Atlanta Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyers

Step-by-Step After the Crash

1. Call 911 and get medical care. Report the crash and accept evaluation even if you “feel fine.” Adrenaline can mask injuries.
2. Move to safety and document the scene. Photograph vehicle positions, skid marks, road debris, company logos/US DOT numbers, and any visible injuries.
3. Exchange information—get company details. Note the driver’s employer, truck/trailer numbers, and insurer claim info; collect witness names/phone numbers.
4. Ask officers for the report number. You’ll need it to obtain the Georgia crash report and to open insurance claims.
5. Preserve evidence early. Commercial cases hinge on EDR “black box” data, dashcam footage, driver logs, GPS/route data, and maintenance records. These can be overwritten quickly.
6. Avoid recorded statements. Do not give a recorded statement or sign medical releases for the commercial insurer before speaking with a lawyer.
7. Track your damages. Save medical bills, time-off notes, prescriptions, repair estimates, and a daily pain/symptom journal.
8. Call an attorney promptly. We can send a spoliation/preservation letter to secure critical evidence and identify all liable parties and policies.

Semi-Trucks & Tractor-Trailers

Require compliance with FMCSA regulations on hours-of-service, inspections, and weight limits. Violations can support negligence per se in Georgia courts.

Delivery Vans & Box Trucks

UPS, FedEx, Amazon, and other fleet vehicles may involve multiple insurance carriers and independent contractor issues. We investigate employer liability early.

Rideshare & Taxi Vehicles

Uber, Lyft, and taxi claims often involve tiered coverage depending on app status. We secure driver logs and app data to prove coverage applies.

Buses & Government-Owned Vehicles

City buses, MARTA vehicles, and county trucks require ante litem notice within 6–12 months. Missing this deadline can bar recovery completely.

Construction & Utility Trucks

Bucket trucks, cement mixers, and utility vehicles often operate near pedestrians and work zones. Liability can include prime contractors and subcontractors.

Hazmat & Tanker Trucks

Crashes can cause chemical spills or fires. We work with experts to prove compliance failures and recover for cleanup costs and toxic exposure injuries.

Jackknife

Trailer swings out forming an “L” or “V.” Often tied to hard braking, slick conditions, or improper braking systems—frequent on I-285 ramps and Spaghetti Junction.

Underride

Smaller vehicles slide beneath the trailer—rear or side. Liability can involve guard failures, lighting/reflector issues, or improper stops on high-speed corridors like I-20.

Rollover

Tall, top-heavy vehicles tip due to speed, sharp turns, or load shift. We examine cargo securement, weight, and driver speed—common near GA-400 interchanges.

Rear-End Collisions

Trucks require longer stopping distances. We analyze EDR braking data, following distance, and distraction—frequent on the Downtown Connector (I-75/85).

Wide-Turn / Blind-Spot

Right-hand “squeeze” turns and lane changes into no-zones. Delivery trucks and tractor-trailers misjudge space in Midtown/Buckhead surface streets.

T-Bone / Intersection

Signal violations or risky left turns. We obtain light-cycle data, intersection cameras, and fleet telematics to prove fault at urban junctions.

Lost Cargo / Debris

Improper securement or overloading sends cargo into traffic. Liability may reach the shipper or loading dock—common along Fulton Industrial Blvd.

Brake/Tire/Equipment Failures

Maintenance lapses or defective parts increase stopping distance and blowout risk. We review inspections, repair history, and recalls.

Pedestrian & Cyclist Strikes

Delivery vans and buses in dense areas create high blind-spot risk. We analyze mirrors, camera systems, and driver route policies.

Multi-Vehicle Pileups

Chain reactions on I-285 and other high-speed corridors. We reconstruct impact sequences using EDR timing, skid analysis, and scene mapping.

Driver-Related Causes

• Fatigue & Hours-of-Service (HOS) violations — excessive driving without proper rest; we check ELD data, logs, and dispatch records.
• Distracted driving — phone use, onboard devices, GPS interaction; corroborated with telematics and phone records.
• Speeding / following too closely — longer stopping distances for trucks; we use EDR braking data and scene measurements.
• Impairment — alcohol/drugs or medication side effects; blood tests and employer screening policies matter.
• Improper lane changes / blind spots — “no-zone” sideswipes common on I-285 and the Downtown Connector.

FMCSA rule breaches can support negligence per se in Georgia if they contribute to the crash.

