A collision involving a commercial truck can leave victims facing catastrophic injuries, overwhelming medical expenses, and an uncertain future. Because tractor-trailers and other large commercial vehicles can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, even a relatively low-speed collision can cause life-changing injuries.
If you were hurt because of someone else’s negligence, a Memphis truck accident lawyer at Hearn Law Firm can help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Truck accident claims often involve complex investigations, multiple liable parties, and federal trucking regulations that make them much different than a typical car accident case. Our Memphis personal injury legal team understands what it takes to build a strong claim and hold trucking companies and insurers accountable.
Why Choose Hearn Law Firm?
Truck accident claims require experience, resources, and a willingness to stand up to large trucking companies and their insurance carriers. Hearn Law Firm has built a reputation for providing personalized representation while aggressively advocating for injured clients.
- Nearly three decades of experience representing individuals and families in serious personal injury cases.
- Trial-ready car accident attorneys in Memphis who prepare every case as though it may ultimately be decided in court.
- Personalized legal representation with direct communication and dedicated attention throughout your case.
- Experience handling complex commercial trucking accidents involving catastrophic injuries and wrongful death claims.
Why Truck Accident Cases Are More Complicated Than Car Accidents
Although every motor vehicle accident deserves careful investigation, truck accident cases often involve legal and factual issues that simply are not present in a typical car accident claim.
Commercial trucking companies must comply with both Tennessee law and federal regulations established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These regulations govern everything from how long drivers may remain behind the wheel to vehicle inspections, maintenance requirements, cargo securement, and driver qualifications.
Unlike a crash involving two passenger vehicles, a truck accident investigation often requires reviewing extensive documentation, including:
- Driver qualification files
- Electronic logging device (ELD) records
- Hours-of-service logs
- Maintenance and inspection records
- Truck black box or event data recorder information
- Employment and training records
- Drug and alcohol testing results
Another important difference is the number of parties involved. While a standard car accident may involve only two drivers and their insurance companies, a truck accident can involve the driver, the trucking company, the owner of the trailer, maintenance contractors, cargo loading companies, manufacturers, and multiple insurance carriers.
Because valuable evidence can disappear quickly, trucking companies often begin their own investigations immediately after a crash. Having an attorney who understands how to preserve evidence and protect your interests can make a significant difference in the outcome of your claim.
What Causes Most Truck Accidents in Memphis?
Commercial truck drivers spend long hours on the road transporting goods throughout Tennessee and across the country. While many operate their vehicles safely, negligent driving and trucking company violations continue to contribute to serious accidents every year.
Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:
- Driver fatigue
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Following other vehicles too closely
- Unsafe lane changes
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Improperly loaded or overloaded cargo
- Brake failures and other mechanical defects
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Hours-of-service violations
Fatigue remains one of the leading concerns in the trucking industry. Even though federal regulations limit the number of hours a driver may operate without rest, violations still occur. A tired truck driver may experience slower reaction times, impaired judgment, and difficulty maintaining control of a commercial vehicle.
Mechanical failures can also lead to devastating collisions. Worn brakes, defective tires, steering problems, and improperly maintained trailers can all contribute to serious accidents. In some situations, these failures result from a trucking company’s decision to delay necessary inspections or repairs in an effort to keep vehicles on the road.
Memphis serves as one of the country’s busiest transportation and distribution hubs, with major highways such as Interstate 40, Interstate 55, Interstate 240, and Interstate 269 carrying significant commercial truck traffic every day. As the number of commercial vehicles increases, so does the risk of serious collisions involving passenger vehicles.
Determining exactly what caused a truck accident requires more than reviewing a police report. A thorough investigation may involve examining electronic data, interviewing witnesses, inspecting the truck, reviewing maintenance records, and working with accident reconstruction experts to determine how the collision occurred.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident?
One of the reasons truck accident cases are more complex than other motor vehicle claims is that liability does not always rest with the truck driver alone. Depending on the circumstances, multiple individuals or companies may have contributed to the collision.
Potentially liable parties include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The owner of the truck or trailer
- A cargo loading company
- A maintenance or repair contractor
- The manufacturer of a defective truck or component
- Another negligent motorist whose actions contributed to the crash
For example, if a trucking company knowingly allows a driver to exceed the federal hours-of-service limits, the company itself may be held accountable for putting a fatigued driver on the road. Likewise, if improperly secured cargo shifts during transport and causes the driver to lose control, the company responsible for loading the trailer may share liability.
Identifying every responsible party is an important part of maximizing a victim’s recovery. Commercial trucking companies often carry substantial insurance policies, but determining which policies apply requires a careful investigation.
At Hearn Law Firm, we thoroughly examine every aspect of a truck accident to identify all potentially liable parties before pursuing compensation.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Truck Accident?
A serious truck accident can affect every part of your life. In addition to painful injuries, victims often face lengthy hospital stays, months of rehabilitation, and financial uncertainty while they are unable to return to work.
If another party’s negligence caused the collision, you may be entitled to recover compensation for both your financial losses and the personal impact the accident has had on your life.
Depending on the circumstances, compensation may include:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical treatment and rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Some truck accident victims suffer injuries that require lifelong medical care or permanently prevent them from returning to their previous occupation. In these situations, it is important to consider not only current expenses but also the long-term financial impact of the accident.
If a truck accident results in the loss of a loved one, surviving family members may also be able to pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim.
What Evidence Can Strengthen a Truck Accident Claim?
Building a successful truck accident claim requires more than showing that a collision occurred. The strongest cases are supported by evidence that clearly demonstrates how the accident happened and who should be held responsible.
Important evidence may include:
- Police accident reports
- Photographs of the accident scene
- Video from traffic or security cameras
- Electronic logging device records
- Black box or event data recorder information
- Driver qualification files
- Truck inspection and maintenance records
- Cargo loading documentation
- Witness statements
- Cell phone records
- Drug and alcohol testing results
Some of this evidence may only be available for a limited period of time. For example, electronic data can be overwritten, surveillance footage may be deleted, and trucking companies are only required to retain certain records for specific periods under federal regulations.
Prompt legal action can help preserve this evidence before it disappears. In many truck accident cases, attorneys send preservation letters requiring trucking companies to retain critical documents and electronic data while the investigation is ongoing.
Expert witnesses also play an important role in many commercial trucking cases. Accident reconstruction specialists, engineers, medical professionals, and vocational experts may all help explain how the collision occurred and the full extent of a victim’s damages.
How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Tennessee?
Tennessee law generally allows injured victims only one year from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is one of the shortest statutes of limitations in the country, making it important to act quickly after a serious truck accident.
Although one year may seem like enough time, waiting can make it more difficult to build a strong case. Witnesses become harder to locate, memories fade, and valuable evidence may no longer be available.
There are situations where different deadlines may apply, particularly if the claim involves a government entity or another unique circumstance. Speaking with an attorney as soon as possible can help ensure your rights are protected and all applicable deadlines are met.
Speak With a Memphis Truck Accident Lawyer Today
Truck accident victims often face a long road to recovery. Between mounting medical bills, missed time at work, and pressure from insurance companies, it can be difficult to know where to turn for help.
At Hearn Law Firm, we understand what is at stake. Our attorneys are committed to helping injured individuals and their families pursue the compensation they need to move forward after a serious truck accident. We will investigate the collision, protect your interests, and advocate for you every step of the way.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a commercial truck accident in Memphis or the surrounding area, contact Hearn Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation. We are ready to answer your questions, explain your legal options, and help you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.