TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER
NASHVILLE, TN

Nashville truck accident cases are complex

When you’re in a truck accident, you don’t just have to deal with the other driver and his or her insurance company—there may be multiple parties involved. You could be negotiating with the truck driver, the trucking company, and the truck manufacturer, plus each of these parties may have their own lawyers and insurance companies.

Trucking companies will begin their own investigation immediately after the accident. These companies have extensive resources, including a team of attorneys and experts working for them. They may go to great lengths and use ruthless tactics to deny any guilt in the accident.

Insurance companies will likely try to offer you a quick payout in the hopes of making your claim go away. We strongly advise not to accept any offer before speaking to a lawyer. The amount they are offering likely won’t even cover your medical expenses and lost wages, and you deserve to be fully compensated.

We believe that negligent trucking companies, truck manufacturers, and drivers should be held accountable for their actions. Our legal team is comprised of Nashville truck accident lawyers, and we will make sure that you aren’t taken advantage of.

The most common types of trucking accidents in and around Nashville, TN

Over the course of our three decades in Nashville helping truck accident victims, we have seen all types of commercial vehicles and have handled many types of accidents.

If you’ve been injured in any of the following wrecks, call us today.

800-800-4600

Some of the most common causes of injury include:

Trailer slew or trailer swing truck accidents

Swings in the trailer tend to happen when a truck is braking on a slick surface, typically when it is raining or during the winter months when road conditions are not ideal. When the truck brakes, the trailer can swing to one side or the other and can be corrected by accelerating to pull the trailer back in line. However, even a subtle swing of the trailer could cause catastrophic consequences for any vehicle in the vicinity. Further, if the driver does not release the brakes to bring the trailer back into unison, the trailer can continue to slide into a jackknife, leading to an even more dangerous situation.

Nashville truck accident attorneys can help you after a trailer swing wreck. Call us today at 800-800-4600.

Jackknife truck accidents

When you think about commercial trucks carrying a trailer, it’s expected that the trailer would “trail” behind the truck or towing vehicle ; however, there are many cases where the driver can lose control of their trailer, causing it to sway, or in some instances, form a “V” or “L” shape with the towing vehicle. This shape resembles a jackknife and is extremely dangerous.

Among other things, jackknifes can be a result of:

• Improper braking by the driver. Typically attempting to brake too quickly while traveling at high speed.
• Fast turns that cause trucks to lose control of the trailer.
• Empty trailers that do not have enough hold to withstand a faster application to the breaks or a fast turn.
• Inclement weather or slick roads, which can make these situations significantly more dangerous and likely for trucks traveling at any speed.

Nashville truck accident lawyers know how to manage cases involving jackknifes. Call us today at 800-800-4600 to talk with our team.

Rollover accidents involving tractor trailers

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 78% of rollovers involve driver error. Additionally, more than 1,300 cargo tank rollovers are reported each year. Semi-trucks are easier to roll over than cars because they have a higher center of gravity. A rollover may occur if a truck turns too quickly, throwing it off balance and causing it to swing to one side; however, statistics show that more than half of all rollovers occur on straight roads, not curves or ramps.

Vehicle condition plays a role in some rollovers. In one study, for example, 54% of vehicles in rollovers had a brake defect of some sort.

Rollover accidents involving cars or 4-wheeled vehicles are not as common as other types of commercial vehicle accidents, but they can be some of the most serious for all involved.

In addition to driver negligence, rollovers can be caused by improperly securing a load. The trailer tends to sway in one direction when the weight of the load inside the trailer shifts, possibly to the point where the trailer starts to roll over.

Regardless of the cause, rollovers are extremely dangerous, especially in high-traffic areas, such as those that surround Nashville – and they can happen at any time.

If a rollover caused your injury, you need an experienced truck accident attorney to fight for you. Call us now at 800-800-4600.

Truck drivers are responsible for their blind spots

If you’ve been driving for a while, chances are you’ve seen a semi-truck or tractor-trailer with a sign on it saying something along the lines of, “IF YOU CAN’T SEE MY MIRRORS, I CAN’T SEE YOU.” This may seem like ample warning, but nevertheless, under Tennessee and federal law, truck drivers are still responsible for their blind spot and can be found negligent in accidents caused by not checking their blind spots, either by their mirrors or other technology. Regardless of having a sticker in place to warn other vehicles that these areas might be dangerous, truck drivers are still required (just like every other vehicle) to ensure the safety of other cars on the road when changing lanes or maneuvering in a way that might make a blind spot accident more of a risk.

