Truck Accident FAQ

If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, you know how frightening and confusing it can be. Big trucks outweigh passenger vehicles by tens of thousands of pounds, and even minor collisions can cause serious injuries for drivers and their passengers.

At Matt Hardin Law, our Mt. Juliet truck accident attorneys created this page of frequently asked questions to help address your concerns regarding your accident. If you still have questions after reading, just dial complete a free contact form to get in touch with us directly.

1. Do I have a truck accident claim?

Determining if you have a truck accident claim is best left to an experienced Mt. Juliet truck accident attorney at Matt Hardin Law. We can evaluate your case for factors that include the severity of your injuries, the degree to which the other driver or trucking company’s negligence contributed to the accident, and any current or future wages you will lose as a result of the accident.

2. Who can be held responsible for my truck accident?

Unlike car accidents where the other driver is responsible in the vast majority of cases, truck accident cases can involve several different parties, including:

• The truck driver for breaking the rules of the road
• The trucking company for overworking or overscheduling the driver
• The truck manufacturer for using malfunctioning or unsafe components
• The truck owner for failing to maintain and inspect the truck on a regular basis
• The truck loader for overloading the truck or loading it unevenly

Because there are so many potentially responsible parties involved in truck accidents, it’s important to contact an experienced attorney who can review the facts of the case and determine who contributed to the accident and their level of liability.

3. What should I do if the insurance company offers me a settlement?

The insurance provider of the truck driver, owner, or trucking company may contact you in the hours or days after the accident and offer you a settlement for your medical bills and lost wages.

It’s important to never accept any initial settlement offers unless you have spoken with a Mt. Juliet truck accident lawyer first. Insurance companies sometimes take advantage of victims immediately after accidents by offering them “lowball” settlements, and if you accept their offer, you will nullify your chances of receiving additional compensation for your accident-related expenses.

4. What types of injuries do truck accidents cause?

Truck accidents cause injuries that can range from minor cuts and bruises to life-threatening emergencies. Some of the most common injuries seen in our truck accident clients include:

• Head and neck injuries, including whiplash and paralysis
• Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions and severe brain damage
• Cuts and lacerations
• Sprained and torn ligaments
• Fractured and broken bones

These injuries can cause victims to miss days, weeks, or even years of work and often require expensive medical treatments.

5. Why are trucks more dangerous than passenger vehicles?

Big trucks with fully loaded trailers can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while standard passenger vehicles usually weigh around 3,000 pounds. That enormous weight difference, combined with the fact that trucks sit much higher on the road than most vehicles, means they can cause significant damage and injuries when they’re involved in accidents.

6. Should I see a doctor after my truck accident even if I’m not injured?

Yes. It’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible after your accident, even if you don’t think you were seriously injured. Some injuries are internal and can take time to show up, but a doctor can give you a full check-up and determine the severity of your injuries. In addition, the doctor’s medical report can serve as valuable evidence for your Mt. Juliet truck accident attorney when he builds your claim.

7. Should I admit that I might have been at fault for causing the accident?

No. Even if you think you were partially at fault for causing a truck accident, it’s important to let the experienced attorneys at Matt Hardin Law investigate your case to determine who was responsible. If you admit fault—even partial fault—for causing the accident, you can jeopardize your rights to compensation, even if our legal team’s investigation finds that you didn’t cause the accident.