Even under the best circumstances, commercial trucks pose a threat to other motorists.

Flora Templeton Stuart Accident Injury Lawyers have 44 years of experience representing the injured in semi-truck and big-rig accidents. We have the experience needed to fight big truck companies.

Flora Templeton Stuart is a distinguished member of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (American Association for Justice). We understand the catastrophic damage that a truck accident may cause. To date in 2020, 188 people were killed by crashes involving large trucks in Tennessee.

Even if a truck accident does not result in a fatality, it may cause severe, life-long injuries and disruption to your daily life. After a truck accident in Nashville, It’s vital to act quickly to preserve your rights. Truck accidents are by nature more complex than car accidents. Many truck accidents may include several liable parties, including the truck driver, the truck driver’s employer, the trucking company, and possibly other vehicles. Dealing with multiple parties means various attorneys, insurance companies, and others. You need a strong, compassionate truck accident attorney to represent the best interests of you and your family.

How Do Truck Accidents Occur?

Minor accidents involving commercial trucks are rare due to the disparity in size between a commercial truck and a motor vehicle. There was a 25% increase in the number of fatal semi-truck accidents in Tennessee from 2019 to 2020. Severe results occur when a truck driver fails to adhere to commercial driving practices and traffic laws. In Tennessee, truck accidents comprise 9% of all traffic accidents in the state with the majority occurring on highways and interstate roadways.

There are several common ways truck accidents occur in Nashville.

Blind Spots

Blind spots are also a common cause of truck accidents in Nashville. Although trucks have large blind spots, proper side view and rearview mirrors maximize views of the road. Truck drivers generally have four primary blind spots:

The immediate area extending to 20 feet in front of the truck driver,
The area below and behind the driver’s window,
The area to the right side of the truck, and
The area directly behind the driver extending to about 30 feet.

Truck drivers are unable to see anything in these blind spots. As a result, truck drivers must check these areas before changing lanes, turning, and braking. Additionally, when truck drivers fail to properly adjust mirrors and sit in their cabin at the proper height, they increase their chances of causing an accident.

The failure to take these required safety measures may result in truck accidents in Nashville.

Failure to Comply with Federal Regulations

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates trucking in all 50 states. All truck drivers must obtain their commercial driver’s license (CDL). The FMCSA sets driver hours, work conditions, equipment limitations, and licensing requirements for all truck drivers.

If a truck driver causes an accident resulting in injury and does not possess a valid CDL, they face serious consequences. If they were driving with an expired license or no license, this results in severe fines, fees, and possible permanent revocation of driving privileges.

Speeding

A speeding truck has the potential to cause the most catastrophic injuries in truck accidents in Nashville. The severe consequences resulting from a speeding truck accident have to do with the nature of commercial trucks. Commercial trucks carry a weight up to 80,000 pounds, making it extremely difficult for drivers to stop these vehicles at high speeds. In some situations, a truck driver may habitually break traffic safety laws and speed regularly. In fact, 21% of large truck drivers involved in fatal crashes were previously involved in traffic accidents.

Many commercial trucks contain black boxes holding vital information about truck driver behavior. The black box includes communications between the driver and trucking company and the truck’s speed at the time of the accident. Your personal injury attorney can use the data from the truck’s black box to determine fault and recover compensation for your injuries.

There are several common ways speeding causes truck accidents in Nashville.

Weather conditions

Weather conditions such as fog, snow, and ice, significantly increase truck accidents, especially when driving at night. Add in the speeding element, and these conditions may cause a truck to slide into other vehicles and cause an accident involving multiple vehicles. When on slick or wet roads, a speeding truck, despite its heavy weight, may hydroplane. When hydroplaning occurs, the truck driver loses control. With their size and weight, out-of-control commercial trucks at high speeds can cause truck accidents in Nashville.

Running a Stop Sign or Red Light

Due to its heavy weight, a truck must prepare for all movements, including stopping. When a truck driver finds it too difficult to stop when they encounter a stop sign or a red light, they may choose to run the light or sign. However, when a truck driver runs a red light or stop sign, other drivers have no time to react. Although it may be difficult to stop, truck drivers are trained to anticipate stopping at intersections and prepare for traffic lights turning red.

What Should I Do After A Truck Accident?

The aftermath of a truck accident is chaotic. While it may be difficult to think, if you are able, attempt to undertake the following actions to preserve your rights:

Call the authorities and an ambulance, if needed;
If you can safely exit your vehicle, take photographs of the scene and damage;
Talk to witnesses at the scene and get their contact information; and
When the police arrive on the scene, provide an accurate report of events leading up to the accident.

We understand that completing these steps may be difficult, if not impossible, after enduring a devastating truck accident.

Retaining an attorney results in a detailed investigation of the events surrounding your truck accident. Trucking companies often hire their own investigative team, which may result in inaccuracies in reports. Therefore, it’s essential to have a knowledgeable team on your side, correcting the record and fighting for your rights. Our firm is available to meet you at your home, the hospital, or another convenient location.

How to Find The Best Truck Accident Attorney in Nashville

Finding the best truck accident attorney is an intensely personal process. It’s vital to know that the law firm you choose possesses extensive personal injury experience and holds a positive reputation in the community. But most important, you must trust your legal team to represent your best interests. There are multiple factors to consider when choosing the best truck accident attorney in Nashville to represent you.

Reputation and Experience

Obtaining information about the reputation of a prospective attorney gives insight into the type of representation the firm provides. It’s best to seek out attorneys with positive reviews from other clients and who are respected in the community. The legal team at Flora Templeton Stuart Accident Injury Lawyers holds a prestigious reputation. Our attorneys have obtained millions in compensatory awards for injured clients.

With 44 years experience, Attorney Flora Templeton Stuart was the first female attorney in Bowling Green, Kentucky, to represent clients. She is a member of both the Kentucky Bar Association and the Tennessee Bar Association. Flora Templeton Stuart understands that compassion and diligence go hand in hand when representing clients.

Dedication

In addition to having experience, your lawyer must be responsive to your needs and concerns. Despite a busy schedule, an attentive attorney must treat your case as equally important to all other cases. Every day, the legal team at Flora Templeton Stuart fights for the rights of every one of our clients. The mission of Flora Templeton Stuart Injury Accident Lawyer is to effect positive change in the lives of our clients. Despite receiving national recognition, Flora Templeton Stuart maintains a small firm environment to ensure clients receive personalized attention.

No Fee/No Win

Flora Templeton Stuart Accident Injury Lawyers represent all injured clients on a contingency fee basis. This means that you don’t pay your attorney unless you are successful in your case. If a lawyer agrees to take your case, it’s a good indication that they believe in the strength of your claim. With access to experienced investigators and experts, Floral Templeton Stuart works to build a strong case without any upfront cost to you. We have successfully obtained favorable results for 90% of our clients.

Contact the Floral Stuart Templeton Accident Injury Lawyers Today

If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a truck accident in Nashville, contact Flora Templeton Stuart to discuss your case.

Any delays may result in the loss of vital evidence relevant to your case. Injuries from a truck accident range from minor to severe but are often life-changing.

Attorney Flora Templeton Stuart understands her injured clients’ struggles and tirelessly fights to present a strong case and get you the compensation you deserve. We possess over 44 years of experience and prioritize your cares and concerns while diligently fighting for your rights.

No one should be worried about legal fees in addition to enduring the pain of severe injuries or the loss of a loved one due to a truck accident. That’s why our firm works on a contingency basis, meaning we only get paid when you get paid. If you’ve been injured, contact the attorneys at Flora Templeton Stuart today for a free initial consultation, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With offices close by we travel to injured clients.