Multi-Vehicle Truck Accidents in Atlanta: Who Is Liable?
Truck accidents in Atlanta are among the most potentially devastating types of crashes. They often happen on busy highways and interstates, and high speeds, heavy traffic, and the sheer size of most big rigs increase the odds of multi-vehicle pile-ups.
If you or a loved one is involved in a multi-vehicle truck accident in Atlanta, determining who is at fault can be challenging. Our Atlanta truck accident lawyers explain more about these crashes, who may be liable, and how Georgia law impacts your rights in a claim.
Common Causes of Multi-Vehicle Truck Accidents in Atlanta
Truck accidents in Atlanta often have a snowball effect, triggering a chain reaction of crashes involving multiple motorists. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that common causes of these crashes include:
- Speeding and aggressive driving: Truckers who exceed posted speed limits or follow other motorists too closely may not have time to stop in heavy traffic.
- Driver fatigue: Federal hours-of-service regulations limit how long truckers can drive, but heavy schedules may cause drivers to push past these limits, leading to drowsy driving.
- Poor weather conditions: Rain, fog, and ice can reduce visibility and make braking more difficult for large trucks.
- Improper lane changes: Truck drivers have large blind spots, and sudden lane shifts can force other vehicles into dangerous collisions.
- Mechanical failures: Brake failures, tire blowouts, and steering issues can cause trucks to lose control, leading to massive chain-reaction crashes.
Close to 25,000 truck accidents happen in Georgia each year, according to the state Department of Highway Safety. They often cause devastating personal injuries for multiple drivers on the road.
Liability For Georgia Multi-Vehicle Truck Accidents
If you are injured in a truck accident in Atlanta, multiple drivers and insurers may be involved. Under Georgia’s modified comparative negligence law (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33), multiple parties may be assigned a percentage of fault, which include:
- The truck driver, if they were speeding, distracted, fatigued, or otherwise negligent;
- The trucking company, if they failed to properly train drivers, enforce safety policies, or maintain their fleet;
- Other passenger vehicle drivers, if they caused or contributed to the crash by cutting off a truck, tailgating, or other reckless behavior;
- Truck part manufacturers, if faulty brakes, tire defects, or other issues contributed to the crash;
- Government agencies and officials, if poor road maintenance, lack of signage, and other hazardous conditions played a contributing role.
In determining compensation for these crashes, courts consider each party’s contributions, adjusting the amount they may be entitled to based on their percentage of blame.
Injured in a Multi-Vehicle Truck Crash? Contact Our Experienced Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyers.
Multi-vehicle truck accidents in Atlanta are among the most complex claims. To get the compensation you need to recover, contact Shiver Hamilton, LLC. Our experienced Atlanta truck accident lawyers can investigate, deal with insurers involved, and fight to get you the maximum settlement. We serve clients in Savannah, St. Simons Island, Alpharetta, Decatur, Johns Creek, Jonesboro, Marietta, Roswell, Sandy Springs, and all of DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett Counties. Request a consultation today.
Sources:
fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/research-and-analysis/large-truck-crash-causation-study-analysis-brief
gahighwaysafety.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2021-Large-Trucks-Georgia-Traffic-Safety-Facts.pdf
georgiacourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Apportionment-of-Damages-Terry.pdf
