Summer Road Trip Hazards: How To Avoid Trucking Accidents in Georgia & Chattanooga, Tennessee

Summer is a busy—and risky—time on the roads in North Georgia and Chattanooga, Tennessee. With July 4th celebrations, vacations, and road trips, traffic spikes and so do crashes involving cars, motorcycles, and trucks.

Truck wrecks and accidents are typically the most destructive and deadliest of all. As a result, other drivers involved or impacted in trucking crashes sustain the most damage to their vehicles and their bodies.

Let’s review some of recent news and updated statistics that tell the stories of the roads, and what you can do to avoid truck wrecks in Chattanooga, TN and North Georgia.

What The Data Tells Us

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), summer is the most heavily traveled season in the U.S. and consistently has the largest number of road fatalities.

From 2017 to 2023, the average number of Independence Day traffic deaths was 16.2% higher than the average number of traffic deaths during comparison periods (where, for example, the holiday started an early weekend).

Furthermore, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported 163 fatalities were caused by trucking crashes in 2024 in Tennessee; 175 occurred in Georgia.

Fatal Trucking Accident Near Chattanooga, TN

Chattanooga’s status as a major transportation hub—with busy highways like I-75, I-24, and Highway 64—means it sees a high volume of commercial truck traffic. These highways are also the settings for a high number of truck wrecks and accidents. The most common causes include:

We recently saw a destructive truck wreck on I-75 northbound near the Tennessee Welcome Center in East Ridge, near the Georgia-Tennessee border and just 10 miles from our Chattanooga office. On May 11, a semi-truck and six passenger vehicles collided; two cars caught fire, leading to a chaotic and tragic scene with multiple people trapped inside. A seven-year-old girl and an 18-month-old infant in one vehicle suffered burn injuries and were rescued by bystanders who rushed to help.

According to police, the crash appears to have been caused by the truck failing to slow down for traffic. An unsafe lane-change on I-75 resulted in a chain reaction collision that ultimately led to two fatalities, multiple injuries and miles of traffic (causing hours of delays).

The Riskiest Roadways North Georgia and TN

Certain roadways in Tennessee and North Georgia are prone to accidents – and this will only be increased during high-traffic holidays. As one of the leading truck wreck law firms in Chattanooga, TN, Pritchard Injury Firm has litigated several trucking and motor vehicle claims stemming from accidents in the following areas:

The Highway 153 off-ramp, northbound to Hixson Pike
I-24 at Germantown Road and South Terrace
Intersection of 4^th Ave and 23^rd Street (Parallel to I-24)
Downtown - Market Street at 3^rd and 4^th Street
Shallowford Road
I-75. In addition to the position mentioned above, the interstate condenses from six lanes to two at certain locations.

North Georgia has its share of dangerous zones as well. The list below provides key spots to be aware of – many of which are near our Woodstock office:

Woodstock GA-92 | Lovejoy Lane to Cherokee Parkway
Woodstock I-575 | Exit 19-21
Cherokee Parkway
Woodstock | Main Street and Arnold Mill Road
Woodstock | Towne Lake Parkway and Big Canoe Road
Canton | Highway 20 (Knox Bridge Highway)

Safety Tips For Summer Travel: Preventing Truck Wrecks in Chattanooga, TN and North Georgia

With so many vehicles involved in truck wrecks in North Georgia and Chattanooga, Tennessee each year – particularly during the summer months – you must spot the signs of hazards and unsafe driving. These tips will help you navigate safely:

Keep several lengths distance from trucks. Semi-trucks cannot stop on a dime, like a car. If you cut them off and then slow quickly, they don’t have time stop. You will likely get rear-ended. Also, large blind spots make lane changes dangerous if not executed with caution.
Avoid distracted driving. Both Georgia and Tennessee have enacted “hands-free” laws to address distracted driving, making it illegal to hold a phone or support it with any part of your body while operating a motor vehicle.
Prevent aggressive and reckless driving. Recklessness is overall unsafe behavior. Aggressive driving disregards the safety of others and can range from risky maneuvers to serious, violent confrontations.

Avoid confrontations. Road rage, another form of aggressive driving, might make a driver want to catch up to someone else to scare them or flip them off. Avoid this behavior at all costs, as it is illegal and could have tragic results.
Check your tires. Make sure your tires are properly inflated and do not have too much wear. A lack of tread could lead to a lack of control.

Learn more about how to prove liability if involved in a truck wreck, including key elements: duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages.

Your GA/TN Truck Accident Lawyer

Filing a personal injury claim promptly after an auto or trucking accident — and consulting with an experienced injury lawyer in North Georgia or Tennessee — can help you maximize compensation for your physical, emotional, and property damages.

Pritchard Injury Firm is here to provide the compassionate legal and emotional support you deserve. Contact Pritchard Injury Firm for a free consultation.