What Should I Do After I’m Involved in a Big Truck Wreck?
After you’re involved in a commercial truck wreck, protect your health and safety. If a heavy truck is involved in a vehicle accident, chances are good the resulting injuries will be severe, so what you can do may be limited by your injuries. We will discuss steps you should take after a truck crash. The truck accident Hicks Law Firm can help you obtain the compensation you deserve if you’re injured in a big truck wreck.
If you’re severely injured after a commercial accident, compensation may cover many types of harm you’ve endured, from lost income and medical bills to pain, suffering, and the adverse impact on your relationships. Consult with Nashville truck accident lawyer Aaron Hicks so you will understand Tennessee law and your options.
Tennessee Commercial Truck Accidents Happen Every Day
Nashville has quickly become one of the country’s major cities, and it’s got the traffic accidents to prove it, many of them caused by trucks. The state’s Department of Safety & Homeland Security estimates that 164 large trucks were involved in fatal accidents last year. Many families suffering these losses hired truck accident attorneys to protect their legal rights and seek compensation.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol states the following for 2020:
- There were 12,221 accidents involving large trucks or one for every 14 motor vehicle crashes
- On average, a large truck crash happened every three minutes
- 195 of the accidents resulted in fatalities, or about one in six vehicle crashes that caused a death
- The most common factors leading to a large vehicle crash are driver fatigue and apparently sleeping behind the wheel
While driver mistakes are the most common cause of commercial truck accidents, there could also be an equipment failure, a problem with road design or maintenance, or the driver may have caused the crash while attempting to avoid hitting another vehicle.
The Country’s Largest Multi-Vehicle Crash was in Tennessee
Commercial trucks are especially dangerous on highways because of their high speed and heavy weight. They are difficult to stop or maneuver, especially if they are going too fast for the conditions.
Calhoun was the site of the country’s biggest multi-vehicle accident on I-75, 36 miles north of the Georgia border, in December 1990. It all started with one semi-truck going into a fog bank and slowing down. The semi-truck following it didn’t slow down and rear-ended it.
In just ten minutes, 99 vehicles collided, resulting in 42 people injured and 12 dead. Thirty-three fire departments responded to the scene, and the critically injured were taken from the scene in 45 minutes, according to WBIR.
The National Transportation Safety Board investigated the accidents, and its 1992 report mostly blamed drivers who drove too fast, given the limited visibility. Another factor may have been the Bowater Paper Plant’s water vapor emissions, which could have contributed to the fog over the Hiwassee River.
Bowater settled legal claims filed by truck accident attorneys against it for $10 million, and the state paid another $800,000 to resolve negligence lawsuits against it. I-75 from miles 31 to 39 is now a fog advisory zone, and a fog detection system was installed there in 1993.
What Should I Do After a Major Truck Crash?
Here are some possible actions, depending on the situation:
- If you’re seriously injured, moving or leaving your vehicle may worsen your condition. Staying in your car may be the safest thing you can do
- If your injuries are limited, move your vehicle out of the road to prevent a secondary collision with another vehicle if possible. You should also stay off the road so you won’t be struck either
- If someone’s injured or a vehicle can’t get off a travel lane, call the police
- If you’re injured, get medical attention as soon as possible. Due to the stress of the accident, you may be injured but not feel it yet. If you can’t safely drive, ask the officer for an ambulance. If you can drive, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible for a thorough exam because you may be injured without realizing it
- If you can do so without exposing yourself to traffic, exchange insurance and driver’s license information with the truck driver. Take photos or videos of the scene, the surroundings, and the vehicle damage. If the weather or road conditions contributed to the accident, try to document that as well
Your health and safety should be your priority. Next, contact the truck accident Hicks Law Firm so we can start an investigation and gather evidence that will be critical to proving you deserve to be compensated for the harm you suffered. Truck accident lawyer Aaron Hicks has helped clients for twenty years, and he can help you too.
Nashville Semi Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help You and Your Family
If you’re injured in an accident with a heavy truck in Tennessee, protect your health, safety, and legal rights as best you can. If you or a loved one are injured by a commercial truck, the Hicks Law Firm will assist you in any way we can. We have helped many injured plaintiffs like you recover millions of dollars, and we look forward to assisting you. Call (615) 200-0084 or complete our online contact form to discuss your case.
Aaron Hicks is a civil trial attorney and founder of Hicks Law Firm, based in Orange County with offices in San Diego and Tennessee. His practice includes representing plaintiffs in personal injury cases including motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, dog bites and wrongful death. Mr. Hicks is and AV Rated attorney, Super Lawyer and is currently on the Board of Directors of the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association where he serves as 1st Vice President.
