Commercial trucks are massive vehicles, with the biggest weighing up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. All that weight imparts incredible force in the event of a collision, even at low speeds. It’s enough force to crumple steel, crush vehicle frames, and severely injure accident victims. What’s more, the complex nature of the trucking industry makes these cases particularly challenging. Liable parties take advantage of confusing insurance policies, high-powered defense teams, and aggressive case strategies to avoid paying victims fairly.
Fortunately, you don’t have to go up against them alone. The team at Stokes Stemle, LLC puts you and your needs first, doing everything we can to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a truck accident attorney in Columbus, GA, and let us pursue the money you need while you rest and recover.
What Should You Do After a Truck Accident in Columbus, GA?
The aftermath of a truck accident in Columbus is a challenging time. However, what you do in the days and weeks to come can have a big influence on your ability to recover fair compensation. Once you’ve reported the accident to the authorities and sought medical care, it’s time to start thinking about your claim.
The following are a few steps to consider taking next:
- Make an Evidence Folder – Write down what you remember about the crash while it’s fresh. Save copies of any photos you took at the scene. Get copies of your medical bills and request the police report of the accident. Print out any communications you’ve had with your employer if you’ve missed work.
- Be Careful What You Say About the Accident – Don’t agree to give a recorded statement if the trucking company or its insurer calls you, as they’ll try to get you to say something that could hurt your case. Watch what you say to friends and family, and stay off social media for the time being.
- Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in Columbus – Schedule a free consultation and bring your evidence folder with you so that your prospective attorney has a better understanding of your case.
If you’re wondering, “Should I contact the insurance company after a truck accident but before a lawyer?” the answer is an emphatic no. While you have a duty to report the collision to your own insurer, be very careful when doing so. Talk to an attorney if you can and get their help dealing with the insurance companies.
Why Choose Stokes Stemle for Your Columbus Truck Accident Case?
At this point, you might be wondering about what to look for in a truck accident lawyer. Consider Stokes Stemle, LLC because we have the following:
- Exclusive Focus – We only handle personal injury cases like those involving commercial trucks. This exclusive focus gives us deep insight into how to take on insurance giants, investigate truck accidents, and maximize your case value.
- Commitment to Service – We consistently get 5-star ratings for our service. Our clients appreciate the way they get direct access to their attorney, which means you’ll get your questions answered and your calls returned promptly. We’ll also help you find doctors and treatment options to improve your medical prognosis.
- A “No Fee” Guarantee – We know that money’s tight after a serious accident. That’s why we provide free consultations and offer our services on a contingency basis. That means you only pay us if and when we win your case, so you’re never paying out of pocket to assert your right to compensation.
Find out what we can do for you when you contact our truck accident law firm in Columbus. Your case review is free, without obligation, and fully confidential.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Truck Accident in Columbus, GA?
If someone else is at fault for the truck accident that injured you, they should have to pay for what you’ve suffered as a result. This includes both the economic costs of the accident and the personal harm you’ve endured. Your compensation could cover the following:
- The past and future costs of medical care
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Property damage, including repairing or replacing your vehicle
If you’ve lost a loved one to a truck accident someone else caused, your family could be entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim against that person. A successful claim could recover compensation for the income, benefits, and services your loved one can no longer provide.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident in Columbus?
Georgia’s pure several liability rule means each at-fault party is only responsible for their own share of fault. Consequently, to maximize your compensation, your lawyer will need to identify everyone who could be at fault for what happened. That could include the following:
- The truck driver who hit you
- The trucking company that employs or contracts with the driver
- Third-party loading crews or maintenance providers
- The shipping broker that selected a trucking company with a history of accidents
- Other road users whose actions contributed to the crash
- Manufacturers of defective vehicle components
- Government entities responsible for unsafe road conditions
Evidence That Can Strengthen Your Truck Accident Claims
It takes strong evidence to win a truck accident claim in Columbus, GA. An experienced lawyer can recover, preserve, and review the following:
- Police reports
- Photos of the accident scene
- Security, traffic, or dashboard camera footage of the crash
- Eyewitness testimony
- Data from the truck’s engine control module, or “black box”
- The truck’s electronic logging device (ELD)
- The driver’s hours-of-service logs
- Maintenance records
Your lawyer may also work with accident reconstruction experts to better understand this evidence and explain how the collision happened.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Columbus, GA
Common causes of truck accidents in Columbus include the following:
- Driver fatigue
- Driver distraction, such as texting while driving
- Speeding/driving too fast for conditions
- Driving while intoxicated or impaired
- Poor truck maintenance
- Overloaded or improperly secured cargo
- Regulatory/safety violations
Types of Truck Accident Cases Our Firm Handles
Stokes Stemle, LLC can handle cases involving the following:
- Semi-truck accidents
- Delivery truck accidents
- Dump truck accidents
- Jackknife accidents
- Rollover crashes
- Underride accidents
- Override accidents
- Rear-end truck collisions
Contact a Columbus, GA Truck Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
When should you get a lawyer for a truck accident? The answer is as soon as possible, because it gives us more time to do the following:
- Investigate the truck accident to identify all at-fault parties
- Recover critical evidence from the trucking company, such as “black box” data and hours-of-service logs
- Work with experts to establish liability and calculate the money your injuries entitle you to
- Negotiate aggressively for a fair settlement
- Prepare your case for trial and litigate in court as necessary
Stokes Stemle, LLC offers free consultations and won’t charge you a fee unless and until we win your case. Contact us today to get started with a free, no-pressure, fully confidential case evaluation.
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