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Last Modified on Mar 04, 2026
Getting into an accident with a garbage truck can be terrifying and frustrating, especially if you choose to pursue legal action on your own. Without the help of an Atlanta garbage truck accident lawyer, you may not know exactly what you can do to pursue damages. There are different processes for pursuing damages for city vs. private garbage truck accidents in Atlanta. It’s important to know the most significant differences so you don’t get caught unawares.
When you hire a garbage truck accident attorney, they can help you navigate your garbage truck accident case without being taken advantage of. The Atlanta garbage truck accident laws can be overwhelming, especially if you are trying to pursue damages from the city. You’ll want an experienced legal professional to stand by you and let you focus on recovering from your injuries.
City vs. Private Garbage Truck Accidents in Atlanta: Liability Explained
Determining liability in a garbage truck accident can be difficult. If you are in an accident with a garbage truck owned by a private company, you can pursue legal action against the truck driver and the company that owns the truck. The same cannot always be said for city garbage trucks.
City garbage trucks often have sovereign immunity, since they are vehicles owned by the government. This means that a city vehicle driver, including someone driving a garbage truck, cannot have legal action taken against them unless they have explicitly waived this protection by purchasing their own liability insurance. You can still pursue a case against them, but you need to meet the necessary deadlines. A good lawyer can help with this.
If you pursue legal action for either a city-owned or privately-owned garbage truck accident in Atlanta, your case will likely move through the Fulton County State Court. The Fulton County Courthouse can be found on Pryor Street Southwest in Atlanta. It’s important to keep in mind that the court sees cases like this quite often. In 2022, there were 265 truck accident fatalities throughout Georgia. In 2024, Fulton County alone saw 51,572 vehicle crashes.
Statute of Limitations
When pursuing a case against either a private company or the city for driver negligence in a personal injury case, your case must adhere to the state’s statute of limitations for a truck accident case, which is considered a form of personal injury. In most cases, you will have two years to bring your case to fruition, establish grounds, gather all the evidence, speak with a personal injury lawyer, and file a claim for compensatory damages.
Be Sure to Hire a Garbage Truck Accident Lawyer
You don’t want to end up leading a personal injury case on your own with no legal support. Choosing to hire a garbage truck accident lawyer can give you peace of mind during a difficult situation. Stephen T. LaBriola, PC, has spent a long and decorated career making sure his clients get what they deserve. He can help you, too.
Contact us to speak to someone who can help.
