No one expects or plans to be involved in a truck accident. But it happens every day. Countless complexities related to these situations arise and it’s easy for anyone to become overwhelmed when debating what to do involving their accident. Here are some considerations to take in if you’re involved in a truck accident.
Truck Accidents Are Often More Serious
When you’re dealing with an 18-wheeler or large commercial vehicle, etc., you’re likely to see more catastrophic results. Those vehicles are large and cumbersome. Collisions with a truck of this size could lead to a devastating outcome. The TN Safety and Homeland Security site offers a dashboard of information, specifically showing fatality types, including trucks. When this occurs, a truck accident lawyer would be able to walk the daunting path with you to assure you reach the best conclusion given the difficult circumstances.
Truck Accidents Are Complicated
Unlike car collisions, which are complicated enough, when you add in a truck or two, the situation becomes quickly complex. Though some truck drivers own and operate their own vehicle, many times the driver works for a company and all of the sudden the situation can become convoluted when a mishap occurs. When you’re not dealing with just a sole driver and their vehicle, but rather a semi-truck and a trucking company (for example), you may see –
- Trucking company or fleet operator
- Maintenance company
- Truck part manufacturer
- Other drivers on the road
Determining fault can prove to be a real challenge since it’s not necessarily one truck or one specific company. So, vs. a car accident where you’re engaging with possibly just the other driver, you might be dealing with the trucking company, maintenance company, etc.
A reliable truck accident lawyer such as Butler, Vines & Babb law firm would provide invaluable services assisting you with navigating the muddy waters of who’s at fault in a truck accident.
Truck Laws Are Serious Business
To keep drivers as safe as possible, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) was created. The administration implemented trucking industry rules and regulations to set safety standards in place to protect individuals. In addition, Tennessee has implemented many laws surrounding the truck driving industry. When dealing with such large forms of transportation, a CDL license becomes necessary.
- Drivers require a CDL when the vehicle -
- Weighs over 26,001 pounds,
- Belongs in a category related to carrying hazardous materials, or
- If they carry more than 15 passengers.
This is such serious business that a CDL will be revoked under various circumstances if a violation occurs. Examples include -
- Serious traffic violations including excessive speeding, reckless driving, and CMV traffic violations that result in bodily injury or death
- A CDL with improper certifications
Next time you’re driving down the highway, if you take a look, you’ll notice there are likely countless types of vehicles that fall into this category. And if you really think about it, you’ll realize that a collision with something of this scale could be devastating. In the unfortunate event that it happens, involving a truck accident lawyer becomes critical.
Truck Accident Laws Vary
If you’re involved in a collision, it’s important to consider that your truck accident lawyer be well versed in state and federal laws. Depending on where the accident occurred, there will be variants to how fault is established. Butler, Vines & Babb law firm is equipped to navigate the various laws and situations related to the accident.
Settling Directly Through Insurance May Not Be Enough
If you are involved in a truck accident, relying on the insurance companies can be a risky game. Insurance companies require sufficient proof and need to investigate the accident. The problem is, the insurance company needs to provide sufficient evidence, and that can prove to be difficult. The insurance adjustor would be required to find proof that the insurance policy holder is at fault. To do this, they may need
- Witness testimony
- Surveillance footage
- Police reports
- Accident reconstruction expert input
- Proof of injury (including medical records and treatments)
A truck accident lawyer will be able to assure that the insurance adjustor has exactly what they need to pursue the claim and identify the liable party. Butler, Vines and Babb law firm would be able to gather all of the evidence for you so you can present clear documentation to the insurance adjustor.
No one expects to, or wants to, tackle the complexities of an unexpected accident… especially one involving a truck collision. Butler, Vines & Babb law firm can help you as a truck accident lawyer and do whatever is necessary to remove some complication in your life. Dealing with the accident and injury is enough for anyone to handle. We’ll do what we can to alleviate the complexities of your accident.
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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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