Commercial Truck Accident Lawyer Johnson City TN
18-Wheeler Accident Attorney Johnson City TN
Commercial truck accidents can be devastating, as 18-wheelers can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when loaded with cargo, significantly more than a typical passenger vehicle. Consequently, drivers and passengers often suffer devastating injuries when they are involved in collisions involving commercial trucks, tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, and other large commercial vehicles. In the aftermath of a semi accident, one of the best decisions you can make is to consult with Johnson City truck accident lawyer Mark Hurt.
An accident involving a commercial truck is typically much more complicated than a collision involving passenger vehicles. Commercial trucking accidents often involve compliance issues with federal trucking regulation, including safety, Hours of Service regulations, and increased insurance requirements. In particular, settlements and damages are typically more significant because the federal government requires trucking companies to carry a minimum liability limit of $750,000. However, higher potential compensation often equates to stronger opposition, making it essential for injured victims to secure a tenacious lawyer who knows how to stand up to large transportation companies, insurers, and aggressive lawyers.
If you were injured or a loved one was tragically killed in a commercial truck accident, our dedicated team can use their decades of experience to take on any company (no matter how large). Firm-founding attorney Mark Hurt understands how trucking companies, insurers, and corporate lawyers operate, and he can fight tenaciously in seeking the full and fair compensation to which you are rightfully entitled. At The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, we have a track record of success in injury and commercial trucking accidents and have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients.
Call our office today to schedule a complimentary consultation. We can devote the time and resources necessary to hold trucking companies accountable and make sure you and your loved ones receive the compensation you deserve.
Do I Need a Johnson City Truck Accident Lawyer?
Cars, trucks, and motorcycles do not often stand a chance when they are involved in an accident with a commercial truck. Further, vehicle damage is usually the least of a victim’s concerns, as crashes involving commercial trucks and semis cause some of the worst imaginable injuries and result in life-long disabilities.
Unlike minor car accidents with no injuries that can quickly be settled without the need for legal counsel, commercial vehicle accident cases are usually complex, requiring a great deal of knowledge and experience to navigate the process. For over two decades, we have been helping Johnson City residents and visitors successfully seek compensation for significant injuries that were caused by the negligence of truck drivers, truck companies, truck manufacturers, maintenance technicians, and other parties. As a tenacious litigator, attorney Mark Hurt will not hesitate to take a case to trial to seek the maximum compensation possible if a fair and just settlement can’t be reached.
If you were involved in a truck accident, you deserved to be compensated financially for your injuries and other damages. As an experienced truck accident law firm, we can listen to the facts and circumstances of your case, explain your legal options, and aggressively fight to get everything to which you are rightfully entitled.
The following are six additional reasons why you should hire a Johnson City commercial truck accident lawyer to manage every aspect of your claim.
1. You Only Pay a Fee If We Are Successful In Recovering Compensation on Your Behalf.
At The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, we represent commercial truck crash clients on contingency. This means that we only charge a fee if we are successful in recovering compensation on your behalf. We also advance all litigation expenses while a case is ongoing. Thus, you will not have to worry about coming out-of-pocket to retain our services.
2. The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt Can Help You Make a Strong Case for Full Compensation.
Documenting evidence after a Tennessee trucking accident takes skill, extensive experience, and knowledge. To ensure that the most robust case can be made for maximum compensation, a truck accident lawyer must act swiftly to preserve all evidence. Typically, when a crash occurs, insurance companies will want to have vehicles destroyed, including the “black box” event recorders, which can help prove fault. One of our first jobs is to take action to protect such destruction. At The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, we have the resources needed to respond rapidly when a significant commercial vehicle accident occurs.
