Trusted Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyers | $1.9 Billion+ in Settlements & Verdicts

Awards & Accolades

Recognized by Super Lawyers®, National Trial Lawyers, and AV-Preeminent peer ratings. Our national results are led by founding attorney Ryan L. Thompson and brought to Georgia by our Atlanta trial team.

Why Choose Our Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyers

Choosing the right legal team after a truck crash can change your outcome.
At Thompson Law,
we pair compassionate service with deep trucking expertise to protect your rights and maximize your recovery—
so you can focus on healing while we handle the fight.

What Sets Us Apart

• No Fees Unless We Win – No upfront costs. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you.
• Proven Results – $1.9+ billion recovered for clients; we bring the resources and experience your case demands.
• Quick, Easy Start – Contact us from your phone or computer and we’ll begin work immediately.
• Available 24/7 – Accidents don’t keep business hours. Our team is here around the clock when you need us.
• Personalized Care – You’re never a case number. We keep you informed, answer your questions, and tailor strategy to your goals.
• Bilingual Assistance – Hablamos español. Our bilingual team ensures Spanish-speaking clients have full access to our lawyers.

Deep Trucking Expertise

• Regulatory mastery – We understand FMCSA hours-of-service rules, ELD data, and how dispatch decisions lead to fatigue-related crashes.
• Rapid evidence preservation – We move fast to secure black-box/ECM data, dash-cam video, maintenance logs, and other proof before it’s overwritten.
• Top-tier experts – We work with accident reconstructionists, human-factors specialists, and medical experts to prove liability and damages.
• Clear communication – We explain strategy in plain English and treat your case like it’s the only one on the docket.

Whether we’re investigating the scene, negotiating with insurers, or preparing for trial, our
Atlanta truck accident lawyers
handle every aspect of your case—so you can focus on your health and recovery.

Meet Your Local Thompson Law Attorney

At Thompson Law, every case is personal. Our Georgia office is led by Phillip Hairston, an experienced trial lawyer who has secured millions for injured clients across Georgia.Phillip brings a unique background—having defended corporations early in his career—so he knows exactly how insurers build their cases, and how to beat them. Whether your accident happened on the Downtown Connector, I-285, or a neighborhood road in Decatur, Phillip combines deep local knowledge with aggressive representation to maximize results for crash victims.Learn more about Phillip Hairston and his results »

Common Types of Truck Accidents in Atlanta

Atlanta’s highways and interstates—especially the Downtown Connector (I-75/85), I-20, and I-285—see thousands of tractor-trailers and delivery trucks every day. Unfortunately, crashes involving these vehicles often cause devastating injuries due to their size and weight. Our Atlanta truck accident lawyers regularly handle cases involving:

• Jackknife accidents – when a trailer swings out and blocks multiple lanes.
• Rollover crashes – often caused by speeding, sharp turns, or overloaded cargo.
• Rear-end collisions – trucks that fail to stop in time can crush smaller vehicles.
• Underride accidents – when a car slides beneath a trailer, leading to catastrophic injuries.
• Tire blowouts & equipment failures – usually preventable with proper maintenance.
• Wide-turn and blind-spot crashes – common on crowded city streets like Midtown and Buckhead.
• Fatigued or distracted truck drivers – despite federal hours-of-service rules, violations happen.

Identifying the crash type helps us pinpoint liability—whether it’s the driver, the trucking company, or a manufacturer of faulty equipment.

Common Injuries Caused by Truck Accidents

Truck accidents in Atlanta often cause catastrophic injuries far beyond a typical car crash. The sheer weight of an 80,000-pound 18-wheeler can crush smaller vehicles, leaving victims with life-changing medical needs. Injuries can include traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord damage and paralysis, multiple fractures, burns from fires or hazardous cargo, internal bleeding, amputations, and permanent disabilities. Beyond the physical harm, many survivors also face PTSD, depression, and anxiety that make daily life a struggle. Our Atlanta truck accident attorneys work closely with medical experts, rehabilitation providers, and financial specialists to document the full extent of these losses so we can demand every dollar you deserve.

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Broken bones and crush injuries
• Severe burns from fires or hazardous cargo
• Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
• Amputations and permanent disability
• Emotional trauma, PTSD, and long-term anxiety

Our Atlanta truck accident attorneys document every impact—medical, financial, and personal—so we can pursue the maximum compensation available.  Our attorneys have written a detailed guide on the most common injuries after Atlanta 18-wheeler accidents

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Georgia Truck Accident?

