Answers from a nationally board certified truck accident trial lawyer.

Founded in 1949, Johnson & Ward was the first personal injury and wrongful death specialty law firm in Atlanta. Ken Shigley is a former president of the State Bar of Georgia, author of eleven annual editions of a book on Georgia injury law practice, and a nationally board-certified Truck Accident Law specialist.

Why are Georgia log truck accidents especially deadly?

Log trucks in Georgia often carry extra-long logs that stick out far behind the trailer. These logs can be hard to see, especially at night, in morning or evening twilight, or in poor weather. If a car hits the end of these logs, the results can be deadly.

Why

Georgia only requires $100,000 in liability insurance for log trucks that stay within the state. That’s not enough for cases involving serious injury or wrongful death. Our law firm knows how to find extra layers of insurance to help victims recover much more.

Can the logs block a driver’s view?

Yes. Logs that stick out can hide the truck’s lights and make it hard for other drivers to tell how long the load is. This creates visual confusion and increases the risk of crashes—especially in low light or at night.

Do the logs swing out when the truck turns?

Yes. Long logs often swing wide during turns and can move into nearby lanes. We’ve seen tragic cases where this caused deadly crashes when logs blocked part of the road in the dark.

Are Georgia’s log truck safety rules strong enough?

No. Log trucks that stay in Georgia follow state rules, not the tougher federal rules. These state rules were made by the logging industry and don’t cover many serious dangers, like long logs sticking far off the trailer.

Do police check log trucks for safety?

Not often. Georgia law says trucks need a red light and flag visible from 500 feet, but these are usually dim, broken, or dirty. With too few officers on the roads, unsafe trucks often go unchecked.

Are log truck drivers properly trained?

Usually not. In Georgia, log truck drivers can be as young as 18 and only need basic training. Most are not taught the special dangers of hauling long logs. This lack of training puts everyone on the road at risk.

Do small-town police know how to handle log truck accidents?

Many rural officers aren’t trained in log truck safety rules. They may miss important details, like how far the logs stick out or how visible the trailer was. At Johnson & Ward, we know what to look for, even if others don’t.

Will jurors in rural counties be fair?

That can be a problem. In small towns, logging is a big business, and jurors often know truck drivers or companies. They may not see anything wrong with how log trucks operate. We work hard to move cases to urban counties, where jurors can look at the facts without bias.

What should I do if I was injured in a log truck accident?

Contact Johnson & Ward right away. We’ve handled many log truck injury and death cases across Georgia. We know the tricks insurance companies use—and how to beat them. Let our experience work for you.

Free Consultation – No Fee Unless We Win

Call us now or fill out our free case review form. If a log truck hurt you or your family, we’re ready to fight for the justice you deserve.

If you or a loved one have been victims of a catastrophic log truck accident, submit our inquiry form or call us now at 404-253-7862.

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Johnson & Ward has been a leading personal injury and wrongful death specialty law firm in Atlanta since 1949. The founders of the firm were also among the founders of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association. Current partners include former presidents of the State Bar of Georgia and the Atlanta Bar Association.

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Ken Shigley, senior counsel at Johnson & Ward, is a former president of the State Bar of Georgia (2011-12). He was the first Georgia lawyer to earn three board certifications from the National Board of Trial Advocacy (Civil Trial Advocacy, Civil Pretrial Advocacy, and Truck Accident Law). In 2019, he received the Traditions of Excellence Award for lifetime achievement. Mr. Shigley was the lead author of eleven editions of Georgia Law of Torts: Trial Preparation and Practice (Thomson Reuters, 2010-21). He graduated from Furman University and Emory University Law School, and completed certificate courses in trial practice, negotiation and mediation at Harvard Law School.