Truck Accidents

Truck Accident Injury Compensation

By Mark Wade, Georgia Auto Law7 min readUpdated March 24, 2026

Key Takeaways

  • Georgia's two-year personal-injury statute of limitations (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33) applies to truck-crash injury claims — the clock starts on the crash date, not the date of diagnosis.
  • Commercial-driver hours-of-service rules from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration limit drivers to 11 hours of driving per shift and 60 hours over 7 consecutive days. Logbook violations are common evidence of negligence.
  • According to the FMCSA, large trucks were involved in 5,837 fatal crashes in 2022 — an 18% increase from 2021 and the highest number in over four decades.
  • Under Georgia's modified comparative negligence rule (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33), both the driver and the trucking company can be held liable, especially when the carrier controlled hiring, training, routing, or maintenance.
Truck Accident Injury Compensation
Share

It is a sad truth that there are so many deaths and injuries caused by large trucks on the road. It is our job to make sure our clients, or their families, are properly compensated for their loss after a devastating truck accident.

When people are injured or die due to a truck accident, there can be a very large settlement for the injured party and their family. Semi-truck accidents result in nearly $20 billion a year in settlement payouts, and most of that is to injured victims who have suffered a lost quality of life.

The FMCSA requires that all motor carries have commercial insurance. Large trucks that haul loads must carry between $750,000 and $5 million in bodily injury coverage to pay injured victims. This amount varies based on what is being hauled and whether it is hazardous material.

How Truck Accident Injuries are Calculated

If you or a loved one have been injured in a truck accident, you are likely facing the following issues:

  • High medical bills
  • Pain and suffering
  • Long recovery times
  • Drastic life changes
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Lost time from work and lost wages

All of these things are recoverable from the at-fault truck driver and trucking company in some cases. Your truck accident lawyer should compile a list of all of these “damages” in order to make sure you get the true amount of compensation that you deserve. For a quick look at what your truck accident claim could be worth, use our settlement calculator.

Rehabilitation Can Be Long and Painful

Clients often as us: what is included in the calculated semi-truck accident damages?

The truck accident attorneys at Georgia Auto Law work very hard from the beginning of your case to make sure we compile all possible damages to claim. We even include expenses such as:

  • Parking and gasoline for getting to medical treatment
  • Prescriptions
  • Lost time from work
  • Lost time from family activities
  • Future expenses you will have from the injury

Our attorneys include these special damages so that you can get your life back on track without having to worry about how you are going to make ends meet.

Truck Accident Pain and Suffering Damages

In addition to the medical expenses, being involved in a semi-truck accident also takes an emotional toll on you. Many truck accident victims suffer from emotional and psychological harm that can affect the person for a long time.

For example, truck accident victims often suffer from the following emotional, mental, and psychological damages:

  • Loss of sleep
  • Nightmares
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

These effects of a truck accident can have an impact on the victim for a long time after the crash, and can be very difficult to cope with.

Truck insurance companies always try to pay as little as possible to compensate truck accident victims for these “emotional” damages. But, the truck accident attorneys at Georgia Auto Law always include substantial evidence to show nonphysical injuries so that we can get as much compensation as possible.

Our attorneys also include claims for punitive damages if the case calls for it. These damages are awarded when the at-fault party’s behavior was particularly bad such as road rage or drunk driving. In these cases, the amount of damages can be much higher.

Truck Accident Injuries are Very Serious and Can Leave Permanent Damage

Injuries suffered in an accident with a large truck can be wide-ranging. Because the severity of the crash can vary, injuries also vary from case to case.

The types of truck accident injuries we see often from an accident with a truck are:

  • Spinal and neck injuries
  • Back injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Head injuries
  • Traumatic brain injures
  • Organ damage
  • Soft tissue damage

It is also possible to suffer burns due to a fire or explosion in the truck accident. Burns are especially harmful because they are incredibly painful and often require significant post-accident treatment. Burns can also cause death due to infection.

These truck accident injuries take a physical toll, but they also require long hospital stays and extended periods of rehabilitation and physical therapy. Truck accident injury cost is very high and can lead to enormous medical debt. Combine this with the fact that the truck accident victim is likely missing work, then the financial burden is made even worse.

Truck Accident Injury Compensation

Because of the significant financial impact a truck accident can have, substantial truck accident injury compensation is needed to get you back on your feet. Georgia Auto Law stands by you to provide exactly that.

We know how much your life can be changed by a truck accident, and our truck accident attorneys will help you get a settlement that will get your life back on track. Or, if a wrongful death is involved, help the family get the financial security they need.

Truck Accident Statistics: Where and When Crashes Happen Most

Collisions with trucks occur most often on certain types of roads. Over half of all 18-wheeler truck accidents occur on freeways, interstate highways, or in rural areas.

This is because of the fast speeds involved on highways and potential for a head on collision on rural highways.

Time of day also play a role in truck accidents. Most truck crashes occur between noon and 3:00 pm. The safest time to drive, according to statistics, is between midnight and 3:00 am due to the reduced number of cars and trucks on the roads.

Additionally, weekdays account for the largest number of truck accident fatalities. Many people think weekends would have the highest number, but it is actually Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. According to the FMCSA, half of the accident deaths due to collisions with large trucks occurred on these days.

Truck Crash Attorneys at Georgia Auto Law

The truck accident attorneys at Georgia Auto law specialize solely in these types of accidents. We are experienced in investigating the true causes of truck accidents to secure maximum compensation.

Our investigations include police reports, video footage, photography, witness accounts, accident reconstruction, and black box reports. Our vast experience in truck accident cases means that we know how to help you both with your medical treatment and with the legal knowledge needed to win the case. You do not have to go at this alone, our team is here for you.

If you, or a loved one, have been injured in an accident with a large truck–time is of the essence. Our truck accident attorneys will work day and night to make sure your rights are protected. Call us anytime at 404-662-4949 for a completely free consultation. We are available 24 hours a day.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a Georgia truck-accident claim?

Two years from the date of the crash under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 for personal injury. Cargo or property claims have four years under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-32. However, evidence-preservation letters to the carrier should go out within days to prevent logbook and ELD data from being overwritten.

Can I sue both the truck driver and the trucking company?

Yes. Under Georgia respondeat superior law, the trucking company is generally liable for the driver’s on-duty negligence. The carrier also has independent duties to inspect, train, supervise, and route — violations of those duties create direct claims against the company beyond the driver’s actions.

What evidence is unique to truck-accident cases?

Federal regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration require commercial carriers to maintain driver logs, hours-of-service records, electronic logging device (ELD) data, drug and alcohol test results, maintenance records, and post-crash inspection reports. These records have short retention periods and must be preserved by formal demand.

How much insurance do trucking companies carry in Georgia?

Interstate commercial carriers must maintain at least $750,000 in liability coverage under FMCSA regulations — far above the Georgia auto minimum of $25,000. Many carriers exceed the federal floor and carry $1 million or more, which is why truck-crash recoveries can be substantially larger than passenger-vehicle cases.

Injured in a Georgia Car Accident?

Free consultation — no fee unless we win. Call us today.

No Fee Unless We Win
Free Case Evaluation
Available 24/7
Call NowText Us