Expert Marietta Truck Accident Lawyers Ready to Fight for You

At Ponton Law, our Marietta truck accident lawyers provide personalized legal representation to victims and families. With a proven record of success, we have what it takes to hold big trucking companies and their commercial insurance carriers to account. If you or someone you know was hurt in a semi-truck accident in Cobb County, our legal team can help. Contact our Marietta truck accident attorney today to set up your free, no-commitment initial consultation.

The Steps to Take After a Semi-Truck Accident in Marietta, Georgia

A crash involving a semi-truck is chaotic. Truck companies and their insurance carriers waste little time and spare little expense in building their defenses and protecting their own best interests. By knowing what to do after a crash in Cobb County, you will be far better positioned to get justice. Here are some of the most important steps to take after a tractor-trailer accident in Marietta:

1. Stop at the Scene, Exchange Information, and Report the Crash: Georgia law is clear: All motorists involved in a crash must stop their vehicle and remain at the scene of an accident but for medical emergencies. While at the accident scene, injured victims should also exchange vital information with the truck driver, including names, addresses, phone numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance details. Truck accidents should be reported to a state or local law enforcement agency, such as the Marietta Police Department.
2. Get Medical Care for Any Injuries (Serious Injuries Take Priority): Serious injuries require immediate emergency medical attention. Non-serious injuries should still be evaluated by a qualified physician. Even if you feel fine, prompt medical care is still a must. Some injuries—including whiplash and concussions—may not manifest symptoms right away. You need to see a doctor to bring a truck accident injury claim in Georgia.
3. Proactively Document the Semi-Truck Accident: Georgia is an “at-fault” state for trucking accidents. Truck accident victims in Marietta should always try to carefully document the crash to the best of their ability. Use your smartphone or camera to take pictures of the scene, damages, license plates, and any visible injuries. Collect contact information from witnesses, if any. Jot down the specifics of how the accident occurred, including weather conditions, road conditions, and other pertinent details.
4. Consult With a Marietta Truck Accident Lawyer Before an Insurer: Before communicating with the trucking company or any insurance company, you should also set up a free consultation with an experienced truck accident attorney in Marietta. Insurance companies aim to minimize payouts. Your Marietta commercial truck accident lawyer will protect your rights and ensure that you are in the best position to get justice.

Commercial Trucks Pose an Inherent Safety Risk

Did you know that a fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds? Commercial trucks dwarf the size of passenger vehicles. They pose an inherent safety hazard to everyone else on the road. The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety reports that semi-trucks were involved in 244 fatal crashes statewide in 2021. Many more large trucks were involved in collisions resulting in severe or catastrophic injuries. Truckers and trucking companies must put a priority on public safety—profits can never be allowed to come before people.

The Most Common Reasons Why Commercial Truck Accidents Happen

Tractor-trailer accidents can happen for a wide variety of different reasons. Every crash reported in Cobb County should be carefully investigated by an experienced Marietta truck accident lawyer. Your attorney will help you determine exactly what went wrong. Some of the most common reasons why large trucking accidents happen in Georgia include:

• Driver Fatigue: Truck drivers often work long hours, pushing themselves to meet tight delivery deadlines. Long hours can result in tiredness and reduced reaction times.
• Distracted Driving: Distracted driving is dangerous; activities like texting, eating, or using in-cab technologies can divert the driver’s attention from the road.
• Speeding and Overtaking: To make up for lost time, drivers might speed or make unsafe overtaking maneuvers. Speeding dramatically increases the risk of a serious crash.
• Impaired Driving (Trucker DUI): The use of alcohol or drugs can seriously affect a driver’s ability to operate the truck safely.
• Inadequate Truck Driver Training: Not all drivers have the necessary training or experience to handle the unique challenges posed by driving a large commercial truck.
• Poor Truck Maintenance: Inadequately maintained trucks can experience brake failures, tire blowouts, or other mechanical issues that can cause accidents.
• Cargo Issues (Overloads or Improper Loads): Overloaded or improperly secured cargo can lead to unbalanced trucks or cargo spills.

Understanding Tractor Trailer Accident Liability in Georgia

A number of different parties may be liable for a truck accident in Georgia, including the truck driver, truck company, manufacturer, and even third-party motorists. Notably, Georgia operates under a fault-based system for vehicle accidents, including large truck accidents. In this system, the party deemed at fault—or their insurance company—is responsible for compensating any damages incurred by the other parties involved. To receive compensation, victims must prove the negligence or fault of the other party involved in the accident.

Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 51-11-7), truck accident claims are subject to our state’s modified comparative negligence standard. With this system, an injured truck victim can still recover damages even if they are partly at fault—but their compensation will be reduced proportionally.  For example, if a driver is 30 percent at fault and they have $100,000 in damages, they would only be entitled to $70,000 in compensation. They would bear fault for 30 percent of the damages for their own truck accident. 

How Much Compensation Can You Recover in a Truck Accident Injury Case in Marietta?

Truck accidents can cause devastating injuries. If you were involved in a crash with a semi-truck in Marietta or elsewhere in Cobb County, you need financial compensation to pay bills and support your family. Unfortunately, the big trucking companies and their insurance providers fight hard to settle liability for less. At Ponton Law, we do not let them get away with it. Our firm will help you maximize your recovery. Along with other types of damages, compensation may be recovered for:

• Vehicle repairs or replacement (property loss);
• Emergency medical treatment;
• Hospital bills and other medical costs;
• Loss of wages and loss of earning power;
• Pain and suffering;
• Disfigurement;
• Disability; and
• Wrongful death.

Why Hire Marietta Trucking Accident Attorney James Ponton

Commercial truck accident injury claims are especially complex. You do not have to take on a large trucking company or its aggressive commercial insurer alone. Our founding attorney James T. Ponton is a personal injury lawyer with nearly two decades of experience practicing in Georgia. We are committed to helping our clients secure the absolute maximum financial compensation. Among other things, our Marietta truck accident attorney can:

• Listen to your story and answer questions about your truck accident case;
• Carefully investigate your truck accident, securing the evidence to prove fault;
• Identity all potential parties that may bear legal liability for your crash;
• Handle settlement negotiations with truck companies insurers; and
• Take your truck accident injury claim as far as needed to get results.  

Get Help From a Top Marietta Commercial Truck Accident Lawyer Today

At Ponton Law, our Marietta commercial truck accident lawyers are standing by, ready to help you take action to get justice. If you were hurt in a semi-truck accident, our legal team has the professional expertise you can trust. Give us a call at (404) 418-8507 or contact us online for your free consultation. We handle semi-truck accident claims in Marietta, Cobb County, and beyond.