Cleveland Truck Accidents

Truck accidents can occur for several reasons, including driver fatigue, speeding, following too closely, or failing to yield the right of way. All are examples of negligence, which is the failure to act reasonably under the circumstances. If you have been involved in an accident with a semi-truck or tractor-trailer, it is important to contact a truck accident lawyer in the Cleveland area who is familiar with the body of law that surrounds truck drivers and their employers.

Commercial trucks are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The FMCSA has set forth rules that must be followed by not only interstate truck drivers, but by their employers as well. Being familiar with these regulations and understanding how they apply in truck accident cases is often imperative in maximizing the recovery for those injured in these crashes.

Generally, truck drivers are held to a higher standard than others on the road around them. For example, truck drivers have strict limits on how many consecutive hours they can drive and there are required rest times that they must follow in between drive times. Moreover, trucking companies must conduct extensive background checks on their drivers and properly train them before allowing them to operate a truck on the open road.

After any accident, it is always important to call the police. The Cleveland Police Department can be reached at 423-476-1121 and is located at 100 Church Street N.E., Cleveland, TN 37311. Officers will be able to investigate the scene, take photographs and measurements, cite violators of the law, and identify witnesses. Moreover, contacting the police will alert the first responders to send medical help if there are injuries involved. Many truck accident victims in Bradley County require emergency medical treatment from facilities like Tennova Healthcare – Cleveland, which is located at 2305 Chambliss Avenue NW.

To be compensated for the damages you have suffered in a collision, you will likely have to prove that the truck company or truck driver acted in a negligent manner. Following a crash, trucking companies are known to immediately begin investigating in order to limit their exposure and defend the claim. Our truck accident attorneys help victims in Cleveland by immediately beginning our investigation, contacting witnesses, seeking to evidence, and consulting with trucking experts who can visit the scene and inspect items like the truck and its “black box.”

Many times, truck drivers and their employers violate both state laws and federal regulations when causing a wreck. Hiring a qualified Tennessee attorney who has knowledge of both state and federal laws and regulations and is well versed in handling truck accident cases can provide you with a legal path towards recovering for your damages. Economic damages recoverable in a case typically consist of medical bills and lost wages, either past, future, or both. Non-economic damages are awarded to compensate you for your pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, and mental anguish. If the trucker was acting recklessly at the time of the accident, such as driving while drunk, our lawyers may also pursue punitive damages against the trucker and his employer.