A truck wreck around the I-40/I-75 split or a busy Knoxville surface road can turn into something much more serious than a typical car accident. When a commercial truck is involved, the impact is often more severe, and the aftermath can get complicated fast.
These cases are not handled the same way as standard crashes. Federal trucking rules, company policies, and large insurance carriers all come into play. In some situations, more than one party may share responsibility, and each may try to shift blame or minimize what they owe.
At Hotz & Associates, P.C., we help people in Knoxville and across Tennessee who have been hurt in truck accidents make sense of what happened and what to do next. Call (865) 582-0042 today to schedule your free no-obligation consultation.
How Hotz & Associates, P.C. can help you after a truck accident
After a truck accident, there’s a lot happening at once. We handle the legal side of your claim from start to finish, so you don’t have to deal with insurance companies or paperwork on your own. Once you contact us for help, we will:
- Review your situation during a free consultation
- Help you get medical care and gather your records
- Preserve evidence such as crash reports, driver logs, and electronic data
- Handle communication with insurance companies
- File a claim or lawsuit if needed
- Negotiate for a settlement that reflects your losses
You stay informed throughout the process and make the final decisions about your case. If a fair settlement is not offered, we are prepared to take the case to trial.
Acting early can make a difference. Evidence in truck accident cases, including electronic data and driver records, may not be preserved for long. Speaking with a lawyer sooner rather than later can help protect your claim.
Contact our Knoxville truck accident lawyer for a free consultation. Email us, use our online form, or call us at (865) 582-0042. We’ll explain your rights and begin working for you within 24 hours.
What are the common causes of truck accidents?
Truck accidents are often caused by preventable issues, many of which involve driver behavior or company-level decisions. Driver error plays a major role in many crashes, including speeding, unsafe lane changes, running lights, and driving while distracted, fatigued, or under the influence.
Other causes are tied to how trucks are maintained and operated. Mechanical failures, such as brake or tire issues, might point to poor maintenance. Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo can shift and affect control, especially at highway speeds. In some cases, road conditions like rain or ice make it harder for large trucks to slow down or maneuver safely. Many of these issues are governed by federal trucking regulations, which can be a key factor in determining fault in a crash.
What are the common types of truck accident injuries our firm sees?
Truck accidents can cause injuries that range from relatively minor to life-changing. Because of the size and weight of commercial trucks, even lower-speed crashes can result in serious harm.
Major injuries
Injuries that can lead to long-term disability or even death often result from truck accidents due to the sheer size of semi-trucks and the force of their impact. Examples of major injuries often arising from truck accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Burns
Minor injuries
Other injuries may seem less serious at first, but can still require treatment, including:
- Whiplash
- Concussions
- Lacerations
- Torn ligaments
- Muscle strains
Even if your injuries seem minor, consider seeking medical attention. Many minor injuries can become major ones if not treated properly.
What are the possible damages we can help you claim in a Knoxville truck accident case?
Truck accident compensation is usually classified into economic and non-economic damages. The types of damages you can claim will depend on the specific details of your case, including the severity of your injuries and the amount of negligence displayed by the responsible parties. Truck accident cases often involve more severe injuries and higher insurance coverage, which can affect the value and complexity of a claim.
Economic damages
Economic damages are tangible financial losses that can be easily quantified. They include:
- Medical costs: Past and future medical expenses like emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgery, physical therapy, and medication.
- Lost income: This can include wages, commissions, bonuses, and benefits.
- Property damage: This includes the cost of repairing or replacing damaged property like cars, homes, or businesses.
- Loss of earning capacity: This is awarded when the victim’s injuries have made them unable to work in the future.
- Rental car costs: This is awarded when the victim has to rent a car while their own is being repaired.
Non-economic damages
Non-economic damages are often more challenging to quantify. They include:
- Pain and suffering: This includes the physical and emotional pain caused by the accident.
- Mental anguish: This includes the psychological distress caused by the accident, such as fear, anxiety, and depression.
- Loss of consortium: This includes losing the benefits of a married relationship, such as companionship, sexual relations, and support.
- Physical disfigurement and impairment: This includes any bodily injuries that have resulted in a permanent change in appearance or reduced ability to function.
- Lowered quality of life: This includes any adverse changes in the victim’s life that are not caused by physical injuries, such as being unable to enjoy favorite activities or losing independence.
