Bicycle vs. Truck Accident Lawyers in Georgia & South Carolina
When a commercial truck collides with a bicycle, the result is almost always catastrophic. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh 80,000 pounds — compared to a cyclist and bicycle weighing approximately 200 pounds combined. The massive size disparity, combined with trucks’ extensive blind spots and wide turning radius, makes bicycle-versus-truck crashes among the most devastating on the road. The NHTSA and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) report that vulnerable road users — cyclists and pedestrians — face disproportionate fatality rates in crashes involving large trucks.
At Roden Law, our truck accident attorneys and bicycle accident lawyers combine their expertise to represent cyclists injured in collisions with commercial trucks throughout Georgia and South Carolina. These complex cases involve federal trucking regulations, multiple liable parties, and significantly higher damage potential than standard bicycle accident claims.
Why Truck-Bicycle Crashes Are So Dangerous
Several factors make trucks uniquely dangerous to cyclists:
- Massive blind spots: Large trucks have extensive blind spots (no-zones) on all four sides — a cyclist riding alongside a truck may be completely invisible to the driver
- Right-turn squeeze: When a truck makes a right turn, the trailer tracks inward, potentially crushing a cyclist positioned between the truck and the curb. This is one of the most common fatal patterns in truck-bicycle crashes.
- Long stopping distance: A loaded truck traveling at 55 mph needs approximately 400 feet to stop — nearly two football fields. A distracted or inattentive truck driver may be unable to stop in time to avoid a cyclist.
- Wind gusts: Passing trucks create powerful wind gusts that can destabilize cyclists and push them into traffic or off the road
- Tire blowouts: A truck tire blowout can throw debris directly at a nearby cyclist at high speed
Federal Trucking Regulations
Commercial trucks are subject to extensive federal regulations that provide additional grounds for liability:
- Hours-of-service rules: 49 CFR Part 395 limits driving hours to prevent fatigue-related crashes. A fatigued truck driver who fails to see a cyclist may have violated these limits.
- Mirror and visibility requirements: Federal standards require trucks to have mirrors providing rear and side visibility. Failure to maintain or properly adjust mirrors is negligence.
- Driver qualification: 49 CFR Part 391 sets driver qualifications, medical certification, and training requirements.
- Vehicle maintenance: 49 CFR Part 396 requires regular inspections and maintenance. Defective brakes, worn tires, or non-functioning mirrors can all contribute to bicycle crashes.
State Bicycle and Truck Traffic Laws
Georgia and South Carolina both protect cyclists’ right to use the roadway:
- Georgia: O.C.G.A. § 40-6-294 grants cyclists the same rights as motor vehicles. Georgia’s safe passing law (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-56) requires all vehicles — including trucks — to pass cyclists at a safe distance.
- South Carolina: S.C. Code § 56-5-3435 grants cyclists equal roadway rights and requires motorists, including truck drivers, to pass at a safe distance.
Multiple Liable Parties
Truck-bicycle crashes typically involve multiple defendants, including the truck driver, the trucking company (liable for negligent hiring, training, and supervision), the vehicle owner (if different from the operator), and the truck or parts manufacturer (product liability) for defective brakes, mirrors, or other components. Our attorneys investigate every party in the chain of responsibility.
Compensation for Bicycle vs. Truck Crashes
Due to the catastrophic nature of these crashes, damages are often substantial — including extensive medical treatment, long-term rehabilitation, permanent disability, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and wrongful death damages. Punitive damages may be available when the truck driver or trucking company demonstrated willful disregard for safety — such as falsifying hours-of-service logs, ignoring maintenance requirements, or driving under the influence.