If you were involved in a truck accident in Fayetteville, Tennessee, and it was not your fault, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries and related losses. However, trucking companies and their insurers can make it hard to get the money they owe you. You need a trusted, experienced truck accident lawyer to advocate for you and hold them accountable.
For half a century, the attorneys at Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., have helped injured victims in Fayetteville, Tennessee, seek compensation and accountability after traumatic truck accidents. We have a proven track record of success, having secured millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients. And because we don’t charge for our services unless we successfully win compensation, there’s no upfront cost to securing our award-winning services.
Don’t put off pursuing the money you could be owed. Contact Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., today to speak to our truck accident lawyers in Fayetteville, TN, during a free case review.
Why Semi-Truck Accidents Are Complicated
Some of the common reasons tractor-trailer accident cases are more complex than other motor vehicle accidents include the following:
- Truck accidents often involve more evidence. State and federal trucking regulations require companies to keep extensive records of their operations. These records may indicate that the trucking company contributed to the crash and is liable for injuries. However, obtaining these records can be difficult without help from an attorney.
- Truck accidents typically cause more severe injuries. Due to the size and weight of commercial trucks, the impact can be more forceful and cause crash victims to suffer more severe injuries than victims in passenger car crashes. These injuries can require more costly medical treatment or lifelong treatment, and plaintiffs must estimate future expenses when seeking compensation.
- Truck accidents may involve multiple victims. Truck crashes can involve multiple vehicles, resulting in injuries to several parties, all of whom could pursue compensation for their losses. There is the potential of depleting the at-fault party’s insurance coverage and financial resources before everyone receives full compensation.
- Truck accidents often have multiple liable parties. A truck accident may be caused by parties other than the truck driver, including the trucking company, the truck owner, the cargo loaders, truck maintenance companies, and others.
- Trucking companies often have complicated corporate structures and insurance policies. Trucking companies may have layered corporate structures or insurance policies that make it difficult to determine liability or how much insurance coverage is available to compensate you. Most commercial trucking policies provide at least $1 million in coverage. Couple that with more severe injuries, and you can count on insurers to put up a fight.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Tractor-Trailer Wreck in Fayetteville?
The trucking industry often involves multiple parties, each of whom may be responsible for compensating truck accident victims. Parties who may be held liable for a Fayetteville tractor-trailer wreck include the following:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company that employs or retains the driver
- The truck’s owner, if not the driver or trucking company
- The freight broker or cargo company
- The truck or trailer manufacturer
- Manufacturers of parts used on the truck
- The truck’s mechanic
Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents
Truck accidents are all too common in Fayetteville and often result in serious, life-altering injuries and catastrophic property damage. According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, 45 large truck crashes occurred in Lincoln County in one recent year alone.
Some common causes of these 18-wheeler accidents include:
- Speeding
- Reckless driving, including swerving in and out of traffic
- Drowsy or fatigued driving, especially if a truck driver exceeds their hours-of-service (HOS) limits
- Intoxicated driving
- Distracted driving
- Unsafe lane changes by failing to signal or check mirrors and blind spots
- Dangerous turns, including turning wide when making right turns
- Tailgating
- Unsafe cargo, including excessive loads or failing to secure cargo from shifting
- Inadequate vehicle maintenance
- Driver inexperience
- Unfamiliarity with routes or local roads
Potential Compensation for Injuries in a Fayetteville Truck Wreck
If you are involved in a truck accident in Fayetteville, TN, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and other crash-related losses.
You could seek financial relief to make up for the following:
- Medical treatment of your injuries, including hospital stays, surgery, prescriptions, and physical therapy.
- Long-term care, such as home health services or housekeeping, if you suffer permanent disabilities due to your injuries
- Loss of income if you miss work while recovering from your injuries
- Loss of future earning potential and employment benefits if you cannot return to your job or be gainfully employed
- Physical pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
Why Do You Need an Experienced Tennessee Truck Accident Lawyer?
Trucking companies and their insurers have adjusters who want to undervalue or deny your compensation claim. You need an experienced Tennessee truck accident lawyer to stand up to big corporations and pursue accountability. At Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., our trusted attorneys can build a robust case in your favor by:
- Investigating the crash to gather evidence to show what caused the accident
- Determining who is liable for your injuries and identifying all possible sources of compensation
- Documenting your injuries and losses and working with experts to calculate your financial losses and future expenses resulting from the crash
- Retaining accident reconstruction experts and interviewing eyewitnesses to provide persuasive testimony to bolster your case
- Filing claims and other necessary paperwork on your behalf and communicating with insurers and other parties for you
- Negotiating a full, fair settlement or taking your case to trial if necessary
Tennessee Statute of Limitations on Truck Accident Claims
In Tennessee, the statute of limitations gives you only one year from the date of a truck accident to file a lawsuit against at-fault parties. If you miss the one-year deadline, the court will likely dismiss your case, meaning you will lose your opportunity to pursue compensation in civil court. You should speak to our attorneys immediately after an accident to ensure you do not miss the deadline.
Contact Our Fayetteville Tractor-Trailer Accident Lawyers Today
At Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., our attorneys have over 50 years of experience helping accident victims like you seek accountability and compensation. Contact us today to get your questions answered by our Fayetteville tractor-trailer accident lawyers during a free consultation.
