Spring Hill Truck Accident Lawyer
A truck collision can completely change a victim’s life, and it’s crucial that those responsible be held accountable for their negligence. A Spring Hill truck accident lawyer is a key ally in protecting the rights of victims, ensuring that they receive full and fair compensation for crash injuries.
Mitch Grissim & Associates will work tirelessly to recover compensation on your behalf, and the process starts with a simple phone call. Contact us today at (615) 255-9999 or online to begin your free consultation.
Spring Hill Truck Accident Statistics
Motor vehicle accidents accidents have risen dramatically in Tennessee, which includes truck accidents. In 2018, there were 1,040 fatal motor vehicle accidents across all vehicle types; by 2022, this had surged to 1,313.
The truck accident statistics are no less harrowing. In 2022, there were 161 fatal accidents involving commercial trucks throughout Tennessee, up from just 135 in 2018.
Nationwide, truck accident victims are the occupants of smaller passenger vehicles or pedestrians. Over 66% of those killed are drivers or passengers in a car or light truck, while an additional 15% are pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists. Only 16% of fatalities are truck drivers. [1]
Causes of Truck Accidents
A trucking accident can be caused by a variety of factors, many of which are due to negligence on behalf of the trucker, their company, or other third parties. These factors can include the following:
- Driver Negligence – Unsafe lane changes, distracted driving, or driving under the influence can result in a serious truck accident.
- Negligent Trucking Companies – The trucking industry is highly regulated to ensure the safety of everyone on the road. Trucking companies are obligated to check that every truck driver they employ is competent, medically cleared to drive, and does not use intoxicants. However, many trucking companies push their drivers to complete high quotas without adequate rest, which results in drowsy driving that can cause a truck crash.
- Lack of Maintenance – Tractor trailers are large and potentially dangerous vehicles, which means they must be in peak condition so as to prevent accidents. Failure to repair semi-trucks can result in tragic consequences for a car driver.
- Faulty Parts – Sometimes, brakes, tires, or steering systems fail not because of faulty maintenance but because of manufacturing defects in the tractor trailers or other large vehicles, such as improperly installed brake systems or minute cracks in the material.
- Poorly Maintained Roads – Spring Hill residents are well aware that roads can be slippery or riddled with potholes. Municipalities and government agencies will share the blame if an accident is caused by negligent road maintenance.
Common Injuries in Truck Accidents
A truck crash will often result in more severe injuries than a car accident due to the immense weight of a commercial vehicle, which is part of the reason that truck accident claims are generally more complicated than other types of personal injury.
Common injuries that we see in Spring Hill truck accidents include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Crush injuries
- Amputations
- Bruises and lacerations
- Burns
- Paralysis
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Death
Why You Need an Experienced Spring Hill Truck Accident Attorney
Having skilled truck accident lawyers on your side significantly raises your chances of receiving fair compensation if you’re hurt in a big truck accident. We serve as your advocates during a personal injury lawsuit, helping to determine liability and negotiate with the liable party on your behalf.
Here are some of the ways that we can protect your interests and help you seek compensation.
Investigation
Our truck accident attorneys will leverage their network of professionals in a variety of fields, including medicine, accident reconstruction, and the trucking industry. With their assistance, we will gather all evidence crucial to determining liability, coming to the bargaining table with irrefutable evidence of fault.
Maximum Compensation
The insurance company of the at-fault party knows that a truck accident victim without a lawyer does not have extensive experience with the claims process, so they will lowball you. They may also use any communications against you in order to admit that you were at fault, or they may claim that your injuries were due to a pre-existing condition.
Many times, they will pressure you into accepting a settlement that is much lower than what your case should receive.
As we are familiar with how much a truck accident claim is worth, we will push for the highest compensation possible based on the facts of the case. We’ll use examples of prior settlements, as well as specific details of the accident, to justify the sum that we demand.
Negotiating With Insurance
Truck accident cases are complicated, as there are often multiple parties who share responsibility. Multiple insurance companies may also be involved, all of which will seek to reduce their own liability and prevent you from receiving compensation.
