Cobb County Truck Accident Lawyers
Commercial trucks are massive, and a collision with one can produce life-threatening injuries. Because of their size and potential for dangerous situations, commercial trucks are subject to additional state and federal laws. You should consider contacting a Cobb County truck accident lawyer for assistance in your legal pursuit. Your odds of success increase when you work with a dependable personal injury attorney.
What Should Someone Do After a Truck Crash?
Those in an accident with a semi-truck should take the following steps after the crash:
- Obtain a thorough medical evaluation, with second opinions if necessary;
- Provide an accident report to their insurance company;
- Collect information about the accident, including police reports, license plate numbers, and contract information for witnesses; and
- Get a vehicle inspection before repair.
Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 40-6-273 also requires semi-truck accidents that result in injury or death, or in more than $500 of damage, to be reported to the local police. A Cobb County truck collision lawyer could provide further advice on what to do immediately after an accident.
Cobb County Trucking Laws
In Cobb County, commercial trucks are required to follow certain federal, state, and local ordinances, such as using designated truck routes under Cobb County Ordinance § 118-119.
Federal semi-truck laws regulate how long drivers can work and when they must take rest stops. In addition, the law requires that drivers must take training courses. Truck drivers are also strictly prohibited from using alcohol, drugs, and other substances that may impair their ability to drive. While on the road, truckers are required to keep logs of the hours.
The trucking company – or the driver, if they are an independent contractor – must maintain the safety of their big rigs. Trucking companies must also provide training for their drivers, keep records, and develop safe driving policies.
These laws can be complex, and drivers and their employers occasionally violate them. A lawyer could work with someone who has been injured by a semi-truck to understand the laws that apply in their specific case. It is possible that the accident was the result of a defective vehicle part on the truck, which could necessitate a product liability claim.
Statute of Limitations
Legal claims for damages are subject to a deadline called a statute of limitations. Personal injuries, including medical costs and emotional trauma related to the crash, must be claimed in a truck accident lawsuit within two years under state law. Claims for property damage, such as wrecked vehicles, must be made within four years. However, if the truck is owned or operated by a public entity, the law of ante litem notice might require a filing deadline even earlier than this.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
After an accident, the company that owns the commercial truck, along with their insurance company, will immediately start an investigation. Both the trucking company and their insurance carrier will be working to minimize any payout, regardless of their liability in the accident. Tactics that they frequently use include low settlement offers, false claims about whether the commercial truck accident was the motorist’s fault, and delay.
Unfortunately, commercial trucking companies and their insurance carriers have been known to side steps laws in the name of profit. A local truck accident attorney could hold the defendant(s) to account and make sure that they do not take advantage of the plaintiff.
Find Your Legal Advocate in a Cobb County Truck Accident Lawyer
When a trucking company is involved, you will need someone on your side who knows their tactics and can protect your case. A Cobb County truck accident lawyer could help you manage your lawsuit and fight for proper restitution. Place a call as soon as possible to learn more.
