Nashville Truck Accident Attorney
Automobile accidents involving trucks are often fatal or include serious injuries due to their predispositions to cause significant harm and the large size of these vehicles. Collisions between regular motor vehicles and trucks usually result in the smaller car being wholly obliterated, crushed, or pushed off the road at high speed. The sad reality is that truck drivers can make the same mistakes are regular motorists, even if they have significantly more experience.
One of the best things to do if someone is in one of these types of accidents would be to contact a lawyer at the Keating Law Firm LTD for assistance. The attorney-client relationship experienced at the Keating law offices is exceptional, meaning that all the victims' information is kept under a strict confidentiality agreement. With the severity of most truck accidents, it's highly recommended to seek the experience and expertise of a qualified plus knowledgeable lawyer.
What Are the Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Nashville?
A tired driver causes the most common types of truck accidents. Truck drivers usually operate during nighttime and work tirelessly throughout the day too. Fatigue is an issue that persists even though there are regulations about how many hours these drivers legally have to sleep in the day. Multiple truck drivers have problems sleeping during the day and fall asleep behind the wheel or drive drowsy. When a motorist is tired, they can cause serious injuries, truck wrecks, rollover accidents, a deadly collision, and serious driver error.
Another common cause of truck accidents is road rage. Nation highway safety rules make them stay in the slow or middle lane while driving, which is not always acceptable for some truck drivers. Most truck drivers have a tight schedule with strict time limits and sometimes tend to push in front of other drivers. If a motorist is driving too slowly in front of a truck, the driver may become irritated and pass, in most cases not ensuring that it is safe to do so. The negligent truck driver and aggressive behavior can lead to poor decisions and driver distraction.
Speeding in a Commercial Truck
Truckers are often caught driving at unsafe speeds because they are under pressure to arrive at their destination timeously. Since heavier vehicles take longer to stop than conventional cars, speed and trucks are a deadly combination. A truck accident can be caused if a truck driver ignores the speed limit in bad weather; it can lead to loss of control or aquaplaning. Truckers who speed may not avoid hitting a car in time and have less time to react to changing road conditions.
When it comes to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, truck drivers are no different from regular drivers, even though they are operating a more dangerous vehicle and have a heightened responsibility.
Unfortunately, some truckers make the terrible decision to drive while intoxicated and don't always obey the rules. A trucker can cause a truck accident causing if drunk while behind the wheel of a tractor-trailer, heavy truck, mid-size truck. It is more challenging to tell if a car is riding alongside the truck and correct minor errors. Speaking to Nashville truck accident lawyers is what anyone who finds themselves in this sticky situation should do.
What Can Nashville Truck Accident Lawyers Help With?
Nashville is one of the regions known for its countless car and truck accident cases; it is an unhappy distinction ongoing since 2016. A significant number of those crashes involved a truck accident. Trucking companies and drivers are experts who attempt to maintain their safety and the safety of others, plus take great pride in the work they do. However, the results can be horrifying when a truck accident does occur.
Disabling accidents caused by a semi can sustain excruciating injuries. Injuries for truck accidents can include but are not limited to:
Head Injury
Head injuries can occur when an object hits the head during the collision, but they can also happen when the head strikes the steering wheel or the dash during a truck accident. This can lead to traumatic brain injuries or, in less severe cases, a mild concussion; injured clients' claims vary based on the severity of the case. Unfortunately, even mild concussions can have terrible consequences, leaving the victims with memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and weeks of terrible headaches.
Brain Injury
A more severe brain injury may result in the inability to concentrate, memory issues, speed impediments, and impaired muscles control. In a worst-case scenario, the individual with a traumatic head injury may not be able to do basic tasks such as dressing or eating. Those with the most severe brain injuries may be unable to return to work, need assistance with simple tasks, and require expensive medical care for life.
Some head injuries can immediately result in death or be prolonged where the victim experiences pain and suffering.
Neck and Spine Injury
These types of truck accident injuries are often the result of the excessive forces placed on the back and neck during a crash. Whiplash can result in the neck's inability to move as the ligaments heal and is painful. Those who step away from a truck accident with nothing more severe than whiplash may consider themselves lucky.
There are some cases where a neck injury may cause damage to the spinal cord or even separate vertebrae. Some of these destructive issues have resulted in damage to the spinal cord leading to permanent or temporary paralysis.