Unlike a typical car crash, Atlanta truck accidents often involve multiple responsible parties. Our attorneys look beyond the truck driver to identify every possible source of liability, because trucking companies and insurers will do everything they can to limit what they pay. Depending on the circumstances, liable parties may include:

• Truck driver – for reckless driving, fatigue, distraction, or impairment.
• Trucking company – for pressuring drivers to break safety rules, negligent hiring, or failing to maintain vehicles.
• Cargo loaders and shippers – when shifting or improperly secured loads contribute to a wreck.
• Maintenance providers – negligent inspections or skipped repairs that lead to mechanical failure.
• Manufacturers – defective brakes, tires, or other critical components that cause or worsen crashes.
• Other motorists – when dangerous maneuvers by surrounding drivers contribute to a collision with a truck.

Proving fault in a Georgia truck accident requires fast, detailed investigation. At Thompson Law, we immediately move to secure and analyze critical evidence before it can be lost or destroyed, including:

• ECM/black-box data – speed, braking, throttle, and hours of operation.
• Electronic logging device (ELD) logs and dispatch communications (texts, emails, Qualcomm).
• Dash-cam and surveillance footage from the truck, nearby businesses, or traffic cameras.
• Driver qualification file (DQF) – hiring records, training history, and prior safety violations.
• Inspection and maintenance logs, work orders, and parts invoices.
• Bills of lading and load documents – weight, securement, and shipper instructions.
• Scene evidence – skid marks, gouge marks, debris fields, and crush profiles.
• Witness statements and first responder reports.
• Medical records and expert opinions tying your injuries directly to the crash.

When necessary, we file motions to prevent spoliation and request court-ordered inspections of the tractor and trailer. This aggressive approach ensures no evidence slips through the cracks—and strengthens your case for maximum compensation.

Atlanta Truck Accident Hotspots

Atlanta is one of the busiest trucking hubs in the Southeast, which means accidents are unfortunately common on our highways and industrial corridors. Our Atlanta truck accident lawyers understand the unique dangers of these local roads and how they impact your case:

• I-285 (“The Perimeter”) – Known as one of the deadliest highways in the U.S., heavy tractor-trailer traffic mixes with commuters, creating high-speed multi-vehicle crashes.
• Downtown Connector (I-75/85) – Constant congestion and lane changes make this stretch a hotspot for truck collisions, especially during rush hour.
• I-20 through Fulton and DeKalb County – A major east-west trucking corridor where fatigued drivers and speeding rigs often cause catastrophic wrecks.
• Fulton Industrial Boulevard – One of the busiest freight corridors in metro Atlanta, with frequent accidents involving delivery trucks and 18-wheelers serving warehouses and distribution centers.
• Georgia 400 and Spaghetti Junction (I-285/I-85) – Tight merges and heavy commercial traffic lead to severe jackknife and rollover crashes.

By linking your crash to these well-known corridors and local traffic patterns, we can strengthen your case with evidence that resonates with insurers, judges, and Atlanta juries. Local knowledge matters—and Thompson Law uses it to your advantage.

To make these risks even clearer, we’ve mapped the most dangerous truck accident hotspots in Atlanta. This infographic highlights the highways and freight corridors where serious crashes happen most often—information our attorneys use to build stronger, locally grounded cases for our clients.

Protecting Your Health and Legal Claim After a Truck Accident

Your health comes first. Get emergency care if needed, then follow medical advice and keep every appointment. These steps also protect your legal claim:

1. Call 911 and make a report. Ask how to obtain the Georgia crash report.
2. Document the scene if it’s safe: photos of vehicles, cargo spills, skid marks, road conditions, and your visible injuries.
3. Collect information: truck DOT number, trailer number, the driver’s and carrier’s names, and any witness contacts.
4. Decline recorded statements to insurers until you’ve spoken with counsel. Adjusters are trained to minimize claims.
5. Preserve evidence: save tow receipts, repair estimates, medical records, and a pain journal.
6. Call a lawyer quickly. In truck cases, time matters—data can be overwritten and vehicles repaired fast. We send spoliation letters and inspection requests immediately to preserve the black box and other critical evidence.

Every one of these steps not only protects your health but also strengthens your legal case. Delays in treatment, gaps in documentation, or misplaced evidence can be used against you by trucking insurers. Acting quickly—and contacting an Atlanta truck accident lawyer early—gives you the strongest chance of full compensation.