Johnson City truck crash attorney Mark Hurt knows what evidence must be assembled to build a strong case for full compensation. This can include:
- Issuing Subpoenas
- Taking Photographic Evidence (of the scene and vehicles)
- Issuing Evidence Preservation Letters
- Consulting With Experts
- Getting Data Downloads from a Truck’s Event Recorders (“black boxes”)
- Requesting Police and Accident Reports
Commercial drivers are required to abide by both Tennessee and federal truck laws. If they fail to do so and are involved in an accident, the driver, along with their employer and insurer, may be liable for any injuries caused. As such, it is also imperative to gather evidence that could prove that a driver was not in compliance with commercial trucking regulations, such as:
- Driver Employment Records
- History of Traffic Violations
- Evidence of a Driver’s Work History and Training
- Driver Logs (detailing miles driven, hours worked, and breaks taken)
- Drug Tests
- Interviews and Statements
- Dashboard Videos
- “Black Box” Data (also known as “Electronic Control Module)
To increase your chances of securing the most compensation possible for damages (including injuries, pain and suffering, disabilities, disfigurement, loss of consortium, property damage, and medical bills), we encourage you to reach out to our firm to schedule a free consultation.
3. You Will Waive Your Right to a Jury Trial if You Accept An Insurance Settlement.
After a commercial truck accident, insurance companies collect information, including driver’s records, police reports, and other evidence, so they can make a fault determination and estimate a settlement amount. Unfortunately, insurers often do not inform victims that they will lose the right to file a lawsuit if they accept a settlement.
Even if a compensation amount seems reasonable, it is imperative to consult with an experienced Johnson City commercial truck accident lawyer before signing any insurance offer. In serious accidents, injuries may not be readily apparent for some time, meaning that a victim could have catastrophic injuries but be unaware of these conditions until a later date. Therefore, it is imperative to avoid settling a case until the full extent of injuries can be comprehended and diagnosed, because once a settlement agreement is signed, a victim loses the right to pursue further compensation, even if the injuries prove to be much worse than originally anticipated.
4. The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt Can Help You Seek Non-Medical Damages
Insurance companies might offer enough compensation to pay for immediate medical bills, but many injured victims are also entitled to additional damages. By filing a truck accident lawsuit, you might be entitled to recover for other damages, such as lost past income, future lost income (if the accident leaves you permanently disabled), loss of enjoyment in life activities, loss of companionship (in the case of a wrongful death), and pain and suffering, among others.
If you were involved in a commercial truck accident and are unsure about what you are entitled to collect, we can provide guidance and explain the compensation which you might be able to pursue.
5. Multiple Parties Could Be Liable for Your Truck Accident, Including Truck Drivers, Employers, Manufacturers, and the Government.
In a commercial truck accident, it can be difficult to identify all parties that might be liable for an accident. Those liable can include the driver, the trucking company, a truck manufacturer, maintenance companies, part manufacturers (such as tire companies), or even the government (for improper roadway maintenance). You have the right to seek compensation from any party whose negligence caused or contributed to an accident.
Even though the trucking company is typically the most apparent defendant, there are usually other parties who also may be liable. For example, an accident could be a result of a malfunction, not reckless driving. The malfunction could occur because of poor maintenance or a defectively manufactured part. Johnson City truck accident attorney Mark Hurt can listen to the facts of your case and help in seeking to identify all parties who may be liable for your injuries.
6. Let Attorney Mark Hurt Do The Talking For You!
Following an accident, individuals typically receive multiple calls from insurance companies asking for more details. These companies often convince unsuspecting victims to make statements that they later use against them. When you hire The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, you can direct insurers to call our office, and we can answer questions on your behalf. This could help ensure that you do not provide information that could potentially harm your case or compromise a settlement.
Call Our Office to Schedule a Complimentary Consultation with Johnson City Commercial Truck Accident Lawyer Mark Hurt.
Undoubtedly, the legal process following a truck accident can be complicated and overwhelming, especially when individuals sustain injuries and disabilities. If you were injured (or lost a loved one) in a tragic trucking accident, Attorney Mark Hurt can help ease your burden. Call our office to schedule a complimentary consultation. We can fight tenaciously to hold all those responsible accountable and to get the maximum compensation you rightfully deserve.
We represent our clients on contingency, meaning you will not owe a fee unless we are successful in securing compensation on your behalf. Further, we advance all litigation expenses while a case is ongoing (which are typically repaid by a settlement or jury verdict).
