Category: Truck Accidents

An Aug. 5 accident claimed the life of a Tennessee woman on U.S. 11W. Two others were also injured in the crash, which occurred when a tractor-trailer attempted to make an illegal left turn onto Sneedville Pike. The driver of the tractor-trailer was not hurt.

According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the wreck occurred just after 1:20 p.m. in Rogersville. The woman was driving a 2000 Daewoo north in the left lane of the highway when the semi-truck turned in front of her car. Officers say she was wearing a seat belt but that the safety restraint would not have changed the outcome of the crash. Two passengers in her car, including an infant, were injured. Emergency personnel had to extract the woman from the vehicle.

The 18-year-old woman was declared dead at the crash scene. U.S. 11W was shut down for several hours so that authorities could conduct an investigation into the accident. A trooper stated that the semi-truck driver could be facing charges in connection to the wreck. Since a commercial vehicle was involved, THP was called to investigate, according to officers from the Rogersville Police Department. At least 10 troopers also participated in the crash investigation.

A family of a deceased accident victim may consider pursuing a claim for wrongful death against the driver found to be at fault for a wreck. The compensation a family may be eligible for could help set off sudden expenses related to the death of their loved one such as funeral arrangements and medical bills. In cases where the liable motorist was employed by a trucking company, that company could also be held liable for damages. A lawyer might work with the involved parties in order to negotiate a settlement.

Source: The Rogersville Review, “18-year-old dies in 11W crash on Tuesday“, Wade Littleton, August 08, 2014

A semi-truck being driven by a 24-year-old man rear-ended a Ford F-150 driven by another 24-year-old man at 6:30 a.m. on July 29 in Loudon County. The vehicles were traveling eastbound on Interstate 40 when the accident occurred near mile marker 364. The impact caused the F-150 to collide with another tractor-trailer driven by a 50-year-old man, and the driver in the F-150 was killed in the chain-reaction crash.

The news source posted pictures and video of the wreck’s aftermath in which all three vehicles are seen on fire. Those flames burned for several hours, and a section of I-40 was closed until around 3:15 p.m. As of July 29, charges were reportedly pending against the driver.

In a semi-truck accident, someone could suffer a variety of injuries to his or her back, neck or spine. Some of those injuries may result in a permanent disability or death. In the event that an individual is killed in an accident involving a tractor-trailer, the driver who caused the accident could be sued by the family of the victim regardless of whether or not criminal charges are filed. Additionally, they could also seek damages from the truck driver’s employer.

An attorney could file a wrongful death suit on behalf of the family of the deceased man from this incident. Although a financial award may not bring their loved one back, it could help them move forward by ensuring their financial security in the wake of losing him. Compensation awarded in a wrongful death suit can be tied to financial harms like final expenses of a decedent and lost income from that person.

Source: WATE, “1 killed in fiery crash involving tractor-trailers on I-40E near mm 364“, July 29, 2014

A Hickman County accident involving a semi-truck and two other vehicles on Interstate 40 inflicted significant damage, according to authorities. The June 27 accident left three people dead and six others injured and caused the highway to be closed for several hours, authorities reported.

According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, a Toyota Tacoma heading east on the interstate collided with a semi-truck traveling without a trailer in the same direction. The impact of the collision caused the Tacoma to spin out and flip over, ultimately coming to a stop in a ditch. Furthermore, the semi-truck rebounded across the median and crashed into a westbound Mercury Grand Marquis, causing both vehicles to flip over, authorities reported.

The driver of the Mercury, a 22-year-old man, and two passengers in the vehicle, a 19-year-old woman and a 50-year-old woman, were all killed as a result of the truck accident. Six other people involved in the incident, including two minors, suffered injuries; yet, the extent of their injuries was not clear in the immediate aftermath of the incident. Police commenced an investigation into the event. Charges are pending, according to police.

In a case such as this, more than one party might be liable for the incident. The people who suffered damages in connection with the event may wish to retain the counsel and resources of a personal injury lawyer or wrongful death attorney in an effort to prove to a civil court that the at-fault parties should be held responsible for the incident. If successful, accident victims and the families of deceased accident victims may receive financial compensation for the damages they suffered in connection with the accident. These damages may include but are not limited to hospital bills, the costs associated with funeral services and even lost earnings.

Source: WKRN, “Charges pending in I-40 crash that killed 3, injured 6“, June 28, 2014

After a number or high-profile truck accidents, one news source highlighted different safety issues in the trucking industry. According to the report, the National Transportation Safety Board claims that trucks that failed to adjust to slowing traffic conditions caused accidents in Tennessee, Maryland, Illinois and Kentucky. These accidents highlight an increasing trend in truck-related fatalities.

According to data following recent trends, truck accidents decreased and hit a low in 2009. However, more accidents involving the large vehicles are being reported in the years following that dip, and 3,921 truck accident fatalities were reported in 2012. Some have claimed that trucking companies are pushing workers to physical limits and are trying to limit scrutiny on driver fatigue allegations. In addition, while some trucks are outfitted with state-of-the-art safety technology that is supposed to help a driver avoid collisions, these vehicles still become involved in fatal crashes due to a driver’s condition. For example, the truck that apparently injured Tracy Morgan and killed another person in a New Jersey crash was equipped with collision avoidance systems and speed limiters, but the driver behind the wheel had apparently not slept for 24 hours.