Atlanta’s Statute of Limitations & Key Georgia Injury Laws every Rider Should Know

Georgia law sets strict deadlines for filing. In most personal injury cases, you have
two years from the date of injury to file under
O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33.
Property-damage-only claims generally have a four-year deadline under the same statute.
There are narrow exceptions, but missing a deadline can bar recovery—another reason to contact counsel early.

Important exceptions to Georgia’s deadlines

• Claims against a city or county: Ante litem notice required within
  6 months.
• Claims against the State of Georgia: Notice required within
  12 months.
• Wrongful death: Usually two years, but the clock can pause during related criminal prosecutions.
• Minors or legally disabled plaintiffs: The statute may be “tolled” until the disability ends or the child turns 18.

Modified comparative negligence (50% bar)

Georgia uses a modified comparative negligence system
(O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33). Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault—and you cannot recover if you are
50% or more at fault. Insurers often overstate a victim’s share of fault; we counter with reconstruction analysis, video, and expert testimony.

Direct actions against insurers (changed in 2024)

Our Proven Truck Accident Claims Process

At Thompson Law, we treat every Atlanta truck accident claim as if it’s going to trial. Here’s how we build a winning case:

1. Immediate Investigation – We send preservation letters to secure black-box (EDR) data, dashcam footage, driver logs, and maintenance records.
2. Accident Reconstruction – We partner with experts to show how the crash happened and who was at fault.
3. Medical Documentation – We coordinate with your doctors to prove the full extent of injuries and future care needs.
4. Economic Impact Analysis – We calculate lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and lifetime costs.
5. Negotiation From Strength – We present a trial-ready demand package to push insurers to pay what your claim is worth.
6. Litigation When Necessary – If the trucking company won’t be fair, we file suit in Fulton or DeKalb County and fight for you.

This step-by-step approach ensures no detail is overlooked and no evidence is lost.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Georgia

Understanding common causes helps us target the right evidence:

• Driver fatigue & hours-of-service violations: Missed rest breaks, unrealistic dispatch schedules, and improper logbook entries.
• Speeding & following too closely: Especially on the Downtown Connector, I-20, I-285, and GA-400, where heavy congestion meets tight delivery windows.
• Distracted driving: Cell-phone use, in-cab devices, and GPS programming on the move.
• Improper lane changes / wide turns: Tractor-trailers need space—merging and turning errors can be catastrophic on multi-lane interstates.
• Overweight/ unsecured cargo: Shifting loads cause rollovers and jackknifes; unsecured debris can trigger chain-reaction crashes.
• Poor maintenance: Bald tires, faulty brakes, and lighting violations point to negligent inspections.
• Weather & work zones: Sudden downpours, limited visibility, and lane closures are especially risky around Spaghetti Junction (I-285/I-85) and major construction areas.

If your truck accident in Atlanta began with any of these issues, we’ll dig into logs, maintenance histories, and telematics to prove it.

Who May Be Liable After a Truck Crash

Truck cases often involve multiple at-fault parties. Potentially liable entities include:

• Truck driver – negligent driving, fatigue, distraction
• Motor carrier / employer – negligent hiring, training, supervision; unsafe policies
• Broker/shipper – negligent selection, unrealistic timelines, cargo securement issues
• Maintenance contractor – improper inspections or repairs
• Manufacturer – defective parts such as brakes, tires, or steering
• Other motorists – sudden stops or illegal lane changes that contribute to the collision

We analyze contracts, load documents, dispatch notes, and engine control module (ECM) data to map responsibility accurately. This is crucial for recovering full compensation when one policy isn’t enough.

Damages You Can Recover After a Truck Crash

A serious 18-wheeler collision can affect every part of life. Depending on the facts, you may pursue:

• Medical bills (past/future): ER care, hospitalization, surgery, rehab, prosthetics, medications, assistive devices
• Lost wages & diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life
• Scarring/disfigurement and disability accommodations
• Property damage (vehicle repair or total loss; personal items)
• Loss of consortium (in qualifying cases)
• Wrongful death damages for eligible family members

We work with your treating physicians and qualified experts to document the full extent of losses—not just the bills an adjuster wants to see.

How Our Truck Accident Attorneys Build Your Case

1. Free case evaluation: We listen, answer questions, and outline a plan.
2. Immediate preservation: Spoliation letters go out within days to lock down black-box, ELD, and maintenance data.
3. Investigation & experts: We coordinate reconstruction, download ECM data, and examine the tractor/trailer.
4. Medical documentation: We organize records, obtain expert opinions, and quantify future care needs.
5. Liability & insurance mapping: We identify every at-fault entity and policy—including excess/umbrella coverage.
6. Settlement strategy: We present a demand package that proves fault and damages with evidence, not adjectives.
7. Litigation when needed: If insurers won’t be fair, we file suit and prepare for trial.

