A collision with a fully loaded tractor-trailer is not just a bigger car wreck: it is a different kind of case entirely. Commercial trucks can weigh 20 to 30 times more than a passenger car, so the injuries are catastrophic and the companies involved fight hard to limit what they pay. At The Delashmit Firm, we represent people seriously injured in truck and commercial-vehicle crashes in Cartersville, along I-75, and across North Georgia. Founding attorney Hunter Delashmit’s insurance-defense background means he knows how trucking insurers build their defense, and how to beat it. Call (770) 341-0559 for a free consultation.
Why truck accident claims are more complex than car wrecks
Truck accident cases involve federal regulations, multiple potentially responsible parties, specialized evidence (like the truck’s electronic logging device and the driver’s hours-of-service records), and large commercial insurance policies with teams of lawyers behind them. Critical evidence can be lost or overwritten within days, so it is important to involve a lawyer quickly who can send a preservation letter and begin investigating.
Who can be held liable for a Georgia truck accident?
More than just the driver may be responsible. Depending on the facts, liable parties can include the trucking company, the company that owned or maintained the truck, a third party that loaded the cargo improperly, or a manufacturer of defective equipment. Identifying every responsible party matters, because it can mean access to more insurance coverage to fully compensate you.
Common causes of truck accidents
- Driver fatigue and hours-of-service violations
- Distracted or impaired driving
- Speeding and following too closely
- Improperly loaded or overweight cargo
- Inadequate truck maintenance and brake failure
- Negligent hiring or training by the trucking company
Federal trucking regulations and your claim
Commercial trucks and the companies that operate them must follow Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules covering driver hours, vehicle inspections, maintenance, and driver qualifications. When a trucking company violates these rules and someone gets hurt, those violations can be powerful evidence of negligence. We know where to look and how to use these records to strengthen your case.
What to do after a truck accident
- Call 911 and get immediate medical care.
- Photograph the vehicles, the scene, and any company markings on the truck.
- Get the driver’s name, employer, and insurance information.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurer before talking to a lawyer.
- Call The Delashmit Firm at (770) 341-0559 so we can preserve evidence quickly.
Frequently asked questions
Truck cases involve federal regulations, multiple potentially liable parties, specialized evidence like the truck’s logs and electronic data, and large commercial insurance policies. They require faster investigation and a different legal strategy than a typical car wreck.
Compensation usually comes from the commercial insurance policies covering the driver and trucking company, and sometimes other responsible parties. These policies are often much larger than personal auto policies.
In most cases you have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit (O.C.G.A. \u00a7 9-3-33), but evidence can disappear within days, so contact a lawyer right away.
Electronic logging device data, driver hours-of-service logs, maintenance records, the truck’s black box, dashcam footage, and the driver’s qualification file are all critical, and a lawyer can act fast to preserve them.
Contact a Cartersville truck accident lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured in a truck or commercial-vehicle accident in Cartersville, Bartow County, or along I-75 in North Georgia, do not wait. Call The Delashmit Firm at (770) 341-0559 or contact us online for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.