Mechanical & Equipment Failures

• Brake defects / poor maintenance — extended stopping distances; we review inspection reports and repair histories.
• Tire blowouts — underinflation, wear, or defects; chain-of-custody on failed parts is critical.
• Lighting / reflector issues — especially relevant in underride cases at night.
• Steering / suspension failures — may trigger manufacturer or maintenance contractor liability.
• Camera/mirror system problems — blind-spot tech not installed, disabled, or malfunctioning.

We subpoena pre-/post-trip inspections, DVIRs, and maintenance vendor records to trace responsibility.

Road & Weather Conditions

• Construction zones — lane shifts, narrowed shoulders on I-285 and I-20; increased lane-change conflicts.
• Wet or low-visibility weather — hydroplaning and longer stopping distances; speed selection becomes key.
• Debris / lost cargo — loading/securement issues near Fulton Industrial Blvd and distribution corridors.
• Poor signage / signal timing — intersection crashes where light sequencing and sightlines matter.

Even when weather plays a role, companies must reasonably adapt speed, following distance, and route planning.

Key Freight & Delivery Routes

• I-75/85 Downtown Connector — heavy commuter + freight mix, frequent lane changes
• I-285 (Perimeter) — major trucking bypass; multi-vehicle and rollover risks
• Fulton Industrial Boulevard — distribution hub; frequent delivery truck collisions
• I-20 (Fulton/DeKalb) — east–west trucking corridor; fatigue-related wrecks common
• GA-400 & Spaghetti Junction — high merge density, blind-spot crashes, jackknifes

Knowing where crashes occur most often helps pinpoint negligent route planning and driver fatigue patterns.

Bus & Rideshare Risk Zones

• MARTA bus corridors — Peachtree, Ponce, and North Ave see frequent bus–car conflicts
• Airport access roads — high rideshare traffic near Hartsfield-Jackson terminals
• Downtown / Midtown — high pedestrian density + rideshare pick-ups
• Construction zones — temporary lane shifts on I-285/I-20 create crash clusters

We leverage crash data and traffic studies to demonstrate foreseeability and argue for higher case value.

Step 1 — Immediate Investigation

We secure crash reports, black box data, driver logs, and camera footage before they disappear — often within hours of your call.

Step 2 — Liability & Coverage Analysis

Our attorneys identify every responsible party — driver, motor carrier, shipper, maintenance provider — and map all available insurance coverage.

Step 3 — Documenting Full Damages

We work with medical and economic experts to calculate your present and future losses — from medical care and wage loss to life-care planning and pain and suffering.

Step 4 — Aggressive Negotiation

Because we prepare every case as if it will go to trial, insurers know we’re serious — resulting in stronger settlement offers.

Step 5 — Trial-Ready Advocacy

If the insurance company refuses to pay fair value, our trial lawyers are ready to present your case to a jury and fight for a full verdict.

Phillip Hairston was born and raised in Stone Mountain and now lives in Atlanta.
A Georgia Tech graduate (Chemistry) with a J.D. from Washington University School of Law, Phillip brings rare perspective: he defended corporations and general contractors early in his career — insight he now uses to hold insurers and large companies accountable for Atlanta families.

Today, he represents victims of negligence in wrongful death, bus and trucking collisions,
car and motorcycle crashes, and serious injury cases. Whether your case involves MARTA, a school bus,
or a private charter, Phillip moves fast to preserve evidence, subpoena records, and maximize results.

Credentials & Memberships

• Admitted in all Georgia state courts
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Georgia
• Member, State Bar of Georgia
• Member, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association (GTLA)

Learn more about Phillip and his results »

Free Consultation

Hurt in Buckhead, Midtown, Downtown Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Decatur, College Park, or East Point? Our
Atlanta commercial vehicle accident lawyers know the corridors where these crashes happen —
I-285, the Downtown Connector, I-20, GA-400, and Fulton Industrial Blvd —
and we use that local context to build leverage with insurers and juries.

Whether your collision involved an 18-wheeler, a MARTA or school bus, a delivery van, or a
rideshare vehicle, we move fast to preserve the evidence that wins commercial cases:
EDR/black-box data, ELD hours-of-service logs, dispatch/telematics, cargo & securement records, and
maintenance/inspection files.

$1.9 Billion+ recovered for injury victims. Free consultation — no fees unless we win. Start in minutes from your phone.