Skilled Lebanon Truck Accident Lawyers Advocating For You
Helping truck crash victims in Mt. Juliet, Cookeville, and throughout Tennessee
Getting involved in a commercial truck accident may be every driver’s nightmare. When you are traveling down the highway and a massive 18-wheeler is coming up fast behind you, or when a tractor trailer whizzes past you and your vehicle shakes, it gives you an idea of the tremendous size difference between a commercial truck and a typical passenger vehicle. Because of the huge size, an injury in a collision with an 18-wheeler can cause devastating injuries.
At the Lebanon personal injury law firm of Lowery, Lowery & Cherry PLLC, we are here to protect our clients’ right to recover compensation when they have been injured in a truck crash. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case. You do not have to pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Call today and schedule your free case evaluation.
Statistics about large truck accidents
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that most traffic fatalities from large truck crashes are passenger vehicle occupants because they were traveling in much smaller vehicles than the truck that struck them. Commercial trucks can weigh 20 to 30 times as much as a passenger vehicle. The braking distance of a loaded tractor-trailer is 20 to 40 percent longer than passenger vehicles, and when the road is wet or slippery, that braking distance is even farther. About one in 10 highway traffic deaths involve a large truck.
According to the IIHS, a total of 4,136 people died in large truck crashes in 2018. Sixteen percent of these deaths were truck occupants, 67 percent were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles, and 15 percent were pedestrians, bicyclists or motorcyclists.
What are common injuries from commercial truck accidents?
Because of the size and weight difference between tractor-trailer trucks and passenger vehicles, occupants of passenger vehicles are often left with significant injuries after a truck accident, including:
- Head injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Bone fractures
- Internal organ damage
- Burns
- Lacerations
- Soft tissue injuries
There are injuries which will appear immediately after the crash, such as broken bones and lacerations. Other injuries, such as brain injuries or internal organ injuries, might not be immediately apparent. It is vital that if you or a loved one was involved in a truck crash that you seek medical attention immediately. If you tell your doctor that you were involved in a truck accident, they will know to run appropriate diagnostic tests. Also, if you plan to pursue compensation for your injuries, you must have them documented by a medical professional as soon as possible after the crash.
What are typical causes of commercial truck accidents?
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that the most significant cause of any type of motor vehicle accident is driver error. Whether driving a Toyota Corolla, or a Peterbilt 18-wheeler commercial truck, drivers are human beings and human error is a fact of life. Some examples of the more common causes of truck crashes include:
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Distracted driving
- Driver fatigue
- Drunk driving
- Aggressive driving
- Following too closely
- Disregarding rules of the road
- Inadequate driver training
- Driver inexperience
- Overloaded truck
- Mechanical malfunction
- Negligent maintenance
- Poor weather conditions
- Dangerous road conditions
- Construction zones
Examples of different types of truck crashes
There are many different types of commercial truck collisions. Here are a few examples:
- Rear-end crashes
- Head-on collision
- Broadside or T-bone crash
- Rollover
- Jackknife crashes (when the trailer and rig are at 90 degrees of one another)
- Blind spot crashes
- Underride crashes
- Unbalanced or improperly loaded trucks (can tip over and spill)
How can a Lebanon truck accident attorney help me?
When you have been injured in a commercial truck accident, you are probably dealing with serious injuries, lost time at work, and mounting medical bills. If you are looking to recover compensation for your injuries, you may benefit from working with a skilled accident lawyer from Lowery, Lowery & Cherry. Commercial truck accidents are far more complex than a collision with another passenger vehicle. Our injury attorneys have more than 70 years of combined experience helping people just like you who are seeking justice after an injury caused by the negligence of a commercial truck driver in causing a crash.
Some truck crashes happen due to defective parts on the truck, such as malfunctioning brakes or steering systems. In these kinds of cases, it might be that the trucking company was negligent in performing proper maintenance on the vehicle, or the fault may lay with the manufacturer of the part in question. To dig down and find the culprit in causing the truck crash, you need a truck accident injury attorney who understands the complexity of investigating a commercial truck crash. We prepare a strong case on your behalf, and we hold the responsible party liable for whatever losses you may have suffered in the accident.
What damages might I recover in a commercial truck accident claim?
Whether your case goes to settlement or to trial, your Lebanon truck accident attorney will fight for justice for you in the form of financial compensation for your economic and non-economic losses including:
- Medical expenses past and future related to the accident injury
- Wage loss and possible diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disability
- Disfigurement
Understand that there is no way of determining how much your truck accident claim is worth without meeting with you first. A truly catastrophic injury, like paralysis, or the wrongful death of a family member, may lead to a different award outcome than a claim involving a broken leg. The truth is, your damage award will depend on the unique circumstances of your case, and on the types of injuries you have sustained.
What are the responsibilities of truck drivers?
Truck drivers must not only follow the same standards as all other drivers, but some must also adhere to special safety laws specifically designed for those with a commercial license.
Who is at fault in a truck crash?
It depends. Fault can be a complex issue because a multitude of factors and variables are involved, including the time of day and weather conditions, the driver’s conditions including fatigue, drug or alcohol use, the truck manufacturer, and the truck’s tire and brake manufacturer.
Can I sue a Tennessee trucking company for what their employees did?
Yes. In general, trucking companies are responsible for the actions of their employees, including drivers and mechanics. The company will typically be responsible if a truck driver carelessly or negligently causes an accident.
How much time do I have to file an accident claim?
In Lebanon, TN, you generally have one-year statute of limitations to bring a lawsuit. However, it would be a mistake to postpone your case because valuable evidence can disappear quickly. Contact a lawyer as soon as possible so that he or she can assist, start collecting evidence, and develop your case.
Schedule a consultation with a trusted Lebanon truck accident attorney today
Surviving an accident with a commercial truck can be a harrowing experience. If you have injuries, you may have questions about how you might obtain justice, and how you will pay the mounting medical bills. At Lowery, Lowery & Cherry PLLC, we are here to represent you and to fight for the most compensation for you. We help injured people like you in Lebanon, Mt. Juliet, Cookeville, Nashville, and throughout Tennessee. You are encouraged to give us a call at 615-444-7222 or to fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case and get your questions answered.