Athens/Clarke County Georgia Trucking Accidents

Athens, the “Classic City” and home of the University of Georgia, can be a good place for trial of a catastrophic personal injury or wrongful death arising from a tractor trailer, big rig, semi truck or other commercial motor carrier accidents.

Founded as a frontier trading settlement on the Oconee River in the late 1700s, was the site of the first land grant state university in the nation, when Franklin College (later the University of Georgia) was chartered in 1785 and eventually established in 1801.That same year, Clarke County was established, named after frontier Revolutionary War hero Elijah Clarke. The village was named for Athens, Greece, site of the academy of Plato and Aristotle, and the town and the university grew up together.

During the Cold War, Athens was designated to become the capital of Georgia if Atlanta were incinerated by an atomic bomb. Some loyal Bulldog fans might say that it would be a good idea even now.

Civil cases in Athens are tried in the Superior Court of Clarke County, the State Court of Clarke County, or the U. S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, which has a courthouse in Athens. Many interstate motor carrier cases are litigated in federal court because the plaintiffs and defendants are residents of different states.

Ken Shigley has litigated cases in Clarke County and the Middle District of Georgia on and off since the mid-1980’s. He has strong friendships among Athens and Clarke County lawyers, and is comfortable about trying cases there.

Mr. Shigley is available to meet with prospective clients by appointment in Athens.