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Tractor trailers play a vital role in keeping the flow of our supply chain rolling. Unfortunately, with their limited maneuverability, along with their intimidating size and weight, accidents involving big commercial trucks are often very serious.
In fact, the FMCSA has reported a 47% increase in trucking accidents from 2009 to 2019. In Tennessee alone, there were over 120 fatalities from trucking accidents in 2017.
When a major truck accident injures you or someone you love, you can seek damages for your medical bills, lost wages, and other costs. Reach out to Ali Awad, the CEO Lawyer, and his experienced team for assistance with filing your injury claim.
We have a proven history of winning large settlements for our clients. We promise to do everything in our power to give your case a solid chance of resulting in successful damage recovery.
Contact the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm today to schedule a 100% free, no-risk case review. We will review the facts of your case and reveal the strategies we could use to pursue compensation and how we will be there with you every step of the way.
How a Chattanooga Truck Accident Attorney Can Help
Since tractor-trailers are usually commercial vehicles, the post-accident legal process will involve more parties and often takes longer to resolve. This kind of case requires diligent attention and a dependable team.
Our firm not only checks both of those boxes but has a lot more to offer as well.
We take pride in the work that we do, and we want every client to experience the best that representation can offer. That’s why we want to do more than just advocate for your settlement.
At no extra cost, we want to help you:
- Find a trustworthy rental car provider
- Pair with the right repair shop for your vehicle
- Seek reimbursement for lost use of your vehicle through the insurance company
- Get scheduled with a doctor that won’t charge you out of pocket for treatment
- Access pre-settlement loans
Our firm also takes personal injury cases on a contingency basis, meaning that we don’t take an upfront payment. We only request payment after we help you recover damages for the accident you endured.
And if we can’t win your case, we don’t get paid.
With this system, we know we give clients the confidence to trust that we are fighting for their best interests with full attentiveness. Appointments are always available when you contact our office.
Common Causes of a Trucking Accident
There are a few major highways that cut right through Chattanooga, including the I-24, I-75, and I-59. These highways and the complexity of Chattanooga’s rural roads are common sights for accidents.
This city is a family community, so we know that whenever someone gets hurt, it affects everybody! Let us take care of your family with the CEO Lawyer treatment.
While every accident is unique, there are a few common causes of truck accidents that insurance companies and legal teams see more often. A lot of accidents are actually caused by the reckless behavior of a driver, whether that be the truck or casual driver.
Of course, no one ever anticipates an accident actually happening. With this in mind, it is always safest to stay prepared!
Below are some of the most common yet avoidable causes of an accident:
Driver Fatigue
It really is no secret that truck drivers work tireless hours on the road. Even with driver logs that record their time and let them know when to stop, it is a common occurrence for truckers to be exhausted on the road.
Sometimes, a driver will push themselves past their limits to get their load delivered faster, and sometimes, a trucker won’t even know that they are showing signs of reckless, exhausted driving.
When you notice a fatigued driver swerving between the lanes, instead of speeding up to get ahead of them, slow down. Keep the flow of traffic behind the dangerous driver until it is safe to pass.
Distracted Driving
There are a few ways to spot a distracted driver, and each sign is a clear message that you should stay far away from that vehicle. Swerving, noticeable device use, or even something as ‘harmless’ as eating are signs to stay far away.
Sadly, there aren’t always signs. Distracted driving could simply be a bored driver on a long straightaway who has lost concentration and is dazed in their own daydreams.
Intoxication
Driving under the influence is already a dangerous and life-threatening crime; add a giant trailer and a few more tons of weight, and the severity increases again.
It is common to see accidents with truckers who were under the influence during the time of the crash. This does not just include alcohol and over-the-counter drugs, but also prescription medication and stimulants like energy drinks in replacement of sleep. If you were hurt in a drunk driving accident, the CEO Lawyer has the experience you need on your side.
Unsafe Lane Changes
Large hauling trucks are a very convenient way to move cargo from one place to another, but they come with certain disadvantages. One of the major issues that truckers are trained to deal with is their many blind spots.
