Murfreesboro Truck Accidents
Auto Accident Lawyers Protecting Those in Need in Murfreesboro
Located in Rutherford County, Murfreesboro is one of Tennessee’s fastest growing cities and one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Lying just 34 miles southeast of downtown Nashville, Murfreesboro serves as an important hub to the state’s capital. Given this close proximity and growing population, Murfreesboro has seen a sharp increase in traffic during the last decade. Much of this traffic comes from big rigs and truck drivers on U.S. Interstates 24, 40, and 840, in addition to U.S. Routes 41 and 231, where truck accidents occur almost daily. If you or a loved one has been injured by a big rig, contact the Murfreesboro truck accident attorneys at Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz. We are the largest plaintiff’s personal injury law firm based in Tennessee.
Truck Accidents in the Murfreesboro Area
Commercial trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, about 20-25 times more than the average passenger vehicle. As a result, the consequences of a collision involving a passenger vehicle and commercial truck can be devastating, especially in situations where vehicles are moving in excess of 65 miles per hour on the interstate. Commercial truck collisions often lead to significant injuries for the drivers and passengers involved.
Accidents involving tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, and 18-wheelers can be caused by any of the following factors:
- Driver fatigue
- Speeding
- Drug and alcohol use
- Distracted driving
- Improper maintenance
- Driver error
- Poorly secured cargo
Driver fatigue is an increasing concern. Our truck accident attorneys can advise Murfreesboro residents on whether it may have been a factor in their crash. Federal regulations set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) limit the number of hours a commercial truck driver may drive in a given period of time, but some truck drivers push the limits in an unsafe manner to log as many miles as possible. Violating these hours of service rules can give rise to liability for a collision, as fatigued drivers can suffer lower reaction times than drivers who are well-rested.
Successfully Asserting a Truck Accident Claim for Negligence
Tennessee law is well-settled in that an injured plaintiff may be able to recover his or her damages stemming from a truck accident caused by a negligent driver. Obvious damages include lost wages and medical expenses, such as the costs of medical visits, prescription medication, physical therapy, and other rehabilitative services. Other common damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Our truck accident lawyers can help injured Murfreesboro residents take steps to document their losses and seek full compensation.
Generally, one injured in a truck crash must show that the other driver was negligent. In other words, an injured plaintiff must prove that the defendant operated his or her vehicle in an unsafe and unreasonable manner. Perhaps the truck driver violated a federal regulation, and the violation caused the accident. In the truck accident context, the legal concept of negligence per se may be appropriate. Under this theory of law, negligence is presumed when a truck driver violates certain safety statutes, making it easier for the plaintiff to prove liability and shift the focus to damages. Important to note in truck accident cases is the legal concept known as respondeat superior. This doctrine holds that an employer is liable for the actions of its employee, so long as the employee was acting within the scope of employment when the injuries or damages occurred. This theory can be utilized to hold a trucking company responsible for careless actions of its driver.
With over 30 years handling catastrophic trucking accident cases, we know the stakes are high. No stone should go unturned in pursuit of justice on your behalf, and we routinely look towards all avenues of recovery on behalf of our clients. We can retain expert witnesses to visit the accident scene, download data from the big rig, and examine the evidence in an effort to identify all proper defendants and their insurance carriers. Our attorneys are not afraid to go toe-to-toe with big trucking companies when fighting for our clients’ rights.
Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation with a Murfreesboro Truck Accident Lawyer
The personal injury law firm of Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz has over 30 years of experience representing clients in Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, and Kentucky, and our attorneys serve those injured in Murfreesboro, La Vergne, Smyrna, Almaville, Rockvale, and elsewhere in Middle Tennessee. For a free consultation with a motor vehicle crash attorney, contact our office toll-free at 800-529-4004 or complete our online form. Let us show you why NST is the way to go.