Truck Accident Death Lawyer in Decatur, Georgia

Have You Lost Your Loved One in a Truck Accident?

A Unique Approach to Georgia Truck Accident Wrongful Death Cases

At Wrongful Death Krause Law Firm, we take a different approach to truck accident cases in Georgia. While many assume the driver is the primary party at fault, our firm focuses on the trucking company—the entity responsible for putting massive commercial vehicles on the road and ensuring they operate safely. The reality is that truck drivers make mistakes, but the trucking company has a duty to prevent those errors from becoming deadly. When these companies prioritize profit over public safety, they create conditions where preventable tragedies occur, and they must be held accountable.

Trucking companies know that human error is inevitable. They understand that drivers will experience fatigue, make miscalculations, and fail to perform safety checks. Yet, instead of implementing policies to safeguard against these dangers, many companies ignore the risks, push drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines, and cut corners on maintenance. Safety is not just a suggestion—it is a legal and ethical obligation that trucking companies routinely violate in pursuit of higher profits.

Georgia law recognizes that companies can be held liable not just for their negligence but also for the actions of their employees. Pursuing legal action against the trucking company in truck accident wrongful death cases is often more effective than going after the driver alone. Companies, however, frequently try to escape liability by claiming their drivers are independent contractors rather than employees. This tactic is common in the trucking industry, rideshare cases, and taxi services and is designed to limit financial responsibility. At Wrongful Death Krause Law Firm, we know how to challenge these claims and expose the company’s negligence by proving that they failed in their duty to ensure safe operations.

When safety protocols are followed, collisions involving semi-trucks and other large commercial vehicles should never happen. Yet, these devastating crashes continue because companies prioritize efficiency and cost-cutting over public safety. The term “accident” implies an unavoidable event, but nearly every truck crash is preventable. Drivers are often overworked and exhausted due to aggressive scheduling, safety checks are ignored because drivers are paid per delivery rather than for inspections, and truck maintenance is neglected to save money. Given these vehicles’ sheer size and weight—up to 40 tons compared to the average passenger car weighing just over a ton—these failures have catastrophic consequences.

At Wrongful Death Krause Law Firm, we hold trucking companies accountable for the systemic failures that lead to fatal accidents. Our firm investigates unsafe hiring practices, inadequate driver training, neglected maintenance, and regulatory violations to build strong cases against the companies that put profit over safety. When a trucking company’s decisions lead to loss of life, they must answer for the devastation they have caused. If you have lost a loved one in a truck accident, we are here to fight for justice on your behalf. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Skilled Truck Accident Wrongful Death Attorney in Decatur, Georgia

Despite strict safety regulations designed to protect drivers, fatal truck accidents continue to occur at an alarming rate. Collisions involving tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, and other heavy commercial vehicles result in thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of catastrophic injuries each year—many of which are entirely preventable. When negligence, reckless driving, or improper truck maintenance causes a tragic loss, families deserve answers, accountability, and justice.

At Wrongful Death Krause Law Firm, our founder and lead attorney, Roger Krause, understands that losing a loved one in a truck accident is more than just a legal case—it’s a life-altering event. Our firm is dedicated to fighting for families who have suffered the unthinkable due to trucking industry failures, driver negligence, or corporate misconduct. We work tirelessly to investigate the cause of the crash, identify all liable parties, and pursue the maximum compensation available under Georgia law.

If you have lost a family member in a fatal truck accident, you don’t have to face this battle alone. Contact our Decatur truck accident wrongful death lawyers today to discuss your case and take the first step toward securing justice and financial relief for your family.

Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Georgia

Truck accidents are not random events—they are often the result of avoidable mistakes, mechanical failures, or reckless decisions that put innocent drivers at risk. Unlike standard car accidents, collisions involving large commercial trucks are far more destructive, frequently leading to catastrophic injuries or fatalities. These vehicles’ immense weight and size mean even minor errors can have devastating consequences.