People who have been paralyzed may require modifications to their car or home to function normally, may need assistance full time for simple tasks, could require specialized medical devices for the home, and may encounter ongoing medical expenses.
That is why it is crucial to speak to a Nashville truck accident attorney immediately after a collision. They can help victims with a free initial consultation to determine the best path to follow.
Fractured or Broken Bones
A truck accident may lead to the driver sustaining fractured bones in the legs, arms, feet, or hands, and these injuries may require medical treatment. Additionally, the person experiencing pain and suffering may not return to work until the injuries have had time to heal fully.
Back Injury
One of the most painful injuries sustained by an individual is a back injury. Often car crash victims are in a significant amount of pain that cannot be alleviated in any position. It may be impossible to return to work for a month due to the inability to conduct an ordinary task, crippling pain, and the inability to sleep. Moreover, injuries to the back can result in permanent or temporary paralysis if the spinal cord is damaged.
What Compensation Is Available For Nashville Truck Accident Victims?
The injuries a person suffered in a truck accident may entitle them to a settlement from the truck manufacturer, trucking company, driver, or other responsible parties.
Compensation may include but is not limited to:
Medical Expenses
Medical bills can be excessive after an automobile collision, but this is specifically true after a truck accident. A few of these include any specialized medical devices, any surgery the person underwent, medical care at the hospital, and the cost of visiting the emergency room. The law is on the victims' side when another party is responsible for the injuries; this cost may be part of a personal injury lawsuit.
Lost Wages
In most truck accident claims, the injuries will cause the person to miss time at their job. This is money they and their family require. If an individual misses work because of another negligent truck driver, the guilty party should pay the wages.
Loss of Earning Capacity
If the injuries result in less capability to earn a living, the person may receive assistance to make up for those losses. A Nashville truck accident lawyer can help assess the loss of earning capacity as it is a complicated matter.
Non-Economic Damages
The court may award victims damages for pain and suffering in addition to economic damages they have suffered. An individual may consider pursuing a wrongful death claim for settlement if a loved one died in a truck accident; this money would be to compensate for the support they would have received, as well as the loss of companionship and affection.
Punitive Damages
If the courts find a business or person responsible for a truck accident because of criminal or reckless behavior, victims may be paid for punitive damages. This type of claim includes behavior such as failing to follow laws regarding time off driving for truck drivers, distracted driving, texting or using a cellphone while driving, excessive speeding, and more.
Depending on the extent and nature of the injury, the courts will determine the amount the person receives in compensation. Truck accident lawyers deal with the insurance company to get the victim the maximum payments, but drivers should be aware that it is not uncommon for trucking companies to attempt to diminish the injuries sustained.
Who Is Liable for a Truck Accident In Nashville?
Determining who is responsible for compensating an automobile collision victim for their injuries is one of the most complicated aspects of a truck accident. In most scenarios, this can be a combination of the trucking company, driver, and even the truck manufacturer. Another complex part of the case can be figuring out the loss of earning capacity individuals may have experienced due to their injury.
When a victim is injured, they shouldn't have to deal with insurance companies and focus on their recovery. A personal injury lawyer can take that burden off the individual.
The Importance of Speaking to Truck Accident Lawyers Right Away
Going up against a trucking company or an insurance firm in Nashville is no easy feat. Insurance and trucking companies have extensive resources to dispute injury claims and fight liability, such as top attorneys. One of the best ways an individual can protect their rights during a truck accident claim is to hire a Nashville truck accident lawyer.
Delaying this process may give the trucking company enough time to take advantage of the victim. A truck accident lawyer takes the necessary steps to preserve a claim and protect the person's rights. These steps include but are not limited to:
Investigation
The Keating Firm law offices have connections to investigators who can look into the trucking company and revisit the accident scene to determine what caused the truck accident case. An in-depth analysis of the crash site could shed some light on damages, liability, and the driver's options.
Evidence Gathering
Nashville truck accident attorneys can preserve substantial evidence immediately, such as the driver's cellphone records at the time of the collision or the crashed truck's black box information. If someone does not ask the insurance company or trucking business to preserve the evidence, they will either move to get the truck back on the road as soon as possible or dispose of the device. Truck accident attorneys and super lawyers can build a claim and collect evidence on behalf of their clients.
