Motor vehicle accidents involving commercial trucks are especially devastating. The weight and speed of the massive 18-wheelers all but ensure that whatever other vehicle it hits, along with the passengers inside that vehicle, will be severely damaged. Serious damage requires serious compensation.
If you have been injured from a motor vehicle accident involving a commercial truck, contact a Bartlett truck accident lawyer from Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi PLC. Your attorney will steer your case through the legal process with the skill and knowledge necessary to win you the highest financial award possible.
Tennessee Motor Vehicle Accident Laws
Tennessee operates under at-fault laws for motor vehicle accidents. This means that whoever causes (is at fault for) the accident is accountable for providing compensation for the victim’s injuries.
Not surprisingly, however, those at fault, along with their insurance companies, want to pay as little as possible. They will fight to deny or at least lessen their culpability. Under Tennessee law, if the victim is proved to have contributed to the accident, their compensation is reduced in proportion to that contribution. In other words, if the victim is found to be 10% responsible for the accident, they will receive 90% (10% less) of the full settlement.
Your expert Bartlett truck accident lawyer will stand up to at-fault drivers and insurance companies who try to shift the blame for the damages they have caused to you. Your lawyer will not allow you to pay for someone else’s negligence.
For a free legal consultation with a truck accidents lawyer serving Bartlett, call (901) 526-2126
Trucking Regulations
Commercial truck drivers must follow the same traffic laws as all other drivers. Additionally, they must follow federal trucking regulations determining the number of consecutive hours they can drive, how often and how long they must take breaks to rest, and how many hours they can drive per week.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) also requires commercial truck drivers to operate with an electronic logging device (ELD) to ensure compliance with hours of service (HOS) regulations and reduce accidents caused by driver fatigue.
Truck companies and drivers must also adhere to FMCSA regulations regarding inspections and maintenance of vehicles, driver hiring and training, transportation of hazardous materials, and other specific, safety-focused requirements. Your lawyer from Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi PLC will investigate your accident thoroughly. If drivers or companies failed to uphold these regulations, your attorney will work to hold them accountable.
Trucks Can Be Complicated
There are other issues to consider in accidents involving commercial trucks. The part of the “cab” where the driver sits, and the attached trailer may be owned by different entities, and each entity may have its own separate insurance. Navigating the fine print and smooth talk of insurance adjustors is hard enough when there is only one company involved.
With two, the process becomes more daunting. Your truck accident lawyer in Bartlett will negotiate with these insurance companies so you do not have to.
Bartlett Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me (901) 526-2126
Truck Accidents in Tennessee
According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, there were 13,921 truck accidents in the state for the last full year of data collection. The majority occurred on interstates, but overall, the accidents affected all types of roadways in both urban and rural areas.
Causes for the accidents range from ignoring traffic safety laws and driving recklessly to distracted driving. Many of the accidents included fatalities, injuries, and property damage.
Whatever the cause, victims have the right to hold responsible parties accountable for the accidents that have changed their lives. The best way to do this is through a Bartlett truck accident lawyer.
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Why You Need a Bartlett Truck Accident Attorney
Your attorney from Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi PLC knows Tennessee’s accident laws and the federal trucking regulations. Investigating trucking accidents and holding those responsible is what they do. If you attempt to make your case on your own, you are likely to miss opportunities to collect.
Truck Accident Injuries Are Serious
A recent report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the average vehicle weighing in at 4,156 pounds, which is clearly no match for a tractor-trailer that can weigh in at 300,000 pounds. Common injuries caused by truck accidents include
- Damage to the neck or back
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Traumatic brain injury
- Broken bones and lacerations
- Burns (from ruptured fuel tanks or hazardous materials)
- Limb amputations
Many of these injuries are life-changing and will require weeks, months, years, or even a lifetime of care. Along with those medical expenses, you will still have to pay your living expenses and may need to make structural changes to your living environment and vehicle should your mobility be affected.
If you are no longer able to work and contribute to household income, household chores, or child care, you will need finances to cover these needs. Further, the losses to your overall quality of life deserve recognition and compensation. Your Bartlett truck accident lawyer will take care to account for all of your needs and all losses incurred by your injury, and take action to win a just, much-deserved settlement.
Wrongful Death
Sadly, it is not uncommon for truck accidents to end with fatalities. If this is what you are facing, your lawyer can file a wrongful death suit against responsible parties. The settlement may cover medical bills and end-of-life expenses, recover income, and compensate for emotional or intangible losses incurred by the victim’s death.
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You Need a Truck Accident Attorney in Bartlett with a Successful Record
Winning the highest settlement after your accident is essential to you and your family’s well-being. The settlement will provide the financial support you need to recover and move forward.
Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi PLC has an impressive record of wins for truck accident cases, bringing victims and their families millions of dollars in relief. Trust your case with this firm’s skilled, caring truck accident lawyers.
Consult with a Bartlett Truck Accident Lawyer Now
The physical and emotional trauma you have sustained from your truck accident demands compensation. Put your recovery and your financial future in the capable hands of an expert lawyer. Contact Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi PLC to schedule a free consultation with a Bartlett truck accident lawyer.
Your consultation comes with no risk and no fee. Do not wait any longer to take action and start healing.
Call or text (901) 526-2126 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form