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If you or a loved one has been in an accident involving an 18-wheeler, semi, or any other type of large truck or commercial vehicle, please contact us today. The truck accident lawyers at Hughes & Coleman are experienced in handling all aspects of a truck accident claim. We have won top dollar for our clients in many truck accident cases, and we will fight to do the same for you. Call our offices in Murfreesboro today to schedule a free initial case evaluation.
Located just 40 minutes south of Nashville along I-24, Murfreesboro is the fastest-growing city in Tennessee. While we are excited to see our community grow, an increase in people also means an increase in traffic. Unfortunately, more traffic has led to more car and truck accidents. It makes things even worse when truck drivers drink or use drugs on the job. While any type of vehicle accident can leave those involved with grave injuries and serious financial repercussions, collisions between semis or large trucks and passenger vehicles are especially devastating. The size and weight of a large truck makes them more destructive upon impact, and victims involved in collisions with these vehicles often lose their lives or are left with life-altering injuries. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, a Murfreesboro personal injury lawyer from our team can help. call us today at 800-800-4600.
Drinking and driving is a serious problem, the CDC recently reported that, in the United States, 29 people die in an accident involving a drunk driver every day. That comes out to one death every 50 minutes. Some of these accidents are caused by truck drivers who drink on the job. A truck driver often leads a solitary life, being alone behind the wheel for days at a time. This can contribute to boredom, loneliness, and depression. In a misguided effort to cope with these feelings, some resort to alcohol or even drugs. Truck drivers are aware that it is illegal to get behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, but some choose to do so anyway. When a truck driver’s poor choice kills or injures someone, he or she should be held accountable. In some cases, not only drivers but even the trucking companies they work for can be held liable, which can mean more compensation for you.
Truck drivers are heavily regulated when it comes to using alcohol or any other intoxicating substance before getting behind the wheel, and rightly so. They are in control of a vehicle that is longer, heavier, and more dangerous than a standard-size vehicle. They have the weighty responsibility of protecting their own lives as well as the lives of other drivers and passengers on the road. It is also their duty to ensure that the cargo they’re carrying is delivered safely and that it doesn’t cause harm to others while en route. The maximum Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) for the driver of a standard size vehicle is .08 percent. However, truck drivers are held to a higher standard. It is illegal for the driver of a commercial vehicle to have a BAC over .04 percent. Further, the Federal Motor Safety Carrier Association (FMCSA) forbids drivers from consuming alcohol within 4 hours of operating a commercial vehicle or going on duty. This would include time spent repairing, maintaining, and loading the truck. Truck drivers are also forbidden from consuming or keeping alcohol inside the cab of their truck.
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Alcohol impairs brain function, reduces a person’s muscle coordination, and affects their perception and judgment. All these skills are essential to safe driving. The more alcohol that is consumed, the more pronounced its effects become. Consider how the following BAC levels would affect a trucker’s driving ability:
Some truck drivers don’t follow FMCSA regulations regarding how many hours they are legally allowed to drive and when they are required to take breaks. However, the faster truck drivers deliver the load, the more money they make. Thus, they push the limits, driving for extended periods without rest. In order to keep pace with this schedule, some turn to illegal or prescription drugs for an extra boost of energy. Amphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, and other drugs can be found at highway rest stops throughout the country. Truck drivers seek out and take these drugs to push through their fatigue and stay awake. This can lead to a vicious cycle where drivers take cocaine or amphetamines to stay awake and then they feel the need to use alcohol or marijuana to calm down and sleep at night. The next morning, they wake up with a hangover and have to start the whole process over again. This not only has a terribly negative impact on a truck driver’s health and well-being, but it severely impacts their driving ability. Drugs can cause delayed reaction times, impaired judgment, inability to concentrate, and false feelings of confidence in difficult driving situations.
“An experienced lawyer does more than make promises; they deliver results. We founded Hughes & Coleman to get hard-earned results.”
Lee Coleman
Managing Partner & Co-Founder
The big truck accident lawyers at Hughes and Coleman are dedicated to helping truck accident victims seek justice. We will review your case for free and help you decide what course of legal action to take. We understand the complexities associated with truck accident claims and have a successful track record in handling these types of cases. After taking your case, we may seek compensation for:
Tennessee, as a modified comparative negligence state, does not automatically bar you from going after the other driver for damages just because you may have contributed to the crash. The Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers team will evaluate your accident and determine if you are eligible for compensation despite any role your actions might have played in causing the wreck. Many of our car accident clients have been able to collect compensation from the other driver’s insurance company despite being 10, 20, and even 45 percent at fault for the crash.
The lawyers at Hughes & Coleman are skilled and experienced in handling all kinds of truck accident cases. You should contact an attorney before accepting any settlement offered by the insurance company. Their goal is to get you to settle for the least amount possible. Our firm will investigate your case and handle all negotiations with the insurance company. We will protect your legal rights and prevent you from getting taken advantage of by greedy trucking companies during your time of distress.
Mr. Coleman is now the Managing Partner and majority owner of Hughes and Coleman Injury Lawyers, a firm he co-founded in 1985 with J. Marshall Hughes. The firm has grown for over 40 years, and we currently have over 30 attorneys and multiple offices across Kentucky and Tennessee, as well as an affiliate firm in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Mr. Coleman’s efforts and accomplishments have been widely recognized, including being named as a Kentucky Super Lawyer in Personal Injury since 2012, and being awarded an AV Rating, the highest rating given, by the nation’s preeminent Attorney Rating service, Martindale- Hubbell®.
Cathy White and her team took amazing care of me. From start to finish, they were incredibly professional, attentive, and supportive. Knowing I had Cathy on my side gave me peace of mind throughout the entire process. I can’t recommend her enough if you’re in need of a lawyer.
I have such a professional team helping me with my case. From the start, they have gone above and beyond for me. I’m treated with respect, kept informed and updated and my team genuinely cares about my case. Every person I speak with is kind, professional, and makes me feel supported every step of the way. I can’t thank them enough for their hard work and dedication – they make a stressful situation so much easier. I highly recommend this firm to anyone who needs real help and honest people on their side.
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If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, please fill out the form below for your free consultation or call us at 800-800-4600.
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