Memphis 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

Few types of motor vehicle crashes cause the devastation that comes with an 18-wheeler accident. These enormous vehicles can demolish virtually any other type of motor vehicle on the road.

If you suffer serious injuries in a truck accident caused by another and don’t know where to turn for help, a dedicated truck wreck lawyer can provide you with the legal support you need. Schedule a free consultation with a Memphis 18-wheeler accident lawyer today to learn more about the claims process and find out who might be responsible for your damages.

Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents

Individuals are at a higher risk of injury or death in truck accidents compared to passenger vehicle accidents. This is primarily because semi-trucks, big rigs, 18-wheelers, and other large transport vehicles are much heavier, weighing 20 to 30 times more than a conventional passenger vehicle. Our attorneys know that in Memphis, as in many other cities, 18-wheeler accidents can be caused by a variety of factors. Common causes include:

Driver Fatigue

Long hours on the road without sufficient rest can lead to fatigue, which is a significant factor in trucking accidents. A truck driver often has demanding schedules and may be pressured to meet tight deadlines.

Passenger Vehicle Occupants

Individuals are at a higher risk of injury or death in truck accidents compared to passenger vehicle accidents. This is primarily because semi-trucks, big rigs, 18-wheelers, and other large transport vehicles are much heavier, weighing 20 to 30 times more than a conventional passenger vehicle.

Distracted Driving

Like other drivers, a truck driver can be distracted by mobile devices, eating, or other activities that take their attention away from the road.

Poor Vehicle Maintenance

Regular truck maintenance is vital for safe operation. Trucking accidents can occur due to maintenance issues such as brake failures and tire blowouts.

Improper Loading

Overloading large commercial trucks or improper loading can cause trucks to be unbalanced or cargo to fall off, leading to a trucking accident.

Speeding and Reckless Driving

A truck driver might speed or drive recklessly to meet deadlines, which increases the risk of a trucking accident.

Weather Conditions

Adverse weather conditions like rain, snow, and ice can be particularly challenging for trucks, given their size and braking distances.

Inadequate Training

The truck driver needs specialized training to handle large vehicles safely. Insufficient training can result in mistakes and incidents.

Alcohol and Drug Use

Commercial drivers who violate strict regulations regarding alcohol and drug use can contribute to truck accidents when they operate their vehicles under the influence of these substances.

What Makes Big Rig Accidents More Complicated Than Other Truck Crashes?

There are some unique issues that arise when an 18-wheeler is involved in a wreck, as opposed to a smaller truck like a delivery van. Our Memphis attorneys have years of experience representing people harmed in big rig accidents, so we can anticipate these issues and tackle them efficiently.

There are often multiple potentially liable parties when an 18-wheeler crashes. Depending on the circumstances, these may include the:

• Truck’s owner
• Transportation company, if it is not the owner of the vehicle
• Truck driver, if they are an independent contractor
• Owner of the cargo
• Company that loaded the cargo
• Manufacturer of the truck and any components that failed
• Government entity responsible for the road at the location where the crash occurred 

The owners and drivers of other involved vehicles also might have liability in the crash.

Another distinguishing factor is that 18-wheeler accidents often cause multi-vehicle pileups. In addition to multiple defendants, there may be several other injured people seeking a share of the same insurance coverage. Navigating these issues to ensure you receive your fair share requires aggressive and skillful negotiation.

Higher Standards Apply to Commercial Vehicles

An important consideration in tractor-trailer accidents is the heightened responsibility that comes with driving a cargo truck. All drivers must use reasonable care to avoid doing harm to others. A failure to use reasonable care is negligent and triggers liability for an accident.

Commercial truck drivers are negligent if they fail to use reasonable care. Meeting this higher standard requires strict adherence to all regulations and safety laws. Any deviation could be evidence of negligence, making the truck driver or their employer liable for financial damages.

Common Injuries in 18-Wheeler Accidents

Large tractor-trailers spend most of their time on the highways, traveling at high speeds. Combining the massive size of these vehicles with speed means that fatal and catastrophic injuries are common in these accidents.

An occupant of a passenger vehicle may suffer crush injuries, damaging muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and internal organs. Big rig accident victims often suffer multiple fractures or even traumatic amputations. Disfiguring facial injuries, moderate or severe traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injuries are common in these wrecks.

Many victims of large truck accidents suffer multiple serious injuries and are left permanently disabled. Obtaining sufficient compensation to ensure access to the care and services you need requires the skills of an experienced Memphis 18-wheeler accident attorney.

Helpful Evidence in 18-Wheeler Accidents

Obtaining fair compensation for truck accident injuries hinges on finding adequate evidence of other parties’ negligence. Our Memphis attorneys are skilled 18-wheeler accident investigators, but we also employ professionals like engineers and accident reconstruction experts to find the evidence we need in appropriate cases.

