According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, 496 large truck accidents occurred in the state that caused serious or fatal injuries between January and mid-July of 2024.
Large trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds in Tennessee, and the damage they do can be astronomical when these vehicles strike other cars, pedestrians, or motorcycle riders. Those who have suffered harm in a collision with a large vehicle should reach out to a Maryville truck accident attorney for help.
The Lawyers of Brown and Roberto recently recovered $1 million for a client who was hit by a truck traveling through an intersection, and this is just one of the many successes we’ve had for our clients in over two decades of fighting for accident victims. We can put our legal skills to work on your case, so give us a call or contact us at (865) 691-2777 today.
Types of Truck Accidents in Maryville
Because of their large size and other unique characteristics, truck accidents are very different from auto accidents. There are certain common types of incidents that occur regularly involving these commercial vehicles including:
- Jackknife accidents when the trailer of the vehicle swings outward after the driver loses control
- Tire blowouts
- Accidents caused by wide turns
- Rollover accidents which are more likely because of the top-heavy nature of many trucks
- Underride accidents when a small car slides underneath a truck during an accident
Of course, trucks can also be involved in more typical accidents such as t-bone crashes and head-on collisions. However, the reality is a lot more can go wrong with trucks compared with passenger cars and victims of these types of crashes need help from a lawyer familiar with truck accident claims.
What to Do After a Maryville Truck Accident
It’s important to get medical help after a truck accident so your injuries can be documented. It’s also important to report the accident to law enforcement as soon as possible and to call an experienced Maryville personal injury lawyer.
Hiring a lawyer is essential in truck accident claims because of the added complexity involved.
One issue is that you may be able to hold multiple defendants accountable for losses. That’s because, under vicarious liability rules in Tennessee, you can potentially hold a trucker’s employer responsible for your losses even if the company wasn’t negligent as long as the driver caused the crash while performing job duties.
As Hamrick v. Spring City Motor Co., 708 S.W.2d 383, 386 explained, “it is necessary to show that 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.” A truck accident lawyer can help you to prove that so you have a better chance of fully recovering for your losses from large trucking companies rather than just from the individual driver.
Your attorney can also help you to identify any violations of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations that could create a presumption of driver negligence and make it easier to prove your claim. Plus, there may be evidence available from a truck’s “black box,” as well as evidence from driving logs and company records that could help you make your case — and that your attorney can help you to obtain.
Let Our Maryville Truck Accident Attorneys Help You
The stakes are often very high when truck accidents happen, and you need a lawyer with the experience and skill to be a tough advocate as you stand up against large trucking companies and major insurers to fight for compensation.
The Lawyers of Brown and Roberto can help. Contact us today at (865) 691-2777 to speak with a Maryville truck accident lawyer to get your case started.