Trucking accidents happen every day on Georgia highways, often with devastating consequences. Understanding the common causes helps you recognize negligence. It also protects your rights if you’ve been injured. Chris Hudson Law Group has recovered millions for clients harmed in truck collisions. We know how to identify the responsible parties and hold them accountable for truck accident injuries.
Why Choose Chris Hudson Law Group for Your Trucking Accident Claim
When you’ve been injured in a trucking accident, you need an attorney who understands the law and the trucking industry. Chris Hudson Law Group brings over 20 years of experience handling truck accident cases in Augusta, Georgia, and throughout the region. Our founder, Christopher Hudson, is a former insurance defense attorney. This means he knows exactly how insurance companies think and operate. This knowledge gives our clients a significant advantage when negotiating settlements.
We’ve recovered over $10 million for a client severely injured in an Augusta tractor-trailer accident. Our team includes two experienced attorneys with extensive trial experience. We have a proven track record of aggressive representation. We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. With a 5.0 Google rating from over 350 five-star reviews, Chris Hudson Law Group has earned a reputation for delivering results. View our case results and client testimonials to see how we’ve helped injured victims recover compensation.
Driver Fatigue and Drowsy Driving
Driver fatigue ranks as a leading cause of trucking accidents. Federal Hours of Service regulations limit how long drivers can operate vehicles without rest. However, many trucking companies pressure drivers to exceed safe limits. They do this to meet tight delivery schedules. When drivers become fatigued, their reaction times slow. Their judgment deteriorates. They may fall asleep at the wheel. These effects are similar to driving under the influence.
Identifying fatigued driving requires understanding the warning signs. Look for swerving between lanes, drifting off the road, delayed responses to traffic changes, and erratic speed. Both the driver and the trucking company can be held liable for accidents caused by fatigue. This is especially true if the company ignored Hours of Service violations. It’s also true if they failed to hire drivers with adequate rest. Learn more about how fatigue affects truck accidents and driver liability in our comprehensive guide.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
Large trucks require significantly longer stopping distances than passenger vehicles. A fully loaded tractor-trailer traveling at 65 miles per hour needs approximately 525 feet to stop. That’s roughly the length of 1.5 football fields. When drivers speed or drive recklessly, they eliminate the safety margin needed to avoid collisions. Aggressive lane changes, tailgating, and excessive speed amplify the impact severity in multi-ton vehicles. This results in catastrophic injuries.
Trucking companies often contribute to speeding accidents. They implement unrealistic delivery schedules that encourage drivers to exceed safe speeds. Inadequate driver training also plays a role. Companies fail to teach proper techniques for handling large vehicles in various conditions. Understanding truck driver training requirements can help establish negligence in your case. Our attorneys have successfully pursued negligent hiring claims against trucking companies that failed to properly train their drivers.
Improper Maintenance and Equipment Failures
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires trucking companies to conduct regular inspections. They must maintain their vehicles in safe operating condition. Brake failures represent one of the most dangerous maintenance issues. Worn brake pads, air brake system failures, and hydraulic problems can cause trucks to lose stopping ability entirely. Tire blowouts from worn or defective tires create sudden loss of control. This is particularly true at highway speeds.
Other equipment failures include lighting system malfunctions, coupling failures, and steering problems. When trucking companies neglect maintenance to save money, they create deadly hazards. Liability extends to the company, maintenance providers, and potentially manufacturers. This is true if defective parts caused the accident. Our attorneys have extensive experience with truck maintenance negligence cases and can help you recover damages. We also handle cases involving defective truck parts and manufacturing defects.
Distracted Driving and Impaired Operation
Distracted driving diverts a driver’s attention from the road. Cell phone use, eating, adjusting controls, and other distractions significantly increase accident risk. Impaired driving—whether from alcohol, illegal drugs, or prescription medications—severely compromises a driver’s ability to operate a large vehicle safely. Some medications cause drowsiness or impaired judgment. Yet drivers continue working despite these effects.
Trucking companies have a responsibility to screen drivers for substance abuse. They must enforce policies against impaired driving. Failure to do so creates liability for accidents caused by impaired or distracted drivers. Understanding what not to say after an accident is critical—learn how to protect your rights when speaking with the other driver or insurance adjusters. If you’ve suffered injuries from a distracted truck driver, our team can help you pursue compensation for truck accident injuries.
