Massive commercial trucks can cause catastrophic damage and life-altering injuries when they collide with smaller passenger vehicles on roads in and around Morristown. When the operators of large trucks do not have sufficient training to handle commercial motor vehicles safely, the likelihood of disastrous collisions increases exponentially.

The victims of truck crashes can face debilitating pain, overwhelming medical bills, and forced time off work. The emotional and mental consequences of a truck accident can be just as devastating.

At The Terry Law Firm, we believe you should not have to shoulder the burden of injuries caused by rookie truck driver mistakes. Our truck driver accident lawyers can help you hold the at-fault parties accountable for their wrongdoing and seek the maximum compensation you deserve for your accident-related losses.

Contact us today for a free consultation with a truck accident injury attorney in Morristown, Tennessee. Let’s pursue justice together.

The Dangers of Poorly Trained Truck Drivers in Morristown

Poorly trained truck drivers pose a serious threat to the safety of everyone on Morristown-area roads. Untrained truck drivers may lack the skills and knowledge necessary to handle a large commercial motor vehicle safely in challenging situations, whether caused by inclement weather, heavy traffic, mechanical failures, or other road problems. They might also engage in dangerous behaviors like speeding, tailgating, or failing to check their blind spots, which can lead to devastating commercial truck accidents.

When undertrained commercial truck drivers cause crashes, the consequences can be catastrophic. Commercial trucks are much larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, so collisions often result in more severe injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and crushed or amputated limbs. In the most tragic cases, these injuries prove fatal.

Victims who survive a commercial truck accident may require extensive medical treatment, prolonged rehabilitation, and long-term care. The combined consequences of severe injuries can easily become life-altering for the victim and their family.

Federal and Tennessee Regulations for Truck Driver Training

To help prevent accidents caused by poorly trained truck drivers, the federal government and the state of Tennessee have implemented regulations for commercial driver’s license (CDL) training. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires new truck drivers to complete a comprehensive training program that covers topics such as:

  • Vehicle operation and control
  • Safe driving practices
  • Advanced operating practices
  • Vehicle systems and reporting malfunctions
  • Non-driving activities like cargo handling and trip planning

In addition to these federal requirements, Tennessee has its own standards for CDL training. Aspiring truck drivers in Tennessee must be at least 18 to operate a commercial vehicle strictly within Tennessee and at least 21 years of age to operate outside state borders. New drivers must also pass a skills test and a knowledge test before receiving their CDL.

Trucking Company Liability for Negligent Training

Despite these regulations, some trucking companies still fail to train their drivers adequately. They may cut corners to save time and money or neglect their responsibility to thoroughly prepare drivers for the challenges of operating a commercial truck. If that was the case in the collision that injured you, the trucking company could be held liable for any accidents caused by their poorly trained drivers.

The principle of vicarious liability dictates that an employer is generally responsible for the actions of its employees while on the job. As such, if a trucker’s inadequate training contributes to an accident, the trucking company that employs them can be held accountable for the resulting losses.

Trucking companies may also be liable if they fail to screen their drivers properly, allow drivers to operate without a valid CDL, or encourage drivers to violate hours-of-service regulations, for example. That is true even the driver was an independent contractor, not a direct employee, for purposes of vicarious liability.

Proving Inadequate Training in Truck Accident Cases

To hold a trucking company legally responsible for an accident caused by a truck driver without proper training, an accident victim must prove that the company’s negligence in training contributed to the accident or that the company is vicariously liable for the employee driver’s negligence. Clearly establishing that can be challenging, as it requires a thorough investigation and compelling evidence.

Our experienced Morristown truck accident attorneys can gather and review evidence indicating negligence, which may include:

  • The truck driver’s training records and qualifications
  • The trucking company’s hiring and training policies
  • Testimony from experts such as accident reconstructionists or trucking industry professionals
  • Evidence of past accidents or safety violations involving the trucking company or driver
  • Eyewitness accounts of the accident and the driver’s actions leading up to it

Much of this critical evidence will remain in the trucking company’s hands, a fact that underscores the importance of working with our experienced truck accident lawyers. We can draft letters of spoliation to prevent critical evidence from being destroyed and compel the company to hand it over for review.