Representing Your Interest in Court
Your Spring Hill truck accident lawyer will determine whether it is best to settle or go to trial, depending on what the insurance company offers.
Should it be necessary to file a truck accident lawsuit, we will guide you through every step of the process, including filing the legal paperwork and presenting your case in front of a judge.
Because we understand how stressful it is to go to trial when you are recuperating, we will work hard to reduce the impact of the court case on your recovery while still keeping you informed of all matters related to your case.
What You Should Do After a Spring Hill, Tennessee Truck Accident
Your actions after a Spring Hill truck accident can have a major impact on your ability to seek recovery of damages. As such, follow these tips.
First, call 911 and wait on the scene until the police and emergency services arrive. While there, gather contact information from witnesses and the driver, including insurance. Take photos of the accident scene and of your own injuries.
Once you have spoken to the police, seek medical treatment, then call a personal injury attorney. We will help you through the next steps of the process, including filing an insurance claim. Do not speak to insurance adjusters without your attorney present, as they may attempt to make you admit blame.
Who Is Usually Liable in Spring Hill, TN Truck Accidents?
Several different parties may be liable after a semi-truck crash. A skilled truck accident lawyer will ascertain liability and pursue both economic damages and non-economic damages from those responsible. Common defendants in a truck accident suit are these three parties:
Truck Driver
In many cases, the truck driver acted negligently, leading to the auto accident. This negligent behavior may be failing to stop in time, driving over the speed limit, driving while texting, or driving while intoxicated. Even a small lapse in judgment can lead to significant injuries for a car occupant, and the truck driver must be held responsible for these failures.
Trucking Company
A trucking company may be held liable because of a failure to maintain their fleet, a decision to force drivers to work more hours than are legally allowed, or a deliberate choice to dispatch vehicles that did not meet federal requirements.
Product Manufacturer
Sometimes, truck drivers do all they can to avoid an accident, but their vehicle fails because of faulty brakes or other mechanical failures. If it can be proven that these failures were not because of inadequate maintenance, manufacturers can be held partially responsible due to their reckless lack of quality assurance.
Proving Negligence in Spring Hill, Tennessee
A personal injury lawsuit relies on the concept of negligence, which means that a person failed to uphold basic expectations of safety and thus caused an accident. There are four factors necessary to prove negligence in accident cases:
Duty of Care
The party held liable had a responsibility to act with due caution in order to avoid serious harm to another person. For example, a truck driver needs to obey speed limits, and a manufacturer must ensure that their parts are road-safe.
Duty of Care Breach
The responsible party did not meet the standards of duty of care at the time of the truck collision. This could be a trucker who was not paying attention to the road or their employer who demanded that they skip legally required break times to deliver a load.
Causation
The accident was due primarily to this breach of duty rather than an unrelated occurrence, such as unpredictable weather.
Damages
The accident caused you to suffer financial or physical losses, such as serious injuries or medical bills.
Statute of Limitations for Truck Accidents in Spring Hill
In Tennessee, the statute of limitations for all forms of personal injury is one year. As this is a very brief period of time, it’s important to contact a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible in order to ensure that we have adequate time to negotiate with insurance companies before filing a lawsuit.
The statute of limitations for a wrongful death lawsuit is almost always one year. However, this may be extended to two years if the responsible party is also facing criminal charges related to the incident, such as if the driver acted with intentional malice. We will inform you whether this extension applies.
Did You Suffer Injuries in a Truck Accident in Spring Hill?
Accident victims in the Spring Hill area who have suffered due to a truck crash need compassionate, competent legal representation to help them heal. Our law offices work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that our legal fees are deducted from your settlement. You owe us nothing out of pocket, helping to ease your stress during this challenging time.
If you’ve suffered serious injuries from a commercial vehicle accident, contact us at (615) 255-999 or online for a free consultation.
Resources: [1] TN.GOV,
