Truck accidents are an unfortunate reality in Valdosta, with many occurring yearly. Truck accidents are responsible for some of the most severe injuries while accounting for many road fatalities. Truck accidents often require significant medical treatment, and a lawsuit could be the best option to recover the compensation you need.
Other parties, besides the truck driver, could be liable for your injuries. An experienced Valdosta truck accident attorney can use their knowledge of truck accident litigation to determine if additional parties should be named in your lawsuit. Starting your case soon after the accident is crucial, as important deadlines can negatively affect your lawsuit’s success.
Our Valdosta truck accident attorneys are here to help you get the compensation you need from the negligent parties that caused your injuries. For a free evaluation of your case, call Howe Law today at (844) 876-4357.
Who You Can Sue in a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Valdosta, GA
Depending on the facts of your case, several parties could be named as defendants in your truck accident lawsuit. The truck driver is usually the first party to be analyzed for negligence, but a truck driver’s employer could also share in the blame for your injuries. Also, Georgia law allows for lawsuits against a trucking company’s insurance provider in addition to the other parties. The following parties are those that could be named as defendants in your Valdosta lawsuit:
Truck Driver
Truck drivers have several responsibilities that they are required to carry out during the course of their work. A truck driver is expected to do daily inspections of the vehicle for any defects. Failure to do so could cause catastrophic accidents.
Truck drivers are also required to maintain focus while on the road. Numerous distractions in today’s commercial trucks could cause drivers to take their eyes off the road. Truck drivers could also be held liable if they committed any traffic violations, such as reckless driving or driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
Trucking Company
Trucking companies can also be sued under a legal standard known as vicarious liability. Employers are vicariously liable for their employee’s negligent acts if they were committed during the normal course of their work. This is usually not difficult to show if the truck driver did something negligent during a delivery or during other normal job functions. Negligence can be shown if they violated traffic laws or state/federal trucking regulations to cause the accident.
Trucking companies could also be responsible if they did not maintain good hiring practices when they employed the negligent truck driver. Trucking companies should conduct background checks and drug tests for all prospective drivers and turn away any candidate with safety concerns on the road. Failure to do so puts dangerous truck drivers on the road with other drivers, so they can be held liable for their negligent hiring practices.
Trucking Company’s Insurance Provider
Thanks to Ga. Code § 40-2-140(d)(4), the victim of a truck accident may file a lawsuit against the trucking company’s insurance carrier in addition to the trucking company and the individual truck driver. This is a direct-file lawsuit and will give you another path to compensation. A less experienced truck accident attorney might not be aware of a truck accident victim’s right to file a direct-action lawsuit, costing you damages that you would have been entitled to. Please speak with our Valdosta truck accident attorneys today to determine which parties might potentially be liable for your injuries.
Statute of Limitations to File Truck Accident Lawsuit in Valdosta, GA
The statute of limitations is legal jargon for the time limit Georgia sets to file a truck accident lawsuit in Valdosta. According to Ga. Code § 9-3-33, you will have two years from the date of the truck accident to file your lawsuit. While there are some exceptions, the statute of limitations is a strict time limit, so time is of the essence after being injured in a truck accident. Our Valdosta truck accident attorneys can help you ensure that important deadlines are met and that there are no unnecessary delays in recovering compensation.
Dangerous Intersections and Roads Where Truck Accidents Occur in Valdosta, GA
While driving in Valdosta is generally a pleasurable experience, there are still some roads and intersections that are more likely to be places where truck accidents occur. Many of the most dangerous areas are at intersections. Some intersections offer low visibility and high-traffic times make these intersections more hazardous than normal. Rush hour drivers can act erratically, and a truck driver could cause an accident trying to react to traffic. Also, Interstate-75 lines much of Valdosta, and the speed changes from the interstate to Valdosta’s surface roads can result in serious truck accidents. The following are some of the most dangerous intersections and roads in Valdosta:
- North Valdosta Road and Country Club Drive
- North Valdosta Road and Val Del Road
- North Valdosta Road and Interstate-75
- Lakes Boulevard and Mill Store Road
- Cat Creek Road and Ga. 122
These are only a few of the more hazardous roads and intersections in Valdosta, and drivers should still take the utmost care when watching for negligent truck drivers at any intersection. Our Valdosta truck accident attorneys are ready to help you no matter where in Valdosta your accident happened.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Valdosta, GA
A truck driver’s negligence can come in many forms and cause severe accidents. The parties that you might be able to recover compensation from will depend on the way your truck accident occurred. The following list contains many common causes of truck accidents in Valdosta:
- Equipment failure
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Failure to inspect or properly maintain the truck
- Overloaded trailers
- Improper use of tie-downs
- Negligent hiring practices
- Driver fatigue
- Drunk driving
Of course, your truck accident could have occurred in another way than the ones listed. Regardless, our Valdosta truck accident attorneys can help you hold truck drivers and their employers accountable for their negligent acts.
Our Valdosta, GA Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help
If you were injured in a truck accident in Valdosta, our skilled Valdosta truck accident attorneys can help you hold the negligent parties responsible. Contact Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 for a free case review.
