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PHONES ANSWERED 24 HOURS A DAY
A fully loaded tractor-trailer weighs up to 80,000 pounds, making it difficult to stop under ideal circumstances. A trucking company that cuts corners on maintenance or overloads its trucks increases the risk of harming innocent victims. The Nashville truck accident lawyers of Matt Hardin Law have litigated vehicle collision cases for countless Tennessee residents. If you have been injured in a truck crash involving braking ability or other factors, we can help you seek the compensation to which you may be entitled.
Braking problems account for a significant number of truck accidents in Tennessee. According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, between 2010 and 2013 there were 160 truck accidents caused by improper braking. Accidents caused by trucks that have been poorly maintained or overloaded with cargo can expose their owners to liability. People injured by a negligent trucking company can sue for damages, and our Nashville injury attorneys can help.
A person hurt in an accident involving a tractor-trailer may sue the company employing the driver for damages. Most of the time, these lawsuits allege negligence on the part of the trucking company and must prove that:
Trucking companies have a duty to exercise reasonable care when conducting their business. They owe this duty to all people with whom their vehicles share the road. If a trucking company skips important maintenance on its trucks or overloads them with cargo, making the trucks harder to stop, the company has breached this duty. This may be true even if the trucking company has acted unintentionally. If the trucking company’s carelessness caused an accident that injured someone else, Tennessee law considers the defendant to have caused the accident. This means that the defendant is liable for the injuries it caused.
People injured in a truck accident should contact an attorney soon after the accident. Tennessee has a one-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. This means that truck accident victims must file a lawsuit against the parties responsible for their injuries within one year of the date of the accident, or their case may be dismissed without recovery. An experienced lawyer can help you determine the deadlines that may apply to starting your case.
When an accident victim wins a negligence lawsuit against a trucking company, he or she earns the right to collect compensation. These money damages reimburse the victim for the expenses associated with injuries, such as medical bills, property damage, and lost wages. A victim also may get compensation for emotional, physical, and psychological injuries. If the jury found that the defendant acted with recklessness or malice, the court may order a further award of punitive damages.
A tractor-trailer with decreased braking ability has the potential to ruin lives. Trucking companies that chose to put profits before people deserve to be held accountable. The Tennessee vehicle collision attorneys of Matt Hardin Law have significant experience fighting for the rights of people harmed by truck accidents in Tennessee. If you have been injured in a truck wreck, call visit our contact page to schedule a free consultation.
“I'm super pleased with Matt and his whole team. I was hesitant to contact a lawyer after my accident, but I'm so glad I did!”
William