Trucking companies and their insurers begin protecting themselves within hours of a crash. They dispatch investigators, preserve only the records that favor their position, and coach drivers on what to say. Savannah truck accident lawyers at Hasner Law match that urgency on your side.
Hasner Law is a personal injury and workers’ compensation firm with offices on York Street in Savannah and in Atlanta, and our attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for clients injured in commercial vehicle collisions across Georgia. Call (912) 234-2334 for a free case review.
What Makes a Truck Accident Claim Different from a Car Accident Case?
A truck accident claim in Georgia is fundamentally different from a standard car crash case. Commercial trucks are governed by federal regulations that do not apply to passenger vehicles, and the number of potentially liable parties often extends well beyond the driver.
The trucking company, the cargo loader, the maintenance contractor, and the truck manufacturer may all bear some responsibility for a single collision.
Federal Regulations Add Layers of Accountability
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets safety rules that apply to every commercial motor vehicle operating in interstate commerce.
These include hours-of-service limits that restrict how long a driver may operate before resting, maintenance and inspection requirements, drug and alcohol testing protocols, and electronic logging device (ELD) mandates that track driving time digitally.
When a trucking company or driver violates any of these rules, those violations become evidence of negligence in your injury claim. A Savannah truck accident attorney at Hasner Law knows where to find these records and how to use them.
Multiple Parties May Share Liability
Unlike a two-car collision where fault typically falls on one driver, a truck crash may involve shared responsibility among several parties. Your Savannah truck accident lawyers at Hasner Law investigate every link in the chain to identify all parties that may owe you compensation.
- The truck driver who was behind the wheel at the time of the crash
- The motor carrier or trucking company that hired the driver, set the delivery timeline, and maintained the vehicle
- A third-party maintenance provider that failed to properly service the brakes, tires, or other safety systems
- The cargo loading company that improperly secured freight, causing a shift that destabilized the truck
- The manufacturer of a defective truck part, such as a faulty brake assembly or tire
Identifying every liable party early in the process is what separates a thorough truck accident claim from one that leaves money on the table.
How Do Savannah Truck Accident Lawyers at Hasner Law Investigate Your Crash?
Hasner Law is a Savannah-based personal injury firm whose attorneys have more than 100 years of combined legal experience across Georgia. Managing Partner Stephen Hasner, a graduate of St. Thomas University School of Law, co-founded the Georgia Injured Workers’ Advocates (GIWA).
Senior Attorney Thomas Gore, based in our Savannah office and a Cum Laude graduate of Mercer University School of Law, handles truck collision cases in Chatham County Superior Court and throughout the region.
Preserving Evidence Before It Disappears
Our attorneys send a spoliation letter to the trucking company on the day you hire us. A spoliation letter is a formal legal notice demanding that the company preserve all records related to the crash.
Without this notice, trucking companies may overwrite electronic logging data, discard inspection reports, or repair the truck before an independent review takes place.
The evidence we demand through this notice includes:
- Electronic logging device (ELD) data showing the driver’s hours behind the wheel in the days and weeks leading up to the collision
- Pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspection reports filed by the driver
- Maintenance and repair records for the truck and trailer
- Results of any post-accident drug or alcohol testing administered to the driver
- Dispatch communications, delivery schedules, and route assignments that may reveal pressure to meet unrealistic deadlines
Trucking companies know that this evidence matters. The sooner Hasner Law gets involved, the harder it is for them to let it slip away.
Building the Case Beyond the Police Report
Police reports capture basic facts at the scene but rarely reflect the full story behind a truck collision.
Our team conducts an independent investigation that includes visiting the crash site, downloading available traffic and surveillance camera footage, consulting with accident reconstruction professionals, and reviewing the truck’s maintenance history and the driver’s employment file.
Call (912) 234-2334 to put Hasner Law’s truck accident investigation team to work on your case.
What Causes Commercial Truck Crashes in and Around Savannah?
Savannah sits at the intersection of I-16 and I-95, two of the busiest freight corridors on the East Coast. The Port of Savannah, one of the largest container ports in the country, generates heavy commercial truck traffic on local roads and highways throughout Chatham County.
That volume of truck activity creates conditions where driver error or company negligence leads to devastating collisions.
Fatigued Driving and Hours-of-Service Violations
Federal law limits property-carrying truck drivers to 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour on-duty window, followed by a mandatory 10 consecutive hours off duty.
Some drivers and carriers push past those limits to meet tight delivery schedules, and fatigue behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound vehicle produces slower reaction times and impaired judgment.
Distracted and Impaired Driving
Truck drivers who text, browse a GPS, or eat while driving face the same distraction risks as any motorist, but the consequences multiply with the size and weight of their vehicle.
Georgia’s Hands-Free Act under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241 applies to commercial drivers, and the FMCSA imposes additional restrictions on handheld device use for CMV operators.
Improper Loading and Cargo Shifts
A poorly loaded trailer may shift during transit, causing the truck to jackknife, roll over, or lose cargo onto the roadway. The company or crew responsible for loading the freight may share liability when improper securement contributes to a crash.
Deferred Maintenance and Equipment Failures
Worn brake pads, underinflated tires, cracked axles, and malfunctioning lights all increase the risk of a serious collision.
When a trucking company skips required inspections or delays repairs to keep a truck in service, they may bear direct responsibility for the resulting crash.
What Types of Injuries Result from Truck Accidents in Savannah?
