Key Takeaways:
- Co-founder Christy Crowe Childers, Esq. is a nationally recognized authority in trucking law who presents on truck accident cases at State Bar seminars.
- Childers & McCain, LLC handles big rig cases on a “contingency fee” basis, so clients owe no lawyer fees unless the firm recovers compensation.
- Savannah sits at the junction of I-95 and I-16, freight corridors that feed the Port of Savannah and create heavy truck traffic.
- Catastrophic injuries often exceed a passenger vehicle policy’s limit, so big rig settlements can reach into the hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars.
Savannah highways carry heavy commercial truck traffic daily, largely because of the Port of Savannah, one of the busiest container ports in the nation. When a fully loaded semi-truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the results often become catastrophic. If a big rig struck you or a loved one on I-95, I-16, or another local roadway, our experienced Savannah truck accident lawyers at Childers & McCain, LLC represent injured victims throughout coastal Georgia.
Why Big Rig Crashes Cause Catastrophic Injuries
A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while the average passenger car weighs closer to 4,000 pounds, so passenger vehicle occupants absorb most of the crash force. Large truck crashes killed 5,340 people nationwide in 2024, and occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles accounted for 62% of those deaths. In Georgia, large trucks were involved in 12% of all fatal crashes in 2023, according to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. Savannah drivers face particular risk, since I-16 and I-95 funnel port-bound freight through Chatham County daily.
Federal Regulations Trucking Companies Must Follow
Federal law imposes strict safety requirements on interstate trucking companies. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration enforces hours-of-service regulations that limit how long a driver may remain behind the wheel without rest. Fatigued driving remains a leading cause of big rig crashes, so these rules exist to protect other motorists. When a trucking company violates them, that violation often becomes strong evidence of negligence in a claim.
Recovering Damages After a Big Rig Accident
Georgia law allows injured victims to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, permanent disability, and pain and suffering. Families who lose a loved one in a fatal crash may also pursue a “wrongful death” claim. Georgia generally gives victims two years from the crash date to file a lawsuit, and its “modified comparative negligence” rule lets an injured person recover damages while holding less than 50% of the fault. Our Savannah truck accident lawyers at Childers & McCain, LLC investigate every liable party to identify all available sources of compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
How much does a big rig accident lawyer in Savannah, GA, cost?
Childers & McCain, LLC handles big rig cases on a contingency fee basis. Clients pay lawyer fees only after the firm recovers compensation on their behalf.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Georgia?
Georgia law generally provides two years from the crash date to file suit. Waiting too long can jeopardize your right to compensation.
Who can be held liable for a big rig accident?
“Liability” can extend beyond the truck driver to the trucking company, a cargo loading company, or a parts manufacturer.
What happens if I was partially at fault for the crash?
Georgia’s comparative negligence rule allows recovery while holding less than 50% of the fault. The final award gets reduced by that percentage.
Speak With Our Experienced Savannah Truck Accident Lawyers at Childers & McCain, LLC for Help Getting the Compensation You Deserve if You Were Injured by a Big Rig
You do not have to face a trucking company and its insurance adjusters alone. Our Savannah truck accident lawyers at Childers & McCain, LLC are here to handle your big rig accident case. For a free consultation, call us today at 478-254-2007 or complete our online contact form. Located in Macon, Georgia, we gladly serve clients throughout the surrounding areas.