Nashville Truck Accident Lawyer

Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys' Nashville office is connected to a national network of car accident lawyers and legal specialists. As your dedicated Nashville Truck Accident Lawyer, we are here to listen to your needs, while the full strength of our firm stands ready to assist you.

(800) 229-7989

2550 Meridian Blvd
Franklin, TN 37067

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Nashville’s bustling roads and intersections are perilous for drivers, especially where heavy truck traffic converges with daily commuters. Areas like I-24, I-40, and I-65 see constant flow from large commercial trucks and personal vehicles, making them hotspots for accidents. 

Intersections such as those along Nolensville Pike, Charlotte Avenue, and the busy stretches of Broadway are notorious for crashes involving 18-wheelers and delivery trucks.

When a collision happens in these high-traffic areas, the consequences are usually severe, requiring swift legal action to protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve. 

Alexander Shunnarah trial attorneys make that difference, offering not just legal representation but a path toward recovery. 

With a deep understanding of the unique dynamics of Nashville’s roads and the trucking industry, we bring a focused and strategic approach to every case, ensuring you have the support you need when it matters most. 

You’ll find a Nashville truck accident lawyer you can trust with us.

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Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Nashville

Attorney Alyssa Daniels

Nashville truck accidents often result from driver error, mechanical issues, and challenging road conditions. 

Identifying these factors early helps victims build a stronger case and pursue the compensation they deserve:

  • Driver Fatigue: Long shifts and tight deadlines push many truck drivers to exceed hours-of-service regulations, leading to drowsiness and slower reaction times. Fatigue significantly increases the risk of accidents on busy routes like I-24 and I-40.
  • Distracted Driving: Texting, using GPS, or eating behind the wheel diverts a truck driver’s attention from the road. Even a momentary lapse often causes a serious accident on congested roads like Broadway and Charlotte Avenue.
  • Improper Loading: Cargo that isn’t correctly balanced or secured shifts during transit, making trucks difficult to control. This issue frequently leads to rollovers or jackknife incidents, especially on sharp turns and highway ramps.
  • Speeding and Reckless Driving: To meet delivery schedules, some drivers speed through busy intersections or fail to adjust their driving in adverse weather. Excessive speed reduces a driver’s ability to stop quickly, resulting in severe collisions on crowded stretches like Nolensville Pike.
  • Mechanical Failures: Worn brakes, faulty tires, and other mechanical issues often go unchecked, turning large trucks into serious road hazards. These failures cause sudden breakdowns or loss of control, creating dangerous situations on Nashville’s hilly terrain.

Each of these factors leads to devastating crashes, making it crucial to identify the cause when pursuing a claim.

Common Injuries in Nashville Truck Accidents

Attorney Angel Medina

Truck accidents often result in severe injuries due to the sheer size and weight of commercial vehicles

  • Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): The impact of a collision results in a TBI, leading to symptoms like memory loss, mood changes, and cognitive impairments. These injuries often require specialized care and may result in permanent disability.
  • Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spine often results in partial or complete paralysis. Recovery involves extensive rehabilitation, with victims facing a lifetime of limited mobility and dependence on assistive devices.
  • Broken Bones and Fractures: The force of a truck collision often results in broken arms, legs, ribs, and even multiple fractures. 
  • Internal Injuries: The violent nature of a truck crash often leads to internal bleeding and organ damage, such as punctured lungs, liver lacerations, or ruptured spleens. These injuries are not always immediately visible but pose serious risks if left untreated.
  • Severe Burns: Collisions involving trucks carrying hazardous materials or fuel lead to fires and explosions, resulting in serious burns. 
  • Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries: Even at lower speeds, the impact of a truck accident often damages muscles, ligaments, and tendons, causing chronic pain and limited range of motion.

These injuries disrupt every aspect of a victim’s life, from daily routines to future earning potential.

Why Choose Shunnarah Truck Accident Lawyers for Your Nashville Truck Accident Claim

Truck accident injuries leave a lasting impact, and having the proper legal representation shapes the outcome of your case. 

At Alexander Shunnarah trial attorneys, we bring a powerful blend of experience, resources, and commitment to every client.

Our team of Nashville personal injury attorneys understands the unique challenges of truck accident cases. Beyond familiarity with Tennessee state laws, we possess in-depth knowledge of the federal regulations governing the trucking industry.

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This know-how allows us to build solid cases, identify all liable parties, and gather critical evidence others might overlook.

Every client is more than just a case file—each represents a person facing uncertainty, pain, and a need for support. We treat every case with empathy and relentless determination. 

Expect direct access to our team, consistent updates on your case’s progress, and the reassurance that you have a steadfast ally fighting for justice and recovery.

Compensation You May Be Entitled To

After a truck accident, victims often face significant financial burdens. Pursuing compensation helps address the costs and challenges resulting from the crash. 

Here are the types of compensation available:

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  • Medical Expenses: Coverage includes costs for emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatments. Compensation also addresses future medical needs related to the injuries.
  • Lost Wages: Compensation accounts for income lost during recovery. It also covers any reduction in earning capacity if the injuries prevent returning to the same job or working full-time.
  • Pain and Suffering: Beyond physical injuries, victims endure emotional distress, trauma, and a diminished quality of life. Compensation seeks to address the non-economic impacts of the accident.
  • Property Damage: The costs of repairing or replacing the damaged vehicle and other personal property are covered.
  • Rehabilitation and Therapy: Costs for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other forms of rehabilitation support recovery and help regain mobility and independence.
  • Loss of Consortium: If the injuries impact relationships with a spouse or family members, victims may pursue compensation for the loss of companionship, support, and intimacy.

Recovering these damages requires navigating complex legal and insurance processes.

