Georgia Legal Guide: Truck Wheel Accidents, What They Are and What to Do After a Collision  

Key Points:

• Wheel-off accidents can be preventable - These incidents typically result from negligent maintenance, inadequate inspections, or ignored warning signs that should have been caught during required pre-trip safety checks.  
• Evidence must be preserved immediately - The wheel assembly and truck must be secured for expert inspection right away, as critical evidence can be lost if the trucking company repairs or disposes of the vehicle.  
•  Multiple parties can be held liable - You may have legal claims against the trucking company, truck driver, and any maintenance or repair facilities that worked on the wheel, as each has specific legal duties under Georgia and federal law.  
• Strong legal protections exist for victims - Georgia law provides substantial rights for wheel-off accident victims, including the ability to recover damages even when the trucking company claims it was an “unforeseeable accident.”  

Table of Contents

If you were driving on a Georgia highway and a runaway tire or wheel from an 18-wheeler struck your vehicle, causing an accident, you may be entitled to compensation by filing a legal claim— if you or any of your passengers were injured.  

When a massive truck wheel detaches from a tractor-trailer traveling at highway speeds, it becomes a deadly projectile that can cause catastrophic damage to anything in its path. Even if you were going at a low speed or were stopped, these pieces of rubber and metal can be extremely dangerous. They often fly through front windshields striking drivers directly. This type of accident is often preventable, and those responsible may be legally liable for your injuries.  

What Should I Do If I'm Hit By a Runaway Truck Wheel? 

The most important thing for you to do is to prioritize your safety. Moving off the highway, calling 911, and seeking the medical help you need is the highest priority. Calling the police will not only help regarding your injuries, but it will also help your legal claim. The police can help identify which truck is liable, they can collect witness statements, and can build a police report, all of which will help you. These types of truck accidents often result in truckers driving away with no consequences, so the sooner you call 911, the better. 

How Does a Wheel-Off Accident Happen? 

Identifying the failure will help strengthen your legal claim. Tractor-trailer wheel assemblies can weigh over 200 pounds. When something this large falls off at high speeds (like on a 70 mph interstate), it can cause collisions with devastating force. Wheel-off cases are typically the result of a mechanical failure that could have been prevented through proper maintenance and inspection.  These causes include:  

• Inadequate lubrication 
• Improper installation 
• Worn or damaged wheel bearings   
• Failure to properly tighten lug nuts   
• Skipped or inadequate pre-trip inspections  
• Manufacturing defects 

If any of these issues are present, a wheel may detach from the semi-truck or trailer while it is traveling.  

Who Is Responsible for a Truck Wheel Crash? 

Georgia Code § 51-1-6 allows you to pursue claims against anyone whose negligence contributed to your injuries. Wheel-off crashes often involve multiple potentially liable parties, and identifying all responsible entities is crucial for getting a full and fair settlement.  

The Truck Driver, Company, and Owner 

If the truck driver failed to perform pre-trip inspections or ignored signs of mechanical failure, they may be held liable for a wheel hitting your car. In Georgia, employers can also be held vicariously liable if the driver was acting within the scope of their employment at the time of the collision.  

Additionally, the trucking company may be responsible for negligent maintenance practices, poor hiring or training decisions, or violations of federal safety regulations. This can become more complex if the trucking company was leasing the vehicle, meaning the truck or trailer owner could also bear responsibility.  

Maintenance and Inspection Companies 

If a mechanic or maintenance provider fails to tighten lug nuts, check for defects, or follow safety standards, they could be liable for a wheel-off accident. Mechanics must use proper checklists and torque specifications to secure truck wheels. Overlooking wear, ignoring manufacturer guidance, or rushing repairs can cause failures. 

Liability can also extend to the shop or employer, especially if there’s a pattern of poor repairs or supervision. Both the technician and their employer may be responsible if records show incomplete work or neglected service.  

Additionally, an inspection company or Department of Transportation contractor could bear some responsibility if the vehicle was recently inspected and passed despite obvious issues. 

Parts Manufacturers and Distributors 

Sometimes, the cause of the incidents is the wheel assembly itself. A design flaw, defective wheel hub, or faulty lug bolt can cause catastrophic failure, even if all maintenance and inspections were properly executed. In those cases, the manufacturer, distributor, or even the installer may be liable under product liability laws. 