The trucker’s electronic log and the truck’s event data recorder both provide essential information. The log demonstrates whether the driver adhered to working hours rules, and the data recorder provides information about the truck’s speed, brake usage, and the status of the truck’s mechanical systems in the seconds before the crash.

Traffic cameras, as well as video from dash cams and the truck’s in-cab video, often provide useful information. Depending on the circumstances, the truck’s maintenance records, the driver’s employment and training records, and the history of wrecks at the location can all be useful in proving other parties’ liability.

Legal Options After a Truck Accident

If a tractor-trailer collides with you, you may wonder how to hold the liable party accountable. After all, you should not have to cover these costs.

Your 18-wheeler accident lawyer in Memphis can help you go over your legal options after reviewing the details of your case. Generally, your options will include filing an insurance claim or bringing your case to court. Here is more:

File a Claim with the Insurance Company

Tennessee is an at-fault state when it comes to insurance claims. This means when you are filing a claim with the trucker’s insurance company, it will be the liable trucker’s insurance company, not your own.

If you have no-fault insurance coverage, you can file a claim with your own insurer for a car accident. Don’t hesitate to do so, even if you have concerns about increased payments when renewing your policy.

In case of a collision involving commercial trucks, our truck accident lawyers will determine who is at fault and file a claim with the appropriate trucker’s insurance company to negotiate a reasonable settlement.

File a Civil Lawsuit Against the Liable Party

If filing a truck accident claim with the insurance companies was going to help all injury victims recover the entirety of their damages, you would have no need to go to civil court. Unfortunately, insurance settlements are based on the types of coverage purchased by the policyholder.

If trucking companies were shirking their insurance premiums or failed to carry sufficient insurance coverage, you may have remaining losses that the insurance company does not cover. The best way to maximize the compensation you can be awarded could be  to bring your truck accident case to trial.

There are no limits to the types of damages you could recover. Your attorney should take every single loss you have experienced into consideration and account for them while calculating the value of your 18-wheeler truck accident lawsuit.

Potential Liable Parties to Sue

One of your 18-wheeler accident lawyer’s most important responsibilities will be figuring out who is responsible for causing your accident in Memphis. For the vast majority of injured victims, establishing fault and liability is one of the only ways to get justice. Here are some of the parties who are frequently sued in 18-wheeler truck accident lawsuits:

Truck Owners and Companies

Truck companies and owners are often sued in 18-wheeler truck accident cases. They have a responsibility to maintain and ensure the safety of their trucks. A commercial truck is one of the largest and most dangerous vehicles on the road.

Trucking companies have an obligation to ensure they are hiring skilled truckers and adhering to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) work-hour regulations. If negligent truck drivers cause commercial trucking accidents, the trucking company that employs them may also be responsible.

18-Wheeler Parts Designers and Manufacturers

Malfunctioning and defective 18-wheeler parts are some of the most common causes of collisions. When tires, steering systems, braking systems, or any other part of the big rig is defective, it can cause life-threatening injuries.

Your 18-wheeler truck accident lawsuit could name vehicle parts designers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, dealerships, and other third parties.

Irresponsible Truck Drivers

You may have the opportunity to file a personal injury lawsuit against the truck drivers if they caused your 18-wheeler truck accident scene through distracted, drowsy, drunk, drugged, aggressive, impaired, or reckless driving. The trucking company that hires them could also be at fault, depending on the circumstances of your case.

Bars and Restaurants

Tennessee’s dram shop liability laws allow for holding businesses licensed to sell alcohol responsible for covering the damages if they oversell or over-serve alcohol to a trucker who then causes an 18-wheeler truck accident while drunk. Our Memphis truck accident attorneys will review all of the evidence in your case to uncover all potentially liable parties.

Pursue Compensation for The Victims of Truck Accidents

You will need to keep all police reports, medical bills, and records in a folder, along with notes from conversations with various people. This will be crucial for your Memphis 18-wheeler truck crash lawyer.

There are a variety of damages that may be eligible to recover compensation when you are filing an 18-wheeler truck accident lawsuit. You are entitled to recover losses by seeking compensation damages. Examples include:

• Lost wages
• Loss of companionship and love
• Future medical expenses
• Healthcare costs
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Vehicle repairs

Reach Out to a Memphis 18-Wheeler Truck Accident Attorney for Help Today

The trauma that comes with an 18-wheeler truck accident could have a lasting impact on your life. It is important to keep these details in mind as you consider your legal options for financial recovery.

Start working on your insurance and civil claims today when you contact an experienced Memphis 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer at Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi. Complete our quick contact form or call us to schedule your free consultation as soon as today.