TESTIMONIALS
I called Matt after several people recommended him. He was very kind and did a very good job on my son’s case. We are very thankful for the work he did. Most importantly, he was never hard to reach and answered every question we had while going through the process. Matt is the only attorney I will ever call in the future.
- Emily
My husband is a cyclist that did not fair well against an SUV recently. Matt and his team took phenomenal care of us, allowing us not to stress out (too much) about the little things. Matt and his team handled everything with professionalism. We know we made the right call.
- Jane
So glad I hired this firm after my rearend car accident. Matt embodies the skill set and values I was looking for. He treats every case like a mini war, and was a zealous advocate on my behalf. And he did so in the most competent and skillful manner. He listened, was empathetic and understood my legal and nonlegal problems.
- Jared
It was important to me to get the maximum money I could for my broken neck and arm. After getting jerked around for months by State Farm, I interviewed several firms and chose Mr. Wetherington. I’m glad I did. He forced the insurance company to pay twenty times their last offer to me.
- Veronica
It is an honor to share my experience with Mr. Wetherington. He was able to get answers about what happened in my son’s wreck that other attorney’s were not able to do. I am so thankful for the work that he did and he was very thorough in his explanation of why the vehicle had a “defect.”
- Anonymous
My case did not settle. The person that hit me only had minimal policy limits. Fortunately, I had my own insurance, which should have provided more money. My insurance company, Allstate, treated me like garbage. We had to sue them and go all the way to trial, which we won.
- Jane Doe
Matt Wetherington is the attorney who is suing the booting companies. We need to do everything we can as a community to help him succeed. God bless you, Mr. Wetherington!
- Michael
At Wetherington Law Firm, P.C., our Rome truck accident attorneys are aggressive and effective advocates for injured victims. We have what it takes to hold the large trucking companies and their commercial insurance carriers accountable after a serious crash. If you or someone close to you were injured in a tractor-trailer crash, we can help. To arrange a free, no-obligation case review with one of our Georgia tractor-trailer accident lawyers, please contact us today.
How Common are Commercial Truck Accidents?
A maximally-loaded eighteen wheeler is truly enormous. Large commercial trucks can weigh up to 40 tons (80,000 pounds)—which is far more than the size of a standard passenger vehicle. Unfortunately, when truck accidents do happen, the consequences can be catastrophic. Trucks can run off the roads, run other vehicles off the road, roll, jackknife, topple over, and cause serious bodily harm. Truck drivers, truck companies, and all other parties involved in trucking must put public safety first. Profits cannot come before people. Oftentimes, this isn’t the case and we see strenuous deadlines and working requirements placed on truck drivers which lead to dangerous driving conditions.
Sadly, truck accidents are a serious problem in our country. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) estimates that nearly 5,000 people are killed and nearly 100,000 are injured in large truck accidents each year. With U.S. Route 27 and U.S. Route 411 running directly through our community, Rome sees more than its fair share of commercial trucking traffic each year.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Large Truck Accident?
Commercial trucking is a fast-paced and complex industry. There are many parties involved in commercial trucking operations. This can make accident claims complicated. Any party whose negligence contributed to a truck accident may bear partial (or full) liability for the damages. A wide range of parties can potentially be held liable for a commercial trucking accident, including:
- A truck driver;
- The trucking company;
- The company that leased or loaded the truck;
- The truck’s manufacturer;
- Third-party motorists; and
- Anyone else whose negligence contributed to the crash.
Georgia is a Fault-Based Commercial Truck Accident State
Georgia is an at-fault motor vehicle accident state. This standard applies to all types of traffic collisions, including commercial truck accidents. In effect, this means that a truck company is not automatically responsible for a crash. To hold a trucker or truck company liable for an accident, an injured victim must prove the company’s negligence (failure to take due care) contributed to the collision. Some common examples of negligence in truck accident cases include:
- Undertrained or undertrained truck drivers;
- Overly fatigued truckers;
- Truck drivers speeding on a tight schedule;
- Distracted driving;
- Intoxicated driving;
- Improperly loaded trailers; and
- Failure to conduct proper truck maintenance.
As Georgia is a comparative fault state (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33), each party to a truck accident will be found responsible for their percentage of the blame. Do not let yourself be unjustly blamed for a truck accident. It could result in your financial compensation being reduced—possibly substantially so. All crashes should be thoroughly investigated by a top Rome, GA truck accident attorney.
Statute of Limitations for a Tractor Trailer Accident in Georgia
Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A § 9-3-33), truck accident injury cases are regulated by a two-year filing deadline. You only have two years from the date of a commercial trucking accident to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. It is important to know that truck company and their insurers are always proactive. They will start building their defense immediately after an accident. Do not fall behind: Speak to a Rome truck accident attorney as soon as you can after a crash.
We Help Truck Accident Victims Secure Financial Compensation
Commercial truck accidents are disproportionately likely to cause severe injuries. Following a serious crash, injured victims need the maximum available financial compensation. You cannot trust large truck companies or their even larger commercial insurance providers to do what is best for you and your family. Our Rome, GA truck accident lawyers have proven success that you can rely on. Truck accident victims in Georgia may be able to recover money damages for:
- Automobile repairs or replacement;
- Emergency room case;
- Hospital expenses and other medical bills;
- Long-term/ongoing rehabilitative care;
- Loss of income and diminished earning potential;
- Pain and suffering & emotional anguish;
- Permanent disability or disfigurement; and
- Wrongful death damages.
Call Our Rome Commercial Trucking Accident Lawyers Today
At Wetherington Law Firm, P.C., our Rome truck accident attorneys are committed to providing personalized, results-focused legal representation. If you or someone you care about was hurt in a commercial trucking accident, we are here to help. Contact us today for a free assessment of your case. Our law firm handles commercial truck accident claims in Rome and all over Floyd County.