Nashville Truck Accident Attorney
Tractor Trailer Accident Lawyers Serving Nashville, TN
Commercial vehicles pose unique dangers to ordinary drivers. Because of their weight and limited maneuverability, tractor trailers can easily cause serious accidents. According to the TN Department of Safety and Homeland Security, in 2020, there were 5,680 truck accidents in Middle Tennessee that caused a serious injury or death. In Tennessee one out of every 14 crashes and one in every six fatalities involved a large truck. One in every three crashes involving a truck occurred on an interstate and 6% of large truck drivers involved in crashes were following improperly. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration promulgates the rules and regulations that govern truck drivers and trucking companies. Failure to comply with these laws can expose truckers and their employers to liability in the event of a truck accident. An experienced Nashville Truck Accident Attorney at Matt Hardin Law understands the complexity of litigating truck crash cases. We can help you seek compensation if you have been injured in a truck accident.
What Truck Accident Types Does Matt Hardin Law Handle?
Proving fault or negligence after truck accidents can be a highly complex and difficult process, as no two truck accidents are alike. Having a law firm on your side that knows the ins-and-outs of all aspects of the trucking industry, from the state rules and regulations that govern it to the most common types of accidents that occur in Tennessee, can be a tremendous boost when you’re seeking compensation for your accident-related expenses.
Some of the truck accident claims that we handle on a regular basis include:
TRUCK DRIVER FATIGUE
BLIND SPOTS
BRAKING ABILITY
STATE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR INTRASTATE TRUCKING
WIDE TURNS
OVERSIZED TRUCK ACCIDENTS
DUMP TRUCK ACCIDENTS
TRUCK TIRE BLOWOUTS
DELIVERY TRUCK ACCIDENTS
WHEEL LOSS CASES
LOGGING TRUCK ACCIDENTS
GARBAGE TRUCK ACCIDENTS
CEMENT MIXER TRUCK ACCIDENTS
TANKER TRUCK ACCIDENTS
FLATBED TRUCK ACCIDENTS
Why Choose Matt Hardin Law for Your Truck Accident Case?
Trucking companies and their insurers have aggressive legal teams working against you from the moment an accident happens. Here’s why injured victims across Tennessee and Kentucky trust Matt Hardin Law.
No Fee Unless We Win
We work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing upfront and owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Unlike many firms, we never increase our fee if your case goes to trial. Our rate stays the same from start to finish, no matter what it takes.
Over Two Decades of Experience
Attorney Matt Hardin spent years working in insurance defense before switching sides. He knows how insurers think, how they minimize claims, and exactly how to counter those tactics to fight for the full compensation you deserve.
We Take Trucking Companies to Court
While some firms settle quickly to avoid litigation, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial. We dig into driver logs, black box data, maintenance records, and federal compliance violations to build the strongest possible case.
Available 24/7, Free Consultations
Our team answers phones around the clock. We offer free consultations in person, by phone, or via Zoom — and we can come to you at a hospital or another location if needed. There’s no obligation, just honest guidance on your options.
Recognized for Excellence
Matt Hardin has been recognized by Best Lawyers®, Super Lawyers®, and Martindale-Hubbell®, and served as President of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association. Our attorneys bring that same standard of advocacy to every truck accident case we handle.
Our Clients Always Come First
We are committed to clear, consistent communication so you always know where your case stands. We handle the legal heavy lifting — the paperwork, the phone calls, the negotiations — so you can focus on recovering.
Time matters after a truck accident. Evidence disappears, witnesses become harder to reach, and Tennessee’s statute of limitations is one year. Don’t wait.
80+ Five-Star Reviews From Clients
Tennessee Law Gives Truck Accident Victims Legal Recourse
People injured in an accident with a tractor-trailer or other commercial vehicle can file a lawsuit to seek compensation for their injuries. Most such lawsuits allege negligence on the part of the truck driver or the trucking company. Plaintiffs must prove three distinct elements to prevail in this kind of lawsuit after a truck accident, and our Nashville lawyers can help.
First, the plaintiff must prove he was owed a duty by the defendant. Truck drivers and trucking companies, who are usually the defendants in a truck accident case, have a duty to behave reasonably given the circumstances. This is a universal duty owed to everyone on the road.
Second, the plaintiff needs to show that the defendant breached the duty of reasonable care. Defendants can breach this duty in countless ways. Truck drivers must abide by strict hour limits, and they cannot drive when they are unreasonably fatigued. Truckers must drive reasonably by checking their blind spots and avoiding unreasonably wide turns. Trucking companies must maintain their trucks in good working order. They cannot overload their trucks, which can adversely affect braking ability. Failure by a truck driver or trucking company to do any of these things is considered a breach of their respective duties.
