Car Wedged Under Tanker Truck Shuts Down I-85 South

Why a Car Under a Truck is So Dangerous

The central problem in a collision between a passenger car and a large truck lies in the difference in size and weight. A tanker truck sits much higher off the ground than a car, and its frame weighs many times more. If the front of a car slides beneath the truck’s body, the strongest parts of the car—such as the hood, frame rails, and engine compartment—may never contact the truck’s structure. Instead, the truck’s body can strike the car at windshield height. Safety researchers call this an underride crash, and they widely recognize it as one of the most severe ways a passenger vehicle can collide with a commercial truck.

First responders also face difficulties with underride crashes. Vehicles wedged beneath trailers or tanks often require specialized equipment and considerable time to separate safely; this can extend lane closures and delay medical care. Tanker trucks introduce an additional concern because the cargo they carry can pose a spill or fire risk if the tank fractures. Although the initial report shows no indication that a spill occurred here, crews treat these scenes with caution due to that potential.

A Corridor Drivers Know Well

I-85 South through Union City and the southside of Fulton County serves as a heavily traveled freight and commuter route connecting Atlanta with Fayette, Coweta, and the airport area. Large trucks, tankers, and commuters share lanes at high speeds, often in stop-and-go traffic during morning rush hour. Sudden slowdowns, lane changes near interchanges like Jonesboro Road, and the difference in braking distances between cars and loaded trucks all contribute to crashes of this kind, safety experts commonly say. Investigators will need to determine if any of these factors caused this wreck.

What Investigations and Claims Typically Involve

When a crash involves a commercial truck, investigators approach the inquiry differently than with an ordinary two-car collision. They examine the truck’s electronic data recorder, the driver’s hours-of-service logs, maintenance and inspection records, and whether the trailer or tank included required safety features. Federal regulations govern many of these records. If not preserved promptly, these records may be lost or overwritten. Investigators also analyze video from roadside cameras and nearby vehicles, but these recordings often remain available for only a short time.

Georgia law generally allows people injured in a crash to seek compensation when another party’s negligence caused or contributed to their injuries. If a person dies, Georgia’s wrongful death statute lets certain family members pursue claims for the full value of the decedent’s life, and the estate may seek compensation for medical and funeral expenses and for the pain and suffering experienced before death. Georgia applies a two-year statute of limitations to personal injury and wrongful death claims and enforces a modified comparative fault rule that can reduce or bar recovery if the injured person is 50 percent or more responsible. Every case depends on its facts, and officials have not yet released the facts of this crash.

Until authorities share more information, we will not know the full picture. Meanwhile, the wreck serves as a reminder that drivers share a narrow margin for error on busy interstates with heavy trucks. Drivers can reduce risk by leaving extra following distance behind tankers and tractor-trailers, slowing early when traffic compresses, and avoiding sudden lane changes near large vehicles.

Understanding the Dangers of Truck Underride Crashes on I-85 South

The recent accident on Interstate 85 South near Union City, where a passenger car slid beneath a tanker truck, highlights one of the most perilous collisions on our roads—truck underride crashes. These incidents happen when a smaller vehicle slides underneath the elevated frame of a large truck or tanker, often causing severe injuries or fatalities because of the height and weight differences.

At The Jewkes Firm, Attorney Jordan Jewkes understands the complexities and devastating consequences of these accidents. Our team helps victims navigate the legal process, preserves critical evidence, and advocates for fair compensation for injuries sustained in these severe collisions.