When it comes to truck wrecks in Georgia, the state's direct action statute enables a plaintiff to sue both the defendant and its insurance company.

A $1 million settlement reached in a Gwinnett County crash has clarified that the direct action statute applies against a motor carrier's insurer whether the defendant is operating for hire, or carrying their own property, according to a pair of Atlanta litigators.

"Having fought it to conclusion, this is significant," said plaintiff attorney Jeb Butler of Butler Kahn.