Common Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents in Tennessee

Semi-trucks are a vital part of our world today. Without them, we wouldn’t receive the goods we order from websites like Amazon as quickly as we do. In fact, over the years, we’ve only seen a growing number of semi-trucks on the roads as e-commerce rises in popularity. However, the increasing number of these trucks comes with an increasingly high risk of semi-truck accidents. Since Tennessee’s highways are vital for transportation, Tennessee is a hotspot for these accidents. Understanding what causes these accidents can help you stay vigilant on the road and protect your legal rights if you’re involved in one.

Why Understanding the Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents Matters

The first and most significant reason it’s essential to understand the causes of a semi-truck accident is that truck accidents are often preventable. Many semi-truck accidents result from driver error, mechanical failures, and employer violations. Recognizing these issues is the first step toward prevention as well as holding the liable party accountable.

The second reason you need to know the causes of these accidents is that this knowledge can help strengthen your claim. This is because it’s crucial to identify the cause of a truck accident when you pursue compensation. It helps to establish liability and puts you in the best position possible to win the justice you deserve.

Top Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents

A truck accident can happen for many different reasons, and unlike most car accidents, there may be many different responsible parties.

Driver-Related Causes

The first responsible party that most people automatically think of is the driver. Sure enough, when it comes to semi-truck accidents, a driver can be responsible for many reasons. The most common are:

• Driver Fatigue – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has regulations to limit driving hours, yet trucking companies often pressure drivers to meet specific deadlines. As a result, they drive long hours, which leads to exhaustion. This impairs a driver’s reaction time and decision-making abilities, creating the same impact as if the driver was drunk.
• Distracted Driving – Similar to a car accident, distracted driving remains a significant cause of truck accidents. This can look like a driver using their phone to talk or text, eating or drinking, or messing with the radio.
• Speeding or Aggressive Driving – Certain behaviors on the road increase the likelihood of accidents. This includes exceeding the posted speed limits or aggressive maneuvers, such as abrupt lane changes or tailgating.
• Blind Spot Accidents – The bigger a truck is, the bigger its blind spots are. Failure to pay attention to these areas can lead to a collision.
• Driving While Under the Influence – Driving while drunk or high is illegal, and it impairs a driver’s ability to make good decisions on the road. This is especially important for truck drivers because of their vehicles’ size and weight.

Mechanical and Maintenance Failures

There are more common causes of semi-truck accidents that don’t have to do with the driver’s behavior. These can look like:

• Failing Brakes – A truck’s braking system must be appropriately maintained. If it isn’t, stopping the truck before a collision can be impossible.
• Tire Blowouts – A worn or deflated tire can blow out, which will cause the driver to lose control as they lose their tire.
• Poor Maintenance – Trucks require regular inspections and maintenance because they are frequently used. Failing to keep up with maintenance can lead to mechanical failures on the road.

Cargo and Company Issues

Lastly, cargo and company issues are another common cause of semi-truck accidents. According to the FMCSA, there are strict rules for loading a truck to avoid catastrophic accidents with these heavy trucks. Failure to follow these rules might look like:

• Overloading Cargo – Exceeding the weight limits of a truck can affect its balance and handling, especially in a windy situation.
• Trucking Safety Violations – Companies might prioritize profits over safety, which means they will cut corners to save costs.
• Bad Hiring and Training Practices – Hiring inexperienced or inadequately trained drivers can increase the risk of accidents.

What Victims Should Know About Liability in Tennessee

Tennessee follows a modified comparative negligence law. If you’re found to be 50 percent or more at fault, you cannot receive compensation for any losses you incurred in an accident. However, you can receive compensation if you’re found less than 50 percent at fault. In this case, the court reduces your compensation by the percentage of fault assigned to you. For example, if you’re found 25 percent at fault, your compensation is reduced by 25 percent. This would drop the award from $100,000 to $75,000.

It’s also important to know how to prove fault. It’s important to establish fault so that you can fight for compensation. Doing this requires an investigation, including reviewing driver logs, maintenance records, and company procedures. A skilled attorney can help you uncover violations, which will be the foundation of your case. 

Why You Need an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney

Trucking companies usually come with large insurance companies and experienced legal teams. These are two of their most significant assets in fighting against you in a legal battle, and often winning if you don’t have the right team on your side. An experienced semi-truck accident lawyer knows how to handle negotiations for you so you don’t get pressured into accepting a lowball offer.

At Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC, we know that truck accidents are devastating and leave their victims in considerable pain and distress. Our team is dedicated to securing you the compensation you deserve to heal physically, financially, and emotionally. We offer decades of experience focused on personal injury cases in Tennessee. Our firm knows the law and the tactics trucking companies will use to avoid paying you what you deserve.

We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning we won’t charge you unless we win your case. There’s no reason to wait. Don’t let the big trucking companies take advantage of you. Contact us online or call today at (901) 526-2126 for a free consultation and learn how we can help you fight for your rights.