Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Georgia – Who Is Liable?

Truck crashes aren’t random—they almost always trace back to preventable mistakes. At Ugwonali Law Group, we help victims across Atlanta and surrounding counties uncover the causes of truck accidents in Georgia and fight for accountability. From fatigued drivers on I-285 to overloaded trailers barreling through Cobb County, our legal team knows how to investigate wrecks and build a powerful case for compensation.


Whether your crash involved an 18-wheeler, box truck, or commercial hauler, determining the cause is the first step toward justice.

What Causes Most Truck Accidents in Georgia?

While every crash is unique, common truck accident causes in Atlanta often fall into the following categories:


Driver Fatigue
Long-haul truckers often push past legal limits, violating Hours-of-Service regulations meant to prevent drowsy driving. A fatigued driver can fall asleep behind the wheel or suffer slowed reaction times—both deadly at highway speeds.


Speeding & Reckless Driving
Trucks take far longer to stop. When drivers speed on I-20 or weave through dense Midtown traffic, the risk of a deadly collision rises dramatically.


Distracted Driving
Texting, checking GPS, eating, or even adjusting the radio while operating an 80,000-pound vehicle can be catastrophic. Cell phone use behind the wheel is a growing problem across Georgia.


Driving Under the Influence
While less common, DUI truck crashes are particularly dangerous. Whether under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or stimulants used to stay awake, an impaired driver is a liability to everyone on the road.


Poor Truck Maintenance
Bald tires, worn brakes, broken lights—when companies cut corners on safety, their trucks become rolling hazards. Mechanical failure is a leading contributor to major crashes on Georgia highways.


Overloaded or Improperly Loaded Cargo
Trucks that are too heavy or unevenly loaded can tip over, jackknife, or spill dangerous cargo across the road. Loading companies and drivers may both be responsible in these situations.


Weather + Heavy Vehicles
Rain, fog, and steep hills like those outside of Stone Mountain can be treacherous for commercial trucks. Speeding or braking too late on wet roads can cause deadly pileups.


Inadequate Hiring or Training
Some crashes can be traced back to trucking companies that fail to vet or properly train drivers. A driver without the right experience or credentials can make life-threatening mistakes under pressure.

How We Prove the Cause of a Truck Crash

Establishing the cause isn’t guesswork—it’s legal investigation. Our Atlanta truck crash attorneys move quickly to secure evidence that tells the full story:


  • Driver logs and black box data to prove fatigue or speeding
  • Maintenance records to show brake or tire neglect
  • Cell phone records in distraction cases
  • Cargo manifests and photos from the scene
  • Surveillance or dash cam footage if available
  • Hiring files and training documents from the trucking company


We work with accident reconstruction specialists, medical experts, and industry investigators to make your case undeniable.


Learn what to do immediately after a truck crash

Liability Depends on the Cause—Here’s Who Might Be at Fault

Uncovering the root cause reveals who’s legally responsible:


  • Drowsy driver? Both the trucker and the company that pushed their schedule may be liable.
  • Mechanical failure? The trucking company or a third-party maintenance crew.
  • Improper loading? A subcontracted cargo handler, shipping broker, or driver.
  • DUI? The driver, and sometimes the company, depending on their hiring practices.
  • Untrained driver? The company that put them on the road.


These cases often involve multiple defendants, each with legal teams trying to shift blame. We make sure the right people are held accountable—and the victim doesn’t get lost in the finger-pointing.

Case Example: Hours-of-Service Violation on I-20

After a violent rear-end crash near Douglasville, our client was left with spinal injuries. The truck driver had been on the road 14 hours—well beyond legal limits. Our team obtained the ELD (electronic logging device) data, proved the driver violated FMCSA regulations, and held the trucking company liable for pressuring their schedule. The result: a six-figure settlement covering medical bills, lost income, and future care.

Most of These Crashes Were Preventable—That’s Why the Law Allows Recovery

Almost every truck crash is the result of negligence—a driver pushed too far, a company skipping maintenance, a corner cut on safety. When that negligence changes your life, Georgia law allows you to pursue compensation for what you’ve lost—and what you’ll need to move forward.



Not sure what caused your accident? You don’t have to figure it out alone.

Let Us Investigate Your Truck Accident

Our team will dig into the evidence, identify every liable party, and fight to get you the compensation you deserve. From downtown Atlanta to Roswell, Decatur to East Point, we help truck crash victims across the metro area recover with dignity.