unique to trucks:

• Jackknife accidents – the trailer swings out from the cab similar to a knife blade opening from a handle. These are often caused by unusually hard braking or entering into a turn too fast, and typically result in the driver losing control of the truck.
• Override accidents – when a truck rides over a vehicle underneath with either the cab or the trailer of the truck. Passenger vehicles can be crushed in this way when they are rear-ended or sideswiped by a truck.
• Underride accidents – when a passenger vehicle rear-ends a truck it can be forced under the trailer due to its higher clearance. These accidents are sometimes caused by trucks stopped in the roadway without hazard lights or if their brake lights are malfunctioning.
• Trailer accidents – the trailer attaches to the truck via a sophisticated hitch mechanism. If this mechanism fails, the trailer can break loose and the driver can lose control of the truck.
• Cargo accidents – trucks can carry heavy loads. When they aren’t properly secured or are unbalanced, the truck can handle them unpredictably. An unsecured or unbalanced load can lead to an accident.

Each of these types of accidents has its own unique factors that can affect the outcome of your case. An experienced Albany truck accident attorney will be able to identify the cause of your accident so that you can prove what happened.

You Need to Act Now

Under Georgia law, you have two years from the date of your accident to pursue a claim. If you fail to file a lawsuit within that time period, you will lose all of your rights regardless of how strong your claim might otherwise be. This applies even if you don’t plan to go to court – the insurance company won’t even consider your claim if the two-year deadline has already passed.

Two years may seem like a long time, but the sooner you contact an Albany truck accident attorney, the better your chances of getting the compensation you deserve. You want to gather the evidence while it is still easily obtained and get statements from witnesses while their memories are still fresh. The longer you wait to pursue your case, the more difficult it will be to prove.

Injured? Contact the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm to Speak with an Albany Truck Accident Attorney

If you have been injured in a truck accident, you need someone who knows how to help you get fair compensation. We have been helping accident victims since 1973 and understand the challenges you face. To speak with an Albany truck accident attorney from our firm, call 229-469-8266 to schedule your free consultation.