Chamblee, GA Truck Accident Lawyers
The aftermath of a truck accident can be truly catastrophic, far exceeding the damage of a typical car accident. Due to the immense size and weight of commercial trucks, these collisions are more likely to result in fatal or life-changing injuries, including paralysis, brain trauma, or severe burns. The path to recovery is often long and grueling, filled with medical treatments, mounting expenses, and emotional challenges.
If you have been injured in a commercial truck accident, you need skilled and effective legal representation to get the compensation you deserve. At Miller Injury Trial Law, we have a proven track record of success in handling complex truck accident claims and we are prepared for the unique challenges involved in these claims. We can hold the truck driver, trucking company, and other parties, if any, responsible and fight tirelessly to get the monetary compensation you need to rebuild your life.
Call us today at 855-44MILLER to schedule a free consultation with one of our seasoned Chamblee, GA truck accident lawyers.
Major Highways in Chamblee, GA
- Interstate 285 (I-285): It’s the beltway that encircles the Atlanta metropolitan area, passing just south of Chamblee.
- Interstate 85 (I-85): It’s a major north-south route that runs southeast of Chamblee, connecting the city to Atlanta and beyond. It’s considered one of the most dangerous interstates in the country for truckers.
- US Route 23: It’s a key route that runs through Chamblee, connecting the area to various neighborhoods and businesses.
- State Route 141: It’s a significant state highway that passes through Chamblee, connecting the city to other regions.
Why You Need Our Chamblee, GA Truck Accident Lawyers on Your Side
Truck accidents are among the most challenging personal injury cases to handle due to the sheer level of complexity involved. At Miller Injury Trial Law, we have the experience, resources, and determination to deal with these challenges and secure the compensation you deserve. Here’s why having our legal team on your side can make all the difference:
Dealing with the Complexities of Truck Accident Claims
Truck accidents often involve unique legal and regulatory issues that can make the claims process incredibly complicated. In addition, determining liability in truck accidents can also be a complicated task, as more than one party could be held liable for the damages. This might include the driver, trucking company, the cargo loader, maintenance contractors, vehicle manufacturer, and other third parties involved in the transportation process.
At Miller Injury Trial Law, our legal team has a deep knowledge of the state laws and federal regulations governing the trucking industry and can uncover the violations that led to the accident. We can meticulously investigate every aspect of your claim, from reviewing driver logs and maintenance records to analyzing black box data, to ensure all responsible parties are identified and held accountable.
Defending against Aggressive Insurance Company Tactics
Compared to car accident claims, the stakes are much higher in truck accident claims, as commercial trucks have significantly higher liability insurance limits. As a result, trucking companies and their insurers tend to deploy aggressive tactics to minimize their liability. This often includes trying to pin some or all of the blame on you to reduce or deny your compensation. In Georgia, the stakes are even higher due to the state’s comparative negligence rule, which prohibits you from recovering compensation if you are found to be 50% or more at fault for the accident.
At Miller Injury Trial Law, our lawyers are well aware of these blame-shifting tactics and know how to protect your right to recover compensation. We can present compelling evidence, aggressively counter any allegations of fault on your part, and make sure the true extent of the trucking company’s negligence is brought to light.
Building a Strong Case with Expert Support
Truck accident cases are inherently technical and often require inputs from a variety of experts to establish liability and quantify damages. For example, accident reconstruction specialists can determine how the accident occurred and who was at fault. Engineers can evaluate whether a vehicle defect or malfunction contributed to the crash. Medical experts can provide testimony on the severity of your injuries and their long-term impact on your life.
At Miller Injury Trial Law, we have a vast network of trusted experts across multiple disciplines, with whom we collaborate regularly. We can work with these experts and use their inputs to build the strongest case possible for you.
Trial-Ready Advocacy
Trucking companies and their insurers are well aware of the financial stakes involved in a truck accident claim. Their primary goal is to settle quickly and for as little money as possible, often before the full extent of your injuries and losses is clear. They rely on the fact that most victims are represented by lawyers who do not have any real trial experience and will accept lowball offers than risk going to court.
