When an 18-wheeler collides with a passenger vehicle, the results are often catastrophic. The sheer size and weight of a fully loaded tractor-trailer—up to 40 tons—creates a level of force that smaller cars and SUVs simply cannot withstand. In nearly every collision between a semi-truck and a passenger vehicle, it is the occupants of the smaller vehicle who suffer the most serious consequences. These accidents frequently leave victims with life-changing injuries, overwhelming medical bills, and uncertainty about how to move forward.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 5,700 people were killed and nearly 155,000 injured in large truck crashes nationwide in 2021. In Georgia, the problem is especially severe. Atlanta’s road network—including I-285, the Downtown Connector (I-75/85), and I-20 through Fulton and DeKalb Counties—handles some of the heaviest truck traffic in the Southeast. Fulton County alone consistently ranks among the highest in the state for truck-related crashes. These local statistics aren’t just numbers; they represent families whose lives are permanently altered by unsafe driving, fatigued truckers, and trucking companies that put profits ahead of safety.
The injuries suffered in an Atlanta truck accident are often far more severe than those seen in a typical car crash. Victims frequently sustain traumatic brain injuries from violent blows to the head, leading to lasting cognitive problems and memory loss. Spinal cord injuries are also common, and in many cases, they cause partial or complete paralysis that changes a victim’s life forever. Even when injuries are not permanent, fractures, crush injuries, and internal organ damage often require months of medical care, multiple surgeries, and long-term rehabilitation.
Burn injuries are another risk in 18-wheeler crashes, particularly when trucks are carrying hazardous cargo or fuel. Fires can spread quickly, leaving survivors with painful and disfiguring burns that require skin grafts and extensive medical treatment. In the most devastating cases, victims may suffer amputations, either from the force of the crash itself or from medical complications that follow. Beyond the physical harm, many survivors face emotional trauma, PTSD, and long-term anxiety that impact their ability to work, sleep, or enjoy life as they once did.
Truck accidents in Georgia are more complex than a standard car wreck because they often involve multiple responsible parties. While the truck driver may be directly at fault for behaviors such as distracted driving, fatigue, speeding, or impairment, liability frequently extends much further. Trucking companies may have pressured drivers to meet unrealistic delivery deadlines, failed to provide adequate training, or ignored routine maintenance. Cargo-loading companies sometimes overload or fail to properly secure freight, causing a truck to roll over or jackknife. Even manufacturers and repair shops can share blame when defective brakes, worn tires, or skipped inspections contribute to a deadly crash.
Our attorneys dig deeper than surface-level police reports. We investigate black-box (EDR) data, dispatch communications, driver logs, GPS tracking, maintenance records, and company safety policies to uncover every potential source of negligence. This meticulous approach ensures that victims are not limited to recovering from just one insurance policy but instead can pursue the full scope of compensation available.
Atlanta is a freight hub for the Southeast, and with that comes higher risks on certain roads. I-285, nicknamed “The Perimeter,” is notorious for being one of the deadliest highways in America due to its heavy mix of tractor-trailers and commuter traffic. The Downtown Connector (I-75/85) is another major danger zone where congestion and frequent lane changes lead to serious truck crashes. I-20 serves as a critical east–west trucking corridor through Fulton and DeKalb Counties, and fatigued drivers traveling long distances often cause catastrophic wrecks. Fulton Industrial Boulevard, lined with warehouses and freight facilities, sees constant commercial truck activity, making it one of the most crash-prone industrial roads in metro Atlanta. Even Georgia 400 and the Spaghetti Junction interchange pose unique risks, as heavy merging traffic creates conditions ripe for jackknife and rollover accidents.
By linking a victim’s crash to these well-known corridors, our attorneys show insurers, judges, and juries how common—and how preventable—these accidents are in the Atlanta area.
The aftermath of an 18-wheeler accident can be overwhelming. Victims face not only medical bills and lost wages but also the prospect of long-term care needs and reduced quality of life. Trucking companies and their insurers have teams of lawyers ready to minimize payouts, but you don’t have to face them alone.
At Thompson Law, our Atlanta truck accident attorneys have the experience, resources, and determination to take on trucking companies and fight for full compensation. We prepare every case as though it is going to trial, ensuring that no detail is overlooked and no opportunity for recovery is missed. With over $1.9 billion recovered for clients nationwide, our record speaks for itself.
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Atlanta or anywhere in Georgia, call our local office today at (678) 981-9022 or reach out online for a free, no-obligation consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis—meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Thompson Law charges NO FEE unless we obtain a settlement for your case. We’ve put over $1.9 billion in cash settlements in our clients’ pockets. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your accident, get your questions answered, and understand your legal options.
State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an injury accident, so call today.
