Compared to car accidents, truck accidents have meaningful differences that can affect your legal right to pursue compensation from an at-fault driver or related party. The Law Office of David E. Gordon & Elissa M. Coombs understands how Cordova truck accidents differ from car accidents and what that can mean for your case. Our board-certified truck accident attorneys will use their experience to help you recover financially after a serious motor vehicle injury.
The Potential for Serious Injury or Fatality
Many drivers underestimate the difference between Cordova tractor-trailer accidents and standard car collisions in terms of impact and damage. The size and weight of large commercial trucks increase the potential for a more serious collision, depending on the speed and point of impact. Possible injuries include:
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Lacerations and bruising
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
It is important to seek immediate medical evaluation and care after a truck accident to diagnose and treat all related injuries.
Truck accidents can also be fatal. The seriousness of the injuries or outcome will likely have a direct impact on the amount and types of compensation a person or their family can seek from the at-fault driver. Both economic and non-economic compensation are available under Tennessee Code § 29-39-102. Common financial losses from a truck accident injury or death include medical care costs, lost wages, and diminished earning capacity. An individual can also seek compensation for pain and suffering and a loss of quality or enjoyment of life. These cases often require civil lawsuits to recover maximum compensation because of limitations on applicable insurance policies.
How Can Liability for Truck Accidents Differ From Car Accidents?
Courts and insurers often determine liability for a car accident involving two passenger vehicles with relative ease. The fault for the accident usually belongs to one or both drivers. However, in a truck accident, liability could also belong to parties not directly involved in the collision.
Most truck drivers operate commercial vehicles on behalf of a business or employer to transport cargo from one location to another. As a result, the different parties involved in the truck’s supply chain could be held liable for an accident depending on the cause. Possible at-fault parties include:
- The truck driver’s employer
- The truck owner
- The truck manufacturer
- The truck maintenance or repair company
- The cargo loading company
- The owner of the goods being transported
Understanding the complex ways in which liability for commercial vehicle collisions in Cordova varies from typical passenger vehicle crashes can help those involved prepare for insurance and legal processes. David and Elissa help clients review the events that contributed to the cause of the accident and identify all parties with potential responsibility. They can begin to evaluate the cause of an accident during a free consultation by reviewing police reports, truck driver logs, black box data, and other key sources of information. The deadline to file a personal injury claim against parties liable for a truck accident is one year under the statute of limitations in Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104.
Contact Us To Discuss the Ways Cordova Semitruck Crashes Vary From Passenger Vehicle Collisions
The potential for serious injury and the number of parties with possible liability are two key issues that affect how Cordova truck accidents differ from car accidents. The Law Office of David E. Gordon & Elissa M. Coombs can provide you with the skill and experience needed to manage the complexity of your commercial vehicle personal injury claim. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation with a board-certified lawyer.
