Truck drivers can get fired after a crash, but it depends on why the accident happened and how the trucking company handles safety violations. If you were hurt in a collision with a truck, you might also wonder what happens to the driver and how that impacts your claim.
Georgia law allows injured people to seek damages from the trucking company, their insurance, or other responsible parties through a personal injury claim.
When dealing with a trucking insurance company in Georgia, you likely will face delays, investigations, or quick, low offers. Our Marietta truck accident lawyer will handle the insurance claims process for you. This includes talking with the insurance adjusters to show how the crash has affected your life and why you should recover all your damages.
Why Truck Drivers Might Get Fired After a Traffic Crash
Employers and federal agencies require truck drivers to follow strict safety rules. After a crash, most trucking companies review what happened to decide if the driver should keep their job.
A driver is more likely to get fired if they:
- Broke the trucking company’s rules
- Were under the influence while operating their vehicle
- Were distracted or speeding
- Have past safety violations
Not every crash leads to a truck driver’s termination. Some drivers are removed from driving duty and placed in training instead of being fired. The trucking company’s main goal is to protect its business and avoid future risk.
How Safety Records Affect a Commercial Truck Driver’s Job
Trucking companies must follow regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). When a crash happens, the incident appears on the driver’s FMCSA record.
Too many recorded crashes raise the company’s insurance costs and lower its safety score, which is why some drivers lose their jobs after a wreck.
Does It Matter Who Caused the Accident?
Yes, it does matter. If the truck driver was clearly at fault, it increases their chance of being fired. Georgia uses a comparative negligence rule under Georgia Code § 51-12-33, which means fault is divided between parties.
Even if the truck driver was only partly at fault, the company might still discipline them for breaking safety rules. Fault matters in your injury case, too.
If the driver is responsible, it helps support your claim. Still, whether the company fires the driver or keeps them, they are still responsible for the harm you suffered.
What Happens When a Trucking Company Investigates a Crash?
After a wreck, the trucking company and its insurance team will start their own investigation. This can include:
- Reviewing dash cam footage or black box data
- Testing the driver for drugs or alcohol
- Taking statements from the driver and witnesses
- Checking maintenance and inspection logs
This process protects the company’s interests, not your recovery. As soon as the company starts gathering information to cover itself, you should consider getting a lawyer.
Our Truck Accident Lawyer Will Build Your Damages Claim
When a trucking company starts its investigation, it aims to limit its responsibility for the crash, which doesn’t help you. Our truck accident lawyer team will gather all the evidence to protect your claim and document all your damages to prevent the insurance company from downplaying your losses.
After a truck crash, we will:
- Secure evidence that supports your claim: This includes the black box data, dash camera footage, and maintenance records, which often disappear quickly. We will act fast to preserve them.
- Review the truck driver’s history: We look at past safety violations, training records, and company hiring practices to build your case.
- Deal with insurance adjusters for you: You won’t have to handle calls or repeat your story over and over—we will speak for you.
- Document the crash’s true impact: Medical costs, missed work, and future losses are calculated to confirm that we leave nothing out.
- Shift the focus back to you: While the company evaluates the driver’s future, our Marietta 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer will focus solely on you.
Can a Trucker Keep Working After a Serious Crash?
Some drivers still work after a crash, but their company may place them under review or require them to complete a safety training course.
If the crash involved serious injury or death and the driver broke a major safety law, their commercial driver’s license (CDL) could be suspended or disqualified. Repeated violations often lead to permanent job loss.
Does the Driver Getting Fired Affect Your Injury Claim?
Don’t wait to see what happens to the driver before you call a lawyer. Whether the truck driver keeps their job or not does not change your legal rights. Your injury claim is based on what happened to you, not on the driver’s employment status.
The trucking company and its insurer are accountable for paying damages if their driver caused harm. Even if the driver is fired, the company must still address your claim.
How Long You Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Georgia
Under Georgia Code § 9-3-33, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you lose the right to recover damages. Insurance investigations take time, so you should begin your claim process as soon as possible.
As the Company Decides the Truck Driver’s Future After a Crash, Our Lawyer Will Protect Yours—Call Us
When you are trying to heal after a truck crash in Georgia, you deserve to have a local law firm looking out for you and treating you with care and respect. Jones & Swanson will work hard to hold the right party responsible for your losses.
We choose to remain a smaller firm so we can give your case the time and attention it deserves, something big-box law firms don’t offer. At Jones & Swanson, when you call, you speak with a real attorney, not a call center. We will also connect you with healthcare providers who will treat you, even if you don’t have health insurance.
Our personal injury lawyers in Marietta have the resources and trial experience to take on large trucking companies and their insurance teams. We will fight for the damages you deserve for what you have been through. We are here to serve you, not rush you through the system. Call our office today for a free consultation.
