We are all guilty of being overly confident that we know the truth about something when the reality is that it’s something we picked up on TV or from a family member that is not entirely accurate. For example, many people are confident that the Great Wall of China is the only man-made structure visible from space. However, the reality is that even astronauts orbiting Earth can barely see it, and city lights can be clearly seen from orbit at night! Truck accidents are another thing that many people have specific ideas about, which may be nothing more than myths! Let’s take a look at some of the most common misconceptions about truck accidents and separate the myths from reality.

Myth 1: Truck Accidents Are Not Common

For some reason, many people are under the illusion that truck accidents are something that doesn’t occur very often. However, the truth is that there are around 388,000 truck accidents in the United States every year - that’s over one thousand every single day! As you can see, they are far more common than you might think. In fact, the number of truck accidents has been rising steadily. As a truck accident lawyer in Knoxville, we have seen a definite increase in the number of cases coming through our offices. There are many theories on why there has been an increasing number of accidents involving trucks, but the most likely seems to be that there are more trucks on the road, covering substantially more mileage making the risk of an accident much higher.

Myth 2: Truck Accidents Only Impact The Vehicle They Hit

One thing we hear reasonably often as a truck accident lawyer in Knoxville is that the only ones affected by a truck accident are the vehicles that are hit. This certainly isn’t the case. Think about the sheer size and weight of a truck and fully loaded trailer. We are looking at an average of 80,000 lbs. Even an empty trailer can weigh over 30,000 lbs. This means that a truck accident can cause devastation. Not only will any vehicle hit by the truck be impacted, but it could also cause extensive property damage if the truck hits a building, fencing, or other property. This could even include causing damage to the road itself if any of the vehicles hit barriers. If the truck has any spillage of hazardous material, there could also be environmental damage. Serious truck accidents can also result in road closures and traffic jams. As you can see, the effects of an accident involving a truck can have a far-reaching impact.

Myth 3: Truck Drivers Are The Only Ones Liable For An Accident

When a truck accident happens, it is easy to immediately assume that the truck driver is the one to blame. However, that isn’t always the case. In fact, studies suggest that car drivers are more likely to cause an accident than a truck driver. This is because car drivers do not always understand how much extra space a truck needs to turn or stop suddenly. Even in instances where the truck is the vehicle that causes a crash, that doesn’t necessarily mean that a truck accident lawyer in Knoxville will seek to hold the truck driver liable for the accident. One of the reasons why truck accident law is so complex is that multiple people have a responsibility to ensure a truck is safe. The trucking company itself is liable for making sure its fleet is safe and roadworthy and that its drivers are fully qualified and adhere to the necessary safety requirements. If a third-party company is responsible for repairs and maintenance, then they could be held liable for an accident caused by something they did not fix correctly. It is also possible to hold the trailer manufacturer accountable if something fails due to errors in the manufacturing process. A truck accident lawyer in Knoxville may demonstrate in court that several of these people or entities share liability, and damages would, therefore, also be shared between them.

Myth 4: Your Insurance Company Is On Your Side

If you are involved in a truck accident or any other accident for that matter, you probably assume that everything is going to be just fine because your insurance company has your back. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case in reality. As a truck accident lawyer in Knoxville, we always advise speaking with us first before you talk to your insurance company. The bottom line is insurance companies don’t want to have to pay out on claims, especially potentially large ones involving an eighteen-wheeler! They will do anything to deny a claim or at least minimize the amount they must pay! Seemingly harmless questions can be used to gather information while your guard is down, so we always advise exercising caution when talking to your insurance company. If at all possible, you should only do so with your truck accident lawyer in Knoxville present.

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Butler, Vines and Babb is a leading law firm in Knoxville, TN, with extensive litigation experience in Medical Malpractice Law, Birth Injury Law, Trucking Accident Law, Personal Injury Law, and Business Law. Contact us today at www.bvblaw.com or call 865-637-3531.

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