Rear-End Collision Truck Accidents In Atlanta: How They Happen and The Risk of Catastrophic Injuries
Rear-end collisions are one of the common types of truck accidents in Atlanta. As tanker trucks, semis, and other big rigs can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, motorists involved in these crashes can suffer catastrophic injuries.
When reckless driving and other types of negligence are to blame, our experienced Atlanta truck accident lawyers fight to get victims and their loved ones the compensation they need to recover. We explain how rear-end collisions involving commercial vehicles often happen and why they are more likely to cause severe harm.
Common Factors to Blame for Rear-End Truck Accidents in Atlanta
18-wheelers, construction trucks, and other types of commercial vehicles are common on major highways and interstates throughout Georgia. While truck drivers are used to sharing the road with motorists, construction zones, high speeds on local interstates, and heavy rush hour traffic create challenges and increase the risks of rear-end truck accidents in Atlanta.
These crashes are common on I-20, I-75, I-285, and other major arteries. According to Georgia Highway Safety, rear-end collisions involving commercial vehicles are responsible for over a third of all truck accidents in the state. Common factors to blame for these crashes include:
- Tailgating, speeding, and other aggressive driving behavior.
- Not paying attention to the road, such as texting or using dispatcher systems.
- Drowsy driving due to overscheduling.
- Underestimating the distances required to make a stop.
Brake failures, tire blowouts, and uneven loads can also increase the risks, as they can cause the truck driver to lose control of the rig.
How Atlanta Rear-End Commercial Vehicle Crashes Increase The Risk Of Catastrophic Injuries
When a truck slams into the back of a vehicle, even at moderate speed, it can cause multiple broken bones, head trauma, spinal cord damage, internal injuries, and other severe harm. Factors that increase the likelihood of catastrophic injuries in Atlanta rear-end truck accidents include:
- Higher speed limits on Atlanta roads increase the force of impact.
- Narrow lanes give truckers little opportunity to avoid collisions.
- Heavy traffic increases the likelihood of chain reaction crashes, impacting multiple motorists.
- The massive weight of most commercial vehicles is capable of crushing most cars.
Both the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration claim that automatic braking and other collision avoidance systems could reduce rear-end truck accident risks, but federal law does not require it.
Injured In A Rear-End Commercial Vehicle Crash? Contact Our Experienced Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyers
When rear-end collisions involving commercial vehicles in Atlanta happen, they can prove catastrophic for motorists. In the aftermath, you need a law firm that can act fast, preserve black box data, review safety logs, and calculate your full financial losses.
At Shiver Hamilton Campbell, we fight to get victims and their loved ones the maximum compensation they are entitled to in a claim. We represent clients throughout Gwinnett, DeKalb, and Fulton Counties. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our experienced Atlanta truck accident lawyers.
Sources:
gahighwaysafety.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2021-Large-Trucks-Georgia-Traffic-Safety-Facts.pdf
federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/24/2025-13928/federal-motor-vehicle-safety-standards-federal-motor-carrier-safety-regulations-parts-and
