In September of 2025, Atlanta News First reported that a driver had caused a chain-reaction crash in Marietta after sideswiping a semi-truck. The accident led to three injuries, and it highlights the dangers posed by semi-trucks on Georgia roads. Chain-reaction crashes can start with a minor collision before developing into major, multi-vehicle incidents. Determining fault can be challenging in these situations.
Police Say Driver Fled After Starting Chain-Reaction Crash
Police in Marietta say that after causing the chain reaction crash, the guilty driver fled the scene and did not stop. However, investigators were able to review surveillance footage and determine which specific vehicle caused the crash. They are continuing to investigate the incident, and one can only hope that the guilty party is apprehended by law enforcement.
Despite the fact that a smaller vehicle sparked this chain-reaction crash, it is important not to downplay the role of the semi-truck. After the initial collision, the semi-truck veered into a Chevy Equinox and caused the smaller vehicle to overturn. This led to all three occupants of the Equinox suffering various injuries. Although none of these injuries were life-threatening, all three victims required hospitalization.
The term “non-life-threatening injury” is often misleading, as many assume that an injury is not truly serious unless it poses the risk of death. However, there are many non-life-threatening injuries that are extremely serious. For example, an amputation may not be life-threatening, but it can completely change a person’s life. A disfiguring laceration across the face may also lead to life-altering consequences. Broken bones take months to heal, and multiple fractures may lead to permanent disabilities.
Determining the Cause of a Chain-Reaction Crash Can Be Challenging
Injured victims often find it challenging to determine the cause of their accidents. A chain-reaction crash in Marietta may be sparked by the slightest of collisions. Sometimes, these accidents occur after “near misses” in which vehicles do not actually collide. For example, a reckless driver might swerve into another lane, causing a second driver to veer away from a potential collision and strike a third vehicle.
Video surveillance footage is often instrumental in determining the root cause of these crashes. Many roadways in Marietta and Cobb County are now watched over by surveillance cameras, and investigators can access this footage in the aftermath of crashes. This footage could help victims determine who is to blame for starting a chain-reaction crash in Cobb County, and this may make it easier for them to access compensation.
That said, identifying the at-fault driver is only the first step. Injured victims must also locate these drivers, and this becomes challenging when hit-and-run motorists flee crash scenes. In this type of situation, victims may wait weeks or months before finding out who caused their injuries. Even then, it may be difficult to pursue compensation if the at-fault driver lacks insurance. Often, drivers flee crash scenes specifically because they do not have insurance. Sometimes, they also lack driver’s licenses. However, it may still be possible to pursue compensation in this situation.