Accidents involving large, heavy trucks are very dangerous. Victims of truck accidents frequently incur incredibly grievous injuries, which can take months or even years to fully recover from. In many cases, injuries sustained in truck accidents are life-altering, and the victim will be dealing with them in some form for as long as they live. If that were not enough, the cost of treating those injuries is often incredibly high, to the point where even solid health insurance policies will not be enough to cover your expenses.
With so much going on after truck accidents, you need dependable, professional legal counsel in your corner. Our attorneys know how to handle these cases. We will tirelessly work toward building the best case possible for you after a truck accident.
To get a free review of your claim from our Kingsport, TN truck accident lawyers, call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
Types of Truck Accidents that Happen in Bristol, TN
When you file a truck crash lawsuit, you are looking to prove negligence on the part of the defendant led to your injuries. To do that, you need to demonstrate what kind of truck accident took place. Truck crashes and accidents happen for many different reasons, and no two cases are exactly alike. Going over your accident in detail with our truck accident lawyers is very important to building a strong argument to take to court.
Jackknife Accidents
A jackknife accident is when a tractor-trailer or other articulated vehicle has the rear section forcefully pivot around the cab, resembling a pocketknife folding in on itself. Jackknife accidents are dangerous because the trailer or rear portion of the truck moves erratically and can even hit drivers who are trying to get out of the way. Moreover, once the crash is complete, the truck becomes a road obstacle that can be dangerous to anyone who drives near it in the future.
Jackknife accidents are most often caused by defective, popped tires. However, they can also happen because of over or under-loaded trailers, poor road conditions, or other truck equipment failures.
Rollover Accidents
A rollover accident is when the truck rolls onto its side. This can crush vehicles it lands on. Moreover, trucks that roll over often slide a considerable distance before they stop moving. Another driver may get hit as the truck skids to a halt.
Mechanical failures can lead to rollover accidents, but they also can be caused by driver error. For example, an inexperienced trucker may not know how carefully they need to turn their vehicle with a given load. Even truckers who are properly certified may simply not have the experience to handle every situation, and that can lead to a crash.
Underride Accidents
An underride accident is when a vehicle slides under a truck on impact. These accidents are extremely dangerous because they largely bypass vehicle safety features meant to protect the occupants.
Many trucks are required to have “Mansfield bars,” which are metal bars that prevent vehicles from sliding under the truck. However, not all states require these bars, older vehicles may not have them, and some trucks may not meet safety requirements, so the risk of serious injury in an underride accident is still quite high.
Damages From Bristol, TN Truck Accident Claims
When you file your claim, you are seeking to get financial compensation from the defendant in the form of damages. Damages in truck accident cases can be broadly categorized as compensatory damages and punitive damages.
Compensatory Damages
Compensatory damages will likely form the bulk of your damages award in a successful truck accident case. Compensatory damages can further be broken down into economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages include things that can have their value readily displayed. Your medical bills, lost wages, and lost potential income are part of economic damages. Non-economic damages, by contrast, cover items that may not have a value pinned on them right away. For example, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and lost quality of life fall under the umbrella of non-economic damages. Our truck accident lawyers, with your help, will have to determine the value of those things and convince the jury of their worth.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages do not deal with your condition. Instead, they are awarded when defendants have acted especially badly. In order to get punitive damages, you have to prove that the defendant acted in a way that was reckless, malicious, fraudulent, or intentional per T.C.A. § 29-39-104(a). Depending on your circumstances, this can be tough to prove, so talk to our lawyers early on in your case about seeking punitive damages.
How Are Damages Calculated in Bristol, TN Truck Crash Cases?
When you ask for damages in your lawsuit, you need to specify the amount you are requesting. There is no mandated way of calculating damages, but two methods frequently used by attorneys are the multiplier method and the “Per Diem” method.
Multiplier Method
The multiplier method takes your economic damages, adds them up, and multiplies that number by a certain amount to determine the total compensatory damages you ask for. This method is most often used when a plaintiff is expected to deal with their injuries, in some capacity, indefinitely.
Per Diem Method
The per diem, or “daily” method, determines an amount that represents the hardships you deal with every day because of your injuries. You then multiply that amount based on the number of days you are expected to deal with the effects of your injuries from the accident. This method is generally used when plaintiffs are expected to recover from their injuries at some point.
Chat with Our Bristol TN Truck Accident Lawyers Now
Contact our team of truck accident lawyers from Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 and get a free review of your case.