Compensation for Victims of Undertrained Truck Driver Accidents in Morristown

People injured in truck accidents caused by a poorly trained driver may be eligible to claim significant compensation. The value of your claim will depend on the specific details and severity of the accident, the nature of your injuries, and the amount of insurance coverage available, among other factors.

The experienced attorneys at The Terry Law Firm can help you recover compensation for losses such as:

  • Accident-related medical bills
  • Lost income from missed time at work
  • Reduced earning capacity if the accident caused a disability that prevents you from returning to your pre-collision job
  • Physical and mental pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Property damage, including vehicle repairs or replacement

Talk to Our Experienced Morristown Truck Accident Lawyers Today

You have a limited time to act if you have suffered injuries in a truck accident due to inexperienced driver training. Tennessee’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including truck accidents, requires victims to file a lawsuit within one year of the crash date. Working with a knowledgeable Tennessee truck accident attorney from our firm can help you avoid missing this crucial deadline.

The proven team at The Terry Law Firm has fought for the rights of injured people in East Tennessee since 1960. Our Morristown personal injury lawyers know how to maximize the value of your case so you can move forward with dignity.

Call us today or contact us online for a free consultation with a Morristown truck accident lawyer.

When you file a truck accident claim, you may be able to recover compensation for various expenses and losses you incurred due to the crash. Your case may provide you with financial recovery for your:

  • Medical and rehabilitation expenses
  • Lost income
  • Lost future earning potential and job benefits
  • Pain and suffering
  • Lost enjoyment or quality of life
  • Vehicle repairs or reimbursement of your car’s value

Yes, it’s crucial to call the police at the scene of a truck accident. The police can investigate the crash scene, gather information from the truck driver and other motorists and eyewitnesses, and prepare an accident report. Police crash reports often provide critical information for truck accident claims.

Other steps you should take at the crash scene include:

  • Check on everyone involved in the accident to see if anyone requires immediate medical attention.
  • Move your vehicle out of the path of traffic if possible, or walk to the side of the road if your car has been disabled.
  • Get the truck driver’s employer and insurance information and insurance information from any other drivers involved in the crash.
  • Take photos and videos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, license plates, visible injuries you suffered, skid marks on the road, and traffic controls at the scene.
  • Talk to eyewitnesses to obtain a brief statement of what they saw and their contact information.

In most cases, the insurer of the at-fault truck driver or the trucking company that employed the driver will pay you compensation for your truck accident claim if they are found liable. Other parties may also have liability for the accident, including:

  • The truck’s owner
  • The cargo company
  • The truck and trailer manufacturer
  • Manufacturers of parts used on the truck
  • Third-party auto shops that serviced the truck

You should contact a truck accident attorney immediately after a truck accident. A lawyer will know what it takes to thoroughly investigate the accident and prepare a compelling, persuasive legal claim. A lawyer can also document your injuries and losses and estimate future expenses to ensure you seek total compensation. Your attorney can also deal with trucking company representatives, insurance adjusters, defense lawyers, or bill collectors on your behalf so you can focus on healing.

Although liability for the truck accident is determined under traditional state negligence laws, other laws – such as state and federal trucking industry regulations – may affect the outcome of your case. For example, a truck driver’s violation of the federal or state hours-of-service regulations may serve as evidence that they were too tired to drive safely. Speak with your attorney to learn more about the laws that apply in your case.

Here are some factors that make truck accident cases more complicated than other kinds of auto accident claims:

  • Truck accident victims often suffer more severe injuries that require longer, more expensive medical care.
  • Truck accidents can injure more people than other types of crashes.
  • Truck accidents may have multiple liable parties who will fight with each other to shift financial responsibility among themselves.
  • Truck accident claims may involve lots of complex evidence.
  • Trucking companies may have complicated corporate structures or layered insurance policies that make it difficult to determine the extent of financial assets available to the company.