Truck Accident Lawyer in Georgia

From the urban streets of Atlanta and Athens to the rural country lanes on the outskirts of Cobb and Gwinnett Counties, drivers share the road with commercial trucks. A truck accident in Georgia can occur in any road conditions and under any circumstances.

Although commercial truck drivers log many miles on U.S. highways, and must adhere to strict regulatory driving guidelines, the massive size and weight of a semi-truck driving next to you can feel daunting. A minor fender bender with a commercial truck could even result in significant, life-altering injury.

Unexpected bills mount and your recovery process might feel unending, and the insurance company gives you the run around — reluctant to pay out your claim.

You may wonder if you can ever find justice for the pain and suffering you’ve endured.

The good news is that you may deserve financial compensation for your trauma and a truck accident lawyer in Georgia can help. The Scott Pryor Law Group can guide you through the complexities of liability in a truck accident case, compassionately support you through the legal process, and fight for justice on your behalf. 

You deserve justice for what you’ve endured. Discover how a truck accident lawyer can help.

Schedule a free consultation with The Scott Pryor Law Group today.

• Important facts about truck accidents in Georgia
  • Common causes of truck accidents
  • Common types of truck accidents
• How a Georgia truck accident lawyer can help
• Types of compensation you can recover after a truck accident
  • Economic Damages
  • Non-Economic Damages
  • Punitive Damages
• Parties with liability in a Georgia truck accident
• Connect with The Scott Pryor Law Group 

Important facts about truck accidents in Georgia

Commercial truck accidents are a frequent occurrence in Georgia. High winds, inclement weather, and speeding truck drivers can increase the risk of a truck accident, and lead to severe trauma. In 2022, truck accident fatalities surpassed the previous state record, and in 2023, over 50,000 truck accidents occurred in Georgia, including a significant number in Cobb County truck accidents, where busy highways and commercial traffic increase collision risks.

Although federal regulations require truck drivers to hold a specific, commercial drivers license (CDL) and follow strict training, safety, and drive time guidelines, unfortunately, some drivers and employers may not adhere to these regulations. 

The Scott Pryor Law Group has successfully litigated cases that involve multiple party liability. A truck accident lawyer in Georgia will help to prove the cause of your crash, research the trucking company and the driver, and gather evidence of any shared liability for your collision. 

It’s important for you to know the following facts about truck accidents in Georgia:         

• Commercial trucks weigh between 10,000 and 85,000 pounds – over 4xs the weight of an average sedan
• Commercial trucks take 40% longer than standard vehicles to come to a full stop
• High winds and icy roads are the leading cause of jackknife truck accidents 
• Improperly loaded cargo can cause a truck to fishtail or flip
• Every year in the U.S., truck accidents cause an average of 130,000 significant injuries that require medical treatment           

Common causes of truck accidents

The cause of your collision can determine what compensatory damages a truck accident lawyer in Georgia might advise you to include in your personal injury claim. Some of the most common causes of a commercial truck accident include:

• Aggressive Driving (tailgating or unsafe lane changes)
• Distracted Driving
• Driver Error
• Driver Fatigue
• Driving Under the Influence (alcohol or drugs)
• Exceeded Driving Time Guidelines
• Improperly Stored Cargo
• Overloaded Cargo
• Parts Malfunction
• Poor Vehicle Maintenance
• Speeding

Common types of truck accidents

A truck accident lawyer with The Scott Pryor Law Group sees valid cases stem from a wide variety of collision types. However, there are some common types of truck accidents that often result in a successful truck accident claim.   

The most common types of truck accidents that lead to compensatory damages include:

• Jackknife Accidents: Jackknife accidents occur when a truck speeds, turns a corner too quickly, loses control on slick or wet roads, or rapidly changes lanes.
• Overweight Truck Accidents: Cargo that isn’t loaded properly can cause an imbalance in weight, and cargo that exceeds weight regulations may lead to a truck accident as a driver may struggle to maintain control. 
• Rear-End Collisions: Rear-end truck accidents can occur if a trucker does not allow for the appropriate amount of time to come to a complete stop.   
• Rollover Accidents: Abrupt lane changes, sharp turns, and speeding can cause a commercial truck to rollover.
• Side Impact Collisions: Side impact collisions such as sideswipes and “T-bone” accidents can be caused by a commercial truck driver’s blind spots. For example, if a truck merges into your lane and doesn’t see your vehicle, this can result in a severe sideswipe.    
• Tire Blowouts: Worn or improperly serviced tires can cause commercial truck tire blowouts that result in terrible truck accidents, The discarded tire tread that litters the shoulders of Georgia highways may be the result of a tire blowout.  

How a Georgia truck accident lawyer can help

“The most important thing during the entire process was that I never had a doubt that Scott was working hard with my best interest in mind. I would recommend Scott to anyone going through a similar situation.”

