Thousands of large trucks travel on Georgia’s roads every day as they make deliveries throughout the state and across the southeastern U.S. Unfortunately, while these trucks provide a vital service, they can also cause serious accidents, resulting in catastrophic injuries and fatalities.

Victims of truck accidents often face devastating consequences, from sky-high medical bills to lifelong disabilities. At Parker Trial Law, we understand the seriousness of truck accident cases, and our team is prepared to represent victims and handle these high-stakes cases.

Since 2016, our focus has been on taking cases to trial and seeking the compensation our clients need and deserve. If you suffered an injury in a Georgia truck accident, contact Parker Trial Law today for a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys. We’ll review your case, explain your legal options, and begin working with you to make the most of your claim.

Are Truck Drivers the Cause of Most Accidents on the Road?

While trucks aren’t the cause of most accidents on the road, the ones they do cause tend to be more severe than accidents involving other types of vehicles. For example, according to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, while accidents involving large trucks only accounted for 6 percent of accidents in the state, they resulted in 13.5 percent of all traffic fatalities.

If you’re in an accident with a large truck in Georgia, you’re more likely to suffer severe or fatal injuries than if you were in an accident with a different type of vehicle. For this reason, it’s essential to have an experienced truck accident attorney on your side who understands these cases.

With the right legal assistance, you can seek compensation that covers your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering after a truck accident.

What Are the Most Common Types of Truck Accidents?

Many types of truck accidents happen on Georgia roads, and understanding the differences between them can help you take steps to avoid them. Some of the most common types of truck accidents in Georgia include:

  • Wide-Turn Collisions – Large trucks require extra space to make turns, especially right turns. When a truck driver miscalculates the room needed to make a wide turn, they can collide with smaller vehicles or pedestrians. These accidents are particularly dangerous in urban areas with narrow roads and heavy traffic.
  • Blind Spot Collisions – Commercial trucks have significant blind spots, sometimes called “no-zones.” These are areas directly behind and along the sides of the truck where the driver can’t see other vehicles. If truck drivers don’t check their blind spots before merging or backing up, they could crash into other motorists or pedestrians.
  • Rollover Accidents – These accidents occur when a truck flips over, typically because it took a turn too fast or had an unbalanced load. These accidents are dangerous for the truck driver and other vehicles in the truck’s path. Trucks can crush smaller vehicles when they roll over, causing catastrophic injuries.
  • Jackknife Accidents – These accidents happen when a truck’s trailer swings out from behind the cab, forming a 90-degree angle. The most common cause of jackknife accidents is when a truck driver has to break suddenly, causing the trailer to move faster than the cab. Jackknife accidents can block multiple lanes and lead to severe multi-vehicle accidents.
  • Head-On Collisions – When a smaller vehicle collides with a truck head-on, the results are often fatal. Due to the difference in weight and size, the smaller vehicle bears the brunt of the impact, causing significant damage.
  • Rear-End Collisions – Because of their weight, trucks require much longer stopping distances than smaller vehicles. If a truck driver follows too closely or fails to stop in time, they can cause a rear-end collision, which often leads to neck and back injuries for victims.
  • Underride Accidents – Underride accidents occur when a smaller vehicle becomes wedged underneath a truck’s trailer during a side-impact collision. In these types of accidents, the truck may crush or shear off the top of the smaller vehicle, causing fatal injuries to occupants.

What Common Factors Contribute to Truck Accidents in Georgia?

