Columbia Truck Accidents
Motor Vehicle Crash Attorneys Serving Columbia and Beyond
Columbia, Tennessee, once home to former President James Polk, is located in Maury County. Columbia lies just under an hour south of Nashville, the state’s capital. Many in Tennessee, especially commercial truck drivers, drive between Columbia and Nashville on U.S. Route 31 and U.S. Interstate 65 on a daily basis. Further, these roads see traffic from interstate truck drivers traveling to and from other states in the course of business. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car or truck accident, contact the Columbia truck accident lawyers at Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz. With over 30 lawyers and 120 support staff members, we have the resources to stand up to large trucking companies and corporations to get our clients the recovery they deserve for their losses.
The Consequences of Dangerous Driving Among Big Rig Drivers
Commercial trucks include many types of vehicles – 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, cement trucks, dump trucks, and tractor trailers, to name a few. Around 1,000 fatalities occur every year in Tennessee as a result of car and truck accidents, the causes of which vary. Of course, truck drivers must follow the rules of the road, just like ordinary citizens must do. These rules include following the speed limit, obeying traffic signals, and not texting while driving. Commercial truck drivers, however, must follow additional rules passed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). FMCSA regulations cover a variety of topics, including:
- Mandatory rest breaks
- Hours of service designed to prevent truck driver fatigue
- Drug and alcohol testing
- Background checks
- Truck maintenance
- Logging hours driven
The consequences of truck accidents are often more devastating than collisions between passenger vehicles. Commercial and big rig trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and when traveling at high speeds on highways, they pose unique risks to others on the road. Common injuries sustained as a result of truck accidents include broken bones, seatbelt and airbag injuries, and, in the worst of cases, death. Catastrophic injuries can be suffered even during crashes at relatively low speeds.
Fighting for Accident Victims in Columbia to Recover Full Compensation
If you have suffered harm or damages in a truck accident, you may be able to recover compensation for everything you have to go through as a result. For example, one common set of damages is the costs of medical care, such as prescription medications, surgery, physical therapy, and hospital visits. In addition, injured plaintiffs could recover lost wages from missing work. Other examples of damages include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress. For particularly reprehensible behavior, such as drunk driving, a defendant may be ordered to pay punitive damages. To help Columbia victims recover full compensation, our truck accident lawyers can analyze and pursue all theories of recovery. It may be appropriate to retain expert witnesses to review evidence and testify on your behalf.
In a typical car accident case, the injured plaintiff recovers compensation directly from the defendant driver (through his or her insurance company). In the truck accident context, however, an injured plaintiff may recover from the trucker’s employer. This Tennessee legal doctrine, known as respondeat superior, holds that an injured plaintiff may recover from the employer so long as the employee caused the injuries or damages while acting within the scope of employment. If you suffered serious injuries requiring surgery or permanent impairment, we can make a claim through the trucking company’s commercial insurance policy to help you recover.
In addition to pursuing the appropriate defendants, a trucking accident lawyer can help you by ensuring compliance with Tennessee procedural and statutory requirements. For instance, each state maintains its own statute of limitations period with respect to personal injury lawsuits. In Tennessee, for example, an injured party typically has one year from the date of the accident to reach a settlement or file a lawsuit in court. Lawsuits alleging truck negligence in Columbia are often filed in the Circuit Court of Maury County, the 22nd Judicial District. The courthouse is located at 41 Public Square, Columbia, TN 38401. With strict time limitations in place, it is critical to retain experienced counsel as soon after the incident as possible, as it may take time to collect relevant evidence and develop a strategy for recovery.
Let Our Tennessee Trucking Lawyers Help You
Let the dedicated Columbia truck accident attorneys at NST ensure your legal rights are protected. Each case is different, and our truck injury lawyers recognize that all clients deserve individualized representation. For over 30 years, we have represented injured victims in Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Missouri, including communities across Middle Tennessee such as Columbia, Nashville, Mount Pleasant, West Harpeth, Kingfield, and Pulaski. To set up a free consultation with an automobile accident attorney, call our office toll-free at 800-529-4004 or complete our online form. After speaking with one of our lawyers, you see why NST is the way to go.