Tennessee truck accidents usually leave massive property damage and serious injuries in their wake. Truck accidents almost always result in devastating aftermath for all parties involved due to the large discrepancy in both size and weight of a typical commercial truck and the average passenger vehicle.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a Tennessee truck accident, you may be able to file a claim in order to recover damages related to the collision. At Greg Coleman Law, our truck accident attorneys will review your potential claim at no cost to you and will advise you on the best course of action in pursuing legal justice for your losses.
To schedule a Free Case Review with one of our lawyers, complete the form to the right.
Tennessee Truck Accidents Caused by Car Drivers
A motorists ignorance of a trucks performance capabilities often contributes to a truck and car collision. This can include the drivers lack of knowledge of the limits related to visibility, braking and acceleration. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents caused by a passenger vehicle include:
- Pulling into traffic in front of a truck without sufficient acceleration.
- Merging improperly into traffic, forcing a truck driver to maneuver or brake quickly.
- Driving in the trucks No-Zones.
- Misjudging an approaching trucks speed at an intersection and making a left turn in front of the on-coming tractor trailer.
- Passing a truck and being blown out of position by either air turbulence or cross-wind.
- Driving between large trucks for an extended period of time.
- Failure to speed up or slow down when a truck begins to change lanes or merge.
- Changing lanes abruptly in front of a truck.
- Maneuvering to the right of a truck that is making a right turn.
- Abandoning a vehicle in a travel lane or failing to move a disabled vehicle completely onto the shoulder of the highway.
Truck Accidents Caused by Truck Drivers
Truck accidents can also be caused by the actions or negligence of truck drivers. In 2007, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) released The Large Truck Causation Study to report on some of the most common causes of truck accidents and collisions in which the truck driver was to blame. Some of these causes include:
- Distracted driving
- Truck drivers on unfamiliar roads
- Speeding
- Illegal traffic maneuvers, including failure to use an indicator when changing lanes
- Unrealistic schedule and expectations of trucking companies
- Overloaded trucks
- Unsecured loads
- Underestimation of the level or type of evasive maneuver required to avoid a crash
- Inadequate training or the failure to properly use techniques learned in training
- Drug and alcohol consumption
- Driver fatigue
- Road rage or aggressive driving
Contact an Experienced Lawyer
In a report conducted by the FMCSA in 2006, there are about 141,000 truck accidents annually. A little more than half of these crashes are caused by the actions or negligence of the truck driver.
At Greg Coleman Law, our truck accident lawyers have obtained favorable outcomes for victims of truck accidents, whether through a settlement with the insurance company or through a jury verdict. If you or a loved one has been involved in a Tennessee truck accident, it is important that you consult with an experienced truck accident attorney.
For more information on the legal rights which may be available to Tennessee truck accident victims, complete the Free Case Review form on this page.
