From January to July 2024, 496 large truck accidents occurred in Tennessee that resulted in serious or fatal injuries, according to the state’s Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
Truck accidents can be very different from car accident claims as an entire body of federal laws apply that determine everything from what insurance carriers must have to how long drivers can be on the road. You need an attorney familiar with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and who understands the types of damage large trucks can cause.
The Alocoa truck accident lawyers at The Lawyers of Brown and Roberto are here to help. Our legal team is not only made up of skilled negotiators but we also have extensive litigation experience and are members of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association. No matter how your case is resolved, we can fight by your side and bring our decades of legal experience to the table.
To find out more, give us a call at (865) 691-2777 today to schedule your free consultation with an Alcoa truck accident lawyer who is ready to help you.
Common Truck Accident Injuries In Alcoa
Trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds and their tremendous size can result in serious or fatal injuries in many truck accident claims. In fact, some of the most common injuries resulting from truck crashes include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord damage
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Neck injuries
- Amputation
Many of these injuries are serious enough that you could be entitled to very substantial compensation. You are allowed to recover all of the medical bills and lost wages resulting from your accident from the driver who is responsible, and you’re also allowed to pursue a claim for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.
However, Tennessee Code Section 29-39-102 caps non-economic damages at $750,000 or $1 million if the injuries were catastrophic. An Alcoa personal injury lawyer can help you determine if your injuries fall into the second category and thus entitle you to a larger amount of damages.
How Long Do I Have To Take Legal Action?
You have just one year to file a truck accident claim under Tennessee Code Section 28-3-104 so get prompt legal help when you’ve been harmed. So, in other words, the statute of limitations for a truck accident is one year from the date of the accident.
Getting legal help is especially crucial following a truck accident because under vicarious liability laws, you may be able to sue not just the trucker but the trucking company that employs the driver. Hamrick v. Spring City Motor Co., 708 S.W.2d 383, 386 explains this is possible when you can show the “operator of a vehicle was acting as a servant or employee of the owner and in the course and scope of the employment at the time of the accident.”
Since the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration insurance requirements require a very substantial amount of insurance coverage — sometimes as much as $5 million — it can be important to identify all possible defendants required to have this coverage to ensure there’s money to provide the compensation you deserve.
Get In Touch With An Alcoa Truck Accident Attorney Today
If you or someone you love was involved in a collision with a large truck, you need an advocate who can help you understand the complexities of these claims. Your attorney can assist in understanding how Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations apply to your claim and in identifying all defendants responsible for compensating you.
Contact the Knoxville, TN personal injury attorneys at The Lawyers of Brown and Roberto at (865) 691-2777 today to schedule a free consultation with an Alcoa truck accident lawyer to learn how we can help you.