Several factors contribute to truck accidents in Georgia. Many of these factors are preventable and are due to the negligence of the truck driver, trucking company, or a third party. Some of the most common factors include:

  • Distracted Driving – Like other motorists, truck drivers distracted by their phones, GPS devices, or food for even a moment can cause crashes.
  • Drowsy Driving – Truckers often work long shifts that sometimes exceed the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) hours of service regulations. Drowsy driving is particularly dangerous for truck drivers, as it impairs their reaction times and decision-making abilities, leading to more crashes.
  • Driving Under the Influence – Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a serious offense for all motorists. However, while the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for most drivers is 0.08 percent, for commercial truck drivers, the limit is only 0.04 percent.
  • Speeding – Truck drivers on tight schedules may exceed the speed limit to meet delivery deadlines. Speeding reduces a truck driver’s ability to react to road hazards and increases the truck’s stopping distance, increasing the likelihood of a serious accident.
  • Unsecured Loads – Improperly secured cargo can shift during transit, causing the truck to become unbalanced. This imbalance can increase the risk of rollover and jackknife accidents. Additionally, unsecured loads can fall off flatbed trucks, leading to potential roadway hazards.
  • Poor Truck Maintenance – Trucking companies and drivers are responsible for properly maintaining their vehicles. Brake failures, tire blowouts, and other mechanical issues are often preventable and can lead to catastrophic accidents.
  • Adverse Weather Conditions – Heavy rain, fog, and other weather conditions can increase the likelihood of a truck accident. Drivers should adjust their driving to the weather, such as slowing down when weather impairs their vision.

How Can Truck Accidents Be Prevented?

Preventing truck accidents involves the truck driver, trucking company, maintenance provider, and cargo loader all doing their part. Some of the ways they can prevent truck accidents include:

  • Properly Maintaining Trucks – Regular maintenance checks can prevent mechanical failures that lead to accidents. Before trucks go on the road, brakes, tires, and other essential components must be in good working condition.
  • Properly Securing Loads – Cargo loaders must properly secure loads before sending trucks out for deliveries. Truck drivers should double-check that the loads they’re carrying are secure for their safety and the safety of other motorists.
  • Adhering to FMCSA Regulations – The FMCSA established regulations to improve truck safety, including hours of service limits to prevent fatigued truckers from driving on public roads. Both truck drivers and trucking companies must comply with these federal regulations.
  • Following the Rules of the Road – Like all other drivers, truck drivers must obey speed limits, traffic signs, and traffic signals and avoid reckless driving behaviors. Truck drivers who cause accidents due to negligence may be liable for the resulting injuries.

Why You Should Hire a Georgia Truck Accident Attorney

If you suffered a truck accident injury, hiring an experienced Georgia truck accident attorney is one of the best ways to improve your odds of receiving full and fair compensation. Truck accident cases can be complex, often involving multiple liable parties, serious injuries, and predatory insurance companies. Some of the ways a truck accident attorney can help you are:

  • Investigating the Accident – Parker Trial Law’s attorneys will thoroughly investigate the accident to determine its cause and identify all liable parties. This investigation may involve reviewing truck driver logs, maintenance records, and any available surveillance footage.
  • Collecting Supporting Evidence – Truck accident cases require evidence that proves your injuries and the defendant’s liability. Parker Trial Law’s attorneys can gather witness statements, expert testimony, medical records, and physical evidence from the accident scene to build your case.
  • Calculating Your Damages – Determining the full extent of your losses is crucial in a truck accident case. Parker Trial Law’s attorneys will calculate your economic and non-economic losses with the help of medical professionals and financial experts so they can demand the full and fair compensation you deserve.
  • Filing Your Lawsuit – In Georgia, the statutory period allowed for filing personal injury lawsuits is two years. Parker Trial Law’s attorneys will assist you in filing your claim within this period to protect your right to sue.
  • Negotiating with Insurance Companies – Insurance companies often deny claims or attempt to minimize payouts in truck accident cases. Parker Trial Law’s attorneys will negotiate on your behalf and seek a fair settlement that covers all your expenses.
  • Representing You at Trial – If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, Parker Trial Law’s attorneys will take your case to trial to pursue the maximum compensation you deserve.
  • Never Charging Any Upfront Fees – You pay nothing unless your lawyer recovers compensation for your claim. They will prepare and try your case at no upfront expense to you; instead, a percentage of the recovery will cover attorney fees and costs.