Our Georgia personal injury attorneys at Ashby Thelen Lowry know that the number of commercial vehicles on our interstates, city streets, and rural roads grows yearly.
While Georgia’s economy relies heavily on semi-truck traffic, substantially more types of commercial vehicles travel throughout the state than once were. As consumers and business owners rely heavily on online purchases and expedited delivery schedules, different-sized trucks appear everywhere we look — including residential neighborhoods.
Inherently, more commercial vehicles mean more crashes involving them.
What are the Most Common Types of Commercial Vehicles on Georgia Roadways?
With over 11 million people living in Georgia and another 167.7 million domestic and international visitors last year alone, commercial vehicles provide much-needed consumer and business products daily in and out of the state.
They include, but are not limited to:
- Box Trucks.
- Construction Vehicles.
- Delivery Vehicles.
- Dump Trucks.
- Flatbed Trucks.
- Food Trucks.
- Livestock Trailers.
- Passenger and Cargo Vans.
- Refrigerated Trucks.
- Semi-Trucks (Tractor-Trailers).
- Shuttle Buses.
- Sprinter Vans.
- Tanker Trucks.
- Tow Trucks.
Many of these large vehicles are owned and operated by corporations like Amazon or Home Depot, making them easy to identify in a crash. Others are less identifiable and may not have a logo or other business name — or may be operated by a third-party corporation — that allows injury victims to understand who is liable for their crash. We can help.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Commercial Vehicle Collisions with Injuries in Georgia?
In Georgia, liability for a commercial vehicle crash typically depends on the specific circumstances of the collision. Like in any other crash, determining fault or liability involves assessing whether any party involved acted negligently.
However, the circumstances become more complex when identifying the actual liable party, which may include:
The Employer
If the commercial vehicle driver operated the vehicle within the scope of their employment at the time of the crash, their employer may be liable for any damages caused by the driver’s negligence.
The Driver
The commercial vehicle driver may also be liable for the collision if their actions or conduct contributed to the crash, including instances where the driver was driving recklessly, violated traffic laws, or was driving under the influence.
- Third-Party Liability
Liability may also extend to parties other than the driver and their employer. For example, the manufacturer or maintenance provider could be liable if a defective vehicle part or poor maintenance caused the crash.
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a commercial vehicle collision caused by negligence in Georgia, contact our skilled personal injury lawyers and support team at Ashby Thelen Lowry today at (404) 777-7771 to schedule a free consultation to ensure your rights are protected so you can make informed decisions about the direction of your claim.