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Nashville Truck Accident Lawyer

Nashville is a central hub for commercial carriers and truckers traveling on I-65, I-40, and I-24. Unfortunately, the city is no stranger to devastating crashes involving passenger vehicles and large commercial trucks.

The skilled Nashville personal injury lawyers with Weir & Kestner know how devastating truck crashes can be, leaving you with significant injuries, property damage, and other losses. However, you may be entitled to compensation if another person’s negligence caused the crash. Truck crashes are complicated, so working with a knowledgeable and experienced Nashville truck accident lawyer is vital. Contact Weir & Kestner Injury Lawyers at (615) 220-4180.

nashville truck accident lawyer

Our hard work pays off for clients

Are you looking for a legal team that knows truck accident cases inside and out? You’ve found the right firm with Weir & Kestner. We handle truck crash insurance claims and lawsuits to help our clients get the full recovery they deserve.

Having previously represented insurance companies in litigation, we understand how these companies assess, value, and process truck accident claims. Now, we use our in-depth knowledge of insurer priorities and procedures to serve our clients better. 

How much does it cost to hire a truck accident lawyer in Nashville?

Dealing with mounting medical and household bills and worried you can’t afford an attorney? There’s far too much at stake to go it alone. Fortunately, you don’t have to. Weir & Kestner handles cases on contingency, meaning that if we accept your case, you pay nothing unless we win. 

Instead, we receive a percentage of your settlement or financial award. Contingency fee arrangements allow you to take advantage of high-quality legal services without being concerned about the cost. You can put our Nashville truck accident lawyer to work sooner and settle your case faster.

What should I do after being in a crash with a semi-truck?

You may be shaken up and in pain, but there are some recommended steps:

1. Call 911 and ask for the police and an ambulance

Calling for help allows you and others to get medical treatment. The police can also investigate the accident scene and determine if anyone is at fault or must face criminal charges.

2. Remove yourself from harm’s way

If possible, get yourself to safety by the side of the road. Don’t risk getting hurt by other vehicles passing by the crash.

3. Gather evidence and witness contact information at the scene 

Take photos and videos of everything. Ask bystanders and other drivers for their contact information so your truck accident attorney can interview them. Anything you can collect now will help your case later. 

4. Notify your insurance carrier

Call your insurance company and give them the basic details about the wreck. Do not record a statement or answer questions about your injuries – potentially blameful statements can work against you.

5. Meet with a Nashville truck accident lawyer

Before you talk to your insurance provider or the trucking company, schedule a free consultation with a truck accident attorney in Nashville at Weir & Kestner. We will guide you through the rest of your case so you have the best chance at success.

How long do I have to file a claim?

Not long. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Tennessee is only one year. This means you must work with an attorney and quickly build your case. You must file your claim before the one-year deadline ends to ensure you get your chance to sue. 

What kinds of damages can I claim?

Depending on factors such as the severity and permanency of your injuries, you could recover compensation for wide-ranging damages, including:

  • Current and future medical expenses
  • Property damages
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future earning capacity
  • Miscellaneous out-of-pocket costs
  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Scarring or disfigurement
  • Disability
  • Reduced quality of life

Understanding the value of your claim requires skilled assessment by a qualified Nashville truck wreck lawyer. Not sure which damages may apply? Talk to us about your case.

The trucking company has insurance – why do I need a lawyer?

After your crash, you might wonder, “Do I need a truck accident attorney near me in Nashville for my case?” The answer is definitely yes.

First, the insurance company is for the trucking company’s protection, not yours. They will claim their policyholder is not at fault or that you don’t deserve a settlement. Insurance adjusters are in the business of keeping company profits high. They do that by paying you less.

Working with experienced truck accident lawyers in Nashville means you don’t fall victim to the trick insurance companies play to get you to accept too little compared to what your claim is worth. Trucking companies carry millions in protection, and you deserve compensation for all your losses.  

Who else besides the driver could be liable for the crash?

It’s not just the driver who could be at fault for your crash. Your Nashville truck accident attorney will identify other potentially responsible parties, such as:

  • The trucking company
  • Cargo loading company
  • Manufacturer or trucks or truck parts
  • Another passenger vehicle driver
nashville truck accident attorney

How your Nashville truck accident lawyer will prove liability

Your attorney will present evidence showing the four elements of negligence.

1. Duty of care

The first element is to demonstrate the at-fault party owed you a duty of care, such as driving safely and obeying traffic laws.