Cargo Loaders  

In some cases, a loading company or cargo handler may have contributed to the failure by improperly loading the truck, leading to pressure or stress on the wheel assembly.  

Hypothetical Examples: Riverdale Truck Wheel Accidents 

Traveling on SR-85  

Hunter was driving south on State Route 85 through Riverdale, Georgia, returning home for a family gathering. A wheel assembly suddenly came off an oncoming tractor-trailer traveling in the opposite lane. The wheel bounced across the median, smashing through Hunter’s windshield. Both him and his passenger suffered life-threatening injuries. 

When speaking to the police, the truck driver claimed he had not noticed anything wrong. However, it was later discovered that the wheel hub had been running dangerously low on oil for weeks. The resulting heat and wear were severe, something the driver should have noticed during a routine pre-trip inspection and while operating the truck. Records showed the hub had not been regularly serviced, clearly violating federal trucking regulations. 

Riverdale Place Shopping Center Parking Lot 

Fatima, a Riverdale resident, was walking to her car in the Riverdale Place Shopping Center parking lot on Highway 138. A tractor-trailer making a delivery to one of the plaza’s stores suddenly lost its rear wheel assembly. After it detached, the wheel rolled across the lot, striking Fatima. She suffered devastating injuries as a result. 

An investigation later revealed that the wheel assembly had recently been serviced, but the maintenance crew failed to properly tighten the lug nuts. The driver had complained about grinding noises and unusual vibrations, but his dispatcher told him to finish the delivery nonetheless. 

What You Need to Know About Your Claim 

Any accident involving a large truck is complex. This is because several parties may be involved, the mechanical nature of these accidents, and the combination of federal regulations and state laws. Working with accident experts and legal counsel experienced with handling these types of claims may be crucial to recovering the compensation you are owed.  

So, what do you need to know? 

• Evidence Disappears Quickly: The wheel assembly and truck must be preserved immediately for inspection. Critical evidence can be lost if the trucking company is allowed to repair or dispose of the vehicle.  
• Expert Testimony is Essential: A qualified mechanical expert should examine the wheel assembly and determine exactly why it failed. This person should be qualified to testify whether the failure would have been detectable with proper inspection.  
• Warning Signs of Wheel Trouble Are Usually Present: Wheel assemblies rarely fail without warning. Common signs include excessive heat, oil leaks, unusual noises, or visible wear patterns that should be caught before an accident. 
• Federal Regulations Apply: Commercial trucks must comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Regulations, which set strict standards for vehicle maintenance and inspection. Any violations of these regulations can be used as evidence of negligence.  

Georgia Law and My Truck Wheel Accident Claim  

When a commercial truck loses a wheel in motion, the consequences can be devastating. In Georgia, several legal principles come into play when determining liability in a wheel-off crash. 

Commercial Trucking Regulations and Inspection Duties 

Truck drivers must follow federal safety regulations, including thorough pre-trip inspections before every trip. These inspections must include checking the wheel assembly for signs of damage, excessive heat, oil leaks, or abnormal wear.  

When a wheel detaches, it is often because those inspections were skipped or done improperly, or because a serious maintenance issue was ignored. 

Strict Liability for Mechanical Failure 

In many Georgia wheel-off cases, strict liability applies. This means injured parties do not have to prove intent or recklessness. If a wheel separates due to negligent maintenance, faulty repairs, or inspection failures, those responsible can be held liable simply because the defect existed and caused harm. 

Multiple Potential Defendants 

These cases often involve more than one liable party. The truck driver, the trucking company, and third-party maintenance providers may all share responsibility. Under Georgia law, each of these entities has a specific duty to make sure the vehicle is safe to operate, and may be liable for damages depending on their role in the failure. 

Duty of Care Under Georgia Law 

Trucking companies have a duty of care to keep their fleets, both tractors and trailers, roadworthy. That means properly maintaining, securing, and inspecting all wheel components. If they fail to meet this duty, they may be negligent, triggering significant liability when others are harmed. 

Your Rights and Options  

Truck wheel accidents are rarely a mishap but rather the result of negligent maintenance, inspection, or design. Trucking companies, drivers, mechanics, and manufacturers could bear responsibility for injuries suffered by you or a family member.  

If you were hurt in a wheel-off accident, you might be able to recover damages for medical costs, lost wages, pain, and other related losses. Taking prompt action could mean securing right to the compensation you are owed.