Types of Trucking Accidents in Greeneville

Big rig truck crashing with another semi truck

When massive trucks are involved in accidents, the results can be devastating for the victims and their families. The weight of an 18-wheeler increases its force upon impact, often leaving people in other vehicles with catastrophic or life-threatening injuries. Some truck accidents cause fatal injuries.

Certain types of traffic accidents involving semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles occur more frequently than others. When out on the road in the Greeneville area, you should know about the types of crashes and collisions that large commercial trucks can cause.

If you have suffered serious injuries in a tractor-trailer or other large truck wreck in Greeneville caused by a truck driver or another party’s negligence, reach out to The Terry Law Firm to learn what a truck accident lawyer from our firm can do to help you pursue compensation and justice for the severe injuries and property damage you have suffered. Truck accident cases are complex, but we know what it takes to build a strong, compelling case for the financial recovery you need to move forward.

Talk to our Greeneville truck accident lawyers to learn more about your legal options in a free consultation. Call us or connect with us online today.

Why You Need a Lawyer After Any Type of Truck Accident

Truck accident cases are among the most complicated motor vehicle accident claims due to the amount of evidence involved, the potential for multiple parties to share liability for the crash, and the likelihood that occupants of smaller vehicles have sustained severe personal injuries that require substantial medical expenses and other losses.

The experienced attorneys from The Terry Law Firm can help you pursue full and fair financial recovery you need by:

  • Investigating the crash to recover evidence that can be used to show how the accident occurred and who bears responsibility for causing the crash
  • Identifying potentially liable parties and sources of compensation, including applicable insurance coverages
  • Explaining your legal rights and options and what is involved in the civil claims process
  • Documenting your financial and personal losses incurred due to your severe injuries
  • Filing your claims with the trucking companies and their insurers
  • Negotiating from a position of strength to try to reach a settlement that provides you with the compensation you need for your recovery
  • Bringing your claim to court and taking your case to trial, if necessary, to advocate for your rights and pursue the maximum compensation possible in your case

Common Types of Truck Accidents in Greeneville

Common examples of types of truck accidents in Greeneville include:

  • Jackknife accidents, where the cab and trailer of an 18-wheeler fold in on one another like a folding pocketknife
  • T-bone crashes
  • Truck rollovers
  • Rear-end collisions
  • Underride accidents, where a vehicle gets caught underneath the side or rear overhangs of a truck trailer
  • Wide turns, including when a truck veers wide left for a right-hand turn, or turns into the lanes of oncoming traffic when completing a right-hand turn
  • Tire blowouts
  • No-zone accidents also called blind spot accidents
  • Unsecured cargo or cargo shift
  • Head-on collisions

Types of Trucks Involved in Greeneville Truck Accidents

At The Terry Law Firm, we can help you pursue financial recovery and justice when you have been hurt in truck accidents involving trucks such as:

  • Tractor-trailers, semis, and 18-wheelers
  • Flatbed trucks
  • Tanker trucks
  • Dump trucks
  • Box trucks
  • Cement trucks
  • Garbage trucks
  • Tow trucks
  • Delivery trucks
  • Vehicle transporters
  • Work trucks

What to Do After a Truck Accident

After you have been involved in a truck crash, you should take the following steps to help keep everyone safe and to protect your rights in the likely case that you’ll later need to pursue a claim for compensation:

  • Stop and report the crash. Tennessee law requires motorists to stop at the scene of an accident, exchange information, and report the crash to law enforcement.
  • Seek medical treatment. You should seek medical attention as soon as possible after a truck accident to diagnose and treat all the injuries you suffered in the crash.
  • Identify other parties involved. Exchange contact and insurance information with all the other motorists involved in the accident.
  • Do not apologize or admit fault. Even if you think you bear some or all the blame for the accident, do not apologize or make statements admitting fault. You may not yet know all the details of the accident, which may turn out to show that someone else caused the crash.
  • Check for witnesses. Also, remember to get the contact information of any eyewitnesses who saw the crash unfold.
  • Document the accident. If possible and safe to do so, you or someone you know should try to document the accident scene by taking photos or video of details such as vehicle damage, skid marks, debris in the road, traffic controls and signals, weather and lighting conditions, and the condition of the road.
  • Contact a truck accident attorney. Make time to speak to a truck accident lawyer from The Terry Law Firm to learn more about the steps you should take to protect your rights.

