Truck Accident Lawyer Bristol TN
A compassionate Bristol TN truck accident lawyer like Mark Hurt
understands that the injuries victims suffer in truck crashes can be so severe that the victim’s life is never the same. Not only is the victim’s life changed forever, but their family’s lives can also be greatly affected.
The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt has been advocating for injured truck accident victims for more than 25 years. Mark Hurt has built a stellar reputation for always providing his clients with excellent legal representation and is considered one of the best truck accident lawyers in Bristol TN by clients, as well as colleagues in the legal field. Attorney Hurt is not only skilled at negotiating with insurance companies in obtaining the amount of financial damages his clients deserve, he also can litigate the case if the insurance company fails to negotiate in good faith.
It is important to know that truck accidents are often more complex than car accidents because there are often multiple parties who are at-fault. If the truck driver is at-fault because he was practicing unsafe driving behaviors, such as speeding or texting, then he could be one of the at-fault parties named in your truck accident claim. The trucking company the driver worked for is usually also named in the claim, as it is their vehicle and they were responsible for their driver’s actions.
There are also other reasons why the trucking company may be responsible. For example, if the truck driver was speeding, your truck accident lawyer other Bristol TN victims have relied upon may be able to show in your case that the driver was pressured to meet an unrealistic delivery schedule put in place by the company.
Some accidents may not be the driver’s fault at all, but instead caused by something the trucking company did or didn’t do. If the truck was not properly maintained and that failure caused a malfunction which resulted in the wreck, the trucking company could be held responsible. On the other hand, if there was a malfunction because of a defective part, such as a tire blowout or bad brakes, then the company that manufactured that part could be liable.
Another party that could be named in the claim is the cargo company that loaded the product on the truck that the driver was delivering. If that company overloaded the vehicle or improperly secured the load, causing the accident, then the cargo company could also be a liable party.
Having to deal with multiple parties and multiple insurance companies can be complicated. This is why you need a professional truck accident lawyer like attorney Hurt whom other Bristol TN residents have relied upon to represent your best interests.
Important Information If You Were Injured In a Truck Accident
Any kind of an automobile accident can cause those involved to sustain serious injuries. However, an accident that involves a commercial truck can cause extremely serious injuries and even death. Unlike cars or motorcycles, commercial trucks are much heavier. Additionally, a commercial truck may be carrying items on board that are highly flammable, hazardous, and even toxic, resulting in additional damages and injuries. Because of the damage that can occur if a truck is involved in an accident, they are held to higher safety standards than other automobiles on the road, and if a truck accident caused your personal injuries, you may have the right to make a personal injury claim and receive damages for your injuries. Especially after a truck accident, you should never hesitate to contact a Bristol, TN truck accident lawyer who knows how to make personal injury claims specific to truck accidents.
What Is a Commercial Truck?
While getting into an accident with a large vehicle of any kind can be damaging, a commercial truck can cause more severe injuries. Examples of commercial trucks are:
- Freight trucks
- Eighteen-wheelers, and
- Delivery trucks
A company will use these kinds of trucks for business-specific purposes and the company will require the truck drivers to hold commercial driver’s licenses.
What Usually Causes a Truck Accident?
As with many kinds of accidents, there is usually more than one cause. Some causes are:
- The truck has larger blind spots.
- The truck driver cannot accelerate or slow down quickly enough.
- The truck driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or
- The truck driver had a long shift and fell asleep at the wheel.
Understanding Negligence After a Commercial Truck Accident
After a commercial truck accident, liability can be difficult to determine. There are many different individuals and entities who could be held liable for harm caused by the accident. How do accident victims begin to sort out who they may hold accountable and how to go about doing so? If you have recently been involved in an injurious truck accident, please do not panic. Working with an experienced Bristol, Tennessee truck accident lawyer will help to ensure that you understand your options and have access to a strong legal strategy moving forward.
Who Is Responsible?
