How Differences Between Car and Truck Accidents in Atlanta Can Impact Your Rights In A Claim

At first glance, a truck accident might seem similar to a car accident. Both involve vehicles, insurance claims, and injured victims. But if you’ve ever been in a crash involving a tractor-trailer or other big rig, you know the reality: these cases are anything but routine.

Truck accident claims in Georgia are far more complex than standard car accident cases. Our experienced Atlanta truck accident lawyers explain the differences and what they mean for accident victims.

Why Atlanta Truck Accident Claims Are Different from Car Accident Claims

Car accidents are usually between two drivers and their insurance companies. On the other hand, truck accidents often involve multiple parties and much higher stakes. The size and weight of most big rigs mean injuries are typically more severe, leading to bigger claims and more aggressive pushback from insurers.

Here are some of the main differences:

• Severity of injuries: A crash with a fully loaded truck often results in catastrophic injuries compared to the whiplash or fractures common in car accidents.
• Insurance coverage: Trucking companies carry policies worth millions of dollars, meaning more money is on the line.
• Multiple liable parties: Beyond the truck driver, claims may involve the trucking company, cargo loaders, maintenance providers, or parts manufacturers.
• Stricter regulations: Truck drivers and companies must comply with federal and state safety rules, such as hours-of-service limits and mandatory vehicle inspections.
• Evidence requirements: Black box data, driver logs, and maintenance records are often central to proving liability in truck cases, unlike in most car accidents.

More severe injuries, higher policy limits, and multiple defendants make Atlanta truck accidents harder to resolve without professional legal help.

What This Means for Georgia Truck Accident Victims

If you’ve been in a truck accident in Georgia, don’t assume the process will mirror what you’d expect after a car crash. Insurers and trucking companies know the stakes and fight to avoid paying settlements. Common challenges victims face:

• Finger-pointing among multiple defendants.
• Insurance adjusters minimize injuries to save money.
• Evidence can disappear quickly.
• Comparative negligence rules in Georgia can reduce compensation if you’re found partially at fault.

Without the right strategy, victims can feel pressured into quick settlements that don’t account for future medical costs, lost earning potential, or the long-term impact of their injuries.

Contact Our Office To Get Our Experienced Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyers On Your Side

The differences between car and truck accident claims matter in terms of your recovery. Trucking companies are prepared to fight, and they usually have teams of lawyers protecting them against claims.

To get the compensation you need to recover, get Shiver Hamilton Campbell on your side. We know how to investigate trucking companies, secure critical evidence, and build strong cases that reflect the true cost of your injuries.

Our team helps victims and their families throughout Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Decatur, Roswell, Johns Creek, and all of Gwinnett, DeKalb, and Fulton Counties. Contact our office today to speak with our experienced Atlanta truck accident lawyers.

Sources:

fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations

georgiacourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Apportionment-of-Damages-Terry.pdf