Nashville Truck Accident Lawyers
Tractor-trailer & truck accident attorneys in Nashville getting you on the road to recovery
The Nashville truck accident lawyers at Rocky McElhaney Law Firm fight on behalf of victims injured in trucking accidents in Tennessee. Our dedicated team of Tennessee truck accident attorneys put their full force behind clients who have been involved in big-rig and 18-wheeler accidents. Rocky McElhaney Law Firm offers comprehensive and unrivaled representation for people throughout Tennessee who were harmed in a truck accident. We’ve secured millions of dollars for our clients in settlements and jury trials because we know exactly what it takes to build a winning case. You don’t have to suffer alone; our team of truck accident attorneys has your back.
Our recoveries in truck accident cases include:
- $1,950,000 MILLION SETTLEMENT for a woman who was walking across the road when a dump truck made a negligent right-hand turn at Exit 238 on Interstate 40 and hit her in the street. Her left leg was traumatically amputated in the crash.
- $1,500,000 SETTLEMENT for a young women injured when the van she was riding in on I-40 West was hit from behind by a speeding tractor-trailer. Our client had numerous broken bones and fractures.
- $1,125,000 SETTLEMENT at mediation for a Dickson County, Tennessee man who was hit at an intersection by a construction truck that ran a red light. The man suffered a traumatic brain injury and was unable to continue working in a job using his Masters’ level education.
Tennessee is an important port of call for truckers; some of the country’s biggest names in manufacturing are located right here in the Volunteer State. Because of the sheer number of commercial trucks on the road at any given moment, your risk of being involved in an accident increases. When truck drivers disobey the rules of the road, or drive as though they’re immune from the laws, the chances for a serious accident increase – and so do the chances for serious injury.
Answers to Your Questions
- How dangerous are truck accidents?
- What types of truck accident claims do you handle in Nashville?
- Why do truck accidents happen in Nashville, Hendersonville, and Clarksville?
- What types of injuries do Nashville truck accident victims suffer?
- Who is responsible for a truck accident in Nashville?
- What damages can I claim after a truck accident in Middle Tennessee?
- How much time do I have to file my truck accident case?
- Do you have a truck accident attorney near me?
"When I was a teenager, Dad got hurt. Insurance company wouldn't pay. We lost our house. But, Dad got a lawyer and we got justice. That's the moment I decided to become an attorney. As a lawyer, I have dedicated my life to helping injury victims."
~ Rocky
How dangerous are truck accidents?
Commercial trucks provide minimal protection for their drivers in a crash, and even less to the other vehicles involved. The size, weight, and mass of a commercial truck are no match for passenger cars, SUVs, smaller trucks, and motorcycles.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were close to 5,244 people who died in fatal crashes involving large trucks and buses nationwide in 2019. There were more than 14 million large trucks and buses registered across the United States in 2019.
In Tennessee in 2021, 187 people died due to a truck crash.
What types of truck accident claims do you handle in Nashville?
Our Nashville truck accident lawyers handle all types of truck accidents. Some accidents are common to trucks. Other accidents are common to all vehicles. We’ll fight for you or your loved one after all types of crashes including:
Accidents common to trucks:
- Rollovers
- Jackknifes
- Spilled cargo or unsecured cargo
- Wide-turn accidents
- Underride accidents
- Blind spot accidents
Accidents common to all drivers
- Head-on collisions
- Rear-end accidents
- Intersection accidents
- Merging accidents
- Single-car accidents
- Multiple-vehicle accidents
We also fight for Nashville truck accident victims injured when accidents are caused by defective truck parts.
Why do truck accidents happen in Nashville?
At Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, our Nashville personal injury attorneys investigate all the potential reasons behind your truck accident. Maybe the driver was unable to see you while coming around a blind curve. Maybe he was driving on too little sleep because his boss made him work past the legal Hours or Service requirement. Maybe the truck itself had faulty wiring. No matter the scenario that led to your truck accident, our skilled team of Nashville truck accident lawyers is by your side, fighting to protect your future. We work with people just like you who were hurt in a truck-related crash because of:
- Driving recklessly. Speeding; ignoring traffic signs or signals; or weaving in and out of traffic are all reckless driving behaviors.
- Driving too fast. Large trucks and tractor-trailers take longer to stop than other vehicles on the road, making speeding especially dangerous for these vehicles.
- Driving under the influence. CDL and commercial license holders are required to maintain a lower BAC level (.04) than the general public (.08). A driver who has one beer may already be over the legal limit.
- Driving while fatigued. A tired driver is a dangerous driver. When a driver ignores the laws set in place for how long they can drive, that driver puts innocent people at risk.
