Why Tennessee Trucking Accidents Are More Complicated Than Car Crashes

A fully loaded 18-wheeler barreling down I-40 weighs up to 80,000 pounds. When it collides with a 4,000-pound sedan, the results are often devastating. But the complexity of trucking accidents goes far beyond the physics of the crash itself.

Unlike typical car accidents, commercial truck crashes in Tennessee involve layers of legal complications that can overwhelm even the most prepared victim. From multiple liable parties to strict federal regulations, these cases demand a level of experience and investigation that standard auto accident claims simply don’t require.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, understanding these complexities is the first step toward securing the compensation you deserve, and Bill Easterly & Associates can help.

What Complicates Trucking Accidents

The Potential for Catastrophic Injuries

The extreme size and weight difference between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles creates a much higher risk of catastrophic injury or death.

1. Physics at play: A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh 20 times more than an average passenger car. In a collision, the force transferred to the smaller vehicle is immense, often resulting in total vehicle destruction and severe trauma to occupants.
2. Longer stopping distances: An 18-wheeler needs almost twice as much distance to stop as a passenger car traveling at the same speed. This significantly increases the likelihood of serious rear-end collisions, especially in heavy traffic or poor weather conditions.
3. Life-altering injuries: Trucking accidents frequently result in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, severe burns, and amputations. These injuries require extensive medical treatment, long-term rehabilitation, and ongoing care — all of which complicate compensation claims and increase the stakes for everyone involved.

Multiple Liable Parties

In a standard car accident, fault typically rests with one or both drivers. Trucking accidents are rarely that straightforward. Under Tennessee’s comparative fault system, liability in a trucking accident can be shared among several parties:

1. The truck driver: Distracted driving, speeding, fatigue, or driving under the influence can all make the driver liable.
2. The trucking company: Employers may be held responsible for negligent hiring or training, pressuring drivers to meet unsafe schedules, or failing to enforce federal safety regulations.
3. The cargo loader or shipper: Improperly loaded or unbalanced cargo can cause a truck to jackknife or roll over, making the loading company potentially liable.
4. The vehicle owner: If a third party owns the truck or trailer, they could be responsible for poor maintenance.
5. Maintenance companies: Faulty repairs that lead to equipment failure can make a third-party mechanic liable.
6. The manufacturer: Defective parts, such as faulty brakes or tires, may result in a product liability claim against the manufacturer.

Identifying and proving liability among these parties requires a thorough investigation and a deep understanding of both state and federal law.

Federal Regulations Add Complexity

1. Federal Regulations: Trucking accidents fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which enforces strict regulations covering driver hours, vehicle maintenance, cargo limits, and more. 

These rules are far more complex than those governing standard car accidents. Violations of FMCSA regulations — such as exceeding hours-of-service limits or failing to maintain proper vehicle inspection records — can be critical in establishing negligence. 

Higher-Stakes Insurance Battles

1. 1. Commercial trucking policies: Commercial trucking carries much higher liability limits than standard auto insurance policies. While this may seem like good news for victims, it often means insurance companies and their legal teams will fight harder to minimize payouts.

• Aggressive Defense Tactics: Expect aggressive defense tactics, including attempts to shift blame onto the victim or downplay the severity of injuries. Without experienced legal representation, victims can be pressured into accepting settlements that fall far short of covering their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

The Need for Extensive Evidence and Rapid Response

Investigating a trucking accident requires securing unique forms of evidence that don’t exist in typical car crashes:

1. Electronic logging devices (ELDs) and “black box” data: These devices record critical information like speed, braking patterns, and hours driven.
2. Maintenance and inspection logs: These records can reveal whether the truck was properly maintained and inspected.
3. Driver qualification files: These files show whether the driver was properly trained and licensed.
4. Cargo loading documents: These can prove whether the cargo was secured according to regulations.

Trucking companies often deploy rapid-response teams to accident scenes to gather evidence and build their defense. Victims need to act just as quickly to preserve crucial evidence before it’s lost or destroyed.

Bill Easterly & Associates: Your Advocate After a Trucking Accident

At Bill Easterly & Associates, we believe that no one is more important than you. That’s why we’re committed to providing excellent service that goes above and beyond your expectations.

We treat every client with the compassion and dignity they deserve. We give you our undivided attention, get to know you personally, and build a solid case around a personalized legal strategy tailored to the unique facts of your situation. We never take a one-size-fits-all approach.

No case is too small or too large for our experienced team. We have the skills and resources to pursue all types of personal injury cases, including complex trucking accidents. If you’ve suffered at the hands of a negligent party, we want to make sure you’re compensated and that the responsible parties are held accountable.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, don’t face the legal process alone. Contact Bill Easterly & Associates today for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, answer your questions, and help you understand your legal options. Let us handle the complexity so you can focus on recovery.