Truck accidents are some of the deadliest kinds of roadway accidents, often involving much more severe consequences for those injured.

In the aftermath of these situations, things can feel hopeless. But fortunately, there are actually steps you can take immediately that can help.

If you have suffered from severe injuries or a loved one has died because of a truck accident in the greater Memphis area of Tennessee, you may need the help of a Memphis personal injury lawyer.

Filing a truck accident lawsuit in Memphis can help to compensate for financial expenses, as well as hold those responsible accountable for their negligence.

A Tennessee truck accident lawsuit was filed by a man who claims that he was seriously injured in a tractor trailer accident in the Chatanooga area in a violent collision. He argued that both the driver and the trucking company should be liable.

What is a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

Those who have been injured because of someone else’s actions can pursue what is known as a personal injury lawsuit. This kind of litigation most often relies on the concept of negligence by one or more parties, or the failure to exercise the proper care expected of a reasonable person.

Besides truck accidents, personal injury litigation can involve a number of other negligence claims, like car accidents, birth injuries, dog bites, medical malpractice, slip and falls, and work injuries, among others.

Truck Accidents Are Different from Regular Car Accidents

The severity of many of these truck accidents can be far greater than in the average car accidents. Truck accidents often lead to serious injuries, including fractures, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputation and more.

Regulatory infractions in truck accidents can bring an additional level of complexity to truck accident litigation.

The truck drivers involved in these accidents are generally employed by trucking companies, which adds more yet complexity.

Multiple Parties May Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident Lawsuit

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the ten leading cause of semi-truck accidents are, in descending order:

• Brake problems
• Traffic flow interruption
• Prescription drug use
• Traveling too fast for conditions
• Unfamiliarity with roadway
• Roadway problems
• Required to stop before crash
• Over-the-counter drug use
• Inadequate surveillance
• Fatigue

The truck driver may be held accountable for the accident if their negligence led to the accident—such as for drug use, traveling too fast, or fatigue.

If the driver worked for a trucking company (which is the most common scenario), the company may be held liable for the driver’s actions, as well as potentially for their own negligence if they failed to perform proper maintenance on the trucks or allowed their drivers inadequate break time, for instance.

In some cases, other parties may be held liable, such as freight brokers or shippers that may have overloaded the truck or been otherwise negligent.

Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Memphis

If you have suffered from a serious injury such as brain injury or loss of limb because of a truck accident in Memphis, the greater Memphis area, or anywhere in Tennessee, or if a loved one has died because of such an accident, you may be able to file a lawsuit.

A lawsuit can provide compensation for a number of damages, including pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost income, spousal claims, wrongful death, and more.

Be aware that the statute of limitations for filing a truck accident lawsuit in Memphis is one of the shortest in the country—one year from the date of the accident. By contrast, many other states of two or three years. Given the complexity of litigation surrounding accidents involving commercial trucks, consulting an experienced truck accident attorney to help with your litigation is essential.