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Trucking Accident Causes and Common Injuries

Posted on February 28, 2023 in

Trucking collisions are on the rise in Tennessee and across the country.  On a regular basis, the Law Offices of Christopher Eads provides consultations for victims of trucking accidents looking for answers. Our Mt Juliet trucking accident attorneys have the experience and knowledge to not only provide answers to these victims but deliver real results in the courtroom.

Common Causes of Trucking Collisions

Collisions with large commercial trucks can happen for a wide range of reasons.  However, most often they are the result of negligence or carelessness on behalf of the truck driver or trucking company.  Common causes can include:

  • Distracted driving
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Improper vehicle maintenance
  • Improperly loaded cargo
  • Negligent hiring or training
  • Violations of FMCSA regulations, including driving longer hours than allowed or not taking long enough breaks
  • Inattention
  • and more

Common Injuries from Trucking Accidents

Unfortunately, in collisions with commercial trucks, occupants of smaller passenger vehicles typically severe injuries – many of which are life-threatening.  These include:

  • Head and Brain Injuries – Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are widespread in trucking accidents. Symptoms of TBI can include headaches, memory and mood problems, and difficulty with sleeping or concentrating.
  • Neck, Back, and Spine Injuries – Neck, back, and spine injuries are severe and can cause total or partial paralysis in victims. Many are unable to return to work or tend to their families after such a serious incident.
  • Lacerations – Deep lesions from glass, metal, and hard plastic can lead to serious infections, amputations, and heavy blood loss after a trucking accident.
  • Death – Many roadway fatalities each year can be attributed to trucking accidents. Even so, when a person is killed in a trucking collision, close family members can seek retribution by filing a claim for w compensation with an attorney.

What Can I Recover from a Tennessee Trucking Accident?

Victims of trucking accidents are left with badly damaged vehicles, mounting medical bills, and lost wages. In any case, attorneys can help determine the economic and non-economic damages from these types of accidents that can be recovered in a court of law:

  • Physical impairment
  • In-home assistance
  • Loss of property
  • Medical expenses
  • Mental and physical therapy
  • Emotional distress
  • Income losses
  • Mental anguish
  • Rehabilitation costs
  • Physical disfigurement
  • Pain and suffering
  • Damage to property

Who Is Liable in a Trucking Accident?

Liability can be difficult to determine for those involved in trucking accidents caused by bad weather. Although it may seem that the fault is due to the weather itself, the truth of the matter is that state law mandates how drivers can operate their vehicles in more dangerous conditions. According to these guidelines, truckers and other motorists alike must drive in a fashion that is appropriate for the weather—keeping everyone in the immediate vicinity as safe as possible.

Despite this reality, certain scenarios mean that another, less obvious party may be liable. One such example is a trucking or maintenance company, if they have forgotten to do regular check-ups on a truck prior to departure. Furthermore, if the company failed to properly load a truck in a way that caused an accident means that the accident was avoidable, making the company liable for the damages.

Christopher Eads Law Is Here to Help

Victims suffering from injuries after a trucking accident may be eligible for compensation, especially if extenuating circumstances contributed or were a dominant factor in causing an accident. Lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and much more may be available to victims following the accident. Reach out to a Mt Juliet trucking accident attorney from the Law Offices of Christopher Eads today by calling (615) 265-1430 to learn more about your options.