Trucks are incredibly large and heavy vehicles that carry heavy loads over great distances. When trucks are involved in motor vehicle accidents, the results are often devastating for the drivers of other vehicles. Sedans and SUVs often do not stand a chance when struck by an 18-wheeler, semi-truck, or another big-rig vehicle. Moreover, the injuries victims of truck accidents sustain are often incredibly serious and often permanent.
If you were injured in a truck accident and are not sure what to do next, you should get legal counsel. Our lawyers have the experience of representing many plaintiffs injured in truck accidents to know the best way to handle your case. We will not rest until justice is done right by you when you are injured after a truck accident.
For a free analysis of your truck accident, call Howe Law’s team of truck accident lawyers at (844) 876-4357.
Types of Truck Accidents in Morristown, TN
Truck accidents can take many different forms. While it may not seem important to your claim exactly how a truck accident took place, it is actually an incredibly useful thing for our truck accident attorneys to know. Understanding the kind of truck accident you were in can help us determine how it happened, who to sue, and argue more convincingly on your behalf in court.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions are some of the most common truck accidents. They are also some of the most dangerous. Not only is the truck hitting an oncoming vehicle at close to full speed, but the victim also faces the brunt of the impact of the large truck. Even the most advanced vehicle safety features cannot be enough to prevent serious injuries in these kinds of accidents.
Head-on collisions often happen when a trucker is not paying attention. This could be due to fatigue, bad weather, faulty headlights on the truck, or other reasons.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are similar to head-on collisions in that an unsuspecting motor vehicle collides with a large, heavy object. When people think of a car “rear-ending” a truck, they may think that the ordinary vehicle driver is at fault. However, there are many reasons why that may not be the case. If a trucker is driving slowly, suddenly stops, or does not have working taillights, they may cause an accident when a car collides with their trailer or rear area. Additionally, if a trucker is not careful when backing up, they may hit somebody in the process and seriously injure them.
Underride Accidents
Underride accidents are some of the deadliest truck accidents. These accidents happen when a motor vehicle crashes into a truck and slides underneath the trailer. The reason these kinds of accidents are so deadly is because the mass of a truck trailer bypasses the “crumple zone” in the front of a car and goes directly into the passenger compartment. Truly grisly injuries can result from underride accidents.
Many trucks have a safety feature called a Mansfield bar – named after an actress who died in an underride accident – in order to protect against these kinds of accidents. However, not every state requires trucks to have Mansfield bars, the bars may be made of substandard materials, and the sides of truck trailers frequently do not have these bars, so there is still a risk of underride accidents occurring.
Fishtailing
“Fishtailing” refers to when the rear wheels of a truck start moving from side to side in an uncontrolled manner, resembling a fish’s tail. Fishtailing can be caused by worn-out tire treads, improper loading, crosswinds, and erratic driving.
Fishtailing is dangerous to other drivers because the trailer can move erratically and in a way that is impossible to predict. As a result, drivers run the risk of getting swiped by a fishtailing trailer if they are anywhere close to the accident.
Jackknife Accidents
Jackknife accidents happen when an articulated vehicle – like a tractor-trailer truck – folds in on itself around the articulation point like a pocketknife. Jackknife accidents are often the result of equipment failure, the most common of which is a popped truck tire. A jackknifing truck can spin and swerve uncontrollably, and it will inevitably crash at some point. As the trucker tries fruitlessly to regain control of their vehicle, they may cause it to move in an even more dangerous manner unintentionally. It is not unusual for jackknife accidents to hit multiple vehicles.
What Damages Can I Get in a Morristown, TN Truck Accident Case?
When you file a truck accident claim, you are asking the court to have the defendant financially compensate you for your injuries. This is done through damages. You will ask for a certain amount of damages when you file your case. However, it is also helpful to break down damages by category so that the court knows exactly why you are asking for a particular amount.
Compensatory Damages
The first category of damages is called compensatory damages. As the name would suggest, these damages are meant to compensate you for the condition the defendant’s actions left you in. For example, any medical expenses you incurred as a result of your injuries fall under this category. Additionally, lost income and future opportunities to work also fall under this category.
You can also get compensatory damages for less tangible things like pain and suffering. However, you will have to work with our lawyers to prove their value to the jury.
Punitive Damages
The other category of damages is called punitive damages. Punitive damages are aimed at punishing defendants who acted especially badly. Courts do not always award these damages, so you should discuss the prospect of seeking them with our attorneys.
Speak to a Morristown, TN Truck Accident Lawyer Today
Howe Law’s truck accident lawyers are here to help you with your legal needs when you call us at (844) 876-4357.