— Mike, satisfied client review for The Scott Pryor Law Group

You can file an insurance claim and even a personal injury lawsuit without retaining a lawyer. However, the complexities surrounding liability and multiple at-fault parties in your case may require legal knowledge and resources that you don’t have access to on your own.

A truck accident lawyer in Georgia can help you to navigate through the legal process, calculate the damages you should include in your personal injury claim, and stand up to insurance giants when they attempt to lowball a settlement offer or even deny your claim. 

Once you accept a settlement offer, you will not have a valid claim for future compensation, so it’s important to factor in the lasting impact of your injuries when making a claim.

A Georgia truck accident lawyer with The Scott Pryor Law Group can act as your representative in negotiations with reluctant insurance companies, interview eyewitnesses and forensic experts, and build the strongest case possible. 

Contact The Scott Pryor Law Group for a free consultation

Types of compensation you can recover after a truck accident

A personal injury attorney with experience handling truck accident cases can help you to carefully determine the type of compensation you should seek when you file your claim. 

Compensation in every type of personal injury case falls under categories known as damages. Damages signify the different categories of loss you’ve suffered: Economic, Non-Economic, and Punitive.

A truck accident lawyer in Georgia from The Scott Pryor Law Group will support you and help you to determine the damages you may be able to prove you deserve in your case. 

Here are the definitions and examples of each category to help you gain a clear picture of damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are the losses you’ve incurred that have a set monetary value, and included bills you’ve received as a direct or indirect result of your truck accident.

Examples of economic damages include:

• Lost wages 
• Home healthcare or hospice care costs
• Medical expenses ( doctor’s appointments, hospital stays, prescriptions, surgeries, and more)
• Property repair and replacement costs
• Transportation costs ( public transportation, rental cars, and ride shares)

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages signify the losses you’ve suffered that don’t have a concrete value. Although nothing can make up for these losses, they are legal compensation for what you’ve endured as a result of your truck accident. 

Non-economic damages may provide some alleviation of your financial burdens and allow you to focus on your emotional and physical healing.  

Examples of non-economic damages might include:

• Catastrophic injury
• Chronic pain
• Emotional trauma
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Wrongful death

Punitive Damages

Georgia state code § 51-12-5.1 defines punitive damages as “vindictive damages” and that definition reflects their purpose. 

Although your truck accident lawyer may advise you to seek punitive damages if you can clearly prove that the defendant (s) in your case displayed gross negligence, punitive damages are often additional compensation handed down as punishment. 

A judge or jury may choose to make an example of the defendant in your case and award you punitive damages to deter other parties from similar gross negligence. For example, if a trucking company knew that a truck needed new brakes but failed to replace them before a driver hit you, you might receive punitive damages.   

In Georgia, 25% of awarded punitive damages is awarded to the plaintiff and 75% is automatically allocated to the state treasury.

Parties with liability in a Georgia truck accident

Your truck accident lawyer in Georgia will determine which parties to name in your lawsuit by carefully examining the evidence surrounding the cause of your accident. Often, a truck accident claim involves multiple parties.

The named defendants in your case might include:

• Cargo Company: Improperly loaded cargo can cause extremely hazardous weight shifts and spills that could result in an accident. The cargo company is responsible for storing and loading the haul of a commercial truck, and may be partially responsible for your collision. 
• Trucking Company: A trucking company that doesn’t comply with safety regulations or industry standards may be liable for your truck accident.
• Truck Driver: A truck driver who is off the clock when they cause your accident might hold full responsibility for your crash. However, if driver error or careless driving occurs on the clock, a trucking company may share liability.
• Truck Manufacturer: Truck manufacturers who fail safety requirements or install malfunctioning parts may be fully responsible for your accident. For example, if a trucker’s brakes fail, a manufacturer might be liable.

Connect with The Scott Pryor Law Group

“Scott did all the work so that I could just focus on healing. The staff was sensitive and cared about me and my daughter. They always went the extra mile even before I asked. Scott is a powerful advocate, and I’m glad he represented me and not the other side.”

— Kim, satisfied client of The Scott Pryor Law Group

A truck accident lawyer in Georgia from The Scott Pryor Law Group cares about your unique circumstances and the trauma that you’ve endured. You need to be able to focus on your healing process and trust that someone is fighting for your justice.

At the Scott Pryor Law Group, we’re dedicated to giving voice to your story, passionately battling for you against insurance giants, and advocating for the compensation you’re owed. 

We can’t guarantee a successful verdict, but we won’t stop fighting on your behalf until we reach the best possible outcome in your case. We’ve also won 7-figure settlements for many clients — including a $4,500,000 settlement that stands as the highest-ever compensatory amount for a truck accident in Greenville County, South Carolina.

You don’t have to walk this path alone. The first step to justice in your case is a free consultation away.