At Miller Injury Trial Law, we have a team of seasoned trial lawyers who have litigated complex truck accident claims and successfully recovered compensation for our clients. We know how to build a trial-ready case and we will make it clear to the trucking company and their insurers that we are ready to fight in the courtroom to get the compensation you deserve. Our trial-readiness forces insurance companies to take our clients seriously and offer fair settlements that they otherwise would not.
How the Latest Amendment to Georgia’s Direction Action Statute Can Impact Your Truck Accident Claim
For years, Georgia’s direct action statute, governed by O.C.G.A. §§ 40-1-112 and 40-2-140, allowed injured parties in truck accident cases to directly sue the trucking company’s insurance carrier. This provision gave victims a significant advantage, as the jury is more likely to issue a larger award when they know that the defendant is a large insurance company with substantial resources, rather than a family-owned truck company or some other entity with limited resources.
However, the passage of Senate Bill 426 has drastically altered this legal landscape. Under the revised statute, you can sue a commercial insurance carrier directly only under the following circumstances:
- If the trucking company is insolvent or bankrupt
- If service of process cannot be obtained against the at-fault driver or the trucking company
The inability to sue the insurer directly means your claim must now focus entirely on the trucking company and other liable parties, if any. This places a greater burden on you and your legal team to present a strong and compelling case. To get a fair settlement, it is essential to build an airtight case that includes robust evidence, credible expert testimony, and a legal strategy designed to withstand the trucking company’s defenses.
At Miller Injury Trial Law, we are fully prepared to take on these challenges. We know how the trucking company might try to deny responsibility for the accident and we know how to hold them accountable, even under the constraints of the new statute. Our team is relentless in our pursuit of justice and will do everything necessary to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
How Our Chamblee, GA Truck Accident Lawyers Can Prove the Truck Company’s Negligence
Unreasonable Pressure on Drivers
We can investigate whether the trucking company imposed unreasonable deadlines or created high-pressure environments that forced drivers to violate federal Hours of Service (HOS) regulations.
HR Policies to Incentivize Risky Behavior
Some trucking companies tend to use job incentive plans that encourage risky behaviors, such as driving while drowsy, distracted, or even under the influence. By analyzing the trucking company’s human resources policies, we can demonstrate how these practices contribute to unsafe driving conditions.
Negligent Hiring and Training
We can examine the company’s hiring and training processes to identify lapses, such as failing to perform background checks, hiring inexperienced drivers, or neglecting proper training.
Lack of Drug Testing Programs
If the truck driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs when the accident occurred, we can investigate and find out whether the trucking company has a proper drug testing program in place for their drivers, whether the at-fault driver was regularly tested, and whether the driver has a history of such violations.
Cutting Costs on Vehicle Maintenance
Regular inspections and maintenance are essential for keeping trucks safe on the road. If the trucking company skipped inspections, ignored mechanical issues, or delayed necessary repairs, we can uncover their negligence and use it to strengthen your claim.
Negligence in Choosing Third-Party Vendors
Trucking companies frequently rely on third-party vendors for various tasks – from cargo loading to vehicle maintenance. We can evaluate whether the company failed to properly vet or supervise these vendors, leading to errors that contributed to the accident.
Evidence Our Chamblee, GA Truck Accident Lawyers Can Collect to Prove Fault and Liability in Your Claim
At Miller Injury Trial Law, we understand the stakes involved in truck accident claims and we go above and beyond to gather a wide range of evidence to prove the fault and extent of liability of the trucking company and other parties involved. This can include:
- Driver logs and records
- Electronic logging device data
- Truck maintenance and inspection records
- Truck’s black box data
- Video footage from the truck’s dashcam and traffic cameras or surveillance cameras nearby
- Cargo loading documentation
- Witness statements
- Police reports
- Medical records
- Expert testimony
- The truck driver’s training and employment record
- The truck driver’s substance testing results
- Physical evidence from the accident scene
Get High-Powered Legal Representation from Our Chamblee, GA Truck Accident Lawyers
At Miller Injury Trial Law, we understand that truck accidents may involve severe, life-altering injuries, and recovering full and fair compensation is essential to your future. By choosing our firm, you are not only hiring an attorney who is committed to negotiating for the largest possible settlement, but one who has the litigation experience and proven ability to fight for you in court, if necessary.
Call us today at 855-44MILLER or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with one of our top-rated Chamblee, GA truck accident lawyers.