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We Protect Atlanta Truck Accident Victims

You need a hard-hitting attorney to stand up to the trucking company

Truck accidents in Atlanta and surrounding communities account for some of the most serious cases we deal with at Gary Martin Hays & Associates. Trucks accidents can happen anywhere, anytime throughout Georgia. You may be driving along Interstate 75 or the Ralph David Abernathy Freeway when you're sideswiped by a fatigued trucker. A distracted driver operating a semi, trash collector, tanker, or another type of large vehicle may rear-end you at a DeKalb Avenue intersection.

No matter how your accident occurred, you may be facing a lifetime of physical, emotional, and financial hardship as a result. Our experienced Atlanta truck accident attorneys can help you pursue maximum compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain.

Accidents involving tractor trailers differ from car crashes because there's almost always a trucking company involved. These companies can be out of town or even from a different state. Even though these companies are strictly regulated by the federal government, simply trying to contact the company can be difficult, let alone getting a settlement that covers the true cost of your injuries. That's why we're here: to fight diligently to protect the rights of truck accident victims.

What causes truck accidents in Georgia?

In some cases, a fatal crash may occur as a result of truck driver negligence, such as when a drunk or fatigued truck driver veers into oncoming traffic. Whatever caused your accident, if you or someone you know was a victim of a truck accident, turn to Gary Martin Hays & Associates. We can help offset the pressure from the trucking company's insurer, which will often send an investigator to the scene within a few hours of even sooner. We can help ensure that evidence is preserved and witnesses identified for input.

A truck wreck caused by brake failure or an over-weighted truck can be just as severe and devastating as one caused by driver negligence like driver fatigue or drunk driving. However, the commercial trucking liability can change significantly, depending on the contributing factors. Parties that may share liability include the trucking company, the truck driver, the owner of the trailer, and any manufacturers and distributors of defective parts.

Who is liable in a truck accident?

If you were injured or a loved one died in an accident with an 18-wheeler, tractor-trailer, semi-truck, big rig, or other large commercial truck, there may be multiple parties liable for your damages.

Depending on the specific details of your collision, you may be able to recover compensation from:

  • The truck driver
  • The trucking company
  • The shipping company
  • The truck manufacturer
  • A broker
  • A third party (e.g., another driver that may have contributed to the truck wreck)

Serious accidents involving 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, big rigs, and other commercial vehicles like concrete trucks are rarely straightforward and often complex.

Any large commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is going to have a high-limit insurance policy, and the trucking companies have teams of attorneys ready to protect their best interests, which means you’re likely in for a fight if you decide to pursue a lawsuit for compensation.

At Gary Martin Hays & Associates, our Atlanta truck accident lawyers have the knowledge and experience to help you level the playing field against the trucking company and get you the payout you deserve.

What steps should you take after a truck accident?

Getting into a wreck with an 18-wheeler, tractor-trailer, semi tractor-trailer, big rig or any other type of large commercial truck can be a frightening experience that leaves you confused and shaken.

If you get into a truck accident, one of the most important things you can do is breathe and attempt to remain calm so you can think about what you need to do next.

Once you have your bearings, you should:

  1. Call 911. If you, your passengers or anyone else involved in the accident needs emergency medical attention, let the dispatcher know right away that there’s been a crash and you need an ambulance. Otherwise, tell the dispatcher you were involved in a collision with an 18-wheeler and let them know your location. If it’s safe to do so and your car still drives, move it out of the road and to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot to prevent another collision and keep the flow of traffic moving. Remain at the scene until a police officer arrives to investigate; remember, the police accident report will be a key piece of evidence in your claim.
  2. Gather information. Get driver information: the trucker’s name and contact information, what trucking company they work for, their license and insurance information, and any contact information they have for their employers. Get contact information for witnesses, too. Do not talk about the accident with the trucker or anyone else involved in your crash. Anything you say could be used against you.
  3. Take plenty of pictures. Document the crash scene with pictures and/or video, making sure to show in detail different angles of the accident, all property damage (especially to the vehicles involved), tire marks, street signs, traffic signals, road hazards, and construction. Be sure to take pictures of the tractor-trailer truck from every angle so that you don’t miss anything important.
  4. Write down everything you can remember. While it’s all still fresh in your mind, write down in detail what you can remember about the truck accident. Include the date, time, location, weather conditions, and anything of note that happened immediately before, during, or after your crash. How was the driver acting after the crash? Did the trucker say anything like “I didn’t see you” or “I’m sorry”? These are important details to note.
  5. Don’t talk about your crash with anyone. It’s critical that you do not discuss your truck accident with anyone involved in the crash or post anything about it online, including social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, etc.). If you want to fully understand your rights and go over your legal options, you should contact an experienced truck accident lawyer for a free case evaluation before you talk to anyone, especially the insurance company. Anything you say could be used could be used by the truck driver’s insurance company to challenge or deny your claim.

What are common truck accident injuries?

A fully loaded tractor-trailer truck can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, which means even crashes at lower speeds with cars and other passenger vehicles can result in serious and sometimes fatal injuries.

Some of the most common injuries sustained in truck accidents include:

  • Concussions
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
  • Fractures and broken bones
  • Back and spine injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries such as spinal stenosis
  • Partial or permanent paralysis
  • Burns
  • Whiplash and other neck injuries
  • Internal bleeding or organ damage (e.g., collapsed lung, ruptured spleen, lacerated kidney)

It’s critical to take any symptoms seriously and get checked out by a doctor right away. Go to the ER, your primary care provider, or an urgent care clinic. You may need diagnostic tests like an MRI or X-ray. Tell the doctor about any symptoms you may have, such as headaches or dull pain. Those seemingly minor problems could be symptoms of a concussion or another serious injury.

No matter what type of injury you’re dealing with, it’s critical that you know your rights and understand your legal options. Your injury may require surgery, chiropractic treatment or other costly medical treatment. You shouldn’t be stuck with the bill.

Whether you were seriously injured or a loved one died in a fatal crash with an 18-wheeler, tractor-trailer, semi-truck, big rig, large utility vehicle or other commercial vehicle, an Atlanta truck accident lawyer from Gary Martin Hays & Associates can help you get the compensation you deserve.

A truck accident can mean pain, frustration, and expense. We can help. Call today.

It's important to know the facts about personal injury law. Rely on a knowledgeable, experienced truck accident attorney at Gary Martin Hays & Associates. We are a resource you can turn to with any question or concern about your rights to compensation in a truck accident injury case. Contact us today to begin your path to justice. Call 1-800-898-HAYS.

"Gary Martin Hayes & Associates has truly been a blessing to us. My daughter was hit by a 18 wheeler and we immediately started getting calls from so many attorneys. We decided to go with them and it was the best decision of our life."

- Shaun McGee

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