Although all truck accidents in Georgia are inherently dangerous, the chances of catastrophic injuries are particularly high in rear-end crashes. Perhaps the most obvious example is when a semi-truck rear-ends a smaller vehicle, and this can obviously cause devastating damage. However, smaller vehicles impact the rears of semi-trailers more often than many realize. These accidents can be just as devastating, although the smaller vehicle still suffers the worst of the impact. Who is at fault in this situation?
Motorist Dies After Rear-Ending Semi-Truck in Georgia
The dangers associated with these crashes were made clear after a recent crash in Georgia. In August of 2024, it was reported that the driver of a KIA had lost their life after slamming into the back of a tractor-trailer.
If you simply read the headline, you might assume that the KIA driver was obviously at fault. However, this situation was more complex – and the KIA driver had virtually no control of their vehicle at the time of impact. Before they slammed into the back of the truck, they, too, were rear-ended by the driver of an SUV. It was this impact that threw the KIA into the back of the semi-truck.
The exact circumstances of this crash are still under investigation. However, this accident shows us that sometimes, drivers are not to blame for slamming into the back of semi-trucks. To determine fault in a truck accident, all parties must carefully consider the circumstances of the collision. These circumstances may be quite complex.
Why are Rear-End Truck Accidents So Dangerous?
Rear-end truck accidents are particularly dangerous because of something called “underriding.” This occurs when a smaller vehicle (such as a sedan) slips underneath the rear trailer after the initial impact. This underriding effect can completely slice off the top of the vehicle’s roof. As you might expect, the driver and passengers are extremely vulnerable to traumatic, catastrophic head injuries in this scenario.
These kinds of truck accidents in Georgia have become quite common, and many are calling for the mandatory installation of rear underride guards on all tractor-trailers. In theory, a simple bar at the back of a semi-truck would prevent smaller vehicles from slipping underneath. This cheap safety feature could dramatically improve the chances of survival for victims of truck accidents.
The Rear Vehicle is Usually to Blame in These Accidents
Although there are certainly exceptions, the rear vehicle is usually at fault in rear-end accidents. This is because all drivers are expected to maintain a safe following distance at all times. If you rear-end someone, the implication is that you were following too closely.
Rear-end accidents may also indicate other types of negligence, such as distraction or intoxication. If someone is texting while driving, they may glance up too late and slam into the back of another vehicle. Drunk or high individuals may also struggle to accurately judge distances between their car and the next vehicle.