Atlanta Truck Accident Attorney

Approximately 5,000 fatal truck accidents occur each year. The loads that these trucks carry can be in excess of 80,000 pounds with the average weight of a passenger car being 3,500 pounds. Non-fatal accidents involving tractor-trailers can be equally as devastating physically, emotionally, and financially to you.

WHY KEVIN PATRICK LAW IS YOUR CHOICE FOR THIS

When you have been injured in a truck accident, you have to find an attorney you can trust both personally and professionally. Attorney Kevin Patrick is an AV-Preeminent Georgia personal injury trial attorney who can get you through all aspects of a truck accident case.

• Kevin Patrick Law focuses solely on practicing personal injury law. Attorney Kevin Patrick has a thorough knowledge of the legalities and circumstances surrounding Atlanta truck accident cases.
• We understand how important personalized attention is for our clients. Each client has access to their attorney and will not be pushed off onto paralegals or legal assistants.
• Kevin Patrick is routinely recognized at the state and national level for his legal knowledge and has secured a place on several top lawyer lists, nationally.
• We take truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you will pay no legal fees for your case until we secure a favorable verdict or settlement on your behalf.

HOW WILL AN ATTORNEY BE BENEFICIAL FOR YOUR CASE?

A truck accident case can become incredibly complex, owing to the many parties that may be involved in the process. This can include the truck driver, trucking company, various third parties, and the insurance carriers. The goal of your Atlanta truck accident attorney is to prove what happened, in order to secure the compensation you deserve. They will do this by:

• Obtaining all evidence related to the crash from the scene, such as the police report, eyewitness accounts, photos from the scene, and video surveillance from traffic cams and nearby businesses.
• Filing court documents to obtain all truck driver and truck company records related to safety, maintenance, hours of operation, and more.
• Ensuring that your medical records are evaluated by a trusted health care professional who can fully assess the extent of your injuries.
• Negotiating with all parties involved to arrive at a settlement that is fair to you.

HOW OFTEN DO TRUCKING ACCIDENTS OCCUR?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) states that there were approximately 148,000 people injured and 4,761 killed in large truck crashes during the latest reporting year nationwide. These vehicles are vital to our economy, but they can also cause extensive damage in a crash. The FMCSA says that a fully loaded semi-truck can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds.

There are thousands of large trucks in operation in and around Atlanta on a daily basis. These trucks are the lifeblood of our economy, but accidents with these vehicles do occur on a regular basis.

REASONS FOR TRUCKING ACCIDENTS

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration along with the Department of Transportation conducted a study that found over 60% of tractor-trailer accidents were caused by a loss of control of the vehicle and running outside of the travel lanes. These reasons along with driver fatigue, poor vehicle maintenance, and mechanical failures are the reasons that tractor-trailer accidents are some of the most severe accidents on the road.

THE TRAGIC RESULTS OF TRUCKING ACCIDENTS

Truck accidents can cause broken bones, paralysis, serious internal injuries, and an extreme decline in the quality of life for the victims and their families. The financial burden of hospital bills, lost wages, medical bills, and rehabilitation can drive families into financial ruin during an already difficult time. Insurance companies do not have your best interests at heart; their main goal is to settle quickly and with as little money coming out of their pockets as possible.

COMMON TYPES OF TRUCKING ACCIDENT INJURIES

• Back and neck injury
• Broken bone
• Head injury
• Laceration
• Spinal cord injury and paralysis
• Wrongful death

COMPENSATION FOR TRUCKING ACCIDENTS

• Medical Expenses: You are entitled to compensation for your expenses for emergency room visits, hospitalizations, surgeries, as well as any assistive devices and future appointments with a doctor or other medical professional, like a physical therapist or chiropractor.
• Future Medical Expenses: If you can prove that you will need continued medical care as a result of the automobile crash, then you may also be able to recover the cost of future medical expenses, such as a future back surgery or joint replacement.
• Property Damage: The accident will damage your vehicle, and possibly the property inside your car. You might get compensation for the property damage that the accident caused.
• Lost Wages: If you had to take time off work as a result of a truck accident in order to get treatment, or you were physically unable to work, then you are, again, entitled to compensation for your lost income. The key is making sure that your supervisors are aware of the accident and documenting your time away from work due to the accident.
• Punitive Damage: If the truck driver was driving under influence, such as drugs or alcohol, you might be eligible to get punitive damages.
• Other Compensation: You might also be able to get other types of compensation, such as future medical care, household expenses, mental anguish, or other damages. Please ask your lawyer in order to learn more about the incidentals of the case, and find out what kind of compensation you might be able to recover.

WHAT TO DO AFTER A TRUCKING ACCIDENT

1. Call 911: The health and safety of everyone involved in the accident are far and away the most important thing to think about immediately after a motor vehicle accident. Please call 911! By calling for help, you ensure that emergency workers and paramedics arrive at the scene to provide the help needed to each and every person involved in the accident.
2. Gather Information: If there are other vehicles involved in the accident, get the names and contact information of the other drivers.
3. Collect Evidence: Nowadays, a cell phone camera is a useful tool for taking photos of the damage to all the vehicles and of the accident scene. Here’s an extra tip: Take pictures of any skid marks. Those pictures can be used to calculate the speed of the negligent party. Stories change, but the facts don’t.
4. Get Medical Assistant: Your health is important. Getting help from a doctor as soon as possible will be very important when a trucking accident happens.
5. Find a Lawyer: It’s important to have a lawyer on your side who has the experience to deal with the insurance company. The insurance company will want to settle the claim for as little money as possible and will have a greater chance of doing so if you do not have a lawyer. Most importantly, do not give any recorded statement to the insurance company before you talk with your lawyer.

WE ARE READY TO HELP YOU GET THROUGH THIS

We understand that no settlement amount will bring your loved one back or heal the emotional and physical trauma left in the wake of this devastating event, but getting the settlement you and your family deserve can bring you peace of mind when you are seriously injured in a trucking accident.

Kevin Patrick is a seasoned attorney who will investigate every aspect of your accident and he is committed to seeing that you and your family receive fair and just compensation. Please do not hesitate to call us for a consultation.

If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident that was caused by the negligent or careless actions of a truck driver or trucking company, seek legal assistance immediately. At Kevin Patrick Law, Kevin Patrick is an Atlanta truck accident attorney ready to get to work on your case immediately. He will thoroughly investigate your case in order to secure the compensation you deserve. You can contact us for a free consultation by filling out our convenient online form or by calling (404) 566-5880.