Pursuing a legal claim against a trucking company, even when fault appears to be clear, is complicated. Lawyers handling a truck accident case know it is important to obtain evidence before it is lost or destroyed.
The involved insurance and trucking companies are likely to have a team of powerful attorneys working on their behalf. They can be as intimidating as having a large truck aggressively tailgating you.
Hiring an experienced Knoxville truck accident lawyer to protect your rights can help to level the legal playing field and give your claim a fighting chance. Contact our firm to schedule a free, initial consultation to learn more about how we may be able to help you obtain the compensation you need.
The Dangers of a Truck Following Too Closely
Tailgating is dangerous when a car does it, so imagine how the risk of an accident increases if the vehicle following too closely is an 80,000-pound truck. The size and weight of a semi-truck, big rig or 18-wheeler makes it impossible to stop quickly, and when a truck driver does slam on the brakes, a serious collision resulting in severe or life-threatening injuries may result.
Truck Drivers Owe a Duty of Care
Truck drivers have received professional training, so they are aware of their duty to take reasonable measures to protect others, such as maintaining a safe following distance. However, pressure to meet deadlines may encourage a trucker to take more risks on the road, including driving more aggressively, to try to get to his or her destination faster.
When a truck driver tailgates you, he or she is likely using that size and weight to intimidate you and get you to move out of their way. Although it is maddening when a truck driver does this, it is always best to take steps to protect your safety and the safety of others by getting out of that driver’s way if possible.
Can I Recover Damages?
Unfortunately, you may not always be able to avoid an accident, and the burden of proof is on you or your attorney to prove the other driver was at fault.
If you hire an attorney to handle your case, he or she will investigate all available evidence and pursue all possible sources of compensation based on the unique factors that may have contributed to your accident. If the truck driver was cited for reckless driving, that will help provide credible evidence to support your claim.
In general, if you have a valid case, you may be eligible for compensation which may include:
- All related medical costs and follow-up care
- Pain and suffering damages
- Lost earnings if you missed work while recovering
- Future loss of income if you became partially or fully disabled
- Lost enjoyment for activities your injuries prevent you from doing
- Loss of companionship
Who May Be Liable for Your Damages?
Establishing liability for a tailgating accident involving a truck requires a full investigation, which often becomes complicated because of the number of other factors that have to be considered, such as:
- Was the truck driver the only liable party?
- Was the truck regularly maintained? If not, who is responsible for that maintenance?
- Were the tires faulty, causing the truck driver to lose control and thus contributing to the crash?
- Did the company provide proper training and do a proper background check of the driver?
- What insurance policies protect the truck driver and the company he or she works for?
- What regulations did the truck driver violate that may have contributed to the crash?
Our team of legal professionals has the resources and staff to get the answers to these and other relevant questions. We work hard to gather what is needed to build a robust claim on your behalf. We may even hire industry experts, such as an accident reconstruction specialist, if we believe it will further strengthen your claim. This evidence is then used to help establish that the driver not only owed you a duty of care, but that he or she violated that duty and by doing so, caused an accident that is directly the reason for your injuries and other losses.
Contact an Attorney for Legal Help After a Tailgating Truck Accident
While outcomes are never a guarantee in any truck accident claim that causes injury, having an experienced attorney on your side greatly improves your chances for recovering maximum compensation for the harm and other damages you suffered.
We urge you not to delay seeking legal help. If you are eligible to recover compensation for your damages, you must file a claim before your Tennessee statute of limitations runs out. At Greg Coleman Law, we are ready to help to determine the deadline that may apply in your situation. We have decades of experience and a proven track record that includes millions in compensation recovered for our clients.
Call one of our case representatives anytime, day or night, to schedule your free consultation. There is no obligation or risk to meet with us. We do not charge you anything up front or throughout the legal process. We only receive our fee after obtaining a settlement or jury-awarded verdict at the conclusion of the case.
Greg Coleman Law. Legal help on your side. (865) 247-0080
