Truck accidents have been known to leave people with devastating injuries, which can be extremely painful and expensive to treat. If you were hurt in a truck crash, talk to our attorneys about how you can get compensation for the harm and pain you have endured.
There are multiple ways in which a truck accident might happen, and it is important to understand exactly how your accident occurred so we can determine who is responsible. Some accidents stem from overly tired truck drivers, while others occur because of ordinary traffic violations. More than one person might be held liable for your injuries. Possible defendants include, but might not be limited to, the truck driver, their employer, and other drivers who somehow contributed to the accident. Your damages are likely severe and deserve substantial monetary compensation. Physical injuries, hospital expenses, property damage, and the immense psychological toll of the accident should all be examined and compensated.
If you were hurt in a truck accident, call our truck accident attorneys at Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 and set up a confidential review of your case for no charge.
How Your Brentwood, TN Truck Accident Might Have Happened
It is normal for people injured in truck accidents to have little memory of the event. These kinds of accidents can be very traumatic, and many people remember driving down the road before suddenly waking up in the hospital. Our truck accident lawyers can help you put together the details of your crash and figure out exactly what happened.
One of the biggest problems plaguing the trucking industry as a whole is driver fatigue. Truckers are expected to be on the road for long periods. While laws and industry regulations require that truckers take sufficient breaks so they do not become overly tired, many trucking companies disregard these rules. Tired truckers might fall asleep at the wheel and cause a major accident.
Ordinary traffic violations might also play a big role in your traffic accident. Did the truck driver run a red light? Perhaps they made their turn too wide or too tight. Maybe the trucker failed to signal a turn and crashed into other cars. While traffic violations can be dangerous in any situation, they can be particularly dangerous when a large truck is involved.
Truck accidents can also occur when truckers are not paying attention. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents across the country, and it is especially dangerous when trucks are involved. Perhaps the trucker was preoccupied with a GPS device, cellphone, or the radio. It only takes a few moments of distraction for a massive accident to occur.
People Who Should Be Held Responsible for Truck Accidents Around Brentwood, TN
Various parties might bear the blame for a truck accident. While we often scrutinize truck drivers first, our investigation should not stop there. Other drivers on the road might also have had something to do with the crash. Additionally, the truck driver’s employers might be vicariously liable, depending on the circumstances.
Truck Drivers
Naturally, the truck driver is the first person we will likely look to for liability. All drivers have a legal duty or obligation on the road to drive with reasonable safety under the circumstances and obey the traffic code. When a truck driver violates this duty, not only can they cause an accident, but the accident might be extremely severe. As such, truck drivers have a huge responsibility and must be heavily scrutinized. Even minor mistakes behind the wheel should not be disregarded.
Trucking Businesses or Companies
If we believe the truck driver is liable for the accident because of their negligent driving, we can also sue their employer, the trucking company, under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior. Under this doctrine, employers can be held vicariously liable if an employee behaved negligently and caused injuries while in the normal course of their job. In short, if the trucker was negligent while performing normal job functions as a truck driver, we can and should sue their employer for your damages.
Other Drivers on the Road
It is not unusual for other drivers on the road to somehow contribute to a truck accident even though they were in a separate vehicle. If we believe another driver was also negligent, and their negligence played into your accident, we can hold them and the trucker responsible.
For example, suppose a driver in a car stopped short in front of a truck, and the car’s brake lights were broken, so the trucker could not tell they were stopping. Next, suppose the trucker was speeding, leaving little time to react to the car stopping short in front of them. In such a situation, we could sue the trucker and the other driver for causing the accident that injured you and possibly others.
Recovering Damages for Your Injuries and Losses After a Truck Collision in Brentwood, TN
Damages in truck accidents are often extreme because injuries, pain, and emotional distress tend to be severe. With so much on the line, it is crucial that you speak with an attorney who has experience with truck accident cases. Your damages might be too significant to risk handling your case alone.
With severe injuries come high medical bills. Even people who have health insurance might still have to pay high deductibles and co-pays. Even if your insurance covers everything, you can still claim the full extent of your medical bills under the collateral source rule.
We should also evaluate other areas where you spent or lost money. Did you lose income from missing work for a while after the accident? Maybe you had to pay expensive vehicle repair bills or replace your car altogether. These costs must be compensated by the person responsible for the crash.
Your damages should also include more subjective injuries that might not have come at a monetary cost. Emotional distress, physical pain, and even diagnosable conditions like PTSD should be included. Since these damages do not come with a price tag, the jury usually has the final word on what they are worth.
Contact Our Brentwood, TN Truck Accident Lawyers If You Were Injured in a Crash
If you were injured in a truck accident, call our truck accident lawyers at Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 and arrange a confidential evaluation of your case at no cost to you.
