Every day, thousands of commercial trucks travel across Georgia’s highways, delivering vital goods and keeping the economy moving. But when these 80,000-pound vehicles are involved in crashes, the consequences are often catastrophic. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Georgia, you deserve to know what caused it, who may be liable, and how to recover full compensation for your injuries.
At McArthur Law Firm, our truck accident attorneys have decades of experience holding trucking companies and negligent drivers accountable. In this article, we explain the eight most common causes of truck accidents, what your legal options are in Georgia, and how our team can fight to secure the justice and compensation you deserve.
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, call 1-855-WARRIOR (1-855-927-7467) from anywhere in the state or use our online contact form for a free consultation.
What Are The Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Georgia?
Commercial truck accidents can be some of the most catastrophic types of accidents on the roadway. The massive size of these vehicles compared to the relatively small size of cars can result in serious injuries to the occupants of the smaller vehicle.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) performed a study called the “Large Truck Crash Causation Study” that aimed to identify the reasons for these types of crashes.
We will examine the 8 most common causes of truck accidents below so that, hopefully, you may be able to avoid these types of horrible accidents.
1. Driver Fatigue
Driver fatigue remains one of the leading causes of truck accidents in Georgia and nationwide. Long hours behind the wheel, tight delivery schedules, and inadequate rest can lead to dangerous levels of drowsiness or even drivers falling asleep on the road.
Although the FMCSA limits the number of hours a trucker can drive, many drivers and their employers ignore or falsify logbooks to meet deadlines. When a fatigued truck driver causes a crash, both the driver and the trucking company may be held liable.
2. Distracted Driving
Distracted driving among commercial truck drivers can be even more dangerous than among passenger car drivers due to the size and weight of the vehicle. Some of the most common distractions among commercial truck drivers may include:
- Texting or using a smartphone
- Adjusting navigation systems
- Eating or drinking
- Logging entries into electronic logs while driving
According to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, there were 43,846 distracted driving convictions after a crash statewide in 2021, many of which involved commercial vehicles. This is a staggering 54% of ALL motor vehicle wrecks in Georgia that year.
3. Speeding and Aggressive Driving
Truck drivers are often under pressure to meet delivery deadlines. This pressure can lead to speeding, tailgating, erratic lane changes, and failing to yield.
Because of the momentum a large truck carries, driving too fast drastically increases stopping distance and the severity of collisions. Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-180), drivers must operate their vehicles at speeds safe for the conditions, not just below the posted speed limit. Violations can form the basis for negligence claims.
4. Improper Truck Maintenance
Federal and state regulations require commercial trucks to undergo regular inspections and maintenance. Still, some companies cut corners to save money or time.
Common truck maintenance failures include:
- Worn-out brakes
- Tire blowouts
- Faulty lighting systems
- Broken hitches or steering components
When a maintenance issue causes a truck accident, liability may extend beyond the driver to include maintenance contractors, fleet managers, or third-party repair shops.
5. Improper Cargo Loading
Trucks must be carefully loaded and balanced. Overloaded or unevenly distributed cargo can cause rollovers, jackknifing, or lost loads that create hazards on the roadway. Improper cargo loading is commonly overlooked and, unfortunately, leads to many truck accidents every year.
In Georgia, commercial truck loading must follow FMCSA weight and cargo securement rules. When violations of these regulations lead to crashes, the loading company, the trucking company, or both may be liable.
6. Inexperienced or Poorly Trained Drivers
Operating a tractor-trailer requires extensive training, certification, and skill. Unfortunately, the demand for drivers has led some companies to hire underqualified or inadequately trained individuals.
Hiring inexperienced truck drivers or failure to train them adequately puts the liability on the trucking company as well as the truck driver.
Employers are responsible for ensuring that drivers are properly licensed and trained under FMCSA guidelines. If a company hires an unqualified driver or fails to provide adequate training, it may be held responsible under a theory of negligent hiring or supervision.
7. Driving Under the Influence
While the legal blood alcohol limit for passenger car drivers in Georgia is 0.08%, the limit for commercial truck drivers is 0.04% under both Georgia law and federal regulations.
Truck drivers impaired by alcohol, illegal drugs, or even prescription medications can pose a grave danger. If DUI of alcohol or drugs is suspected, it’s vital that toxicology reports are obtained early to support your claim.
8. Poor Road Conditions or Weather
Inclement weather, such as fog, rain, or ice, can make truck driving especially hazardous. During poor weather conditions, drivers are still responsible for adjusting their speed and driving behavior to match road conditions.
Georgia as a state is also ill-equipped to deal with winter weather conditions such as ice and snow. The lack of infrastructure to deal with these winter road hazards can make them much more dangerous in Georgia than in other states.
Moreover, if poor road design or maintenance contributed to a large truck crash, government entities or contractors may share liability, though such cases involve special legal rules and deadlines under Georgia’s sovereign immunity laws.
Legal Options After a Truck Accident in Georgia
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck crash in Georgia, it’s important to understand your legal rights. Under Georgia law, you may be entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic damages through a personal injury lawsuit or insurance claim.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
Unlike a typical car accident, truck crash liability may extend to several parties:
- The truck driver for negligent or reckless driving
- The trucking company for negligent hiring, supervision, or policy violations
- Cargo loaders or shipping companies for improper loading
- Maintenance providers for faulty repairs or skipped inspections
- Truck manufacturers for defective parts or systems
In some cases, multiple parties may share fault. Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33)—meaning that you can still recover compensation if you are less than 50% at fault, though your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
You may be eligible for compensation including:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Wrongful death damages, if a loved one was killed
In cases involving gross negligence or willful misconduct, Georgia courts may also award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct.
Why You Need a Georgia Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck accident cases are not like typical fender-benders. These cases are complex, involve federal and state trucking laws, and often require aggressive investigation to uncover violations and prove liability.
Here’s what sets McArthur Law Firm apart from other truck accident lawyers in Georgia:
1. We Investigate Immediately
Our legal team moves fast to preserve evidence. We issue spoliation letters to prevent trucking companies from destroying logs, dashcam footage, or maintenance records. We work with accident reconstruction experts to build a rock-solid case.
2. We Understand Trucking Regulations
Truck accident claims often hinge on violations of FMCSA regulations, such as hours-of-service rules, drug testing requirements, or maintenance schedules. We know how to uncover these violations and use them to prove negligence.
3. We Take on Big Insurance Companies
Trucking companies are backed by large insurers with teams of lawyers. You need an equally aggressive team on your side. We have successfully recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for truck accident victims in Georgia.
4. We Maximize Your Compensation
We don’t settle for lowball offers. We assess the full value of your claim, including future medical needs and lost earning capacity. If the insurance company won’t deal fairly, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial.
5. We Work on a Contingency Fee Basis
You pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.
Call McArthur Law Firm | Georgia’s Truck Accident Advocates
Truck accidents are devastating, but you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. At McArthur Law Firm, our experienced truck accident lawyers have helped countless Georgia families recover their lives after tragic collisions. From the streets of Atlanta to the highways of Macon and beyond, we are ready to fight for your rights.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a truck accident, contact us today for a free consultation. Let us put our experience, resources, and determination to work for you — and help you recover the maximum compensation the law allows.
You can call the number above, or call our offices directly:
- Atlanta Truck Accident Law Office: 404-565-1621
- Macon Truck Accident Law Office: 478-238-6600
More Truck Accident Resources
If you’d like to learn more about the truck accident attorneys at McArthur Law Firm and how we can help you, read through our comprehensive articles below.
