Truck accidents can be some of the most horrific types of incidents that occur in Germantown, Tennessee. The sheer size and weight of a commercial truck can lead to the destruction of a passenger car and catastrophic injuries. You or a loved one can suffer life-threatening injuries in an accident involving a truck. Whether you are a pedestrian, motorist, or bicyclist, you have rights that need to be protected when injured. A Germantown truck accident lawyer from Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi PLC can protect those rights.
Types of Trucks on Tennessee Roads
You will see a variety of trucks when traveling the roads of Tennessee, including the following:
- Trash trucks
- Fire trucks
- Delivery trucks
- 18-wheelers
- Big rigs
- Dump trucks
- Flatbeds
- Car carriers
- Logging trucks
- Fuel tankers
For a free legal consultation with a truck accidents lawyer serving Germantown, call (901) 526-2126
Causes of Germantown Truck Accidents
Each truck accident is different, which means there will be various circumstances surrounding it. The most common causes of Germantown truck accidents include the following:
- Driver inattention
- Driver fatigue
- Impaired driving (drugs or alcohol)
- Faulty brakes
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Improperly maintained trucks
- Speeding and tailgating
- Failure to check blind spots
- Construction zones
- Failing to stop at red lights, stop signs, or crosswalks
- Failure to yield to emergency vehicles with lights and sirens activated
Germantown Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me (901) 526-2126
Who You Can Hold Liable for a Truck Accident
A truck accident does not always have just one at-fault party. There is the possibility that multiple parties played a role in the crash that left you injured, which means you can hold each one of them accountable for their actions when filing a claim.
The Driver of the Truck
The most obvious at-fault party in a truck accident would be the truck driver. Whether it was fatigue, inebriation, poor decision-making, or failure to follow the rules of the road, the truck driver will be liable in a large majority of truck accidents.
The Truck Company
You might be able to hold the truck company liable in an accident claim in addition to the truck driver. The truck company is responsible for hiring, training, and monitoring the drivers it hires. If one of its drivers causes an accident, the company could face liability issues in a claim.
The Party Responsible for Loading the Truck
Whoever loaded the truck might be held responsible for the crash. If the cargo is not loaded properly, it can shift during transportation, causing the truck to overturn. The cargo might also fall off the truck if it is a flatbed. Or, too much cargo might have been loaded onto the truck based on what it can handle. All of these mistakes can lead to the cargo loader being held responsible.
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Injuries Caused by Truck Accidents
Victims of truck accidents can suffer serious, life-changing injuries. These injuries can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills and lost wages. Truck accident victims often suffer the following injuries:
- Scars and burns
- Disfigurement
- Vision and hearing loss
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord trauma
- Broken bones
- Amputation
- Injuries to soft tissues
- Open head wounds
- Concussions
- Herniated discs
- Paralysis
It is imperative that you seek medical care immediately following a truck accident, even if you believe you have not suffered an injury. Delayed onset of pain is possible, which means that your injuries might not present themselves until days after the accident. Having a record of medical treatment increases the chances of your truck accident claim succeeding.
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Deadline to File a Truck Accident Claim in Tennessee
You need to act quickly when injured in a Germantown truck accident because of the short statute of limitations in Tennessee. You have just one year from the date of the truck accident to file a claim against the at-fault parties for your injuries. If you do not file a claim by the one-year mark you are risking the ability to recover compensation.
Worth of a Truck Accident Claim
There are challenges in placing a finite value on truck accident claims because of the differences in each accident. That is where an experienced Germantown truck accident lawyer will help. The lawyer will review the circumstances of the crash to determine how much you should seek from the at-fault parties. The circumstances that play a role in the value of your claim include the following:
- The severity of your injuries
- If your injuries are expected to be permanent
- How much money has been spent on medical treatment
- If you have to modify your vehicle or home due to paralysis
- The amount of negligence by each at-fault party
- If any of the at-fault parties acted intentionally
- How much money is expected to be spent on treatment, care, rehabilitation, and other costs
You can claim damages for the following after a truck accident:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Loss of companionship
- Lost wages and benefits
- Disfigurement
- Permanent disability
Punitive Damages Are Possible
If the at-fault party acted intentionally in the truck accident, the judge presiding over your case might award you punitive damages. Punitive damages can significantly increase the value of your case, but there are limits placed on them by Tennessee law. The limits for punitive damages are as follows:
- Either two times the total award for compensatory damages, or,
- $500,000, whichever is the greater amount
Fatal Truck Accidents and Wrongful Death Claims
Should you suffer the loss of a loved one in a truck accident, you can file a wrongful death claim against any of the parties mentioned earlier depending on their level of fault in the crash. A wrongful death claim can help to pay for your loved one’s funeral and burial expenses as well as the medical care they received before their death.
Contact a truck accident attorney in Germantown for help.
Call a Truck Accident Lawyer in Germantown Today
If you or a loved one suffered an injury in a truck accident, the medical treatment alone can cost in the tens of thousands of dollars. Hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions that left you injured. A Germantown truck accident attorney from Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi PLC can help you take the proper legal action.
Call our office, or submit our contact form to schedule a consultation with a member of our team today.
Call or text (901) 526-2126 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form