Cargo-Related Accidents
Overloaded or improperly loaded cargo shifts the truck’s weight distribution. This makes it unstable and prone to rollover accidents. Unsecured loads can shift during transit. This causes the vehicle to jackknife or tip. Hazardous materials require special handling, placarding, and driver training. Violations create additional dangers.
Multiple parties can share liability in cargo accidents. The loading company may be liable for improper loading. The trucking company may be liable for inadequate oversight. The shipper may be liable for providing inaccurate weight information. Identifying all responsible parties maximizes your recovery. Read our detailed guide on truck accidents caused by improper cargo loading. We also handle cases involving lost load accidents and hazardous material spills.
Inadequate Training and Negligent Hiring
Commercial truck drivers require proper licensing, training, and qualifications. Inexperienced drivers lack the skills needed to handle large vehicles safely. They struggle in various road and weather conditions. Trucking companies have a legal duty to verify driver qualifications. They must review driving records. They must provide adequate training before allowing drivers on the road.
Negligent hiring occurs when companies fail to conduct proper background checks. They may hire drivers with histories of traffic violations, DUI convictions, or safety violations. These failures create liability when negligently hired drivers cause accidents. Learn how to hold a trucking company liable in your accident claim. Our founder, Christopher Hudson’s background as a former insurance defense attorney, which gives him unique insight into how trucking companies operate and where they cut corners on safety.
Weather and Road Conditions
Rain, fog, ice, and snow reduce traction and visibility. They make truck operation more challenging. Drivers must adjust speed and following distance to match conditions. Trucks are particularly susceptible to hydroplaning and jackknifing on wet or icy roads. While weather itself isn’t negligence, the driver’s failure to adjust for conditions is.
Trucking companies contribute to weather-related accidents. They pressure drivers to maintain schedules despite dangerous conditions. Drivers have a responsibility to slow down. They must exercise extra caution when weather creates hazards. Understanding these conditions can strengthen your claim for compensation. If you’ve been injured in a weather-related truck accident in Georgia, contact our office immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after a trucking accident?
Seek medical attention for any injuries, even if they seem minor. Call police to report the accident and request an official report. Document the scene with photos if safe to do so. Gather contact information from witnesses. Preserve evidence by keeping damaged clothing and medical records. Contact Chris Hudson Law Group as soon as possible. Early legal intervention protects your rights and preserves critical evidence. Our team can guide you through the truck accident claim process.
Who can be held liable in a trucking accident?
Multiple parties may share liability. The truck driver may be liable for negligent operation. The trucking company may be liable for negligent hiring or maintenance failures. Cargo loaders may be liable for improper loading. Shippers may be liable for inaccurate weight information. Truck manufacturers may be liable for defective parts. Maintenance providers may be liable for negligent repairs. Identifying all liable parties increases your potential recovery. Our attorneys understand truck accident liability and can identify all responsible parties.
How much is my trucking accident claim worth?
Claim value depends on injury severity, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and the strength of liability evidence. Catastrophic injuries resulting in permanent disability command higher settlements. Chris Hudson Law Group evaluates each case individually to determine fair compensation based on your specific circumstances. We’ve recovered millions in truck accident settlements for our clients.
How long do I have to file a trucking accident lawsuit in Georgia?
Georgia law provides a two-year statute of limitations from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is critical. Missing it eliminates your right to recover. Contact Chris Hudson Law Group immediately to protect your legal rights. Don’t delay—contact our Augusta office today.
Will my case go to trial or settle?
Most trucking accident cases settle before trial. However, Chris Hudson Law Group prepares every case as if it will go to trial. This preparation strengthens our negotiating position. It demonstrates to insurance companies that we’re serious about pursuing maximum compensation. When settlement offers are inadequate, we’re prepared to take your case to trial. A jury will decide the outcome. Our team has extensive trial experience in complex truck accident litigation.
Contact Chris Hudson Law Group for Your Free Consultation
If you’ve been injured in a trucking accident in Augusta, Georgia, don’t wait to seek legal help. Chris Hudson Law Group offers free, no-obligation consultations to discuss your case. We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Call (706) 863-6600 today to speak with an experienced truck accident attorney. We will work to help you recover the compensation you deserve.