Columbus Truck Accident Attorney
Truck accidents often lead to devastation, catastrophic injuries, and fatalities. When a negligent truck driver or trucking company is responsible for your injuries or a loved one’s death, Georgia personal injury law allows you to seek compensation for the damages you’ve suffered as a result.
At Bridger Law Group, our personal injury attorneys in Columbus can help you pursue this compensation, trying to right the wrong that has befallen you. Contact us today for help with your legal claim.
Why Choose Bridger Law Group?
When you’re picking a law firm to help after an accident, you need to know you’re in good hands so you can focus on recovery while they handle the complicated legal aspects of the situation. Bridger Law Group has earned the trust of people throughout the community for many reasons:
- Our team has recovered over $60 million for clients who needed financial support after injury or loss.
- For more than 20 years, we’ve guided and protected accident victims every step of the way.
- We bring experience from helping more than 4,000 injured people get the compensation and justice they deserve.
- With attorneys who speak English, Spanish, and Portuguese, we make it easy for everyone to get the answers and help they need in the language they’re comfortable with.
Your case matters. When you work with us, you get the answers and help you deserve.
Who Is Legally Liable for Truck Accidents?
Multiple parties are involved in the trucking industry, any of which may be responsible for a truck accident. Bridger Law Group can investigate to determine if any of the following parties may bear liability for your injuries after a truck collision:
- Truck drivers – A truck driver may violate hours of service rules and drive while drowsy. They may overcorrect or speed. Any slight error can result in a devastating crash that injures innocent motorists.
- Trucking companies – Truck companies are responsible for the negligence of their drivers. They can also be negligent through their own actions, such as hiring unqualified drivers, encouraging drivers to violate hours of service rules or other state or federal regulations, failing to keep their trucks in good condition, or skipping mandatory inspections.
- Mechanics and maintenance companies – Mechanics may make negligent repairs, leading to mechanical failure during transport. Maintenance companies may miss problems on a truck, allowing it to complete another shipment when it is dangerous to do so.
- Cargo loading companies – Another business may be responsible for safely loading cargo onto the trucks. If this cargo shifts during transit or is not secured properly, the cargo loading company could be responsible for the resulting accident.
- Vehicle or parts manufacturers – Commercial trucks contain thousands of components. When trucks or their parts are defectively designed or manufactured, you may be able to file a product liability claim.
- Government entities – When the truck is operated by the government – such as a garbage truck or fire truck – the government may be responsible for the accident.
Our experienced Columbus truck accident lawyers can launch an in-depth investigation and collect strong evidence to prove who is responsible for your accident. Call our personal injury lawyer in Columbus for a free consultation today.
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim?
In Georgia, you usually have two years from the date of a truck accident to file a personal injury claim. This time limit is called the statute of limitations, and missing it almost always means losing your right to compensation.
Section 9-3-33. Injuries to the person; injuries to reputation; loss of consortium; exception Actions for injuries to the person shall be brought within two years after the right of action accrues, except for injuries to the reputation, which shall be brought within one year after the right of action accrues, and except for actions for injuries to the person involving loss of consortium, which shall be brought within four years after the right of action accrues.
There are, however, certain situations where different rules can apply:
- Minors or Mentally Incapacitated Victims: For children or individuals who are legally incapacitated when the crash occurs, the two-year period starts when they turn 18 or regain mental capacity, not the day of the crash.
- Claims Against Public Entities: If your claim involves a city, county, or government agency, you must give written notice far sooner, usually within 6 to 12 months of the accident.
- Fraud or Concealment: If the person responsible hides information or conceals what really happened, the clock usually doesn’t start until you discover, or reasonably should have discovered, these facts.
If you’re worried about an approaching deadline or just have questions about timing, always reach out to a lawyer as soon as possible.
Common Causes of Large Truck Accidents
Truck accident cases can occur for various reasons, including:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Fatigued driving
- Inexperienced drivers or lack of training
- Overloaded cargo
- Tire blowouts
- Brake failures
- Unsecured cargo
Our trucking accident attorneys in Columbus can collect black box data, accident reports, witness statements, and other evidence to prove fault in a truck accident. If you were injured in a car accident in Columbus, GA, call our personal injury lawyer today.
Damages Recoverable After a Truck Accident
By filing a truck accident claim, you may be able to seek compensation for the damages you’ve suffered, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Costs to repair or replace your damaged vehicle
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Lost quality of life
- Loss of consortium
The legal team or truck accident lawyers in Columbus, Georgia at Bridger Law Group can pursue the full compensation you are due after a serious truck crash in Georgia.
Columbus, Georgia Neighborhoods We Serve
Bridger Law Group proudly serves clients across Columbus, GA and the surrounding communities. Whether your accident happened near a busy intersection or in a quiet residential area, our legal team is here to help you navigate the aftermath and fight for fair compensation.
We represent car accident victims throughout Columbus, Gerogia, including:
- Gentian
- Midtown
- North Columbus
- East Columbus
- South Columbus
- Downtown Columbus
- Bibb City
- Fort Benning South
- Benning Hills
- Wynnton
- Carver Heights
- Oakland Park
- East Highland
- Ewer Estates
What Causes Truck Accidents?
Truck accidents occur for a variety of reasons. Understanding some of them can help you determine if you may have a personal injury claim as a result of an accident. Some common causes include:
Fatigue from Long Driving Hours
Truck drivers often push their limits to meet deadlines, spending too much time behind the wheel even when they’re tired. When drivers are exhausted, their reaction times slow down, they miss signs of danger, and a small mistake can become disastrous.
Distracted or Inattentive Driving
Phones, radios, dispatch messages, or even eating behind the wheel can pull a truck driver’s focus from the road for just a few seconds. Those quick distractions are long enough for a fully loaded big rig to drift out of its lane or not respond to changes in traffic ahead, which could lead to serious accidents.
Improper Loading or Overloaded Trucks
Cargo that isn’t secured correctly can cause weight imbalances, which can lead to tipping and rollovers or spilled cargo on the roadway. This can cause serious danger and severe accidents. An overloaded trailer also needs more room to stop, so it’s more difficult for truck drivers to brake in time.
Speeding and Aggressive Driving
Tight schedules sometimes lead drivers and companies to cut corners. Pushing above speed limits, making unsafe lane changes, or tailgating creates conditions that are unforgiving for these large, heavy vehicles.
Poor Truck Maintenance
Bald tires, worn brakes, or malfunctioning lights are serious issues in these vehicles. If there’s an issue that isn’t fixed before a long drive, it’s much more likely that an accident will occur.
Every truck accident happens for different reasons, but these are some of the most common that could potentially lead to a personal injury claim if you’re injured as a result.
Contact Our Columbus, GA Truck Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation
If you were injured in a truck accident, let Bridger Law Group handle your legal truck accident clase so you can focus on your recovery. Call our Columbus, Georgia truck accident lawyers at (404) 482-3330 for a free case review to explore your legal rights and options with a truck accident lawyer.
