Marietta Injury Lawyer Blog
Fiery truck crashes are relatively common in Georgia, and a recent incident has claimed a man’s life. Now, his family is attempting to sue a trucking company for their loss – claiming that it hired a trucker with a history of “negligent or reckless” driving. This case highlights the fact that trucking companies often shoulder responsibility for the reckless actions of their drivers. What can you do if you were injured in a fiery Georgia truck crash? What if you lost a loved one to an incident like this?
Man Burns to Death After Being Struck by Truck in Georgia
In May 2024, two trucks entered an intersection on Georgia Highway 112. One truck had the right of way, while the other rolled through a stop sign and struck the other vehicle. The “T-bone” collision was so intense that it sparked a major fire. After being struck, the trucker in the t-boned vehicle managed to jump out of his cab. However, his body was on fire – and the flames eventually claimed his life.
A few months later, the family filed a lawsuit against the trucking company involved in the collision. They accused the company of hiring a driver who had a history of negligent and reckless conduct behind the wheel. In other words, they accused the trucking company of negligent hiring practices.
As a result, the focus has shifted to the driver who was behind the wheel at the time of this horrific crash. The individual in question hails from California, and the family seems convinced that he has a history of poor driving. The basis of these allegations is not clear, although it is relatively easy to access a person’s public criminal records. The driver may have been convicted of serious driving or traffic offenses in the past – although this is pure speculation.
How to Prove Negligent Hiring Practices in a Truck Accident Lawsuit
If a negligent trucker has harmed you or someone you love, you may also need to prove that a trucking company engaged in negligent hiring practices. In order to achieve this goal, you will need to access various records and documents. Fortunately, it should be relatively easy to gain access to relevant documents during the pre-trial “discovery” phase.
During discovery, you can request hiring records from a trucking company. You can also request disciplinary records within the company. Unlike criminal or civil infractions, these disciplinary records are not public. A company might suspend a trucker for various infractions, including drunkenness or distraction.
You may also be able to obtain driver-facing and dashcam footage. Some companies install these cameras on their trucks, and they can capture potential acts of negligence. These are just a few examples of documents you might want to obtain after a truck accident.