Truck Accident Liability: Who Is Responsible in Georgia?
When large semi-trucks collide with passenger cars, the outcome can be devastating. Victims often suffer serious injuries or fatalities.
Determining liability in big rig truck accidents can be complicated because, unlike a typical car accident, multiple parties may share legal responsibility in accidents involving commercial trucks.
Getting fair compensation requires a thorough investigation and the assistance of a law firm that’s willing to take on powerful interests.
Understanding Georgia’s Truck Accident Liability Rules
In Georgia, liability for any motor vehicle crash is generally based on negligence. That means the party responsible for the crash failed to exercise reasonable care.
When it comes to Columbus truck accidents, multiple entities may share liability, including:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company (carrier)
- A vehicle manufacturer
- A cargo loader
- A maintenance provider
- Government agencies responsible for road safety
- Other drivers involved in the accident
Truck Accident Negligence in Georgia
To determine truck accident liability, it’s necessary to understand what led to the collision. Some of the most frequent causes of truck accidents in Georgia include:
Driver Fatigue
Long hours behind the wheel can cause truck drivers to become dangerously tired, even falling asleep while driving. Federal regulations limit hours of service, but violations still occur.
Distracted Driving
Texting, adjusting GPS devices, eating, and other activities that take a driver’s attention away from the road lead to devastating collisions.
Improper Loading
Overloaded or poorly balanced cargo can cause a truck to tip or jackknife, especially at high speeds or on sharp curves.
Mechanical Failure
Faulty brakes, tire blowouts, or steering issues can be caused by poor maintenance or defective parts.
Failure to Obey Traffic Laws
Trucks require much longer stopping distances. Excessive speed and tailgating can lead to rear-end collisions or rollovers.
Inexperienced or Poorly Trained Drivers
When trucking companies cut corners by putting unqualified drivers on the road, it puts other drivers and their passengers at risk.
Who Is Liable After for Truck Accident?
The Truck Driver
If the driver was speeding, driving distracted, under the influence, or simply failed to observe traffic rules, they may be directly at fault.
The Trucking Company
In Georgia, employers can be legally responsible for their employees’ actions while they’re on the job. This principle, known as respondeat superior, often brings the trucking company into the legal equation.
Trucking company negligence is a major source of liability in these cases. A carrier may be responsible for:
- Encouraging unsafe driving schedules
- Failing to conduct proper background checks
- Neglecting required driver training
- Falsifying logbooks
- Overlooking necessary vehicle maintenance
- Failing to enforce federal trucking regulations
Cargo Loaders or Shipping Companies
If cargo was loaded improperly and that contributed to the accident (e.g., shifting loads, hazardous materials), the loading company could be liable.
Manufacturers of Defective Trucks
Some crashes are caused by mechanical failures traced back to defective components. If a faulty part (like brake pads, tires, or steering systems) led to the crash, the manufacturer may be responsible.
Maintenance Providers
Regular inspections and repairs are essential to truck safety. If a third-party maintenance company failed to identify or fix a problem, it could be part of the liability chain.
Other Drivers
Sometimes, a third-party driver cuts off a truck, forcing the driver to swerve into another lane or off the road. In these scenarios, that other driver may share liability.
Government Entities
Poor road design, missing signage, or unmaintained roadways can contribute to crashes. Each of these parties may have its own insurance providers and legal teams, making truck accident litigation even more complicated.
Butler Prather LLP Builds Solid Truck Accident Cases
With over 35 years of experience handling serious personal injury and wrongful death claims, the team at Butler Prather LLP has the resources, skill, and courtroom record to take on large trucking companies and their insurers.
Here’s how we approach a typical commercial vehicle liability case:
- Preserve crucial evidence (black box data, driver logs, GPS records)
- Secure accident reconstruction experts
- Investigate FMCSA compliance (Hours-of-Service rules, weight limits)
- Identify all liable parties beyond just the truck driver
- Work with financial and medical experts to calculate the full scope of damages
- Negotiate aggressively with insurers
- Take your case to trial if the other side refuses to make a reasonable settlement offer
We’ve filed successful truck accident claims and prevailed in lawsuits against major trucking companies. Our results include multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements that have helped victims and their families rebuild after tragedy.
What Compensation Can You Recover in a Georgia Truck Accident?
Once liability is determined, victims may be entitled to compensation for a wide range of damages, including:
- Medical bills (current and future)
- Lost income and reduced earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Property damage
- Funeral and burial costs in wrongful death cases
In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded if the trucking company’s conduct was especially reckless, such as knowingly allowing a driver with a history of DUIs on the road.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Georgia
To protect your legal rights and preserve your chance at compensation:
- Call 911 and get medical attention immediately, even if you feel okay.
- Do not speak to the trucking company or their insurer without a lawyer.
- Document the scene, if possible (photos, witness info).
- Keep records of all expenses, including medical bills, missed work, and repair costs.
- Contact an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as you are able.
Time matters. Evidence can be lost. Witnesses’ memories fade. Trucking companies move fast to defend themselves, so you’ll want to find a legal team that will stand up for your rights and fight for justice.
Speak With One of Our Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers in Columbus
If you’ve been injured in a commercial vehicle crash, you don’t have to face the legal system alone. At Butler Prather LLP, we’ve earned a national reputation for hold trucking companies accountable, and we’re ready to do the same for you.
We’ve recovered record-setting verdicts and settlements across more than 30 states, and we handle every case with diligence and compassion. Call (706) 322-1990 today for a free consultation with our Columbus truck accident attorneys.