Experienced Bristol Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help You After a Trucking Accident

Aggressively seeking compensation from negligent truck drivers and trucking companies

Tractor-trailers are the largest vehicles on the road. Not surprisingly, they can cause devastating injuries if involved in a crash. At Massengill, Caldwell & Coughlin, PC, we understand the emotional and financial turmoil that can follow a serious accident. Our experienced Bristol accident attorneys help victims and their families get the compensation they deserve after an accident in Tennessee with a negligent tractor-trailer driver. We clearly explain your legal options and fight zealously to protect your rights every step of the way.

Truck accident statistics

Large trucks weigh thousands of pounds and can be more than 50 feet long. They have large blind spots and require significant stopping distances. Given these factors, tractor-trailers are more likely to be involved in fatal, multi-vehicle accidents than any other vehicle on the road. In 2011, more than 3,700 people were killed in large truck crashes, while nearly 65,000 individuals were injured.

In Tennessee, more than 100 fatal crashes involving large trucks occur every year. Drivers in the Tri-Cities are particularly vulnerable. From 2006 to 2008, Sullivan and Washington Counties yielded some of the highest numbers of truck crashes in the state. Over the three-year period, Sullivan County saw 473 crashes involving medium and heavy trucks. The tally in Washington County for the same period was 414 accidents.

Trucking regulations

The state and federal governments heavily regulate Tennessee truck drivers and trucking companies. For instance, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations prohibit hand-held cell phone use by commercial drivers. To deter truck accidents caused by fatigue, the agency also limits the number of hours truck drivers can work in a week and mandates required rest periods between shifts. Trucking companies are also required to keep detailed records about truck maintenance and driver qualifications, including results of alcohol and drug testing.

Despite these safeguards, both truck drivers and their employers can still exercise carelessness and cut corners when it comes to safety. Common causes of truck accidents include driver distraction, driver error, faulty equipment and poor maintenance.

Because crashes involving tractor-trailers and other large trucks often involve a number of potentially negligent parties and debilitating injuries, it is important to work with an attorney experienced in these practice areas. Massengill, Caldwell & Coughlin, PC has served the upper eastern region of Tennessee since 1909. Our injury lawyers have the dedication, knowledge and resources to fully investigate your claim, prove liability and obtain the compensation you deserve.

Obtaining compensation after a serious truck crash in the Tri-Cities

Due to their sheer size, accidents involving a semi-truck, 18-wheeler tractor-trailer or any other type of large truck can result in serious injuries. An 18-wheeler can weigh more than 80,000 pounds. They are no match for a pedestrian, motorcyclist or driver of a smaller vehicle. A truck accident can result in serious injuries, including spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, bone fractures, lacerations, amputations and internal organ injuries.

If you are injured in a truck accident in Tennessee, you are entitled to seek compensation from any negligent party who played a role in causing the crash. Damages may include:

You need a skilled Bristol, TN truck accident attorney on your side

At Massengill, Caldwell & Coughlin, PC, our knowledgeable attorneys evaluate your trucking accident claim. Call our office today at 423-797-6022 or contact us online to discuss your case. Our office is conveniently located in Bristol, and we also offer hospital or home visits to accident victims and their families.