In Georgia, you can sue a trucking company if its driver caused your crash. However, these cases aren’t like a typical car accident claim. Trucking companies must follow state and federal regulations, which means more rules to review, more evidence to collect, and more ways the company might defend itself.
The trucking company’s legal team and insurance carrier will take action within hours of the accident to protect their interests. Proving your case might mean showing the driver was on the job at the time, proving the company broke safety rules, or finding other parties who share fault.
Key evidence—like driver logs, dashcam footage, and maintenance records—can get lost or destroyed quickly. That’s why it’s important to act fast. Our Marietta truck accident lawyer will determine who’s responsible for the crash and guide you through your claim.
How State and Federal Trucking Rules Impact Your Case
Truck drivers and their employers must follow both Georgia traffic laws and federal trucking regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These rules involve:
- How many hours a driver can be on the road before resting
- How cargo must be loaded and secured
- How often a truck must be inspected and maintained
When a crash happens, investigators will look at both sets of rules to see if any were broken. This can involve comparing driver schedules, cargo records, and safety procedures against legal requirements.
The trucking company will use compliance with these rules as part of its defense, even if the driver made a mistake that caused the crash.
How Georgia Law Lets You Hold a Trucking Company Liable
Georgia law allows you to hold a trucking company responsible for its driver’s actions if the crash happened while the driver was working. This is called vicarious liability.
The company is also directly liable if they:
- Hired a driver with a poor safety record
- Failed to train or supervise the driver properly
- Broke safety regulations, such as forcing drivers to work too many hours
Showing these types of violations will help demonstrate the trucking company’s responsibility for the crash.
Damages We Will Pursue if a Truck Driver Caused Your Crash
If you sue a trucking company after being hit by one of its drivers, our personal injury lawyer in Marietta will work to recover damages for:
- Medical bills and future care needs
- Lost income and reduced earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Wrongful death damages if a loved one died in the crash
Why Suing a Trucking Company for Losses Is Challenging
Trucking crashes are not like standard fender-benders. Common challenges include:
- Multiple liable parties: The driver, trucking company, cargo loader, or maintenance provider could be held accountable for the truck accident.
- Aggressive defense teams: Trucking companies often send investigators to the crash site within hours.
- Complex regulations: Trucking cases involve layers of legal requirements that shape how evidence is used and argued in court.
- High stakes: Because damages are often considerable, insurers fight harder to reduce settlements.
Our Trucking Accident Lawyers Will Handle Your Entire Lawsuit
Our trucking accident attorneys will advise you on your situation and how we will help you move forward. We will work to get you the damages you deserve by:
- Investigating the crash quickly and gathering key evidence
- Identifying all liable parties and insurance policies
- Handling communications with the trucking company and its insurer
- Negotiating a fair settlement or taking your case to trial if needed
- Protecting you from insurer tactics meant to lower your claim value
How Long Do You Have to Sue the Trucking Company?
Under Georgia Code § 9-3-33, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you are filing a wrongful death action, this deadline is two years from your loved one’s death.
If you miss this deadline, you will likely lose your right to sue. Acting quickly is important because evidence like dashcam footage and driver logs often disappears fast.
If a Truck Driver Injured You, Take These Steps Next
Taking the right steps after a truck crash will protect your health, your rights, and your ability to bring a claim. Here’s what to do:
- Call 911 right away: Get police and medical responders to the scene as soon as possible. Our lawyer will get the police report, review it for accuracy, and address any errors that could affect your claim.
- Get medical help now: Even if you feel like nothing is wrong, some injuries appear hours or days later. We will connect you with medical providers who will give you the necessary care now and wait for payment until your case is finished.
- Document the scene if it’s safe to do so: Take photos or videos of vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, and any visible injuries. We will use these images to counter the trucking company’s version of events.
- Gather witness information: Get names and contact details from anyone who saw the crash. Witness statements help confirm what happened. We will follow up with witnesses, take sworn statements, and preserve their testimony for court.
- Avoid talking to the trucking company’s insurer: They will try to get you to admit fault or downplay your injuries. We will handle all discussions with the insurance company to protect you from tactics that could lower your claim’s value.
Jones & Swanson Will Help if a Truck Driver Caused Your Injury
At Jones & Swanson, we do more than just handle your case—we take care of you. Our firm remains small by choice to ensure we give you personal attention, but strong enough to stand up to big trucking companies and win.
Many clients come to us after a serious crash, wondering if they can sue a trucking company when one of its drivers causes their injuries. We have the experience and resources to take on the fight with the trucking company or its insurer, no matter how challenging the case.
When you work with us, we will return your calls, answer your emails, and keep you up to date on your case from start to finish. If a truck driver hit you in Georgia, don’t face the trucking company alone. Call us today for a free consultation.
