Tractor-trailer accidents in Cobb County are always a cause for concern. The weight and momentum of these vehicles make catastrophic injuries likely, and these crashes can be highly traumatic. Even if a motorist collides with a tractor-trailer at relatively low speeds, the consequences could be life-altering. A recent crash illustrates just how dangerous these crashes can be, and it should serve as a warning for all residents of Cobb County.
Two Injuries Reported After Tractor-Trailer Crash on I-75
In late February 2025, Fox 5 Atlanta reported that a serious tractor-trailer crash had occurred in Cobb County. This incident took place on I-75 and involved a pickup truck towing a utility trailer. Police say that at about 11:00 AM, the pickup truck slammed into the back of the tractor-trailer, causing an “underriding” impact that left the front of the pickup wedged underneath the rear trailer.
The truck suffered considerable damage, and two victims were left trapped inside the mangled vehicle. These individuals had to be extricated by first responders before they were transported to a nearby hospital with what were described as “serious injuries.” Somehow, the driver of the semi-truck was also entrapped – although he was not injured. I-75 was completely shut down as first responders worked to clear the scene.
Police have already announced that the pickup truck was to blame for the collision, and they say that the driver of this vehicle was following the tractor-trailer too closely. However, the Georgia State Patrol also reported that they were continuing to investigate the crash – and other details could emerge.
Can You Still File an Injury Claim if You Rear-Ended a Semi-Truck in Georgia?
It may still be possible to pursue compensation if you rear-ended a semi-truck. Georgia follows a system of “modified comparative negligence,” which means you can sue even if you partially contributed to your own accident. However, this system is “modified” and not “pure,” which means it has limitations.
In Georgia, you lose the right to pursue an injury claim if you were more than 49% responsible for your accident. If you were 50% responsible or more, you lost the right to sue.
The issue is that most of the time, the driver who rear-ends another vehicle is considered the main cause of a rear-end collision. As noted by Georgia State Patrol, these crashes are almost always caused by motorists who follow other vehicles too closely. It is important to give yourself plenty of following room – especially on the highway or any other road with a high speed limit.
That being said, there are plenty of situations in which a following motorist is not the primary reason for a rear-end crash. For example, a trucker might suddenly veer into your lane and cut you off, causing you to slam into the back of their trailer. They might also merge onto a highway without signaling or checking, causing you to rear-end them.
The trucker might have suddenly slammed on the brakes for no reason, leaving you little time to react. Perhaps you crashed into a parked or disabled semi-truck in the night, and the trucker failed to activate their hazard lights.