Large commercial vehicles, such as semi-trucks, are important parts of Tennessee’s economy, efficiently transporting goods to consumers. However, semi-trucks can also pose a danger to other drivers on the road. Wrecks involving 18-wheelers can often cause severe injuries to other people involved in the crash because of the increased size and weight of the truck relative to most other cars on the road. The size of 18-wheelers can also lead to increased blind-spot truck accidents in Nashville.
When you are injured due to the careless or reckless actions of a tractor-trailer driver or a trucking company, you should not be left responsible for the resulting expenses. Our skilled truck accident attorneys at Ponce Law could help you assess your damages, establish evidence of fault, and represent your best interests in court, if necessary.
The blind spots on semi-trucks are much larger and more prevalent than those on a normal passenger car, which can make blind spots more likely to cause collisions as commercial vehicles travel through Nashville. A typical 18-wheeler usually has blind spots on either side of the truck that can extend out for the width of several lanes and run the entire length of the vehicle’s cab and trailer. Tractor-trailers also usually have blind spots that extend several car lengths directly in front and behind the vehicle.
An operator of a semi-truck is responsible for positioning their mirrors appropriately to minimize blind spots and monitoring whether other vehicles are in their blind spots, especially before engaging in any maneuver where cars in its blind spots could be at risk. In addition, the trucking company that employs the driver is also responsible for providing the driver with the proper training, equipment, and procedures to set the driver up for success. However, other drivers on the road are also responsible for being aware of a commercial vehicle’s blind spots and not spending more time in them than necessary. These varying responsibilities can make it difficult to establish who is primarily at fault after an accident. Our proactive attorneys could help an injured person investigate the crash and evaluate the evidence to determine who is responsible.
The immediate aftermath of a crash in Nashville caused by a truck driver who failed to monitor their blind spots can be chaotic and stressful for everyone involved. However, the events that unfold in these initial moments can have just as much impact on an injured person’s opportunity to recover their losses as the events that led to the wreck. Therefore, it is important for anyone involved in a collision with a commercial vehicle to take the appropriate steps, which may include the following:
Anyone involved in the crash should seek medical attention as soon as they are permitted to leave the scene. Even if they are not aware of any serious injuries, not all symptoms present themselves right away, especially considering the adrenaline that occurs after an accident. Moreover, seeking medical attention immediately after a crash helps document that the wreck—and not any intervening cause—led to the injuries. This documentation could be critical evidence in a potential personal injury claim.
Collisions involving large commercial vehicles can lead to serious injuries. When you experience such an injury through no fault of your own, you do not deserve to pay for the resulting medical bills and property damage. A well-practiced lawyer at Ponce Law could help you investigate the cause of the wreck, analyze who is at fault, and protect any right to receive compensation for your injuries.
Discuss your case with an attorney who has experience handling blind-spot truck accidents in Nashville. Call today for a free case review.
