A Look at the Causes Behind Tractor Trailer Accidents in Tennessee
A glance at the local news reveals that tractor trailer accidents in Tennessee are all too common, and often deadly. This past summer, an Indiana couple perished in a multi-vehicle accident involving a negligent tractor trailer driver who failed to brake in time. In early October, an accident involving a tractor trailer, a bus, and an SUV captured national headlines and ended in eight fatalities. A few weeks later, a tractor trailer crossed over the median, overturning and coming to rest on its side. Multiple cars were hit by the careening truck. Recently, a Tennessee truck driver found to be under the influence was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for his involvement in a fatal tractor trailer accident.
As these local news cases illustrate, the rate of tractor trailer and other commercial truck accidents is truly alarming. We have prepared the following list of common causes of tractor trailer accidents to aid in your understanding of the problem and to help you recover if you are involved in a truck accident:
- Speeding—we all know that exceeding the recommended speed limit can be dangerous for any vehicle. However, when you are driving an 80,000 pound tractor trailer, speed takes on a new level of danger. Commercial truckers are often racing against the clock. Speedy deliveries can equal more pay, and truckers are often under strict time constraints. For this reason, it is often tempting for truck drivers to exceed the speed limit. Although there exist governors to control the speed of a truck, not all trucking companies utilize these life saving devices due to the expense. A skilled truck accident attorney can determine the speed at which a truck driver was traveling at the time of the accident using the “black box” inside of the truck.
- Distracted driving—truckers are on the road for far more hours a day than the average individual. For this reason, truckers often use their road time to talk on the phone, email, text, eat, and do any number of other activities that take their eyes off the road. When you are driving an 80,000 pound tractor trailer, glancing down for even a second can lead to catastrophic results. A knowledgeable truck accident attorney can subpoena phone records to determine whether the trucker was on the phone or texting at the time of the accident. Your attorney can also determine whether eating or other activities played a role in the accident.
- Fatigue—studies demonstrate that drowsiness while behind the wheel can be just as dangerous as the consumption of alcohol. Truck driver fatigue is a common occurrence due to truck driver’s long hours on the road, strict time constraints, and often irregular hours. A qualified truck accident attorney with knowledge of the federal trucking regulations can guide you in determining whether the driver who hit you was fatigued.
- Exceeding the hours of service requirements—the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets guidelines for commercial truck driver’s hours of service. The guidelines dictate how long a driver can be on the road and how much rest a driver must maintain. All commercial truck drivers must keep a log of their hours. All too often, due to workplace pressures, truck drivers exceed these requirements and end up fatigued. Your experienced truck accident attorney will subpoena the truck driver’s log and verify, using gas receipts, bills of lading, and trip tickets, whether the driver was in compliance.
These are just a few of the common causes of commercial truck accidents. Knowing how accidents are caused can help you avoid becoming a victim or help you recover if you have been involved in a trucking accident. At Bailey & Greer, we have years of experience representing the victims of tractor trailer accidents. Our skilled attorney team will fight tirelessly to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Call us to today at 901-680-9777 to speak to one of our knowledgeable Tennessee truck accident attorneys.
Since graduating magna cum laude in 2005 from the University of Memphis School of Law, Thomas has helped make a difference in the lives of victims of serious personal injury, wrongful death, and professional negligence. Thomas has extensive trial experience in both state and federal court. Among other victories in the courtroom, Thomas obtained several impressive jury verdicts and settlements
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