Determining Fault
In trucking accidents, fault can be a confusing process to navigate. Say, for example, truck drivers are not at fault for a semi-truck accident, but the trucking company may be vicariously liable instead. Many Nashville truck accident victim lawsuits involved shared fault divided among many parties.
Multiple parties may be held liable for personal injuries in semi-truck injury cases. It's best to speak to a semi-wreck attorney who can inform injured parties and help them seek compensation for the damages sustained.
Trucking Company Negligent Actions
Trucking companies generally oversee hundreds if not thousands of semi-trucks each day, and they also deal with other operations, including ground traffic control and cargo loading. Multiple truck accident cases involve the negligence of the company itself rather than the drivers of its vehicles.
The Federal Law heavily regulates commercial trucks and drivers which complies with the state traffic laws like other motorists. Furthermore, the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) regulations are designed to reduce semi-truck wrecks and promote highway safety by addressing many areas that apply to the trucking industry. Below is a list of some of those critical aspects; these include but are not limited to:
-
Requirements for licensing
-
Vehicle inspections
-
Securing cargo
-
Drug and alcohol testing
-
Hours of service operations
There are many different ways that truck companies can show negligence that ultimately leads to significant semi-truck accidents, often in the name of extra profits. It is a truck accident attorneys' mission to hold guilty trucking companies accountable for their actions.
When it comes to large semi-trucks crashing in Nashville, the Department of Safety and Homeland Security list the following top cause of truck accidents in the state:
-
Speeding
-
Careless/Erratic Driving
-
Swerved/Avoided another vehicle
-
Improper Turn
-
Inattention
-
Improper backing
-
Failure to yield
-
Improper lane change
-
Following improperly
-
Incorrect lane departure
The Tennessee Department of Safety also listed the following driver conditions contributing to collisions:
-
Illegal drug use
-
Sick (medical condition)
-
Fatigued
-
Drinking
-
Driver feel asleep
How Long Does Someone Have to File a Law Suit After a Commercial or Semi-Truck Accident?
An injured party generally has one year to file suit after any commercial vehicle accidents or semi-truck trucking accidents. If the commercial vehicle accident involves a death, the statute is generally only one year to file suit on behalf of the family and the victim's estate.
If drivers of passenger vehicles are hurt in significant commercial truck accidents or tractor-trailer accidents, the first thing they should do is talk to a truck accident attorney. Suppose they wait too long; that could lead to the evidence being destroyed. It would be silly for the trucking accident victim to not get the compensation they deserve.
Commercial Vehicle Collisions
A company or commercial vehicle can be any automobile operated and owned by a company. In most cases, these commercial vehicles are used by the agents or employees of the business.
Commercial trucks are generally more dangerous than regular vehicles and are in the business of transporting merchandise. These large commercial vehicles usually are heavier and more prominent in size, causing harm during crashes. Commercial vehicles can include but are not limited to:
-
Tanker trucks
-
Logging trucks
-
Cement mixer traffic
-
Commercial traffic control vehicles
-
Farm trucks
-
Dump trucks
-
Delivery trucks like FedEx and UPS
-
Semi-trucks
-
Garbage trucks
Commercial vehicles are owned by a company and not by the individual driving them. These commercial automobiles have insurance policies that provide better and more extensive coverage than the state-required minimum if catastrophic injuries occur.
In Nashville, some commercial cars are governed by the regulations and rules that large semi-trucks abide by. Under Federal Law, automobiles traveling within Nashville and outside of the state, with a weight exceeding 10,001 pounds, will have to follow the Federal Statues.
Truck Accident Victims Must Hire the Correct Nashville Truck Accident Attorneys
Using the right law firm is the only way to go if someone has been in a truck accident that has led to severe injuries or wrongful death. Families of the victim who suffered the catastrophic injuries have up to one year to file a claim for compensation for lost wages or pain and suffering.
Insurance and trucking companies often take serious accidents lightly and try to use underhand tactics, so they don't have to cover medical expenses. Personal injury cases caused by another party are no joke; that is why the Keating Firm LTD law office is here to help.
The law firm can help tractor-trailer accident victims or truck-involved collision survivors get the settlement for property damage or medical attention they deserve. Large truck crashes are a common sight in Nashville; that is why the legal team at the Keating law firm is here to assist victims every step of the way.