The sheer size and weight difference between a commercial truck and a passenger vehicle means truck crash injuries are often far more severe than those in car-on-car collisions.
Many of these injuries require long-term treatment, multiple surgeries, and ongoing rehabilitation.
- Traumatic brain injuries ranging from concussions to severe damage that permanently affects cognition, memory, and personality
- Spinal cord injuries that may cause partial or complete paralysis, chronic pain, and loss of bladder or bowel control
- Crush injuries to the chest, pelvis, and extremities that may require amputation or result in permanent disability
- Severe burns from fuel fires or chemical spills, particularly in crashes involving tanker trucks on I-95 or I-16
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding from blunt force trauma that may not produce visible symptoms for hours
Truck accident injuries frequently require a lifetime of medical care. Documenting every symptom, treatment, and prognosis from day one protects the long-term value of your claim.
What Compensation May Be Available After a Truck Accident in Savannah?
Georgia’s modified comparative negligence rule under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33 allows you to recover damages as long as your share of fault remains below 50%. In Georgia, if you are found partially at fault, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
If your fault reaches 50% or more, Georgia law bars recovery entirely. Commercial truck accident claims often involve higher damages than car accident cases because the injuries tend to be more severe and the medical costs more extensive.
A Savannah truck accident attorney at Hasner Law pursues compensation across every category of loss your case supports, including medical expenses from emergency care through future treatment, lost wages and diminished earning capacity, physical pain, emotional distress, reduced quality of life, and property damage.
In cases where the trucking company or driver acted with extreme recklessness, Georgia law may also permit punitive damages to penalize that conduct.
Georgia’s statute of limitations under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 gives you two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing that deadline eliminates your right to pursue your claim in court.
Ask Hasner Law
Is it worth hiring a lawyer for a truck accident, or is the trucking company’s insurance going to pay anyway?
Trucking companies carry large insurance policies, but large coverage does not mean a fair payout. Their insurers hire defense teams whose sole purpose is to minimize what they pay you. Hasner Law’s Savannah truck accident attorneys apply the same level of resources and preparation to your side of the case, using federal safety records, ELD data, and independent crash reconstruction to build a claim that reflects your actual losses.
What if the truck driver was an independent contractor and not an employee?
Trucking companies sometimes classify drivers as independent contractors to try to avoid liability for crashes. Your attorney at Hasner Law examines the actual working relationship, including who controlled the driver’s schedule, routes, and equipment. In many cases, the carrier still bears responsibility regardless of how the driver is classified on paper.
How long does a truck accident case take compared to a regular car accident claim?
Truck accident cases typically take longer because they involve federal regulations, multiple liable parties, and more complex evidence. Some cases resolve within several months through negotiation, while others go to litigation and may take a year or longer. Hasner Law keeps you informed at every stage and never pressures you into accepting a settlement that undervalues your claim.
FAQs for Savannah Truck Accident Lawyers
Do I have a truck accident case if the police report says I was partially at fault?
A police report is one piece of evidence, not a final determination. Officers rely on limited information at the scene and may not have access to the truck’s electronic logging data, maintenance records, or driver history. Hasner Law’s attorneys conduct an independent investigation and frequently uncover evidence that changes the fault picture. Under Georgia’s comparative negligence rule, you may still recover compensation if your share of fault stays below 50%.
What if the trucking company’s insurance adjuster already contacted me?
Do not give a recorded statement or sign any documents before speaking with a Savannah truck accident lawyer. Adjusters for commercial carriers are trained to gather information that reduces the company’s exposure. Politely decline and let Hasner Law handle all communication from that point forward.
How much does it cost to hire Hasner Law for a truck accident case?
Hasner Law handles truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront costs, and the firm only collects a fee if we recover compensation for you. Your initial consultation is free and carries no obligation.
What evidence matters most in a truck accident lawsuit?
The truck’s electronic logging device data, driver qualification files, maintenance and inspection records, dispatch communications, and post-accident drug or alcohol test results are often the most impactful pieces of evidence. Surveillance footage, witness testimony, and accident reconstruction analysis also play a significant role. Hasner Law moves quickly to preserve all of this evidence before the trucking company has a chance to alter or discard it.
What if someone died in the truck accident?
If a family member lost their life in a trucking collision, the surviving spouse, children, or parents may have a wrongful death claim under Georgia law. The filing deadline and the rules for who may bring the claim are specific and must be followed precisely. Attorney Stephen Hasner and the team at Hasner Law guide families through this process with care and thoroughness during an extremely difficult time.
Put Savannah Truck Accident Lawyers at Hasner Law on Your Side Today
The trucking company hired its legal team within hours of the crash. Every day you wait gives them more time to shape the narrative, discard inconvenient records, and build a defense against your claim.
Hasner Law’s Savannah office represents individuals injured in truck accidents throughout Chatham County and across Georgia.
Led by Managing Partner Stephen Hasner and supported by Senior Attorneys Judy Blackwell, Thomas Gore, and Pearce Taylor, our team handles claims against commercial carriers and their insurers with thorough preparation and dedicated resources.
We work to recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and the broader effects the crash has had on your life.
Call (912) 234-2334 for a free consultation with a Savannah truck accident lawyer at Hasner Law. The call is free, the case review is free, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
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Hasner Law: Savannah Injury & Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
221 W York St
Savannah, GA 31401