2. Breach of duty

Your attorney must also prove the liable party breached (or failed to perform) their duty.

3. Causation

The next step is to show a direct link between the defendant’s negligence actions (or inactions) and your injuries.

4. Damages

Your lawyer will provide receipts for medical care, lost wages, and other expenses related to your crash, supporting your claim for compensation.

How long will my case take to settle?

Every case is completely unique. Depending on the complexity of your situation, it may take between nine months and two years to settle your truck accident case. There are also many unpredictable circumstances that could further delay the proceedings.

What is a semi-truck “black box” and how can it help my case?

Event data recorders, sometimes called a “black box,” are installed in most tractor-trailers. This device records speed, braking, and other vital information about a driver’s actions immediately prior to an accident. It can provide invaluable evidence showing whether the driver was at fault.

Your attorney can subpoena the contents of the black box for analysis. It’s important to do this quickly before the trucking company tries to make the information disappear to weaken your case. 

Common causes of truck accidents

Some of the common reasons truck accidents happen include:

Driver fatigue

Commercial drivers must adhere to strict regulations about how long they can be on the road. If they drive for too long with too little rest, they are nearly as likely to wreck as if they were drinking alcohol.

Distracted driving

Truck drivers are just as prone to checking their phones while driving as other motorists, but driving an 80,000-pound, 70-foot-long truck while distracted has more severe consequences.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Without a doubt, it is much more dangerous for a truck driver to use alcohol or drugs when behind the wheel of a big rig.

Unsafe driving practices

Truck drivers who fail to use caution in bad weather or heavy traffic, or those who drive recklessly, can cause catastrophic harm to multiple other drivers. 

Types of semi-truck accidents

Our Nashville truck accident lawyers are familiar with many common kinds of truck accidents, such as the following.

Rollover

With a higher center of gravity and more weight, trucks are prone to rolling if they jackknife or swerve sharply. The trailer can fall onto multiple vehicles.

Jackknife

A trailer can swing around at a sharp angle to the trailer, a formation known as a jackknife due to the shape. This can involve many vehicles when they can’t stop in time without hitting the trailer and truck. 

Underride

The height of a trailer allows a smaller vehicle to slide under in the event of a rear-end or sideswipe accident. Many trucks are equipped with underride guards to reduce this, but not every truck has them in all locations. 

Lost cargo

Cargo that isn’t loaded and secured properly can come loose while the truck is in motion. With a closed trailer, the weight shift could cause the vehicle to roll over or swerve. Heavy items may even break the trailer doors and spill onto the roadway. 

Flatbed trailers carry extremely large objects and can cause catastrophic injuries if the freight breaks free and lands on surrounding vehicles. 

Sideswipe

When a driver loses control of a large truck, they can cause sideswipe collisions with other vehicles as they struggle to avoid a wreck. Getting swiped and pushed by a trailer or tractor can send you slamming into additional vehicles, leading to a multi-car pileup.

Common truck accident injuries

Truck accident attorneys in Nashville frequently see these injuries in our cases:

  • Amputations
  • Broken bones
  • Chemical and thermal burns
  • Cuts and lacerations
  • Internal bleeding
  • Internal organ damage
  • Paralysis
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries

Victims can also be crushed or decapitated, and their families can pursue a wrongful death claim against the at-fault parties. Our team of personal injury attorneys can aid you if you lose your loved one in a truck accident.  

Why do I need to visit a doctor as soon as possible?

Many injuries are “silent,” meaning they don’t show up right away. The symptoms of internal bleeding, organ damage, fractures in the hands or feet, and traumatic brain injuries may not be obvious in the minutes and hours right after a truck accident.

Even if you feel fine, you should get evaluated by paramedics at the scene or visit your doctor within 24 -48 hours after the crash. This can protect your health, but it also provides a link between the collision and your injuries, which can benefit your claim. Your truck accident attorney in Nashville can use this evidence to demonstrate how you deserve to receive compensation.

Our Nashville truck accident attorneys are here to help

There’s no need to suffer alone due to someone else’s negligence. The experienced legal team at Weir & Kestner focuses on providing the best possible representation to victims of commercial truck accidents. 

Contact us online or call our office directly at (615) 220-4180 to schedule your free consultation. We’ll arrange a time to meet with you at one of our offices in Smyrna, Nashville, Murfreesboro, or Chattanooga – whichever location is most convenient for you.

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