Lebanon Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck accident victims have a higher chance of fatal outcomes, greater injuries, higher medical bills, and more lost wages than those hit by a smaller vehicle — and it means they and their families need an experienced truck accident attorney to represent them.
When you work with Mitch Grissim & Associates, you’ll be working with Lebanon truck accident attorneys who have a combined experience of well over 50 years. We’re the leading law firm for commercial truck accidents in the greater Nashville region, and we’re here to help you.
If you’ve been injured in a Lebanon truck accident, call us at 615-255-9999 for a free consultation. We’ll hold truck drivers and trucking companies responsible so you can get the compensation you deserve.
How to File a Truck Accident Claim with Lebanon Truck Accident Lawyer
Every Lebanon truck accident is jarring, but it’s important to act fast so that you have the best possible chance of receiving compensation for your truck accident case, as you have one year from the accident to file a claim. Follow these steps immediately after a truck crash to protect yourself and your legal rights.
Seek Medical Attention
Drivers of passenger vehicles typically suffer serious injuries and require medical treatment right away. Even if you do not believe you have suffered injuries, you should go to the hospital anyway, as you may be in shock. Stay put until a first responder tells you that you can be moved, especially if you feel any numbness or tingling in any of your extremities.
A catastrophic injury may not be immediately apparent, but seeking medical care can ensure that nothing has been overlooked. Be sure to ask for copies of any diagnostics that have been performed for your records.
Notify Your Insurer and the Police
The legal process begins with a police report. Always call 911 after any vehicle crash, especially one involving large trucks. Stay at the scene of the accident until you are taken to the hospital.
While you are there, call your insurance company and get the contact details of the responding officer so that you can collect the police report later. They should provide you with a case number and documentation that you will provide to us when you call for your free case evaluation. Do not say anything more without a truck accident lawyer, and do not speak to the other driver’s insurance adjuster.
Collect and Document Evidence
While at the scene of the truck accident, take pictures of the damages and of your own injuries. If you have been told to stay still, ask someone else to take pictures for you. Don’t move unless you have been told that it is safe to do so.
Ask the truck driver and the drivers of any other vehicles for their contact information, and ask them for the name and contact information of their trucking company. A truck accident lawsuit may also involve the driver’s employer, so it’s critical that you have this information in hand to provide to your personal injury attorneys.
Meet With a Lawyer
When you are safe and have been thoroughly assessed for injuries, it’s time to contact a Lebanon truck accident attorney. Speak to us as soon as possible so that our legal team can develop an action plan to recover compensation for your injuries.
During your free consultation, we will gather basic details about the case, including how many passenger vehicles and trucks were involved. While you focus on healing, we will gather evidence and interview eyewitnesses, as well as leverage our contacts to get expert testimony from qualified professionals.
With that in hand, your truck accident will begin negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf, presenting evidence that proves who was at fault. We won’t settle for anything less than you deserve based on our knowledge of similar cases and applicable precedents.
Should negotiations fail, your attorney from Mitch Grissim & Associates will represent you in court against the at-fault party, ensuring that you receive a fair settlement that considers both your present and future needs.
Common Causes and Types of Truck Accidents
In 2023, there were 370 large truck accidents in Wilson County alone [1]. They can occur due to a number of different reasons, which include:
- Speeding – The trucking industry and the federal government impose strict quotas on truckers. With tight deadlines, truck drivers may rush to make a delivery on time, failing to take into account weather conditions or local laws.
- Reckless driving – Operators of big rigs are not immune to aggressive driving, but it has even greater consequences than when drivers of smaller vehicles act aggressively on the road.
- Tailgating – Following too closely behind a commercial vehicle can lead to catastrophic consequences, even for those who were not right behind the semi-truck.
- Drowsy driving – Operators of semi trucks are under immense pressure to get goods to their destination as fast as possible. Though they are legally required to take adequate rest breaks, they may be pushed by the trucking company to forego these.
- Distracted driving – It’s terrible when anyone uses their phone while driving, but those hauling tractor-trailers need even greater concentration.
- DUIs – With long hours and little sleep, truck drivers may take stimulants to stay awake, but these can make it difficult to concentrate and lead to truck accidents. An accident in which the trucker was incapacitated may result in punitive damages due to their extreme negligence.
- Inexperience – It does not take that long to get a commercial driver’s license, meaning that not every truck driver is actually qualified to haul over long distances on their own. Not only may they cause property damage due to misjudging distances, but also seriously injure or kill themselves and others.
- Just as there are many causes for a truck accident case, there are also many types of crashes that may occur — and all of them are more dangerous when a large truck is involved.
