Chattanooga Truck Accident Lawyer

Tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, big rigs, and trucks often leave accident victims with serious injuries that require significant and long-term medical attention and care. Not only can truck accidents result in catastrophic personal injuries, but they often cause considerable property damage.

Unfortunately, when these accidents occur it can leave families with major financial burdens and ongoing medical concerns making it essential that a Chatanooga truck accident attorney is contacted.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents in Chattanooga are often the result of several factors, and it is not always simple to determine what one factor led to an accident. A Chattanooga truck accident lawyer often works with experts to determine the complicated scenarios that lead up to a crash.

However, while it may be challenging to determine the exact cause of a single accident, there are several common causes of truck accidents including:

  • Improperly loaded or overloaded trucks
  • Defective equipment
  • Lack of driver training
  • Dangerous road conditions
  • Excessive speed

One of the most common reasons for truck accidents in Chattanooga and throughout the country is tired and drowsy truck drivers. According to Title 39 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, most truck drivers are not permitted to drive longer than 11 hours without having a 10-hour break.

Many truck drivers will continue to drive long after these service hours in an attempt to meet deadlines. However, this poses a danger to other drivers on the road, since it has been shown that drivers who do not have adequate rest are more likely to be involved in an accident.

Common Truck Collision Injuries

Trucks, tractor-trailers, and other large commercial vehicles that drive through Chattanooga are massive in comparison to the other cars on the road. The weight, size, and speed of trucks and other large commercial vehicles mean that when a truck is involved in an accident with a passenger vehicle, it is very likely that the driver and passengers of the smaller vehicle will sustain injuries including:

  • Back and neck injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Shoulder injuries
  • Knee injuries
  • Brain and TBI
  • Spinal cord injuries

Statistics show that truck accidents are more likely to result in injuries as compared to car accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 4,050 accidents involving a large truck and there were an estimated 87,000 injuries that resulted from these accidents.

Who is Liable in a Truck Accident?

One of the most complicated matters in a truck accident is determining who is liable for the accident. While it may seem obvious that the truck driver who caused the accident is liable, the matter can be more complex. For instance, did a company hire an independent driver and then require him to drive outside the safety requirements?

Did a third party freight scheduler ignore safety ratings when scheduling a driver or company? Were there safety violations in inspecting and maintaining the company? Did a different company load the truck improperly, impairing the driver’s ability to maintain control of the vehicle?

This is why it is important to contact a Chattanooga truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after an accident. In a truck accident case the following people and parties may share liability:

  • Truck driver
  • Trucking company
  • Equipment manufacturer
  • Freight Scheduler
  • Maintenance company
  • Freight loading company
  • Other drivers

Often truck companies demand that their drivers spend long hours on the road, despite clear laws and regulations dictating how long a driver can drive without a substantial break.

Additionally, the trucking company is often responsible for loading and securing cargo, which as noted above can be a reason a truck is involved in an accident.

In addition, accidents can occur because the truck or one of its parts was not properly manufactured. In these cases, the product manufacturer may share a significant amount of liability and should be held accountable for any injuries and accidents their products caused.

Contact a Chattanooga Truck Accident Attorney Today

Truck accidents are very serious matters that can negatively impact a persons’ life. If a person has been injured in a truck accident they may be entitled to compensation for their injuries and medical expenses, as well as for their pain and suffering.

However, because truck accidents are so severe and trucking companies will rigorously defend their drivers it is important to work closely with a Chattanooga Truck accident attorney to ensure that your rights are being protected.