Understanding what causes truck accidents is essential in holding the responsible parties accountable and seeking justice for those who have lost loved ones in preventable tragedies. Below are some of the most frequent causes of truck accidents in Dekalb County and throughout Georgia.

Many truck accidents are preventable, and here are some of the most common causes:

• Driver Error

Driver error is when there is carelessness or mistakes on the part of the vehicle operator that cause an accident. Fatigue is alarmingly common among truckers, which can cause miscalculations of speed, misjudgments, and failure to maintain control of a massive vehicle. Truck drivers can also suffer from distractions, such as passenger vehicle drivers. When a truck driver is distracted, the consequences can be even more dire than those who drive a passenger vehicle. Something else contributing to driver error is speeding or driving aggressively to meet the trucking companies’ unrealistic deadlines.

• Poor Vehicle Maintenance

Like you would maintain your car, truck drivers must also maintain their trucks. Failing to maintain these big rigs can often have catastrophic consequences. Drivers must maintain breaks, trailer ties, and other simple areas that can risk causing a fatal accident. This is why drivers perform pre-trip checks and companies must employ competent maintenance personnel.

• Unbalanced Load

Truckers often have something called no-touch-free. This means dockworkers are responsible for property loading and emptying the trailer. However, the driver must still check to ensure their load is balanced and secured adequately before closing the doors. Unbalanced loads are tough to control on windy days or when transitioning between lanes.

• Failures in Equipment

Third parties, such as part manufacturers, could be liable for truck accidents using technology that causes drivers to lose control of their rig. For example, this could be the brakes. Truckers are rough on breaks, demanding more maintenance than your typical passenger vehicle. When the brakes don’t work, are faulty, or have not been installed correctly, tragedy could quickly occur.

If you or a loved one have been involved in a truck accident that ended with a fatality, don’t hesitate to reach out to a truck accident death lawyer in Decatur, GA from the dedicated team at Wrongful Death Krause Law Firm.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Truck Accidents in Georgia?

Determining Liability: Why It Matters

Identifying who is responsible in a fatal truck accident is one of the most critical steps in seeking justice for grieving families. Truck accident cases are far more complex than standard car accidents, where liability typically falls on one of the drivers involved. Multiple parties can be partially or fully responsible, including truck drivers, trucking companies, cargo loaders, maintenance providers, and vehicle manufacturers.

Understanding who caused the crash and how is essential for two reasons:

• Maximizing Compensation– Trucking companies and insurers often try to shift blame and limit their financial responsibility. Identifying all liable parties ensures that families receive the full compensation they are entitled to for funeral expenses, medical bills, lost income, and the pain and suffering caused by the loss of their loved one.
• Preventing Future Negligence– When reckless companies, unsafe drivers, or negligent manufacturers are not held accountable, they endanger other motorists. A wrongful death claim is not just about financial recovery—it is about forcing those responsible to improve safety practices and prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Because many factors contribute to truck accidents, an in-depth investigation is needed to determine who is legally responsible.

The most common parties may be liable after a fatal truck accident in Georgia include:

The Truck Driver

Truck drivers operate massive, heavy vehicles that require special training, skill, and responsibility. If truck drivers act recklessly or fail to follow safety regulations, they can be directly liable for a crash.

Common driver-related causes of truck accidents include:

• Fatigue– Many truckers drive long hours, sometimes exceeding the legal limits for breaks and rest periods. Drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving.
• Speeding and Aggressive Driving– Large trucks take much longer to stop, and speeding can make collisions unavoidable. Tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and excessive speeds are major contributors to truck crashes.
• Distracted Driving– Texting, adjusting GPS, eating, or any distraction behind the wheel significantly increases the risk of an accident.
• Driving Under the Influence– Alcohol and drug use among truck drivers, including stimulants used to stay awake, can impair judgment and reaction time.
• Failure to Inspect the Truck—Truckers must inspect their vehicles before and after trips. They can be held accountable for preventable mechanical failures if they fail to check brakes, tires, or cargo security.