Our goal is simple: maximize your net recovery while keeping you informed and in control.

Atlanta Roadways Where Truck Crashes Happen

Atlanta’s busiest corridors combine heavy freight and commuter traffic:

• I-75/85 (Downtown Connector)
• I-20 (east–west through the city)
• I-285 (the Perimeter) including Spaghetti Junction (I-285/I-85)
• GA-400 and connections to I-285
• I-675 (southside connector)

We’ve helped clients after jackknifes, underride/override crashes, rollovers, blind-spot lane changes, and rear-end collisions across these corridors and the surrounding surface streets.

Injured in a Truck Accident in Atlanta or the Surrounding Neighborhoods?

If you were hurt in Buckhead, Midtown, Downtown Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Decatur, College Park, or East Point, our Atlanta truck accident lawyers are ready to help. We know the local highways and streets where serious truck crashes often happen—from I-285 and the Downtown Connector to Peachtree Street and Ponce de Leon Avenue—and we use that insight to build the strongest case possible.

Whether your crash involved an 18-wheeler on I-285 near Sandy Springs, a delivery truck in a Buckhead parking lot, or a commercial vehicle on Decatur’s busy streets, we’ll hold the trucking companies and insurers accountable. Our team understands the federal trucking regulations, local courts, and insurance tactics—and we’ll fight to protect your rights from day one.

Schedule your free consultation today with an Atlanta truck accident lawyer who knows your neighborhood.

Call Us: (678) 981-9022
Atlanta office: 1201 Peachtree St NE, Unit 2200, Atlanta, GA 30361
Free case review: We’ll listen, answer your questions, and map the next steps—TODAY.

Our Atlanta Personal Injury Services

Frequently Asked Questions: Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyers

How much are most truck accident settlements in Atlanta?

Truck accident settlements vary based on fault, injuries, medical care, lost income, and available insurance. Minor-to-moderate injury cases may resolve in the mid–five figures (e.g., $40,000–$75,000+). Severe injuries—such as brain or spinal cord trauma, amputations, or wrongful death—can reach six or seven figures. Every case is unique, so your Atlanta truck accident lawyer will evaluate liability, damages, and coverage before estimating value.

How long do truck accident cases take to settle?

Some truck accident claims with clear liability and finished treatment may resolve within a few months. Complex cases with severe injuries, multiple defendants, or disputed fault often take 12–24 months or longer—especially if litigation is required. Your lawyer should outline milestones (investigation, demand, negotiation, lawsuit, discovery, mediation, trial) and provide updates throughout.

Why are truck accidents different from car accidents?

Truck crashes are more complicated because they involve:

• Heavier vehicles and greater damage potential
• Multiple liable parties (driver, trucking company, broker, maintenance contractors, manufacturers)
• Federal trucking regulations (hours-of-service, inspections, load securement)
• Specialized evidence like ELD logs, black-box data, and dispatch records
  That’s why working with an Atlanta truck accident lawyer experienced in commercial trucking claims is critical.

What are typical lawyer fees for a truck accident case?

Most truck accident attorneys in Atlanta work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing upfront—the lawyer only collects a percentage if they recover compensation for you. Agreements also outline case costs (e.g., filing fees, experts, medical records). Always request the fee terms in writing before signing.

What should I do after a truck accident in Atlanta?

• Call 911 and seek medical care immediately
• Remain at the scene and exchange information (licenses, insurance, DOT/trailer numbers)
• Request and keep the police report number
• Document the scene with photos, video, and witness contacts if safe
• Avoid admitting fault or giving recorded statements
• Contact a truck accident lawyer quickly so key evidence (dash cam, black-box/ELD data) is preserved

What if I may be partially at fault for the truck accident?

In Georgia, you can still recover compensation if you are less than 50% at fault, but your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re 20% at fault, a $100,000 verdict becomes $80,000. An attorney will use evidence (dash-cam footage, crash reconstruction, expert testimony) to minimize fault assigned to you.

Should I talk to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster?

You should notify your own insurer, but do not give recorded statements to the trucking company’s insurer before speaking with a lawyer. Their adjusters are trained to limit payouts and may use your words against you. Let your attorney handle all communications to protect your claim.