When a commercial truck crashes, the results are often devastating. The common causes of truck accidents in Georgia include preventable mistakes, poor decisions, or unsafe practices that put others on the road at risk.
In Georgia, truck accidents happen on highways, rural roads, and city streets. Understanding the common causes of truck accidents can help victims and their families understand what happened and whether someone may be legally responsible.
Evans Litigation and Trial Law, LLC, founding attorney Alfred L. Evans, III, has over 20 years of experience and a unique background that gives him insight into the tactics trucking companies and insurers use to avoid liability. He understands how the other side operates and is ready to fight for you.
In this guide, we’ll explain what causes truck accidents in Georgia and what to consider if you or a loved one has been affected.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Georgia?
While every truck crash has unique facts, specific patterns appear repeatedly in commercial vehicle collisions across Georgia. Below are the most frequent causes of truck accidents and what they may mean for a legal case.
Driver Fatigue
Fatigue is one of the most common causes of truck accidents nationwide, and Georgia is no exception. Long-haul truck drivers often spend extended hours behind the wheel, pushing past their limits to meet delivery schedules. Even with federal hours-of-service regulations, some companies encourage drivers to work longer than they should or ignore mandatory rest breaks.
Fatigued driving dulls reaction time, impairs judgment, and can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence. In many trucking accident investigations, logbooks, electronic driving records, and dispatch communications reveal driving time violations that put lives at risk.
Distracted Driving
Given the size and weight of commercial trucks, even a moment of distraction can lead to a catastrophic collision. And distractions go beyond cell phones. GPS systems, in-cab monitors, food, paperwork, or even fatigue-related daydreaming can divert attention from the road.
When investigating distracted driving cases, lawyers often examine cell phone records, onboard video footage, and delivery logs to determine whether distraction contributed to the crash.
Speeding and Driving Too Fast for Conditions
Exceeding the posted speed limit is a known risk factor for all drivers, but the consequences are far more severe for commercial trucks. A large commercial vehicle takes significantly longer to stop than a standard car, especially on wet or curved roads.
Even if the truck was under the speed limit, traveling too fast for road, traffic, or weather conditions is a violation of Georgia law and can still support a negligence claim.
Impaired Driving
Impairment remains one of the more dangerous truck accident causes in Georgia. Impairment can include:
- Alcohol use,
- Illegal drug use,
- Prescription medications with sedating effects, and
- Over-the-counter medicines that impair alertness.
Impaired driving affects more than just coordination. It slows a driver’s reaction time, dulls concentration, clouds judgment, and limits the ability to assess risk or respond to sudden changes in traffic.
Inadequate Driver Training or Experience
Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring their drivers are properly licensed, trained, and prepared for the job. However, inexperienced drivers are sometimes put behind the wheel with minimal supervision or support.
Poorly trained drivers may not know how to respond to emergencies, operate in mountainous terrain or inclement weather, or handle wide turns and tight corners.
Poor Truck Maintenance
Every commercial vehicle on the road is required to meet safety standards. That means regular maintenance, inspections, and prompt repair of any issues with brakes, tires, lights, suspension, or engine systems.
Unfortunately, some companies neglect routine maintenance or try to save money by delaying repairs.
Overloaded or Improperly Loaded Cargo
Cargo that is too heavy, unbalanced, or poorly secured creates significant danger on the road. An overloaded trailer can reduce the driver’s ability to steer or brake effectively. Shifting loads can throw the vehicle off balance, leading to rollovers or jackknife accidents.
Loose cargo may sometimes fall into traffic, causing multi-vehicle collisions. When improperly loaded freight causes a crash, the company responsible for loading or securing the cargo may share liability.
Mechanical Failures and Defective Equipment
Not all causes of truck accidents are related to driver behavior. Some results from equipment failures that were not obvious or were ignored. Common examples include:
- Brake system failures,
- Steering malfunctions,
- Defective tires or wheels, and
- Faulty trailer hitches or coupling devices.
In these cases, the truck manufacturer, parts manufacturer, or a third-party maintenance provider may be responsible. A thorough investigation into the truck’s service records and design history can uncover whether a mechanical defect contributed to the accident.
Unrealistic Schedules and Employer Pressure
Many truck drivers are under pressure to deliver cargo on time, sometimes at the expense of safety. Companies may offer bonuses for faster delivery, threaten drivers with penalties for delays, or disregard hours-of-service violations.
Trucking companies may be held accountable if they create unsafe working conditions that lead to accidents. Proving this often involves reviewing internal communications, dispatch logs, delivery deadlines, and driver pay structures.
Unsafe Road Conditions
Some trucking crashes are caused or worsened by road conditions. Poor signage, inadequate lighting, faded lane markings, debris, or potholes can increase the risk of a crash, especially for drivers unfamiliar with the area.
Sometimes, a city, county, or state agency responsible for road maintenance may share liability if dangerous conditions were ignored or left unaddressed for too long.
Contact Us to Learn More About Truck Accident Causes and How to Move Forward After a Truck Accident
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, knowing the common causes of truck accidents is just the beginning. What you do next and who you trust to handle your case can make all the difference in your recovery.
We focus on truck accident cases across Georgia. When you hire Evans Litigation and Trial Law, LLC, we take immediate steps to protect your case, including:
- Preserving critical evidence;
- Investigating the crash scene;
- Identifying every potentially liable party;
- Consulting with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and financial specialists;
- Handling communication with insurance companies so you don’t have to; and
- Preparing your case for trial if a fair settlement isn’t offered.
We know how overwhelming this process can feel. We aim to remove the legal burden so you can focus on your health and your family.
Contact us to schedule your free consultation. There’s no fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Alfred L. Evans III, an Atlanta native and Hampden-Sydney College alum, is a seasoned personal injury lawyer with a unique background in insurance defense. Founding Evans Litigation and Trial Law in 2013, he specializes in wrongful death litigation, trucking litigation, and various vehicle accident cases. Recognized as a Super Lawyer and a “Rising Star” by Superlawyers, Alfred applies his in-depth knowledge of the insurance and trucking industries to maximize client recoveries.
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