However, the American Trucking Association, a trade group, suggests that any increase in accidents are related to the continued growth of the economy and blames the high number of accidents on an increase in demand for the transport of goods. A spokesperson for the group argued that a jump in miles driven by truckers leads to additional exposure to danger on the roads, which results in an increase in accidents.

Strict federal regulations control how long a truck driver can be behind the wheel, and failure to adhere to those standards may be considered negligence in court. Individuals who have been negatively affected by an accident caused by the negligence of a truck driver might be entitled to compensation that can be claimed through a civil action filed in court.

Source: NJ.com, “In wake of Tracy Morgan crash, rising truck fatalities lead to new scrutiny“, Ted Sherman, June 15, 2014

The investigation into the cause of the accident that left comedian Tracy Morgan hospitalized and killed a close friend of Morgan’s as they rode in a chauffeur-driven limo bus has focused on a truck driver’s lack of sleep. Media coverage of the semi-truck accident has brought attention to the dangers posed by truck driver fatigue on highways in Tennessee and throughout the United States.

Officials allege that the truck driver did not notice that vehicles ahead of him had reduced their speed on the New Jersey Turnpike. The driver’s last-minute swerve in an attempt to avoid a crash caused his vehicle to crash into the limo bus, injuring Morgan and three other occupants and killing the comedian’s close friend. The injured comedian is expected to remain in the hospital as he recovers from multiple fractures.

Police charged the truck driver with death by auto and assault by auto in a criminal complaint that claims that the driver had not slept for 24 hours. Officials did not elaborate on the source of any information concerning the driver’s inadequate sleep. Federal regulations require drivers to maintain records about the hours they spend behind the wheel each day. Federal regulations limit commercial drivers to a total of 11 hours behind the wheel each day with at least 10 hours off for sleep.

In similar situations, investigators might determine if any of the vehicles involved were equipped with safety systems that automatically reduce vehicles’ speeds and alert the drivers to the traffic ahead, as this truck apparently was. If a truck accident occurs because one of these systems was not working properly, then any injured parties might try to hold both the driver and whoever was responsible for maintaining the equipment accountable via a civil lawsuit.

Source: Yahoo! News, “Authorities: Trucker in Morgan crash hadn’t slept“, David Porter, June 10, 2014

On May 30, a fatal accident occurred on Interstate 40 at the eastbound exit to the Asheville Highway. When traffic apparently came to a standstill, the driver of a tractor-trailer collided into the back of a car, pushing it into an SUV. Both the 44-year-old male driver and 64-year-old female passenger in the middle vehicle died in the accident.

Knoxville police believe another vehicle collision took place in the same area because of the first set of collisions. Reports suggest that a different truck plowed into the back of a Dodge Charger, and the car careened into a wall, sideswiping another vehicle. One person from this second crash was transported to the University of Tennessee Medical Center.

The driver of the first tractor-trailer was taken to the hospital for emotional anguish, and police indicated that no charges had been filed at the time of reporting. Speaking to news outlets after the incident, a Knoxville police sergeant indicated this section of road experiences the heaviest traffic in the city. The crash reportedly backed up traffic for several hours until the scene was cleared at around 5 p.m.

When a fatal semi-truck accident occurs, there may be underlying factors involved such as driver fatigue or faulty brakes. The driver or the trucking company may be considered liable depending on the outcome of the police investigation even if police do not cite the at-fault parties. Family members of the deceased could choose to pursue a wrongful death claim. A personal injury lawyer might assist them with building a case and could help the plaintiffs throughout settlement negotiations and litigation.

Source: WBIR, “Fatal 6-vehicle crash snarls I-40 traffic for hours“, May 30, 2014

Tractor-trailer wrecks are among the most dangerous and serious of any collisions on the road. Unfortunately, many people are injured and killed in these accidents each year across Tennessee roads. Victims of semi truck accidents may face long-term pain and suffering in addition to expensive medical and physical therapy bills. There may also be funeral expenses to consider for families of a deceased person.

An accident involving multiple vehicles closed down a stretch of I-24 in Montgomery County. The accident occurred near Clarksville, and it included three tractor trailers. 

The potential for catastrophic injury in an accident like this is often quite high, especially for motorists in smaller commercial and passenger vehicles. Whether a vehicle is struck directly by the semi truck, hit by cargo that was carried on the trailer, or involved in a collision that stems from the initial collision, drivers on the road are at risk when a semi truck loses control. This is especially true when more than one truck is involved, as in the accident on I-24.

There are many questions involved with an accident like this one. Who is at fault? Could the accident have been avoided? In some cases, a semi truck driver may have inadequate sleep, causing him to lose focus or even fall asleep behind the wheel. Mechanical failures and complications also contribute to the frequency of semi truck accidents. Understanding the cause of a collision and the legal recourse available to you can help you pursue the settlement you deserve for your case. 

