Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck Accident Attorney in Atlanta

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Georgia, you may have the right to seek compensation. It’s wise to meet with an Atlanta personal injury lawyer to evaluate your case and provide essential legal advice. A skilled Atlanta truck accident lawyer can bolster your case, conduct investigations, handle negotiations, and represent you in court if necessary.

While you’re not obligated to work with an Atlanta injury lawyer, it may be beneficial to your case. At Barnes Law Group, we have decades of experience working with individuals who have been injured or harmed due to the actions of another. We’re proud to offer personalized service that helps our clients seek the justice they deserve.

How to File a Truck Accident Claim in Atlanta, GA

After a truck accident in Atlanta, GA, you have two years to file a personal injury claim and four years to file a property damage claim. It’s important to note that you can typically seek to recover property damages as a part of a personal injury case, so you don’t have to file both.

It’s important to note that you’re also required to file a notice of intent to file a case against a defendant if it is pertaining to a government-owned vehicle in an accident. You must do this within 12 months of the accident.

When you file against another party for a truck accident, you can either reach a settlement through negotiations or litigation. The majority of personal injury cases in Georgia are resolved outside of court.

Negotiations are always a great place to start because they can save you time, energy, and money in the long run. On the downside, settlements offer limited compensation because you’re dealing with insurance company payouts instead of a court-ordered judgment.

During the settlement phase, you can expect the at-fault party’s insurance to present an initial offer after investigating your claim and making a decision about your losses. It’s wise not to take this first offer.

Insurers want to save as much money as possible and are likely to present an amount that’s lower than you deserve. Your Atlanta truck accident lawyer can handle negotiations on your behalf and can identify low offers to ensure you’re getting the compensation you’re owed.

If you’re unable to reach a settlement agreement, you can take your case to court. When you go to trial, your Atlanta truck accident lawyer represents you. This process involves presenting evidence and calling witnesses to present your case to a judge or jury. Once both sides make their arguments, the court decides who wins and how much they are to be awarded.

Determining Fault for an Atlanta Truck Accident

When you file a personal injury claim after a truck accident, it’s critical that you prove the other party was at fault. Georgia is a modified comparative negligence state, which means an injured party in a personal injury case can recover damages so long as they are not found to be 50 percent or more at fault for the incident.

This means that you can still recover damages for an accident even if you were partially at fault, so long as you’re not the one who is the majority at fault. In these situations, your settlement amount is reduced by the percentage of your fault in the accident.

For example, if you’re found to be 20 percent at fault for a truck accident, you can still recover damages as you intended. The catch is that your payout is going to be 20 percent less than the maximum settlement amount.

Law enforcement personnel on the scene of an accident are the first to establish a preliminary fault for an incident, but it’s possible for the situation to change as more time passes and new information surfaces. Insurance companies have a say in establishing the fault, and your Atlanta truck accident lawyer can influence decisions, too.

By gathering solid evidence and building a strong case, you can improve your chances of reducing your fault in an accident, which allows you to seek maximum compensation for your losses. It’s critical to take this step in the process seriously, even if you think there’s no way you could be implicated.

Georgia laws are complex, and the intricacies of comparative negligence determinations can come back to hurt you if you don’t have a solid enough case when seeking to recover damages through a personal injury claim. It’s better to be overprepared to cover yourself and ensure you recover the appropriate damages.

Special Considerations for Truck Accidents in Atlanta, GA

Filing a truck accident claim is simple, but winning a case can be complicated. That’s why it’s beneficial to work with an Atlanta truck accident lawyer. Regardless, it’s helpful to understand the nuances of truck accident cases so you have a better chance at a fair outcome.

In 2023, there were 188 fatalities involving large trucks. So far in 2025, there have been about 1,007 crashes involving trucks, including 987 non-fatal and 20 fatal incidents. With a prominent number of truck-related incidents in Georgia, it’s important to know the laws surrounding your case.

Truck accident cases are unique because multiple parties can be at fault. In some truck accident cases, it’s possible to file a claim against the truck driver, the trucking company, or even the truck’s manufacturer. It’s important to identify who is responsible so you can build a strong case.

Truckers also have to abide by unique rules regarding the number of hours they can drive and how often they have to perform maintenance on their vehicles. Understanding these laws can present more opportunities for your case.

Determining Fault in a Truck Accident in Atlanta

Since multiple parties can be held liable for a truck accident depending on the circumstances, it’s important to understand who is at fault and why. For starters, you must be able to recognize truck driver negligence. This includes behaviors such as:

• Driving under the influence (DUI)
• Engaging in unsafe driving behaviors
• Failing to follow signs or weight restrictions
• Falling asleep at the wheel
• Skipping rest times

In other situations, the company may be at fault. For example, if the company’s unfair work hours caused the driver’s fatigue, which in turn caused the accident, you likely could pursue legal action against both parties with the right evidence.

Trucking companies often have systems in place to protect semi-truck drivers from personal injury claims. This can make it more difficult for you to win a settlement. In these situations, it’s a good idea to consult with an attorney.

Potential Evidence to Leverage in a Truck Accident Case in Atlanta

When it comes to winning a truck accident claim, proving negligence is an important part of the process. As the plaintiff, it’s your job to prove that the other party’s negligent actions are directly responsible for your losses.

The strongest types of evidence to support your claim depend on the details of the claim itself. However, there are a handful of common types of evidence used in truck accident cases. By working with an Atlanta truck accident lawyer, you can quickly collect key pieces of evidence, like CCTV or video footage of the accident, eyewitness testimonials, medical records, maintenance records for the truck, and more.

