Truck accidents in Georgia can cause catastrophic physical injuries and financial stress. To recover compensation, a truck accident victim must thoroughly investigate the crash. Their personal injury claim’s success will largely hinge on evidence establishing what caused the crash and who bears responsibility for it.
Truck accidents in Georgia happen for many reasons. Most of these accidents stem from human error, equipment issues, or rule violations. Even though the exact causes of truck crashes vary, the results are often the same. The damage can be severe when a large commercial vehicle collides with a passenger car.
Why Do Truck Crashes Happen in Georgia?
Below are the most common causes of Georgia truck accidents:
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence
- Tailgating
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Reckless driving/speeding
- Overloaded or improperly loaded cargo
- Truck driver fatigue
- Inexperienced drivers
- Mechanical failures.
External factors can also cause or increase the risk of a crash. For example, inclement weather conditions or poor visibility could cause a driver to lose control of their truck. Or bad road conditions (such as worn or damaged pavement) could present unexpected hazards. Even when these external elements cause or contribute to a truck accident, a trucking company or driver may be liable if their negligence played a role.
Where Do Most Georgia Truck Accidents Occur?
Semi-truck accidents can occur anywhere. However, certain locations and situations present greater risks for collisions involving large commercial motor vehicles. Heavy traffic, high speeds, limited visibility, and other conditions can make driving around trucks in the following areas uniquely dangerous:
- Major interstates like I-75, I-85, and I-20
- Urban areas with dense traffic (truck accidents in Atlanta are common)
- Rural highways with narrow lanes or poor lighting
- Construction zones
- Intersections and on/off ramps
- Mountain roads with steep grades
- Near freight hubs or warehouse districts.
Do Some Truck Crashes Involve Violations of State and Federal Regulations?
Trucking companies have a responsibility to follow state and federal regulations that serve the purpose of keeping drivers and the public safe. For instance, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets nationwide rules on driver hours, maintenance and inspections, and drug testing. Georgia also enforces state-level safety standards for commercial carriers.
These regulations require companies to properly train their drivers, maintain their vehicles, and keep detailed records of their routes, cargo, and delivery schedules. So, when the driver or trucking company break rules by skipping rest breaks or ignoring maintenance issues, they may be liable for accidents resulting from violations of those regulations.
Who Could Be Liable for a Georgia Truck Accident?
Determining liability in a truck accident requires an investigation of driving logs, maintenance records, training procedures, equipment design, and other evidence. Depending on the cause of the crash, several parties may share responsibility, including the following:
- Driver – A truck driver may be liable for negligent actions such as distracted driving, speeding, driving while fatigued, or operating under the influence.
- Trucking company – The company may be responsible if it fails to train the driver, encourages unsafe practices, or neglects vehicle maintenance.
- Cargo loader – If the cargo was overloaded, off balance, or improperly secured, the party responsible for loading could be liable.
- Truck manufacturer – If a defective part or system (such as brakes or steering) contributed to the accident, the manufacturer may be liable under product liability laws.
Can the Motorist Hit by a Truck Share Fault for a Trucking Accident?
In some truck accidents, passenger vehicle operators may share the blame. However, even if you partially contributed to a crash, you could still be eligible to recover compensation.
Georgia law follows a modified version of the doctrine of comparative negligence. The law allows accident victims to recover compensation even if they share some of the fault, as long as their share is less than 50 percent. If a passenger vehicle driver is partially responsible, the law reduces their compensation based on their percentage of fault.
A driver may share fault if they followed too closely, cut off the truck, or drove in its blind spots (also known as “no-zones”). These areas, especially along the sides and rear of a large truck, obscure the truck driver’s view and make it difficult for them to see smaller vehicles.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer After a Georgia Truck Accident?
The process of pursuing a truck accident lawsuit can be challenging. An array of laws and regulations govern the trucking industry, and multiple parties may be liable. As a result, an investigation may be more complex than one involving a collision between two standard passenger cars. When you’re dealing with physical injuries and sudden, unexpected expenses, pursuing a truck accident claim on your own could become overwhelming.
Working with a knowledgeable Atlanta truck accident lawyer makes this process more manageable. You can focus on healing while your attorney:
- Investigates the crash
- Gathers critical evidence
- Navigates the maze of federal and state regulations
- Prepares your claim
- Negotiates with the insurance companies
- Takes your case to trial if that’s what’s necessary to pursue compensation.
If the attorney works on a contingency fee basis, they won’t earn a fee unless they recover compensation for you. The agreement allows a person to move forward with the personal injury lawsuit process even if they lack the money to pay upfront or on a rolling basis for legal help with their claim.
An Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer in Georgia Can Help You
If you suffer injuries in a crash with a large commercial truck, you will need a legal team that understands the causes of tractor-trailer accidents in Georgia and has the experience and resources to hold the truck driver, trucking company, and all other responsible parties to account. Contact Bayuk Pratt today.
Our Georgia truck accident attorneys bring over 50 years of combined legal experience, including years of training and direct insider knowledge of how insurance companies think. We have recovered over $300 million for clients in Atlanta and throughout Georgia. We can review your trucking accident case in a free consultation.