- Distracted driving. Texting, using a GPS, fiddling with the radio, and eating are all distractions. A distracted truck driver may blow through a red light or drift into another lane.
- Driving too fast for weather conditions. The wind, rain, fog, snow, sleet, and ice can make it nearly impossible to control a 10,000 lb. vehicle on the highway. Rainstorms reduce driver’s visibility and make the roads slick and slippery. Wind-whipped rain and fog reduce visibility and increase stopping distance for large, commercial trucks.
- Failure to load and secure the cargo. OSHA has specific rules for loading cargo. Cargo that spills can cause havoc on Tennessee roads. Cargo that shifts while the truck is in operation can cause the driver to lose control of the truck.
- Defective truck parts. Truck parts such as brakes, tires, hydraulic systems, and electrical systems must be safe. Truck parts that are improperly designed or built can cause serious or deadly accidents. The truck part instructions should warn truck owners and drivers of any possible dangers.
- Road rage. Heavy traffic is frustrating for every driver – especially for truck drivers who are paid based on the jobs they complete. A driver with road rage who cuts off other drivers, tailgates, or purposely speeds up to pass a car and then slows down again are responsible for the damages they cause.
- Violating the Tennessee traffic laws. Drivers who make improper wide turns, fail to merge properly, or violate any traffic law can easily cause a truck accident.
Improper U-turns are another common cause of truck accidents in Middle Tennessee.
What types of injuries do Nashville truck accident victims suffer?
Trucking accidents are accountable for a high percentage of highway fatalities in Tennessee. Because of their size, semis and 18-wheelers cause untold amounts of damage when they crash. As a result, injuries caused by these accidents are often life-threatening, including:
- Brain injuries
- Traumatic amputation/loss of limb
- Permanent disfigurement
- Severe burns
- Shattered & broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Muscle, ligament, nerve, and tissue damage
- Internal bleeding and internal organ damage
- Strokes and heart attacks
We know how severe these injuries can be and how difficult it is for families to overcome the mountain of medical bills they have incurred. Our attorneys are dedicated to providing clients with aggressive representation in court. We utilize every resource available to get maximum results in settlements and at trial.
Who is responsible for a truck accident in Nashville?
Rocky McElhaney Law Firm files claims against every individual and every company responsible for the truck accident. Often, more than just the driver is at fault. We file claims against:
- The truck driver
- The owner of the truck
- The employer of the truck driver
- The companies involved in the shipment such as the truck broker who arranges the deliveries
- Maintenance and repair companies
- Manufacturers of defective truck parts
- The Tennessee Department of Transportation and other state agencies/entities – if they failed to design or maintain roads which become dangerous
We also file claims against entities that sold alcohol to a driver who caused an accident – if the driver was visibly intoxicated or a minor at the time of the sale
What damages can I claim after a truck accident in Nashville?
Rocky McElhaney Law Firm demands full compensation for all your injuries. We seek compensation for your current and future damages including all your:
- Medical expenses including surgeries, rehabilitation, doctor visits, medications, and assistive devices
- Lost income and benefits including a permanent disability
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of function, life’s pleasures, and consortium
- Property damages
If your loved one tragically died in a Nashville truck accident, we file a claim for wrongful death damages on behalf of the family.
How much time do I have to file my truck accident case?
Generally, accident victims and the families of loved ones have one year to file their claims. Some shorter time limits may apply, such as when a claim is filed against a state agency.
Don’t wait. Please contact us immediately. We need to send investigators to the accident site, speak with witnesses, talk to your doctors, and explain your rights.
Do you have a Nashville truck accident attorney near me?
Truck accident injury victims and the families of anyone killed in a truck accident can meet us at one of our four convenient locations or by online video conference or phone. If you’re too far away or too hurt or it’s just not convenient, Rocky McElhaney Law Firm will come to you. We’re here to help truck accident victims so you can focus on recovery.
Nashville Location
545 Mainstream Dr #105
Nashville, TN
East Nashville Location
615 Main St., B21
Nashville, TN
Our record for preparation, strong advocacy, experience, and impressive results has earned our Nashville truck accident lawyers the nickname “Gladiators in Suits.” Let us fight for you, too.
Involved in a trucking accident in Tennessee? Our Nashville truck accident lawyers can help
Trucking and transportation laws are complicated; choosing the right Nashville truck accident lawyer for your needs shouldn’t be. Rocky McElhaney Law Firm in Nashville fights for your rights when you’ve suffered an injury because of a truck accident. To schedule a free initial consultation, please call 615-425-2500 or fill out our contact form. We are proud to help clients from all over Tennessee from our offices in Nashville, Murfreesboro, Hendersonville, and Clarksville.
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