Source: WKRN- TV Nashville, “I-24 reopens in Montgomery County after serious crash,” May 20, 2014

Any motor vehicle accident has the potential to cause serious and even life-threatening injuries to those involved, though the involvement of semi-trucks escalates the threat to all parties involved. A truck accident can result from several circumstances, from negligence on the part of the driver to a mechanical malfunction in the vehicle. No matter the cause of the accident, motorists who suffer injuries in these accidents should be aware of their rights and the opportunities available to help them obtain help for their circumstance.

In Montgomery County, one person is critically injured after a multiple-vehicle collision involving a semi-truck. The accident began after a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper pulled over to investigate a vehicle that had crashed into a ditch after leaving the road on I-24. While the trooper was investigating, a multivehicle accident occurred near the trooper’s position. The trooper was hit but fortunately has since been treated by the hospital and released. 

According to the initial report, a semi-truck ran into a tow truck in the accident, and two other cars were involved. The driver of the tow truck suffered serious injuries as the result of the collision, and he was taken to Vanderbilt Medical Center for treatment. Police report that the driver of one of the cars may have slowed down to unsafe speeds while passing the trooper. The driver of the car and the driver of the tractor trailer may face charges for their involvement in the accident.

Injuries suffered during a car accident can result in expensive medical bills, missed time at work and long term pain and suffering. Motorists injured by a tractor trailer may be entitled to a settlement to help them work through the difficult time. Understanding Tennessee law is the first step toward achieving a suitable outcome. 

Source: WZTV Nashville, “Tow Truck Driver Critically Injured in Officer-Involved Accident in Montgomery County,” May 9, 2014

Trucks are not an uncommon sight on Tennessee’s roads. As a result, it is easy to forget the amount of damage that can be caused when one of these vehicles runs into trouble. Drivers have often traveled great distances and may not know the area well. Add to that the possibility of distractions, or simple carelessness, and it quickly becomes apparent how easy it is for a truck accident to occur on the busy roads of Tennessee.

One such incident occurred recently when a semi-truck ran into the back of a tractor-trailer on the Interstate. Tennessee Highway Patrol was called to the late-afternoon crash, which had rapidly become an alarming scene. The semi-truck had caught fire during the accident and the driver had to be transported to a local medical center to be treated for minor injuries.

The driver of the tractor-trailer that was struck from behind appeared to be unharmed. However, the scale of the accident meant that the southbound lanes of the Interstate had to be closed for a number of hours to allow the devastation to be cleared. The semi driver has since been accused of failing to execute due care. He is also thought to have been texting when the accident occurred.

When truck drivers are found to be responsible for an accident, the company employing them can sometimes be liable as well. It is important to establish whether drivers have been adequately trained and if they have been allowed enough time to rest.

This crash in Tennessee could have had far more serious repercussions. Fortunately, neither driver was killed. If you are involved in a truck accident, particularly if you feel the truck driver was negligent or irresponsible, you may wish to claim compensation. An attorney may be able to help you with this, by ensuring a full investigation into the circumstances of the accident.

Source: WCYB, “Driver cited after tractor trailer crash on Interstate 81,” May 3, 2014

For truck drivers, exhaustion and fatigue all can contribute to distraction on a job that requires nonstop attentiveness. One momentary lapse in focus on the road ahead and the job at hand can have fatal consequences. A truck accident often requires extensive investigation in order to determine the causation and the fault, especially when the truck’s involvement resulted in serious injury or fatality.

A recent truck accident in Tennessee claimed the lives of two people and injured one. Coincidentally, these three people had just survived a previous accident, but tragically faced a second accident when a tractor-trailer slammed into the driver’s side of their stalled vehicle, which was sitting crossways in the lane. The collision killed both the driver of the vehicle and a female passenger, while a male passenger suffered serious injuries. The truck driver remained unscathed.

Was this a case of an inattentive driver, who had the ability to stop or reduce speed enough had he seen the car stalled on the road ahead? Was the truck unable to stop because of a mechanical issue? We don’t know yet, but possibilities like these are what make it imperative for accident sites to be properly analyzed and all potential factors taken into account.

Truck drivers are often under pressure to meet deadlines. This sometimes leads them to fail to heed regulations regarding required downtime. The ensuing fatigue could greatly limit their attentiveness and reaction time and cause them to lose control of their tractor-trailers. Should it be determined that this, or other negligent behavior on the part of the driver, played a role in this fatal accident it is possible the truck driver could face personal injury lawsuits. The trucking company might also be held liable, particularly if the truck was found to be poorly maintained or have a faulty braking system. 

Keep in mind that if you or a loved one suffered injuries during a truck accident, you have the right to seek proper compensation. In most cases the best way to go about this is with the help of a motor vehicle accident attorney.

Source: WBIR.com, “Victims in I-81 crash survived 1st accident, died in 2nd,” April 7, 2014