Who May Be Held Liable in a Trucking Accident?

Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys Moment Arms

Establishing who is responsible for a truck accident is often more complicated than with car accidents. Multiple parties could share accountability, making it essential to pinpoint all those responsible to pursue total compensation. 

Possible liable parties include:

  • Truck drivers
  • Trucking companies
  • Cargo loading services
  • Manufacturers of trucks or their parts

Truck Drivers

Truck drivers must follow safety regulations while driving through Nashville. If their carelessness contributes to an accident, they are held responsible. 

Common issues that might result in driver liability include:

  • Distracted driving (e.g., texting)
  • Driving under the influence
  • Speeding or unsafe driving for conditions
  • Tailgating
  • Disobeying traffic signals or signs
  • Driving beyond legal working hours or while fatigued

Sometimes, the trucking company is the cause of an accident.

Trucking Companies

Trucking companies operating in and around Nashville, such as J.B. Hunt, Schneider National, and UPS, are large corporations with significant defense resources. 

These companies have legal teams ready to investigate the scene and build a defense to limit their financial responsibility, even when the accident causes severe injuries.

Cargo Loading Services

Million Dollar Badge

The safety of a commercial truck on the road depends on how its cargo is loaded. Improper loading creates risks such as:

  • Imbalanced weight: Leads to rollover risks when turning or in high winds.
  • Overloaded trucks: Extra weight strains brakes and tires, making stopping harder.
  • Unsecured items: Shifting cargo destabilizes a truck or spill onto the roadway.
  • Hazardous materials: Mishandling hazardous materials causes leaks or spills, endangering others on the road.

The cargo loading company is liable if poor loading practices contribute to an accident.

Truck and Part Manufacturers

Under product liability laws, manufacturers may be responsible when defects in trucks or their components lead to accidents. They must ensure the safety of their products. 

Defective brakes, faulty tires, or engine issues are examples of potential manufacturer liability. 

Proving liability in truck accidents involves technical analysis and thorough evidence collection. This is why having a knowledgeable Nashville truck accident lawyer is required for a successful claim.

Federal Regulations Promoting Safety in the Trucking Industry

Attorney Benjamin Zimmern

Federal regulations maintain safety on highways, including those in and around Nashville. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets and enforces these rules covering various aspects of commercial trucking.

If a truck driver or company violates these regulations, it strengthens your truck accident case, potentially proving negligence.

Here’s a look at the federal regulations with a role in truck accident claims:

  • Hours of Service (HOS): These rules cap the time drivers are behind the wheel without rest, typically limiting driving to 11 hours within a 14-hour window, followed by 10 hours off-duty
  • Drug and Alcohol Testing: Truck drivers must comply with strict drug and alcohol testing regulations. A company failing to perform mandatory tests or allowing a driver with a history of substance abuse to operate a vehicle could be liable for resulting accidents.
  • Vehicle Maintenance: The FMCSA mandates regular inspections and upkeep of commercial vehicles. The trucking company may be held responsible when accidents occur due to mechanical failures that proper maintenance could have prevented.
  • Cargo Securement: Federal rules specify how different types of cargo must be secured appropriately. If cargo shifts or spills due to improper securement, the driver and the trucking company could be liable.
  • Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs): ELDs are required to track driving hours accurately. If a trucking company is found using outdated methods or falsifying records, it could be crucial evidence in a case against them.
  • Driver Qualifications: Trucking companies must ensure their drivers are properly licensed, trained, and medically certified. If an unqualified driver is involved in a crash, it may be evidence of the company’s negligence.
  • Hazardous Materials: Strict regulations govern the transport of hazardous materials. If violations of these rules contribute to an accident, those responsible may face severe consequences.

These regulations exist to protect everyone on Nashville’s roads. When drivers or trucking companies ignore these safety standards, they increase the risk to others. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, holding the responsible parties accountable is your right.

Nashville Truck Accident Lawyer FAQ

How Is a Truck Accident Case Different from a Car Accident Case?

Truck accident cases are often more complex than car accident cases because they may involve multiple parties, such as the driver, trucking company, and cargo loaders

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident?

Several parties could be held liable in a truck accident, including:
The truck driver
The trucking company
Cargo loading companies
Manufacturers of trucks or truck parts
Maintenance companies responsible for the vehicle’s upkeep
Identifying all potentially liable parties is mandatory to pursuing full compensation.

How Do Federal Regulations Impact My Truck Accident Case?

The trucking industry is governed by regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), covering service hours, vehicle maintenance, and driver qualifications.

What Compensation Can I Receive After a Truck Accident?

Victims of truck accidents may be entitled to compensation for:
Medical expenses
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Property damage
Rehabilitation costs
Emotional distress
A skilled Nashville truck accident lawyer determines the compensation you may be eligible for based on your specific case.

How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim, including truck accidents, is typically one year from the date of the accident.

How Can a Lawyer Help with My Truck Accident Case?

A lawyer conducts a thorough investigation, gathering evidence, negotiating with insurance companies, and representing you in court if necessary. They maximize your compensation and handle the complexities of the legal process, allowing you to focus on recovery.

What If the Trucking Company’s Insurance Adjuster Contacts Me?

If an insurance adjuster from the trucking company contacts you, it’s best not to provide any statements or sign any documents without consulting your lawyer first. Insurance adjusters try to minimize their company’s liability.

What Evidence Is Important in a Truck Accident Case?

Critical evidence in a truck accident case may include:
Police reports
Photos and videos of the accident scene
Witness statements
Driver logs and electronic logging device (ELD) data
Maintenance records
Drug and alcohol test results
Cargo loading records
Your lawyer gathers this evidence to build a strong case.
Call Alexander Shunnarah today to get the justice you deserve.

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