Regarding truck accident damages, economic damages are usually easier to quantify than non-economic damages; a paper trail of medical bills and income statements can be used as evidence. However, non-economic damages can be more complicated to prove, so you’ll need your attorney’s in-depth knowledge of the law and expert witnesses’ testimony. In the most serious cases, families may pursue a wrongful death claim after a fatal truck accident.
Learn More: What kinds of personal injury damages may I be entitled to?
How much does it cost to hire our Knoxville truck accident lawyer?
Hotz & Associates works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe nothing unless and until we win your case. If we win, we’ll be paid a predetermined percentage of the settlement or verdict award you receive.
At Hotz & Associates, P.C., we understand that hiring a Knoxville trucking accident lawyer is an essential consideration for someone injured in a truck accident. That’s why we offer our prospective clients a free consultation with our Knoxville truck accident lawyer, where you can learn more about your case and the potential legal options available.
Who may be liable for my Knoxville truck accident?
All personal injury cases are based on the legal concept of negligence. This means someone must have acted recklessly or carelessly and caused the accident. While the negligent party is often the truck driver, others may be liable for the crash.
In some cases, the trucking company may be liable for failing to maintain their vehicles properly, for not providing adequate training, or for failing to allow their drivers breaks, forcing them to drive tired and exhausted. The manufacturer of the vehicle or a defective part installed on it may also be to blame for the accident if their product is found to be faulty. Additionally, the shipper or loader of the cargo may be liable if they fail to secure the load properly.
Pursuing a claim for maximum compensation involves determining who is at fault and holding them accountable. Our experienced Knoxville truck accident lawyer will have the knowledge and resources to investigate and identify all potentially liable parties thoroughly.
Learn More: What is causation in a personal injury case?
Frequently asked questions about truck accidents in Tennessee
Should I talk to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster?
You are not required to speak with the trucking company’s insurance adjuster right away. In many cases, adjusters are looking for statements they can use to limit what the company has to pay. It’s usually best to speak with a Knoxville truck accident attorney before giving a recorded statement or signing anything.
How is fault determined in a truck accident?
Tennessee follows a fault-based system, so the party responsible for the crash can be held financially liable. Fault is based on negligence, meaning someone failed to act with reasonable care. In truck accident cases, these might include the driver, the trucking company, a maintenance provider, or others. Evidence such as crash reports, black box data, electronic logging records, and maintenance history can all help show what happened.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Tennessee?
In most cases, Tennessee law gives you one year from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline can prevent you from recovering compensation, so it is important to act within that timeframe.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
You may still be able to recover compensation even if you were partially at fault. Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault rule, which means your recovery may be reduced based on your share of fault. If you are found to be 50 percent or more at fault, you may not be able to recover damages.
Knoxville and East Tennessee truck accident resources
University of Tennessee Medical Center
1924 Alcoa Highway
Knoxville, TN 37920
The University of Tennessee Medical Center is a Level I trauma center that provides emergency care for serious injuries, including those caused by truck accidents.
Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center
1901 Clinch Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37916
Fort Sanders Regional offers emergency services and follow-up care for patients recovering from crash-related injuries.
Knoxville Police Department
800 Howard Baker Jr. Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37915
The Knoxville Police Department responds to accidents within city limits and prepares official crash reports that may be used in insurance claims or legal cases.
Tennessee Highway Patrol – Knoxville District
4626 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37919
The Tennessee Highway Patrol investigates many serious and commercial vehicle accidents on highways such as I-40 and I-75.
Hotz & Associates, P.C.
117 Center Park Drive, Suite 100
Knoxville, TN 37922
(865) 582-0042
Hotz & Associates, P.C. represents people across Tennessee who have been injured in truck accidents and helps clients understand their legal options after a crash.
Speak with a Knoxville truck accident lawyer about your options
A truck accident can leave you dealing with more than just vehicle damage. Medical bills, missed work, and calls from insurance companies often follow. What you do early on can affect your claim. Truck accident cases often involve multiple parties and time-sensitive evidence, so having someone protect your interests from the start can make a difference.
If you’re looking for a truck accident lawyer Knoxville residents rely on, you can contact us online or call (865) 582-0042 to schedule a free consultation.
Featured Attorney
