Jackson, TN Delivery Truck Accidents
Every day, hundreds if not thousands of delivery trucks roam the streets of Jackson to make deliveries to customers and clients. Many drivers of these trucks look to cut corners and make each delivery as quickly as they can. This leads to traffic violations such as speeding, failure to maintain a safe lookout, and failure to yield. In turn, these actions lead to delivery truck accidents. The Jackson truck accident lawyers at Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz have experience dealing with commercial trucking carriers and know how to navigate the unique intricacies of a delivery truck accident case. For over 30 years, our lawyers have provided counsel to thousands of injured people throughout Tennessee, and we have obtained over $1.5 billion dollars in compensation for our clients.
Theories of Recovery in a Delivery Truck Accident Case
Careless or reckless driving is often the cause of delivery truck accidents in the Jackson area. Many drivers are in a rush to make the next delivery and either fail to pay attention to their surroundings or just disregard those around them to stay on schedule. After any accident, it must be proven that the truck driver was negligent in order to recover damages. To prove the delivery driver was negligent, the injured party will need to show that the driver failed to operate his vehicle in a safe manner and that the delivery driver’s unsafe operation caused the accident to happen. Furthermore, for a claim to be successful, the injured party will need prove that damages were suffered as a result of the accident. Damages can be in the form of medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and mental anguish.
In delivery truck accidents, liability can be established against the driver and his employer, depending on the circumstances. Examples of employer liability would be if the employer encouraged the driver to speed or ignore the hours of service guidelines set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in order to make more deliveries in a short period of time. Employers could be liable for negligent hiring, such as hiring a driver with multiple DUI violations who then causes a wreck while driving under the influence of alcohol.
If the delivery driver was acting in the scope of his employment and performed a negligent act, the employer may be held indirectly liable through the theory of respondent superior. This theory is known in Tennessee as respondent superior, which is Latin for “let the master answer.” For example, if a delivery driver was on his delivery route in Jackson and rear-ended a car on I-40, the employer most likely will be held vicarious liable for their delivery driver’s actions since the driver was on the clock and driving on an authorized route.
Speak with Our Injury Attorneys Today for a Free Consultation
Delivery trucks are often much larger than traditional cars and trucks, which means they usually cause disabling damage to the vehicles they hit. Many of these trucking accidents result in injuries and leave victims or their family members looking for answers. After a delivery truck accident, you should retain the Jackson attorneys at Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz. Contact us by calling 800-LAW-4004 or by completing our online form for a free consultation. We can represent people who need a trucking accident lawyer or assistance with another motor vehicle collision claim.