After an accident, it’s important that you preserve as much evidence as possible. It’s important to be focused and aware in the wake of a crash. Take as many pictures as you can and take notes about the conditions at the time of the accident. No detail is too small. It’s also wise to exchange contact information and insurance information with anyone involved in the accident. Get copies of any and all records to keep in your personal file as well.

Damages Recovered From Truck Accidents in Atlanta, GA

It’s important to note that Georgia does not have no-fault medical coverage, which is also known as personal injury protection (PIP). This protection covers medical expenses for people involved in motor vehicle accidents, regardless of fault.

Since Georgia doesn’t use this type of coverage, medical costs related to an accident are recoverable from the at-fault party. That said, you can recover a variety of economic and non-economic damages from a truck accident case, including:

• Emotional distress
• Living expenses
• Loss of income
• Loss of future earning potential
• Medical expenses
• Ongoing medical treatments
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Punitive damages (in severe cases)

The strength of your evidence is especially important when it comes to determining non-economic damages. Since these items don’t have a set financial value, it’s up to the courts to determine the amounts. They do this by considering your intangible losses, which you must be able to prove.

There are two main methods courts use to determine non-economic damage amounts:

• Multiplier Method: This method allows courts to determine a numeric value for non-economic damages by multiplying the economic damages by a factor that is decided by the severity of the pain and suffering.
• Per diem Method: Instead of calculating a lump sum, this method establishes a daily rate and multiplies it by the number of days the plaintiff has experienced or will experience their pain and suffering. This rate can be based on several factors, including daily income.

Besides these methods, the courts consider many factors when determining the amount owed to you from non-economic damages. Namely, they take into consideration the severity of your injuries and the impact the accident has had on your life. They also may be influenced by expert testimony, which an Atlanta personal injury attorney can help secure for you.

Wrongful Death Cases From Truck Accidents in Atlanta

Trucks are significantly larger than the majority of vehicles on the road, which makes truck accidents even more deadly than crashes that only involve cars. Many people don’t survive their injuries after a truck accident, which can leave their families and loved ones devastated.

If you lost a loved one in a truck accident and want to file a wrongful death claim, an Atlanta truck accident lawyer can guide you through the process. When filing a wrongful death claim, you typically have two years from the date of the decedent’s death.

Benefits of Working With an Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer

While you are not legally required to work with an Atlanta truck accident lawyer, it can be advantageous. An attorney has the skills and resources to improve your chances of a high settlement. Moreover, they can help when challenges arise and provide legal counsel when you need it.

Whether you settle out of court or go to trial, an Atlanta truck accident lawyer can be a critical partner for your case. There were 2,073 fatalities from truck accidents in Georgia from 2013 to 2022. In addition to fatal accidents, there are exponentially higher rates of non-fatal car accidents across the city.

At the Barnes Law Group, we aim to help truck accident victims through all types of situations by offering sound advice and solid legal representation. We aim to secure the maximum settlement amount you’re owed so you can move forward with your life.

We pride ourselves on being a small firm that offers a wide range of quality services that meet our clients’ goals. Our team has experience working on all types of truck accident cases, and we’re ready to take on your claim no matter the complexity.

How to Be Safe Around Trucks in Atlanta

Being a defensive driver is an easy way to stay safe on the road, especially around trucks. It’s important to be mindful when driving around large trucks. When navigating near a truck, remember that they have larger blind spots and require a larger turning radius than a standard car.

When it comes to changing lanes in front of large trucks, be mindful of their stopping distance once you enter the space in front of them. It’s easy to cut a truck off while thinking you’re in the clear simply because you’re not thinking about the functionality of a truck versus a car, resulting in a life-changing injury or a fatal outcome.

Atlanta Truck Accident FAQs

Q: How Much Are Most Truck Accident Settlements in Atlanta?

A: The amount you can secure from a truck accident settlement is hard to estimate because it hinges heavily on the unique aspects of your case, like the severity of the crash and the extent of your injuries.

The strength of your case and the evidence you present can impact the amount you can secure. Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means the amount you recover can be reduced by how much of fault you contributed to the accident.

Q: How Much Do Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyers Charge?

A: You can typically expect an Atlanta truck accident lawyer to charge a contingency fee for their services. This means that you don’t pay upfront and won’t pay unless you win your case. At that point, your attorney collects their fees from a percentage of your settlement amount.

At Barnes Law Group, we operate on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t have to pay for your hardships. We take it from the at-fault party once we’ve secured your settlement.

Q: Do I Need to Work With an Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer?

A: You are not required to work with an Atlanta truck accident lawyer when you file a claim after a crash in Atlanta. However, it’s highly recommended that you do. Our injury lawyers understands injury law and is familiar with navigating cases like yours. They can use their skills and resources to secure solid evidence, bolster your case, and seek out the maximum settlement amount for you.

Q: Is My Atlanta Truck Accident Case Going to Trial?

A: Just because you file a personal injury claim does not mean you have to go to court. In fact, the majority of truck accident cases in the city of Atlanta are settled outside of court through mediation or arbitration.

Mediation involves entering negotiations with a neutral third party to reach a settlement. Arbitration is similar, except the neutral third party oversees the negotiations and makes a binding decision at the end.

Contact an Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer to Discuss Your Case in More Detail

Being involved in a truck accident can be terrifying, and navigating the legal processes that follow can be even worse. The last thing you need as you’re trying to recover from an accident is a complex legal battle. By working with an Atlanta truck accident lawyer, you can focus on the big picture and leave the nuances to a legal professional.

Our team at Barnes Law Group is committed to helping you seek the compensation you’re owed for your losses. We offer personalized legal strategies built around all of our clients’ unique situations. If you’re ready to tell us your story and pursue the compensation you deserve, contact our office to set up an appointment with an Atlanta truck accident attorney from our firm today. We’re prepared to represent you with skill and confidence.