Posted in Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law,Truck Wreck on June 29, 2015
Overturned Semi-Truck Injures Driver near Murfreesboro
A semi-truck overturned on Interstate 24 in Rutherford County, Tennessee, early Monday, causing the driver of the truck to suffer injuries.
A staff report by wkrn.com stated that the accident occurred around 12:30 a.m. in the westbound lanes of Interstate 24 near exit 89 and Buchanan Road near Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is currently conducting an investigation to determine what caused the crash. At this time, it is unknown how badly the driver was injured when the truck flipped over or what conditions caused the truck to overturn in the first place.
Emergency crews closed all but one lane of Interstate 24 westbound for several hours as they worked to clear the accident scene of debris. The THP indicated to news outlets that the truck was hauling paper when it overturned.
Matt Hardin Law’s team of Murfreesboro truck accident attorneys hopes the driver who was involved in this accident is able to recover from his injuries.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Truck Accident?
Unlike car accidents where the negligent party is most often the driver of the vehicle that caused the collision, truck accidents may have one or more negligent parties—and the driver isn’t always among those parties. Parties that are often considered negligent in the event of a truck accident can include:
Trucking companies are in business to make money, but they’re also required to abide by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration guidelines in order to protect the safety of their drivers and other motorists. When they intentionally violate those guidelines by overloading trucks, forcing drivers to work beyond their required rest schedules, or encouraging drivers to speed and drive recklessly, they can be held liable for the aftermath of any accidents that result.
Sometimes, the person or company that owns a truck is a different entity than the company using the truck for business purposes and the driver who operates the truck. But just because truck owners may not be involved with the day to day operation of their trucks doesn’t mean they aren’t responsible for keeping them safe.
Truck owners are required to maintain their trucks on a regular schedule by repairing and replacing things like tires, brakes, headlights, and other essential safety features. If they fail to do so, they may face lawsuits for accident-related expenses incurred by victims.
While trucking companies and truck owners may be held responsible in the event of an accident, many crashes are simply a result of the driver’s negligence. Whether they’re driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speeding, violating traffic laws, or driving in excess of the required sleep and rest schedule for commercial truck operators, truck drivers can be held liable for the medical expenses and property damage incurred by victims if their actions directly lead to an accident.
Just because a truck is involved in an accident doesn’t necessarily mean a truck-related party is to blame. Despite being several times larger and heavier than standard passenger vehicles, truck drivers are also vulnerable to injuries and to accidents caused by other drivers—especially when they have to slam on their brakes or swerve out of the way to avoid vehicles. Trucks are much more difficult to slow down and maneuver than other vehicles, and drivers should keep that in mind when driving near one. Negligent driving near a truck that results in an accident can result in the other driver being held liable for the truck driver, owner, and company’s accident-related expenses.
If you or a loved one was recently involved in a truck accident, it’s important that you have an experienced Murfreesboro truck accident lawyer on your side. Truck accidents are legally complex due to the sheer number of potentially liable parties, but the legal team at Matt Hardin Law can investigate your accident and determine who contributed to the accident and their level of liability.
Contact us today and let us start building a case for compensation. Just dial (615) 600-4941 or complete a free online consultation form. It’s our goal to help you get the money you deserve.
