In the aftermath of a truck accident in Arlington, TN, you may find yourself wondering how you will ever recover, not just from the physical and emotional pain but from the financial fallout incurred by medical bills, lost income, and property damage.
By contacting a personal injury lawyer from Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu, & Montesi as soon as possible after your accident, you will set yourself on the path to recovery. GKBM is dedicated to providing clients with bold but compassionate representation leading to a substantial financial settlement.
Truck Accident Facts
A recent report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) presents sobering statistics regarding truck accidents and their outcomes. For a recent full year of data collection,
- 159,000 people were injured in large-truck accidents
- 5,005 people were killed in accidents with large trucks
- 71%, or 3,544, of those killed were occupants of other vehicles
- 18%, or 892 victims were occupants of large trucks
- 11%, or 569 victims were non-vehicle occupants, such as cyclists or pedestrians
The number of trucks involved in police-reported accidents was 538,000.
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Accidents with Commercial Trucks
Commercial truck operators must fulfill their duty of care, the obligation to operate their vehicles in ways that promote and preserve the safety of others on the road, just as operators of private passenger vehicles must. However, because commercial trucks are more dangerous because of their massive size and weight and the cargo they may carry, these vehicles and their operators must abide by additional regulations established by the NHTSA.
Among other areas, NHTSA regulations apply to:
- The truck’s weight
- How cargo is loaded and secured
- How long a truck driver can drive without rest
- Length of mandatory driver rest periods
- The space truck operators must leave between their truck and the vehicle in front of them
- Criteria included in daily truck inspections
With knowledge of these truck regulations, a truck accident lawyer in Arlington, TN is well-equipped to assess whether a truck operator’s failure to comply with these regulations caused your accident.
Driving Under the Influence
Unfortunately, a significant number of truck accidents are caused by drivers who operate their vehicles while impaired. Drunk driving laws are stricter for commercial drivers. While most states recognize a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or higher as exceeding the legal limit, for commercial drivers, that limit is .04%.
When Truck Companies May Be at Fault
Truck companies are responsible for keeping their vehicles in safe working order. They must follow a strict schedule for inspections, vet and train their drivers, and ensure drivers document their drive and rest periods and comply with federal regulations.
In this time of next-day deliveries and increased online shopping, some trucking companies put pressure on drivers to carry more and travel faster than what regulations allow.
If they fail to uphold regulations or illegally pressure their drivers, and these actions lead to your accident, the truck company may be the negligent party.
Accidents with Construction Trucks
Construction trucks are more than just heavy vehicles. They also have built-in construction equipment. These complex trucks are subject to the rules of the road and other regulations established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
These regulations establish when and how vehicles working in public-traffic zones can move and require safety features, such as special braking systems, horns, and backup alarms.
An Arlington, TN truck accident attorney will investigate your accident to see if a lack of compliance by construction vehicle drivers or the companies overseeing those trucks and drivers caused your accident.
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Accidents with Government-Owned Trucks
If your accident is with a government-owned truck, the process for filing a claim and collecting a settlement has additional complications. Whether the truck is owned by the federal government, such as a United States Postal Service truck, or the state or county, you will need an experienced truck accident attorney in Arlington, TN to navigate the legal system.
Since the statute of limitations for filing against a government office is much shorter than filing against a private individual or company, you need to secure representation quickly.
Securing a Just Settlement is Critical to Your Future
If you were injured in a truck accident, your injuries are likely to be severe, with potentially permanent effects. You may require lifelong care or have to adjust to life with limited abilities and chronic pain that prevent you from supporting yourself and your household.
Injuries lead to emotional suffering as well, as you may not be able to interact with others, care for yourself independently, or participate in activities and social events you could prior to being hurt.
If your loved one is killed in the accident, this emotional trauma couples with a financial crisis as you are left without your loved one’s financial or other contributions to the household. Securing a settlement that accounts for your needs and brings justice is critical.
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Damages You Can Recover
GKBM has handled truck accident cases and brought satisfying results to clients for decades. You can count on your Arlington, TN truck accident attorney to manage all elements of your case. This includes investigating the cause of the accident and filing your case, as well as negotiating with insurance companies and representing you at trial should your case go to court.
Most of all, you can count on your attorney to fight for every dollar you need to secure your future. No two truck accident cases are exactly the same, but after calculating the value of your economic and non-economic losses, you can expect your lawyer to seek recovery of or acknowledgment for:
- Medical costs, including expected future needs
- Income Loss
- Lost future earnings, should you not be able to return to work
- Physical and emotional pain and distress
- Wrecked or damaged property
- Reduced enjoyment of life
If your loved one was killed in the crash, with your attorney’s help, you can file a wrongful death claim to cover related medical costs, end-of-life expenses, loss of consortium, lost earnings, and other benefits.
Our Arlington, TN Attorneys Have the Resources and Experience You Need After a Truck Accident
Truck accidents present specific complications. Without connections to accident reconstructionists, other relevant experts, and knowledge of trucking laws and regulations, it can be hard to prove your case and receive a settlement. Fortunately, GKBM has the resources and experience you need and is ready to work with you and fight for you.
Schedule a free consultation today and begin your partnership with a skilled and attentive lawyer who will see your case through from start to finish.
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