Were you injured in a collision with an 18-wheeler in Memphis, Tennessee? At Alders & Lewellyn, PLLC, our Memphis 18-wheeler accident lawyers can help you investigate the crash, identify responsible parties, and understand your legal options. Contact us today at (901) 602-5700 for a free consultation.
Collisions with large commercial trucks often involve complex evidence, multiple insurance policies, and questions about federal safety regulations. Getting legal guidance early can help preserve important records and protect your ability to pursue a claim.
Why Hire Alders & Lewellyn, PLLC for My 18-Wheeler Accident Case in Memphis, TN?
Truck accident claims in Memphis, TN, can involve several responsible parties, extensive evidence, and complex insurance issues. Working with a Memphis personal injury lawyer who understands commercial trucking cases can help you navigate these challenges.
At Alders & Lewellyn, PLLC, we take a hands-on approach to representing injured clients. Our legal team:
- Brings 50 years of combined legal experience to personal injury cases
- Has recovered more than $100 million for clients
- Understands the federal safety regulations governing commercial trucks
- Provides direct access to your attorney throughout your case
- Is prepared to take cases to trial when a fair settlement cannot be reached
Our Memphis truck accident attorney team can investigate your collision, explain your options, and guide you through each stage of your claim. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.
Federal Regulations That Apply to 18-Wheeler Accident Cases in Tennessee
Unlike a standard car accident, collisions involving 18-wheelers fall under a separate body of federal law. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets the rules that trucking companies and their drivers must follow. These regulations cover nearly every aspect of the operation, and a violation of any of them can serve as powerful evidence of negligence in your case.
Some of the key areas regulated by the FMCSA include:
- Hours of service limits that restrict how long a driver can be behind the wheel before taking a mandatory rest break
- Commercial driver’s license (CDL) requirements and qualification standards
- Drug and alcohol testing protocols before hiring and at random intervals
- Vehicle inspection, maintenance, and repair recordkeeping
- Cargo securement standards to prevent shifting or overloading
- Carrier safety ratings and compliance reviews
Tennessee also enforces commercial vehicle safety requirements through the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division. When a driver or trucking company violates an applicable safety rule and that violation contributes to a crash, the evidence may help establish negligence.
Who Could Be Held Liable for My Memphis 18-Wheeler Accident?
One of the things that sets 18-wheeler accident cases apart is the number of parties who may share liability. Your claim may not be limited to the truck driver alone.
Potentially liable parties in your case could include:
- The truck driver who caused the wreck
- The trucking company that hired, trained, or supervised the driver
- A freight or cargo loading company that failed to properly secure the load
- A maintenance provider that neglected critical repairs or inspections
- A parts manufacturer whose defective product contributed to the crash
Under Tennessee law, a trucking company may be held vicariously liable for a driver’s negligence when the driver was acting within the scope of employment. A company may also face claims based on its own negligent hiring, training, supervision, or maintenance practices. Our attorneys can investigate the evidence to identify all potentially responsible parties.
How Much Is My Memphis 18-Wheeler Accident Claim Worth?
No two 18-wheeler accident claims have the same value. The potential recovery depends on the circumstances of the crash, the seriousness of your injuries, and the evidence supporting your claim.
Factors that may affect what your case is worth include:
- The severity of your injuries and expected recovery time
- Whether your injuries cause permanent limitations
- The strength of the evidence establishing liability
- Whether violations of federal trucking regulations contributed to the crash
- The number of parties who may be legally responsible
- Whether you share responsibility for the collision
- The amount of available insurance coverage and other sources of recovery
- How thoroughly your injuries and losses can be documented
These factors help determine the potential value of your claim and the amount you may realistically recover. A Memphis 18-wheeler accident lawyer can evaluate your circumstances and explain how Tennessee law may affect your case.
Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Memphis
Large truck crashes happen for a variety of reasons, but driver negligence and regulatory violations are at the root of most cases. The fast pace of the trucking industry often creates conditions where safety takes a back seat to deadlines.
Some of the most frequent causes of 18-wheeler wrecks include:
- Fatigued driving due to exceeding hours-of-service limits
- Distracted driving
- Speeding or traveling too fast for road conditions
- Impaired driving
- Failure to check blind spots before changing lanes
- Improperly loaded or overweight cargo
- Brake failure from poor maintenance
- Inadequate driver training or hiring of unqualified operators
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Driving aggressively in heavy traffic
Some crashes result from a combination of factors rather than a single mistake. For example, a fatigued driver operating a poorly maintained truck may have less time to react to changing traffic conditions, increasing the risk of a collision.
What Damages Can I Recover After an 18-Wheeler Accident in Tennessee?
Tennessee law allows victims of 18-wheeler accidents to pursue both economic and non-economic compensatory damages. These are designed to restore you financially and account for the non-monetary toll the accident has taken on your life.
Economic damages address your concrete financial losses, such as:
- Current and future medical bills
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Out-of-pocket expenses tied to the accident
Non-economic damages compensate for your more personal losses, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Physical limitations and loss of independence caused by permanent injuries
- Loss of consortium
The evidence needed to support a damages claim depends on the losses involved. Medical records, employment documents, photographs, and statements from family members may help show how the accident has affected your finances, health, and daily life.
Punitive damages may also be available in limited cases involving malicious, intentional, fraudulent, or reckless conduct. Unlike compensatory damages, punitive damages are intended to punish wrongdoing. Tennessee generally requires clear and convincing evidence that the defendant’s conduct meets the legal standard for these damages.
What if I’m Being Blamed for My 18-Wheeler Accident?
Tennessee uses a modified comparative fault system. If you are found to be 50 percent or more at fault for the crash, you are barred from recovering any compensation. If your share of fault falls below that threshold, your damages will be reduced by the percentage assigned to you.
Trucking companies and their insurers are aggressive about shifting blame onto injured motorists. A seasoned attorney can push back against these tactics with evidence and protect your right to a full recovery.
What Does It Cost To Hire an 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer in Memphis, Tennessee?
Alders & Lewellyn, PLLC handles all 18-wheeler accident cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you will not owe any upfront costs, hourly rates, or retainer fees. You only pay attorney’s fees if we successfully recover compensation for you.
A contingency fee arrangement can make legal representation more accessible to people who cannot afford to pay attorney’s fees upfront. We can explain our fees and any potential case expenses during your consultation.
How Much Time Do I Have To File an 18-Wheeler Accident Lawsuit in Tennessee?
Under T.C.A. § 28-3-104(a)(1), most personal injury lawsuits in Tennessee must be filed within one year after the claim accrues, which is often the accident date. Certain exceptions may affect this deadline. Missing the applicable filing deadline can prevent you from pursuing compensation through the courts.
One year may seem like a reasonable amount of time, but 18-wheeler accident cases require extensive investigation. Contacting an 18-wheeler accident lawyer in Tennessee as soon as possible after the accident is the best way to protect your claim and the evidence that supports it.
Schedule a Free Case Review With Our Memphis 18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys
After an 18-wheeler collision, you may have questions about dealing with trucking companies, preserving evidence, and protecting your legal rights. You do not have to sort through these issues alone.
At Alders & Lewellyn, PLLC, we listen to your concerns, explain the claims process, and help you make informed decisions about your next steps. Our attorneys can review the circumstances of your accident and identify the legal options available to you.
Contact our Memphis 18-wheeler accident lawyers today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your case.
