While any accident might be a major disruption to your life, a truck accident might be a downright disaster. If you were injured in such an accident, talk to our legal team immediately.
Evidence to support your claims in a truck accident case can be difficult to find in some cases. We should start at the scene of the accident. Checking for things like security camera footage, witnesses, and records from the trucking company might lead us to the evidence we need. We need this evidence to prove the extent of your damages, which might be incredibly high, and how the defendant is responsible. Depending on when you speak to an attorney, you might have a very limited window of time to file your claim, or you might lose your claim forever. You might sue the trucker, their employer, other drivers, or a combination of the three.
For a free review of your claims to begin your case, call (844) 876-4357 and speak to our skilled and experienced Atlanta truck accident lawyers at Howe Law.
Where to Find Evidence for a Truck Accident Case in Canton, GA
Finding evidence to support your claims is a crucial yet often difficult step in the legal process. While some plaintiffs need not look far to find the evidence they need, others struggle to find anything at all to help their case. Our truck accident lawyers can help you build a strong case against the defendant, even when there is not as much evidence as we would hope.
Witnesses are the backbone of many civil lawsuits. Sometimes, witness testimony gets a bad reputation for being unreliable or hard to verify. While these might be problems worth considering, juries are often easily swayed by powerful testimony from witnesses with clear memories. If any other drivers or pedestrians saw your accident occur, they might be able to testify in court for you.
When witnesses are hard to come by, we can search for video footage of the accident. In our increasingly modern and technologically advanced world, security cameras are almost everywhere. Your truck crash might have been recorded by nearby security cameras in a store or someone’s private property. Other vehicles might have recorded the crash on dashcams.
Injured plaintiffs are sometimes surprised to learn that, similar to airplanes, large trucks are often equipped with black box recording devices. These devices record all kinds of information about how the trucker is driving. Speed, turns, and time spent on the road might all be recorded, among other data. We can demand a copy of this data from the defendant and review it for useful information.
Proving Damages After a Canton, GA Truck Accident
It is not enough just to prove how the defendant caused the truck accident. We must also prove the extent, severity, and cost of your injuries. Plaintiffs without damages do not have standing to sue. As such, we need as much evidence as possible to establish your damages.
Injuries in truck accidents tend to be numerous and severe. Broken bones, lacerations, and soft-tissue injuries like bruising and sprains are par for the course. More serious injuries might include brain damage, spinal cord injuries, head and neck injuries, and significant scarring or disfigurement. To prove all these injuries, we can use your medical records from when you were treated at the hospital after the crash.
Some damages are measured almost entirely by money. For example, medical bills and the cost to repair your vehicle might cost plaintiffs thousands or more. If you cannot go back to work because of your injuries, you can claim the value of lost earnings. Keep a thorough record of all your expenses related to the accident and go over all of them with your lawyer.
Other damages are not measured in money. Instead, they are far more subjective. Your physical pain, psychological distress, emotional suffering, humiliation, and more may be claimed as part of your damages. Since we cannot point to an economic value when claiming these damages, we need evidence showing how they have impacted your life.
When to Begin a Truck Accident Case in Canton, GA
It is okay to take some time to think about whether you want to pursue legal action. You might need some additional time to recover from your injuries, especially if they are severe. However, you should still talk to an attorney sooner rather than later. You have a limited time to sue, and if the deadline passes, you might lose your right to bring the cause of action.
According to O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, a plaintiff has only 2 years to file a civil claim for personal injuries, including those related to truck accidents. While this might seem like more than enough time to get your case into court, think again. As said before, people often wait to recover before speaking with an attorney. Even if they know they want to sue, it might take months to adequately prepare the case to file. It is better to talk to an attorney now, even if you are not sure what you want to do.
Who You Can Sue for Damages After a Canton, GA Truck Accident
After the accident, one of the first things you should talk about with a lawyer is who should be named in your case. The first person to look into is the truck driver. Trucker negligence is a major concern on the road and a common factor in many truck accidents. Perhaps the truck driver fell asleep at the wheel after hours of driving with no breaks. Maybe they were speeding when they stopped short, causing the truck and trailer to jack-knife. More often than not, the trucker bears a great degree of blame.
We can also sue the trucker’s boss. Often, employers may be vicariously liable for injuries caused by negligent employees as long as the employees are acting in their normal job duties. Including the truck company is a great idea as they likely have more resources and insurance to cover your expenses.
Reach Out to Our Canton, GA Truck Accident Lawyers About Your Case
For a free review of your claims to begin your case, call (844) 876-4357 and speak to our skilled and experienced truck accident lawyers at Howe Law.