Victims must often work hard just to receive what they need, providing proof of someone else’s mistake to obtain payment for the injuries, lost income, and pain and suffering that person caused. Fortunately, a Valdosta personal injury lawyer can take over that work, so you can focus on what matters: healing.
How to Heal with the Help of Damages
Whatever it takes to return you to health should be covered by compensation, from initial emergency care to rehabilitation expenses. Eligible costs include:
- Ambulance rides
- Diagnostic testing
- Surgery
- In-patient stays
- Physical therapy
- Medications
- At-home care
- Alternative therapies
Insurance companies may underestimate what you need or push back on treatments like chiropractic care, massage therapy, or acupuncture. We can fight for your struggles to be recognized and for you to receive what you need for healing and relief.
Serious and Long-Term Injuries
The size difference between trucks and passenger vehicles can cause severe injuries for smaller cars. The resulting expenses, both current and future, can and should be included in any evaluation of your case, including:
- Long-term prescriptions, such as for chronic pain
- Medical equipment like wheelchairs and walking aids
- Follow-up visits to specialists
- Rehospitalizations or recurrent medical problems
- Secondary or co-occurring conditions
According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the lasting effects of traumatic brain injuries can require returning to a hospital for more care. Similarly, the National Spinal Cord injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) reports that, since 2015, more than 30 percent of people with spinal cord injuries have been re-hospitalized at least once annually. Your compensation should take these possibilities into account.
Even less “severe” injuries may require long-term care. Whiplash injuries can cause chronic pain that requires prescription medication or physical therapy. The negligent party should have to shoulder these expenses, not you.
Other Effects of Truck Crashes
Your physical health can impact every area of your life, including:
- Mental health
- Career
- Side jobs
- Dependents
- Hobbies
- Independence
These areas are also included in our evaluation and can be compensated with damages for:
- Lost income
- Job retraining
- Reduced earning ability
- Psychological counseling
- Psychopharmacology
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Changed quality of life
Some of these pay specific expenses, such as the cost of anti-anxiety medication. Others are tailored to your specific experience, like the emotional distress of suffering a burn or disfigurement.
The goal is to provide comprehensive and custom compensation. Our Valdosta Truck Accident Lawyers can pursue this by listening to what happened to you on that Valdosta road and what it cost you.
For a free legal consultation with a truck accident lawyer serving Valdosta, call 404-214-2001
How to Pursue Justice with the Help of Our Truck Accident Lawyers
It’s okay not to have all the answers after your accident. Kaine Law can address any questions and even help with aspects of your case you may not have known needed attention. We can help you understand:
- Legal jargon
- Settlement terms
- Lawsuits vs. insurance claims
- Deadlines for filing
- The value of your case
- Options for compensation
- Causes of your crash
More than that, we offer support during one of the most difficult life experiences. Our client testimonials support this, with one previous client saying, “[Attorney Evan Kaine] came to visit me in the hospital and gave me the comfort and confidence that I wanted in my attorney. He’s a fighter.”
Learn how far we will go to comfort and assist you during your case by taking advantage of our 24/7 availability and free case reviews.
Understanding Your Rights
Georgia adheres to a contributory negligence doctrine, which means you can pursue the other party for damages if they were at fault (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33). However, there are a few caveats:
- The other party must be more at fault than you
- Your percentage of fault will reduce your compensation
For example, if you were speeding and the truck driver who hit you was drunk, they may be deemed 85 percent at fault, and you may be 15 percent at fault. You can file a lawsuit against them, but your damages will be reduced by 15 percent.
Naturally, the other party will probably argue that you were more at fault to avoid paying your compensation. Using evidence like photos, accident reconstruction, and police reports, we can determine your level of responsibility and argue for your damages.
Valdosta Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me 404-214-2001
How to Identify Who Was Responsible for Your Accident
The Valdosta truck accident lawyer at Kaine Law help identify and hold liable the correct party by investigating the negligence that caused your Valdosta collision. We identify negligence through four elements:
- Duty of care – The truck driver had a responsibility to drive safely.
- Breach of duty – The driver did not adhere to that responsibility.
- Causation – Their failure to drive responsibly cause your injuries.
- Damages – Your injuries qualify you to receive compensation.
The breach of duty of care that caused your injuries could be:
- Driving under the influence
- Drowsy or distracted driving
- Failure to yield
- Following too closely
- Improper turns
For example, following too closely is particularly negligent for a truck driver. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), a loaded tractor-trailer needs 20 to 40 percent more distance than passenger vehicles to come to a stop. Even more distance is required on wet or icy roads.
Other Avenues for Damages
Sometimes, the driver is not held liable for an accident. If a trucking company employed them, their employer could be held responsible instead. In some cases, the driver and company aren’t at fault; instead, a third party can be held accountable.
We investigate whether any of the following played a role:
- Automobile drivers
- Motorcyclists
- Rideshare drivers
- Car or truck designers
- Auto manufacturers
- Tire manufacturers
- Government entities
- Construction companies
In some personal injury cases, the party responsible can shorten or change the typical two-year statute of limitations (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33). Our team can help determine the deadline in your case.
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How to Get Help from Our Big Rig Accident Attorneys Today
At Kaine Law, our truck accident lawyers can get started on your Valdosta case right away with a free consultation. Just call (404) 214-2001 now to learn more!
Call or text 404-214-2001 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