The Trucking Company

Trucking companies are often just as responsible—if not more so—than drivers when accidents occur. Many companies prioritize speed and profits over safety, pushing drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines, cut corners on maintenance, and ignore federal regulations.

A trucking company may be liable if they:

• Encouraged or ignored hours-of-service violations, leading to driver fatigue.
• Failed to train drivers or hired unqualified drivers properly.
• Neglected vehicle inspections and routine maintenance.
• Pressured drivers to meet unrealistic schedules, leading to speeding and reckless driving.
• Allowed overloaded or unbalanced cargo, making the truck unstable.

Under the legal principle of vicarious liability, a trucking company can be held responsible for its drivers’ actions while on duty. Additionally, if the company engaged in negligent hiring, training, or supervision, it may face direct liability for the accident.

Cargo Loading Companies

Many truck accidents occur due to improperly loaded or unsecured cargo. Sometimes, the truck driver does not load the trailer—third-party cargo companies handle this task.

These companies can be liable for accidents if they:

• Failed to properly secure cargo, leading to shifting loads or falling debris.
• Overloaded the truck, exceeding weight limits and making stopping harder.
• Loaded cargo unevenly, causing instability and rollovers.

If a cargo-related issue contributed to the crash, the company responsible for loading the truck could be liable for negligence.

Truck and Parts Manufacturers

Sometimes, truck accidents happen not because of driver error but because of mechanical failures caused by defective truck parts. The manufacturer may be held responsible under product liability laws if a poorly designed or defective component contributed to the crash.

Common defective parts that lead to truck accidents include:

• Faulty brakes that fail under regular use.
• Defective tires that blow out unexpectedly.
• Malfunctioning steering or suspension systems.

If an investigation reveals that a manufacturing defect caused the accident, the truck or parts manufacturer may be liable for damages.

Truck Maintenance and Repair Companies

Trucks require constant upkeep to remain roadworthy, and many companies outsource vehicle maintenance to third-party repair providers. If a mechanic or maintenance company fails to inspect, repair, or replace critical components properly, they may be liable for the accident.

Examples include:

• Failing to replace worn-out brakes, tires, or other essential parts.
• Neglecting routine inspections and maintenance checklists.
• Improperly repairing engine or steering components.

If poor maintenance contributed to a fatal crash, the repair company or mechanic responsible for the oversight could be held accountable.

How Wrongful Death Krause Law Firm Can Help

Truck accident cases are far more complicated than typical car accidents, as multiple parties may be responsible for the crash. Trucking companies and insurers will aggressively defend themselves, trying to shift blame onto others—or even onto the victim.

At Wrongful Death Krause Law Firm, we conduct a thorough investigation to:

• Identify all liable parties, ensuring families receive full compensation.
• Gather black box data, driver logs, and maintenance records to prove negligence.
• Work with accident reconstruction experts to determine precisely how the crash occurred.
• Fight against trucking company legal teams and insurers trying to deny responsibility.

Losing a loved one in a fatal truck accident is devastating, and you shouldn’t have to fight for justice alone. Let us help you hold the responsible parties accountable.

Contact Our Skilled Truck Accident Wrongful Death Attorney in Decatur, Georgia

Losing a loved one in a fatal truck accident is devastating, leaving families with grief, uncertainty, and a need for justice. At Wrongful Death Krause Law Firm, we fight to hold negligent truck drivers, companies, and other liable parties accountable, ensuring families receive the answers and compensation they deserve.

Truck accident wrongful death cases are complex and require immediate action to preserve evidence and build a strong claim. Georgia law limits the filing time, and trucking companies will aggressively defend themselves. Let us handle the legal battle while you focus on healing. Contact our DeKalb County truck accident wrongful death attorneys today for a free consultation.