These blind spots are the same ones you’d find on your vehicle, but just on a larger scale. To avoid sitting in a truck’s blind spot, avoid driving right behind them at an unsafe distance, at their side without the intent of accelerating, and right in front of them at the nose of the vehicle.
Most Dangerous Types of Trucking Accidents
Jackknife Accidents
This type of collision occurs when the cab and trailer portions of the truck create a ‘jackknife’ or, in basic terms, fold in half. When the cab connects to the trailer, there is always that little space between the two, and in a windy environment with (usually) an empty trailer, the truck can fold at that cab/trailer connection, causing unexpecting drivers to crash as the truck loses control.
Unsecured Load Accidents
There are federal regulations that maintain the safety of cargo loads in tractor-trailers. The basic rule is that they must be secure and immobile.
Yet, too often, we see trailers that aren’t secured properly losing control on the road. Also, if the center of gravity of the trailer shifts, it can affect the mobility of the truck.
Drivers and carrier companies are ultimately responsible for the securement of cargo and its safe transport.
Hazmat Accidents
Arguably, one of the most dangerous types of accidents involves hazardous materials. The risk is enormous because the accident could affect not only those enduring the impact but also those in surrounding communities.
Hazardous material is usually classified as a material that is explosive or toxic when airborne. For obvious reasons, it is extremely dangerous when trucks hauling these materials crash.
Underride Accidents
When a car approaches a tractor-trailer, closely tailgating, they put themselves at risk for an underride accident. An underride incident occurs when a truck has to slow down, but the car cannot stop in time and slides under the rear (or even side).
Underride accidents can also happen when a truck makes an improper turn, using the breadth of its trailer to cut off oncoming traffic. This type of collision is especially serious because, with the height difference between these two types of vehicles, the major impact of the crash would be at the top half of the car, often shearing the canopy cleanly off and putting occupants at major risk.
Many Parties Could Be Considered Liable for Your Accident
An accident with a commercial vehicle like a hauling truck can be a lot more complex than dealing with another casual driver and their insurance company. Because the driver is usually an employed worker, not only is their company involved, but companies that supply specific parts could also be included.
Carrier companies are responsible for accidents caused by their drivers, including contractors, but other people could also be found liable for the accident, such as a shipper/distributor who loaded a trailer improperly that was supposed to be picked up directly by the carrier.
Other parties may be responsible, including:
- Defective vehicle, trailer, or part manufacturers
- Maintenance companies
- Staffing agencies
- Negligent road engineering companies
- Other drivers involved in the collision
You don’t have to do it alone. The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm can help!
Our record speaks for itself; we have a 99.5% success rate, and we want to include you in that number.
The Best Way to Avoid an Accident Is to Practice Precautionary Driving; Here Are Some Top Tips
- Remember that trucks need more space than traditional passenger cars. These larger vehicles have a wider braking range and larger blind spots, so always be cautious when traveling behind or at the side of a trailer.
- Pass quickly. When you are traveling at the side of a trailer, always accelerate to pass, which will keep you out of a blind spot.
Keep a cool head. It is definitely frustrating when you see a truck put its blinker on to merge into your lane, but instead of trying to pass them as fast as possible, keep a cool head and allow them through. Again, there are more blind spots on a truck that you will be directly in if you try to pass, and if the driver is already concentrating on merging, they may not see you. This is a deadly risk that no one should take.
Talk to a Chattanooga Truck Accident Law Firm and See the Benefits of Great Representation
We know that finding legal representation is a daunting task — one many people feel they don’t have the luxury of retaining. We want to end that stigma.
Our offices are open to everyone, especially those who so often fail to seek representation because they feel they can’t afford a lawyer. We fight for ALL clients, especially those who are normally disadvantaged, so do not hesitate to ask for our help.
Contact the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm online, by phone at (423) 777-8888 or check us out on social media! We’ve built a community online with over 1 million Instagram followers, some of whom are previous clients that we have worked for.
Check out @ceolawyer to learn more about us as a family and a firm.