Truck accidents are not generally as legally straightforward as car accidents tend to be. Here are some of the people/entities who could potentially be held responsible in a truck accident scenario:
- The driver of the truck
- The owner of the truck and/or trailer
- The company that leased to the truck from the owner
- The manufacturer of the truck, or the manufacturer of the parts that failed that contributed to the accident
- The shipper of the cargo
One of the many reasons why it is important to work with an experienced Bristol, TN truck accident lawyer in the wake of an accident is that these entities tend to argue among themselves over who is liable and whose insurance company should pay for related damages. Working with The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt can help to ensure that your case does not get “wrapped in red tape.” Oftentimes, resolution of an accident situation requires extensive experience with the players and regulations involved. Our firm has the capacity to cut through red tape in order to obtain the compensation our clients deserve.
Driver Negligence
Most truck accidents are due to driver error and/or equipment malfunction. These x-factors may include:
- Illegal or illicit drug use that makes drivers under-the-influence
- Distraction, external or internal
- Traveling too fast for the conditions
- Following too close
- Inattention
- Driver fatigue
- Not familiar with the area
- Illegal maneuvers
- Brake problems
- Tire problems
- Improperly secured cargo
Drivers may be hauling cargo from point A to point B, but that doesn’t always mean they handle the cargo or load the truck. This is why determining liability can be so difficult. Drivers who are fatigued may be under pressure from their employer to meet deadlines. Although federal law governs the time drivers can spend behind the wheel, some drivers don’t adhere to the rules.
When the roadway is a cause of an accident, the local contractors responsible for construction or maintenance may have some liability.
Many times, when equipment failure is an issue, the different entities will make maintenance someone else’s responsibility. The truck driver is responsible for pre-trip maintenance, but the company might be responsible for long-term maintenance. It can be difficult to know who was negligent for an accident and who should be responsible. Your Bristol, TN truck accident lawyer will need to review your case and everything about the vehicle and driver to determine liability.
An Experienced Lawyer Can Help You Sort Through Your Situation
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, you may feel pressured to make a quick settlement. Injuries following a truck accident can be very serious. It is almost certainly in your best interest to discuss your situation with a Bristol, TN truck accident lawyer who can help you assess your claim. Please contact our firm today. We look forward to speaking with you.
Why Would a Truck Accident Cause More Damage Than Another Automobile Accident?
Companies load many trucks with different materials that could be hazardous or unsafe if ingested or touched. If something leaks during an accident, it can cause major physical damage. Additionally, while a passenger automobile typically only weighs 5,000 pounds or less, a commercial truck carrying a full-capacity can weigh close to 100,000 pounds. This can do serious damage to both the automobile it comes in contact with and the passengers in the car.
What If I Am Partially At Fault?
If you are partially at fault for the accident, a Bristol, TN truck accident lawyer can help you determine what this means when making a claim. The law of “comparative negligence” essentially weighs one person’s amount of liability with the other party. This can be helpful when determining your level of compensation when you make a personal injury claim.
Who Do I Make My Claim Against?
This can depend on many things. If a judge finds the truck driver to be at fault for the accident, you can usually file a claim against the driver. In other cases, the trucking company can be held responsible if the driver was negligent.
How Can I Start My Claim Process?
Getting compensation for your injuries after you were involved in a truck accident is imperative to your healing process, physically and emotionally. To file a claim, call the Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt today. Our truck accident lawyer Bristol, TN will go over the details of your case with you to ensure you get the help you deserve.
Let a Bristol Truck Accident Lawyer Fight for You
When you need a truck accident lawyer whom other Bristol TN locals count on, call the Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt. Attorney Hurt is available to discuss the details of your case and offer guidance on what legal recourse you may have.
Contact a seasoned Bristol TN truck accident lawyer at 423-573-2417 to set an appointment for a free case evaluation.
Client Review
“Got reckless driving in a construction zone reduced to the lowest level speeding ticket. Brooke and Carol were very helpful and informative throughout the whole process. I was very nervous my first speeding ticket. Thank you so much”
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