Finally, the defendant’s actions that constituted a breach must have caused the plaintiff’s injuries. Most of the time, this is proven when the defendant’s actions caused the truck accident. In such cases, there is almost always causation.
Seek The Advice Of An Attorney Right Away
It is important for truck accident victims to contact a knowledgeable Nashville attorney as soon as practicable after the accident. Attorneys must preserve crucial evidence necessary to litigate these cases. Driver logs, cargo information, and maintenance records might all contain valuable evidence, and too often these records are deleted or lost if they are not requested immediately after an accident.
Truck Accident Victims May Collect Damages
Truck accident plaintiffs who win their lawsuit are entitled to damages from the defendant. The defendant must reimburse the plaintiff for the objective costs of the accident: medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. In addition, defendants are liable for the more subjective injuries the plaintiff sustained, such as mental anguish and pain and suffering.
Meet Our Dedicated Nashville Truck Accident Attorneys
Matt Hardin
ATTORNEY & OWNER
Matt Hardin is a second-generation attorney and the founder of Matt Hardin Law, PLLC, serving clients across Tennessee and Kentucky in personal injury, wrongful death, and medical malpractice cases. With more than two decades of experience, including early work in insurance defense, he brings a rare, inside-out perspective to fighting for injury victims. A former President of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association, Matt has earned recognition from Best Lawyers®, Super Lawyers®, and Martindale-Hubbell® for his commitment to excellence in advocacy. At the heart of his practice is a genuine dedication to delivering justice for the people he represents throughout the region.
William Mayfield
ATTORNEY & PARTNER
William Mayfield is a dedicated personal injury attorney and Partner at Matt Hardin Law, PLLC, based in Nashville, Tennessee. A graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law, he brings a strong foundation in litigation and client advocacy, shaped by internships with the Nashville Predators Legal Department and the Adams Law Firm. Beyond the courtroom, William is actively invested in his community, coaching youth sports, supporting the ALS Association, and serving on the Board of the Nashville Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division.
Andrew Lockert
ATTORNEY & PARTNER
Andrew Lockert completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, and completed his legal studies at the Nashville School of Law. He is a long time Middle Tennessee resident. With a focus on personal injury/car wrecks and civil litigation, he is proud to advocate for clients in the greater Middle Tennessee area and Tennessee in general.
Lockert is licensed to practice law in the State of Tennessee, the Middle and Eastern District Federal Courts in Tennessee, the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati, and the United States Supreme Court in Washington D.C. He has a passion for travel and loves living in Nashville, Tennessee.
Frequently Asked Questions: Nashville Truck Accident Cases
How Do Tennessee Laws Impact My Truck Accident Claim?
Tennessee law provides a clear path to justice for victims, but it also places a high burden of proof on the injured party. To win a claim, you must prove three specific legal elements: duty, breach, and causation. Because these cases involve complex federal safety regulations and multiple potentially liable parties—such as the driver, the trucking company, or even the cargo loaders—navigating Tennessee’s legal landscape requires a thorough investigation to ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Learn more about how Tennessee laws impact your truck accident claim.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Tennessee?
Tennessee’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims — including truck accidents — is one year from the date of the accident. That may sound like ample time, but truck accident cases require extensive investigation well before any lawsuit is filed. Waiting too long risks losing critical evidence, losing access to witnesses, and ultimately losing your right to recover compensation entirely. If you were injured in a tractor-trailer accident in Nashville or anywhere in Middle Tennessee, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible after the crash. Read more about the statute of limitations and how it affects your claim.
What compensation can I recover after a truck accident in Tennessee?
Truck accident victims who successfully pursue a claim can recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover the measurable financial losses caused by the accident — medical bills (past and future), lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and property damage. Non-economic damages cover the human cost of your injuries, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving especially reckless conduct by a trucking company, punitive damages may also be available. The severity of injuries in truck accidents often means total damages are substantial — which is exactly why trucking insurers fight so hard to minimize payouts. Learn more about what compensation you can recover here.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault for a truck accident?
Possibly, yes. Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault rule, which means you can still recover damages as long as you are found to be less than 50% responsible for the accident. However, your total compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault and your damages total $500,000, you would recover $400,000. Trucking companies and their insurers commonly try to shift blame onto injured drivers to reduce or eliminate their payout — another reason having an experienced Nashville truck accident lawyer in your corner is so important. Read more about recovering compensation in situations of partial fault.
Protect Your Rights, Call A Skilled Nashville Truck Accident Attorney At Matt Hardin Now!
People injured by a negligent truck driver or trucking company have a legal right to compensation for their injuries. If you have been injured in a truck crash, hiring a knowledgeable and experienced Nashville truck accident lawyer is the best way to protect your rights under Tennessee law. The attorneys at Matt Hardin Law have significant experience litigating Tennessee truck accident cases. To schedule a free consultation, call 1-800-777-MATT or visit our contact page.