- Rear-end – A large truck has a much longer stopping distance than the typical passenger vehicle. If the trucker is following too closely, they may slam into a smaller vehicle. In 2023, improper following was the fourth-most common cause of crashes involving trucks in Wilson County [2].
- Head-on – This often occurs on small, two-lane highways when the trucker overcorrects when drifting.
- Underride or override – Underride accidents happen when a car slams into the back or side of the truck and gets wedged underneath it, while an override is when a big rig essentially rides over a car. They are incredibly dangerous and often result in death.
- Jackknife – When taking a sharp turn, the tractor-trailer may detach or twist from the rig, potentially hitting other vehicles along the way.
- Sideswipe – Frequently occurring on highways, the truck might veer into another lane and smash into a smaller car. Lane departure was the most common cause of large truck accidents in Wilson County in 2023, accounting for over 15% of crashes, followed by improper lane change [3].
- Rollover – During high winds, sharp turns, or other poor driving conditions, a truck may roll over, leading other vehicles to slam into it or be crushed under its sides.
- Wide-turn (Squeeze) – Trucks often need to use two lanes to turn. If the trucker fails to check that the way is clear and slams into a car, an attorney from Mitch Grissim & Associates will ensure they are held accountable for their negligence. Improper turns were the third-most common cause of large truck crashes in 2023 in Wilson County [4].
Types of Injuries for Truck Accident Victims
A truck accident often results in far more serious injuries than would be seen in the typical car accident, which is part of the reason that you need a highly qualified Lebanon truck accident lawyer.
Our law firm will ensure you receive financial compensation for all of your injuries, including your mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life.
Common injuries that our truck accident lawyers see include:
- Spinal cord injuries – The extreme forces at play jerk your spine and can lead to fractures or damage.
- Permanent total or partial paralysis – Spinal damage can cause permanent paralysis. Typically, anything below the site of the damage will lose some or all sensation.
- Amputation – If an arm or leg is crushed or pinned under wreckage, it may need to be amputated. We can seek compensation to assist you in getting prosthetics and other care.
- Broken or shattered bones – Broken legs are particularly common in women due to their smaller size, while men often have broken arms.
- Cuts and lacerations – Flying debris may hit your face, arms, or chest.
- Burns – The severity of the crash may cause fires, particularly if the truck was carrying flammable cargo.
- Head injuries – A high-speed crash can cause whiplash, which will result in a concussion.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) – These devastating injuries can lead to serious disability. We can help you seek justice, including the funds you need for recovery.
- Neck injuries – Neck injuries from a truck accident can cause severe pain, including headaches, for years to come.
- Back injuries – In addition to spinal cord damage, you may suffer from slipped or bulging disks and chronic back pain.
- Chest injuries – While it may have saved your life, an airbag often deploys quite violently, resulting in broken ribs. You may also slam against the console or steering wheel, causing further damage.
- Internal injuries – Organ damage and internal bleeding may occur due to puncture wounds or from the extreme force with which a passenger hits a truck.
- Death – Unfortunately, there were three fatalities in Wilson County involving large trucks in 2023, and two already just in early 2024 [5]. Our compassionate Lebanon truck accident lawyers can pursue compensation in a wrongful death case, assisting loved ones in getting the funds they need to pay for prior medical treatment and funeral costs.
Call Lebanon Truck Accident Lawyers Now
A Lebanon truck accident lawyer is a vital ally in helping you recover compensation for a truck crash. Your insurance company will attempt to diminish their responsibility, but we will pursue all legal options and develop a solid case on your behalf.
The team at Mitch Grissim & Associates will present compelling evidence, including medical records, police reports, eyewitness testimony, and accident footage, in order to prove fault in a truck accident case. We will ensure you have the best possible chance of receiving compensation.
With decades of experience in Lebanon, Tennessee, and the surrounding areas, we are well known as the best truck accident attorneys in greater Nashville. We have recovered millions for our clients for both truck accidents and related practice areas, utilizing our extensive connections and expertise to prove fault and hold insurance companies accountable.
Additionally, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you owe us nothing unless we are able to win your case. You owe us nothing upfront for anything, starting from the free consultation.
We want you to focus on healing and spending time with your family rather than worrying about bills, so we will take an agreed-upon percentage from your settlement to cover our legal expenses.
If you have been injured in a truck accident in the Lebanon area, contact us at 615-255-9999 or via our contact page for a free case evaluation. We’ll fight hard to help you receive justice for your truck accident, earning you the compensation you need and deserve.
Resources: [1], [2], [3], [4] Department of Safety and Homeland Security; [5] Department of Safety and Homeland Security