Time Limit for Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Greeneville

Under Tennessee’s statute of limitations, truck accident victims have very limited time to file a lawsuit to seek compensation for catastrophic injuries and other losses suffered in trucking accidents. In Greeneville, the statute of limitations normally gives you only one year from the date of a truck accident to file a lawsuit against the parties responsible for the crash.

If you file a lawsuit after the limitations period has run out on your claim, the court will likely permanently dismiss your case as untimely, and you’ll lose the right to hold those at fault for your injuries accountable.

Talk to a Truck Accident Lawyer in Greeneville Now

Don’t wait to take legal action after suffering an injury in a truck accident in Greeneville or elsewhere in East Tennessee. As soon as you start working with our firm, we’ll immediately launch an investigation into the crash to collect valuable evidence before it’s lost or destroyed. We’ll work vigorously and tirelessly to build a case for the positive outcome you deserve following a traumatic truck crash.

Contact us online or call The Terry Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation with our experienced truck accident attorneys to learn about your options for financial recovery.

Truck Accidents

How Much Is My Truck Accident Worth?

When you file a truck accident claim, you may be able to recover compensation for various expenses and losses you incurred due to the crash. Your case may provide you with financial recovery for your:

  • Medical and rehabilitation expenses
  • Lost income
  • Lost future earning potential and job benefits
  • Pain and suffering
  • Lost enjoyment or quality of life
  • Vehicle repairs or reimbursement of your car’s value

Should I Call the Police After My Truck Accident?

Yes, it’s crucial to call the police at the scene of a truck accident. The police can investigate the crash scene, gather information from the truck driver and other motorists and eyewitnesses, and prepare an accident report. Police crash reports often provide critical information for truck accident claims. 

What Else Should I Do at the Scene of a Truck Accident?

Other steps you should take at the crash scene include:

  • Check on everyone involved in the accident to see if anyone requires immediate medical attention.
  • Move your vehicle out of the path of traffic if possible, or walk to the side of the road if your car has been disabled.
  • Get the truck driver’s employer and insurance information and insurance information from any other drivers involved in the crash.
  • Take photos and videos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, license plates, visible injuries you suffered, skid marks on the road, and traffic controls at the scene.
  • Talk to eyewitnesses to obtain a brief statement of what they saw and their contact information.

Who Will Pay for My Truck Accident?

In most cases, the insurer of the at-fault truck driver or the trucking company that employed the driver will pay you compensation for your truck accident claim if they are found liable. Other parties may also have liability for the accident, including:

  • The truck’s owner 
  • The cargo company
  • The truck and trailer manufacturer
  • Manufacturers of parts used on the truck
  • Third-party auto shops that serviced the truck

Do I Need a Lawyer to Help After a Truck Accident?

You should contact a truck accident attorney immediately after a truck accident. A lawyer will know what it takes to thoroughly investigate the accident and prepare a compelling, persuasive legal claim. A lawyer can also document your injuries and losses and estimate future expenses to ensure you seek total compensation. Your attorney can also deal with trucking company representatives, insurance adjusters, defense lawyers, or bill collectors on your behalf so you can focus on healing.

Are There Special Laws That Apply in Truck Accident Cases?

Although liability for the truck accident is determined under traditional state negligence laws, other laws – such as state and federal trucking industry regulations – may affect the outcome of your case. For example, a truck driver’s violation of the federal or state hours-of-service regulations may serve as evidence that they were too tired to drive safely. Speak with your attorney to learn more about the laws that apply in your case.

What Makes Truck Accident Cases More Complex?

Here are some factors that make truck accident cases more complicated than other kinds of auto accident claims:

  • Truck accident victims often suffer more severe injuries that require longer, more expensive medical care.
  • Truck accidents can injure more people than other types of crashes.
  • Truck accidents may have multiple liable parties who will fight with each other to shift financial responsibility among themselves.
  • Truck accident claims may involve lots of complex evidence.
  • Trucking companies may have complicated corporate structures or layered insurance policies that make it difficult to determine the extent of financial assets available to the company.