{"id":372830,"date":"2019-05-13T15:47:57","date_gmt":"2019-05-13T20:47:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/georgia-law\/what-to-do-after-a-truck-accident-in-georgia.html"},"modified":"2019-05-14T11:03:29","modified_gmt":"2019-05-14T16:03:29","slug":"what-to-do-after-a-truck-accident-in-georgia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/georgia-law\/what-to-do-after-a-truck-accident-in-georgia.html","title":{"rendered":"What to Do After a Truck Accident in Georgia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

What to Do After a Truck Accident in Georgia<\/h1>\n
\n
\n

Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Being involved in any vehicle collision is never a pleasant experience. However, if your car is involved in a truck accident<\/a>, the experience can be even more intense and result in major injuries, or even death, due to the strength and weight of the truck. The Atlanta area and other parts of Georgia are known as traffic meccas and numerous truck accidents have occurred on the heavily traveled highways, including Interstate 85, and the I-285 Beltway. Therefore, it helps to be prepared and to know what to do after a truck accident in Georgia.<\/p>\r\n

Initial Steps to Take at the Scene<\/h2>\r\n

There are first steps that one should take after any accident<\/a>. First, you should stop and remain at the scene. Call for first responders as appropriate and render aid as needed. You should also exchange license and insurance information and driver contact information. You can also document the scene by taking photos and speaking with witnesses.<\/p>\r\n

Governing Law<\/h2>\r\n

Georgia has adopted the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations<\/a>, which means that these safety rules also apply to large trucks traveling within the state of Georgia except for a few changes. One provision where Georgia law deviates from the federal regulations is that of the driver’s age requirements. Truck drivers must be at least 18 for an instructional permit or license to operate a commercial vehicle within the state of Georgia only; the age requirement is 21 to cross the state line.<\/p>\r\n

Civil Liability in Truck Accident Cases<\/h2>\r\n

If you’re involved in a truck accident, before you can show the wrongdoing of the driver or other parties, you must first show that the driver and his employer are liable for your injuries. Typically, this is achieved based on the theory of vicarious liability<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Possible defendants who could face civil liability resulting from a truck accident include the following:<\/p>\r\n