Hurt in a Truck Crash Near Hartsfield-Jackson? Talk With Terance Madden.

A truck accident lawyer near Hartsfield-Jackson airport represents people hurt in crashes with commercial trucks. That same work covers families of people killed in these crashes. This page explains where these crashes happen, who may be responsible, the injuries involved, and the steps a claim takes in Georgia.

What a Truck Accident Lawyer Handles Near Hartsfield-Jackson and I-285

A truck accident lawyer represents people injured in crashes involving tractor-trailers, delivery trucks and other commercial vehicles. The work also includes families when a truck crash causes a death.

T. Madden & Associates, P.C. is a Georgia personal injury firm whose lawyer is Terance Madden. Terance Madden has been in practice since 1999.

The firm also handles car and motorcycle crashes, e-bike accidents, slip and falls, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, negligent security and wrongful death cases.

This page is written for:

• Drivers and passengers hurt in a crash with a semi or delivery truck on I-285 or near the airport.
• Pedestrians and bystanders injured in the airport corridor.
• Families facing a wrongful death claim after a truck crash.

Where Truck Crashes Happen Around the Airport and I-285

Some truck crashes near Hartsfield-Jackson may involve freight moving through heavy commuter traffic. Cargo and delivery trucks move to and from airport facilities, warehouses and distribution sites in the surrounding area.

Common crash patterns include:

• Lane changes and merges on I-285, where a truck driver may not see a car in a blind spot.
• Sudden slowdowns, when a loaded truck needs far more distance to stop than a passenger car.
• Rear-end impacts behind slowing traffic near interchanges.
• Turns across traffic on surface streets and in and out of commercial lots.

Scene evidence matters. Traffic cameras and business surveillance video may record a crash, and those recordings can be overwritten over time. Asking early helps keep them. Our team can work to preserve that evidence.

Who Can Be Held Responsible in a Truck Crash

More than one person or company can share responsibility for a truck crash. A truck accident lawyer near Hartsfield-Jackson airport looks at each party whose conduct may have contributed.

• The truck driver, for how the truck was driven.
• The motor carrier, the company that operated the truck, for how it hired, trained, supervised and maintained the driver and the vehicle.
• Other parties whose conduct contributed, such as a cargo loader or a maintenance contractor.

Federal rules limit driving time. Under federal rules at § 395.3, a commercial driver hauling property generally may not get behind the wheel without first spending at least 10 hours off duty in a row. For property-carrying drivers, the hours-of-service limits under 49 C.F.R. § 395.3 include an 11-hour driving limit and a bar on driving after the end of a 14-consecutive-hour period that begins after 10 consecutive hours off duty, subject to exceptions such as adverse driving conditions and short-haul operations. Hours-of-service records can show whether those limits were followed.

Georgia’s fault rule works in a specific way. Under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33, a judge reduces damages in proportion to the injured person’s fault. A person who is 50 percent or more responsible cannot receive any damages (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33 (Quynn v. Hulsey, 310 Ga. 473 (2020))(g)). Under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33, damages are generally apportioned among those at fault according to their percentage of fault, subject to the statute’s exceptions as amended.

Insurance has its own limits. Under O.C.G.A. § 40-1-112, an injured person may join a motor carrier’s insurer in the same lawsuit only in limited situations. Under O.C.G.A. § 40-1-112, the statute lists specific situations in which a motor carrier’s insurer may be joined, including when the motor carrier itself is insolvent or bankrupt, or when personal service cannot be made after reasonable diligence.

Injuries Common in Truck Crashes

Large trucks can cause serious injuries that last long after the crash. Truck crashes can cause injuries such as:

• Spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries, which can affect movement, memory and the ability to work.
• Broken bones, internal organ damage, burns and crush injuries.
• Catastrophic injuries that cause permanent impairment or long-term care needs.
• Anxiety, nightmares and fear of driving after a large-vehicle crash.

Medical bills are part of many claims. Under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-1.1, medical expense damages are limited to the reasonable value of medically necessary care, treatment or services. Keep every bill, record and appointment note.

Under O.C.G.A. § 51-4-2, a surviving spouse brings the claim for the death of a spouse and must share the recovery with the decedent’s children, while children bring the claim for the death of a parent only if there is no surviving spouse. In some situations, other family members or the estate may also bring a claim. Under O.C.G.A. § 51-4-2, recovery is measured by the full value of the decedent’s life, as shown by the evidence.

What to Do After a Truck Crash and How the Case Moves Forward

Get medical care first, then preserve evidence and speak with a lawyer before giving any statement to the trucking company’s insurer.

• Get medical care, even if injuries seem minor. Some injuries, such as brain injuries, can take time to show.
• Call 911 and ask for a police report.
• Write down the truck’s company name, USDOT number and license plate. Photograph the scene and the damage.
• Ask for insurance information from the driver and the company.

Records matter. Federal rules at § 396.11 generally require motor carriers to maintain the driver vehicle inspection report, the certification of repairs, and the certification of the driver’s review for three months from the date the written report was prepared, though the rule has exceptions for certain operations. Early requests help make sure those records still exist.

A typical claim moves through these steps:

1. Free case evaluation. The crash facts and your injuries are reviewed.
2. Investigation. This may include the police report, driver logs, maintenance records and data from the truck.
3. Claim. A demand goes to the insurers, negotiations follow, and a lawsuit is filed if needed.
4. Resolution. The case ends in a settlement or a trial. How long this takes depends on the facts, the injuries and the court schedule.

Georgia’s general deadline for injury lawsuits is two years after the right of action accrues, under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. Other periods can apply in some cases, so early action matters.

Fees, Costs and Who You Will Work With

Your first consultation is free, confidential and with no obligation to continue.

• Fee basis: The firm works on a no fee unless we win basis. You may still be responsible for court costs and case expenses.
• Responsible lawyer: Terance Madden is the firm’s lawyer.
• Support staff: The firm’s assistants and office staff support the work on each case.
• Offices: Atlanta, Decatur, Jonesboro (Clayton County), Macon and Augusta.

Truck Accident Lawyer FAQs

Can you sue a truck driver?

Georgia law generally allows an action against one or more persons whose conduct caused the injury, and that can include the driver, though in some situations, such as when workers’ compensation exclusivity applies, that action may be limited.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit?

Georgia’s general deadline for injury lawsuits is two years after the right of action accrues (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33). Other periods can apply in some cases.

How long does a truck accident lawsuit take?

Timing varies with the injuries, the parties and the court schedule. No timeline is promised.

Can I still recover if I was partly at fault?

Yes, if your share of fault is less than 50 percent. Your damages are reduced in proportion to your share of fault.

Talk With Our Team About Your Truck Crash

If a semi or delivery truck hurt you or someone you love near the airport or on I-285, our team can review what happened during a free first consultation that is confidential, with no obligation to continue. You may be facing hospital bills, missed work and calls from an insurer while you recover. A free, confidential conversation can clarify your options under Georgia law.

Ready to act? Request a free case evaluation, or call our team any time, 24/7.

This page gives general information about Georgia law. This page is published by attorney Terance Madden of T. Madden & Associates, P.C., with offices in Jonesboro (Clayton County), Atlanta, Decatur, Macon and Augusta, Georgia.