Injured in a Truck Accident in Nashville? Get the Justice You Deserve
Why Truck Accident Claims Are Different—and Why You Need a Nashville Truck Accident Lawyer
Commercial truck and 18-wheeler crashes are far more complex than typical car accidents. Victims face catastrophic injuries, multiple liable parties, and powerful insurance companies. DRS Law’s Nashville truck accident lawyers bring decades of experience to every case, handling everything from driver fatigue and Hours-of-Service violations to defective brakes and overloaded cargo. We know the trucking industry and the unique laws that apply in Tennessee and across state lines.
What Makes Truck Accident Cases Legally Complex?
Federal and State Regulations
Commercial trucks are subject to strict federal rules, including Hours-of-Service (HOS) limits, maintenance checks, and cargo securement. Violations can prove negligence in a lawsuit.
Multiple Liable Parties
The driver, trucking company, maintenance crew, cargo loaders, and even manufacturers (in case of brake failure or defective equipment) can all be held responsible.
Commercial Insurance Policies
Trucking companies carry large insurance policies—and teams of lawyers to limit their exposure.
Critical Evidence
Black box data, driver logs, and maintenance records must be preserved quickly, or key evidence can be lost.
Types of Truck Accidents We Handle
- Head-on collisions
- Rear-end crashes
- Jackknife accidents
- Underride collisions
- Rollover crashes
- Blind spot (“no zone”) accidents
- Accidents involving stopped or disabled trucks
- Crashes caused by shifting or unsecured cargo
Severe injuries from truck accidents often include spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, burns, and wrongful death. See our Spinal Cord Injuries and Wrongful Death pages for more information.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident?
- Truck driver for negligent driving, fatigue, distracted driving, or substance abuse
- Trucking company for poor hiring, training, or safety practices
- Maintenance providers for inadequate repairs or ignored safety warnings
- Cargo loaders for improper loading or unsecured freight
- Manufacturers for faulty brakes, tires, or safety equipment
A thorough investigation often uncovers negligence from more than one party.
Some examples of truck accident verdicts include:
- In 2016, a jury awarded $60 million in damages to the family of a woman who was killed in a truck accident. The jury found that the truck driver and the trucking company were negligent for failing to properly maintain the truck and for allowing the driver to work excessive hours.
- In 2019, a jury awarded $5.5 million to a man who was injured in a truck accident. The jury found that the truck driver was negligent for failing to keep a proper lookout and for not properly braking before colliding with the plaintiff’s vehicle.
- In 2020, a trucking company settled a lawsuit for $3 million with the family of a man who was killed in a truck accident. The family had alleged that the trucking company was negligent for failing to properly maintain the truck and for allowing the driver to work excessive hours.
Sources
Share the Road Safely From the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), dedicated to reducing motor vehicle accidents involving large trucks. Insurance Information Institute Includes information on vehicle safety, insurance and more. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Division of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Contains information about safety programs, regulations and facts related to the prevention of commercial truck and bus accidents, injuries and fatalities. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety / Highway Loss Data Institute Features vehicle ratings, safety facts and publications. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Division of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Provides crash statistics and articles about traffic accidents and vehicle safety.
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration:
- The Large Truck Crash Causation Study – Analysis Brief
- Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts 2016
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:
- Large Trucks
- Truck Safety in the Balance as Hours of Service Are Considered
- Arch Insurance Group: The Reality of Work Zone Liability – Part I
- Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security: Crash Data
Why Choose DRS Law for Your Nashville Truck Accident Case?
- Decades of Experience: We know Tennessee and federal trucking laws inside and out.
- Local Knowledge: As a Nashville-based firm, we’re familiar with area highways, trucking routes, and dangerous intersections.
- Client-Focused Approach: You’ll work directly with our attorneys—not a case manager.
- No Fee Unless You Win: We only get paid if we recover for you.
- Urgency and Thoroughness: We act quickly to preserve evidence and build the strongest case possible.
$2.75 Million
Truck Accidents
A dump truck struck a motorcyclist, causing life-altering injuries.
$1 Million
Truck Accidents
A cement truck rear-ended a vehicle, killing a grandmother.
$1 Million
Truck Accidents
A tractor-trailer rear-ended a couple, causing serious injuries.
$700,000
Truck Accidents
A man died in a tractor-trailer collision.
$650,000
Truck Accidents
A multi-vehicle crash caused catastrophic injuries.
$525,000
Truck Accidents
A woman died in a tractor-trailer collision.
Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accident Lawsuits
How is a truck accident claim different from a car accident in TN?
Trucking cases involve federal regulations, multiple liable parties, commercial insurance, and the need for rapid evidence collection. They are more complex and often result in higher damages due to severe injuries.
What are Tennessee’s trucking laws for injury claims?
Tennessee follows federal trucking regulations but also has specific state laws on driver qualifications, rest requirements, and liability. Our firm knows both sets of rules and how to use violations as evidence.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Tennessee?
You have one year from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit (Tennessee’s statute of limitations). Contact a lawyer quickly to avoid losing your right to compensation.
What if I was partially at fault?
Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault rule—if you are less than 50% at fault, you can still recover, but your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Can I sue for injuries from a motorcycle accident with a truck?
Yes. We represent victims of motorcycle and truck collisions. See our Motorcycle Accidents page for more details.
What types of injuries can lead to the highest settlements?
Catastrophic injuries—spinal cord injury, brain injury, severe burns, wrongful death—often result in the largest recoveries. Visit our Catastrophic Injury & Wrongful Death page to learn more.
Act Fast—Critical Evidence Can Disappear in Truck Crash Cases
If you’ve been injured in a truck or 18-wheeler accident in Nashville or anywhere in Tennessee, DRS Law is ready to help. We move quickly to preserve driver logs, black box data, and all evidence—giving you the best chance for a full recovery.