Semi truck drivers need to be held responsible for their actions. Our Nashville truck accident attorneys can help you prove who was at fault in a blind spot collision.

Underride semi-truck accidents

When it comes to serious accidents involving trucks or semis, few are as deadly as underrides. An underride accident occurs when a smaller vehicle—such as a car, van, or motorcycle—collides with a large truck, and the smaller vehicle gets crushed under the side or rear of the tractor-trailer.

The tractor-trailer has a higher ground clearance and often allows enough room for the hood of a smaller vehicle to fit underneath, but with the windshield, roof, and passenger area sheared off. These horrifying accidents almost always cause serious injuries or death.

What is an override accident?

An override accident occurs when a large truck is unable to stop and runs over the smaller vehicle—or vehicles—in front of them. These horrible accidents are just as deadly as underride collisions. In these types of accidents, the passenger vehicle may get lodged under the body of the truck or trailer and be dragged for some distance.

These tragedies are often caused by driver negligence or poor truck maintenance. The following are common causes of override accidents:

• The truck driver is tailgating the vehicle ahead and following them too closely.
• The truck driver is speeding and is not able to stop fast enough.
• Poor weather conditions have reduced visibility.
• Tire blowout, brake failure, or other mechanical issues.
• The vehicle in front of the truck comes to a sudden stop.

Override and underride accidents cause severe injuries

Underride and override accidents almost always result in serious injury or death. Victims may need physical therapy and other long-term medical treatment. Wrongful death lawsuits are common with these types of accidents, and victims that manage to survive are often faced with severe, life-threatening injuries such as:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Neck injuries
• Paralysis
• Lacerations
• Broken or fractured bones
• Amputations

Truck accidents leave victims traumatized not only physically but emotionally as well. After the accident, victims may be struggling to heal physically, cope with mental anguish, and manage mounting medical bills. This can prove to be overwhelming for any one person to handle on his or her own.

That’s what we are here for – to take some of this huge burden off your shoulders. Call Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers today to see how we can help. After taking your case, we will launch a thorough investigation into the accident and handle all negotiations with the trucking company and insurers. We defend your legal rights, so that you can focus on more important matters—healing and caring for your loved ones.

Common causes of Nashville truck accidents

A Nashville truck accident can be caused by many factors, including driver negligence, negligence of the trucking company, equipment failure, and poor driving conditions. Our law firm has seen it all. No matter the cause, if you’ve been injured in a wreck, our truck accident attorneys can help.

What does a commercial truck accident attorney do?

Injuries from a truck wreck can take weeks, months, or even years to recover from. Our team handles the legal process of your case so you can focus all of your efforts on healing. When you hire Hughes & Coleman, our experienced legal team:

• Takes over communications with your insurance company and the other driver’s insurance company so that you can focus on recovery following the car accident.
• Coordinates with the billing departments of the providers to reduce unnecessary phone calls or harassment.
• Works with the available insurance coverage and helps you recover compensation for your lost wages.
• Reviews your insurance information, insurance claim, and any initial settlement offers to ensure you get every dollar you deserve.
• Seeks compensation for your medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
• Guides you through the process, is there for you, and makes sure that the legal process works in your favor.

Our Nashville truck accident lawyers can help truck accident victims

The lawyers at Hughes & Coleman have extensive experience in handling truck accident cases throughout Tennessee and Nashville, along with the skills and resources necessary to make sure you get the financial compensation you deserve. We have seen the trauma that truck accidents can cause, and we want to help. We are local, and our accident lawyers in Nashville are here to assist you in every way we can.

Contact us online or call our Nashville, TN, office for a free initial consultation.

Some of our Nashville truck accident case victories

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you need a Nashville truck accident lawyer in your corner who knows the law and is familiar with dealing with trucking companies and the insurance companies that represent them. Our results speak for themselves. Let us work for you to help you through this difficult time.

Get in touch today. Control Starts With A Call.

Nashville truck accidents can be terrifying, We offer free consultations 24/7, and there will always be someone here to take your call.

Call our team today at 800-800-4600 for a free consultation.