There is a pressing concern that impacts both our vibrant community and those who traverse its roads – flatbed truck accidents in Nashville. As seasoned Nashville truck accident lawyers committed to safeguarding the rights of our clients, we recognize the profound consequences these truck accidents can have on individuals and their families.
For this reason, we focus our attention on the prevalent issue of Nashville truck accident cases, shedding light on their causes, the unique legal considerations that arise, and the steps individuals can take to protect their rights and seek justice in the wake of such incidents. Our truck accident lawyers in Nashville are well-versed in the complex world of flatbed truck accidents, and we’re able to offer insights into the challenges faced and the avenues available for recourse when medical expenses are piling up.
What are Common Causes of Accidents Involving Large Trucks?
Flatbed truck accidents can be particularly devastating due to the size and cargo they often carry. A truck wreck can result from various factors, including driver behavior, vehicle issues, and external circumstances.
Here are some common causes of flatbed tractor trailer accidents:
Improper Loading: Incorrectly loaded or unsecured cargo can shift or fall off a flatbed truck during transit, leading to a truck wreck and road hazards for other drivers.
Overloaded Trucks: Overloading a flatbed truck beyond its weight capacity can affect its stability and braking, making it more prone to accidents. Our truck accident attorneys often see a tractor trailer wreck caused by this.
Inadequate Securement: Failure to properly secure cargo with straps, chains, or other restraints can result in cargo shifting or falling off the truck, potentially causing accidents.
Driver Fatigue: The trucking industry is not an easy one to work in. Many truck drivers are simply tired, too tired. Long hours on the road can lead to driver fatigue, impairing alertness and reaction times, and increasing the risk of accidents.
Distracted Driving: In some ways, a Tennessee truck accident is no different than any other automobile accidents. Distractions such as phone use, eating, or adjusting GPS devices can divert a driver’s attention from the road and contribute to accidents.
Speeding: Excessive speed reduces a driver’s ability to react to unexpected situations and can lead to loss of control, especially when hauling heavy cargo.
Inexperienced or Untrained Drivers: Large commercial vehicles are not easy to drive. Inadequately trained or inexperienced flatbed truck drivers may struggle to handle these specialized vehicles safely. In these cases, the trucking company can be held responsible for the crash.
Mechanical Failures: Like any other vehicles, flatbed trucks can experience mechanical issues, such as brake failure or tire blowouts, which can lead to accidents. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has many rules in regulations in place, but they’re not always followed by trucking companies as they should be, leading to severe injuries.
Adverse Weather Conditions: Rain, snow, ice, or fog can make driving a flatbed truck more challenging, reducing visibility and traction and increasing the risk of accidents.
Road Conditions: The experienced truck accident lawyer at Meyers Injury Law can hold multiple people and parties responsible for semi truck accidents, even the local city government. Poorly maintained roads, potholes, or debris on the road can pose additional challenges to flatbed truck drivers, leading to accidents.
Blind Spots: Like other large trucks, flatbed trucks have significant blind spots, making it essential for drivers to be aware of their surroundings and use mirrors effectively.
Reckless Driving by Other Motorists: Actions by other drivers, such as sudden lane changes or cutting off a flatbed truck, can lead to a truck crash.
Brake Issues: Brake problems, including brake fade or malfunction, can make it difficult for a flatbed truck driver to slow down or stop safely.
Failure to Yield Right of Way: Accidents can occur when other vehicles fail to yield the right of way to flatbed trucks, especially when making turns or merging onto highways.
Unsafe Lane Changes: Many truck accidents could have been prevented. Improper lane changes by flatbed truck drivers or other motorists can result in collisions.
Understanding these common causes of flatbed truck accidents is essential for both determining liability in the event of an accident and filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim. If you or someone you know has been involved in a flatbed truck accident, consulting with a Nashville truck accident lawyer experienced in handling truck accident claims is crucial to protect your rights and seek compensation for your damages. You’ll find the right truck accident lawyer for you at Meyers Injury Law.
Common Injuries Sustained by Truck Accident Victims
Trucking accidents often result in very serious injuries, and even death. Most truck accident injuries are due to the fact that semi trucks are simply so much bigger and heavier than passenger vehicles. As such, anything involving commercial trucks is a serious accident. A few of the most commonly-found injuries from these serious accidents include:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Crashing with a large truck can cause severe head trauma that leads to traumatic brain injuries, which can have long-lasting cognitive, behavioral, and physical effects.
Spinal Cord Injuries: These injuries can result in paralysis or partial loss of function below the point of injury, leading to permanent disabilities- all due to a semi truck accident.
Broken Bones and Fractures: The force of a garbage truck collision can cause multiple fractures, which may require hefty medical expenses, surgery, hardware implants, and extensive rehabilitation.
Internal Injuries: High-impact collisions can cause damage to internal organs, leading to internal bleeding, organ failure, or other life-threatening conditions.
Amputations: In some cases, the severity of the accident with a large truck involved may necessitate the amputation of limbs or digits.
Burns: Semi trucks can cause fires or chemical spills, causing severe burn injuries that may require skin grafts and extensive treatment.
Crush Injuries: Being trapped under or between the vehicle and other objects can lead to crush injuries, often causing significant damage to muscles, bones, and internal organs.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Truck accident victims may suffer from PTSD, experiencing emotional and psychological trauma.
Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries: Even at low speeds, the sudden impact of a collision with a flatbed truck can cause whiplash and other soft tissue injuries, resulting in chronic pain and discomfort.
Facial and Dental Injuries: Impact with the steering wheel, dashboard, or airbag can lead to facial fractures, dental injuries, and disfigurement.
Psychological Trauma: An experienced truck accident attorney will fight for compensation to recover beyond your physical injuries. The emotional toll of a flatbed truck accident can be substantial, leading truck accident victims to experience anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
Let Meyers Injury Law Guide You in Your Truck Accident Claim
A trucking accident is something that takes a long time to truly recover from, both financially and emotionally. Let a truck accident attorney from Meyers Injury Law help you along the way. Your Nashville truck accident attorney can file a personal injury lawsuit in Nashville on your behalf to recover compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more.
Unfortunately, you can expect resistance from the liable party’s insurance company, which is why you need representation from an experienced personal injury attorney. We’ll be here with you every step of the way, fighting for justice on your behalf. Call today for a free consultation at (615) 492-9710.
Don’t delay in reaching out. If you are filing a personal injury claim as a result of a truck accident in Nashville, Tennessee, you typically have one year from the date of the accident to file your claim. This means you must initiate legal proceedings within one year of the accident date. In cases where a truck accident results in a wrongful death, the statute of limitations is typically one year from the date of the individual’s death, not necessarily the date of the accident.
