Collierville 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

Are you stuck dealing with the physical trauma of a debilitating injury caused by a commercial truck accident? Is the financial toll taking over your life? Are you interested in getting help working through the emotional trauma you experienced? 

When the devastation of a collision has changed your entire life, an experienced Collierville personal injury lawyer at Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC can help you demand justice. Contact our team for a free consultation today. You can find out more about how the claims process works and what types of damages may be recovered in your case.

Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Collierville

Establishing fault and liability in an 18-wheeler accident is essential if you are hoping to maximize the amount of compensation you will be awarded. Many parties could share fault for your damages, which may surprise you.

You might have assumed the truck driver who hit you is responsible for causing your injuries, but the truth could increase the amount of compensation you could be awarded. Your 18-wheeler accident lawyer in Collierville, TN, will be responsible for conducting a thorough investigation and identifying all potentially liable parties. Here are some of the more common parties who are found to be responsible for causing trucking accidents:

Negligent Trucking Companies

Trucking companies are routinely found liable when their negligent actions contribute to a victim’s injuries. Trucking companies may hire truck drivers who do not have the skills or job training needed to operate a big rig safely. 

Trucking companies may also force their staff to violate federal trucking work-hour regulations, ultimately causing drowsy driving accidents. Furthermore, truck companies can also be responsible when they fail to make necessary repairs or allow the big rig to be serviced.

Irresponsible Truckers

Truck drivers may also be responsible for causing your 18-wheeler accident injuries. Any time a truck driver fails to drive their big rig safely, they can be held accountable for injury victim’s damages. Some common examples of truck driver negligence could include:

• Drunk driving
• Drugged driving
• Failure to yield
• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Driving while fatigued
• Failure to stop
• Making unsafe or illegal lane changes
• Failure to use a turn signal
• Aggressive driving or road rage

Defective 18-Wheeler Truck Parts

Your 18-wheeler accident attorney in Collierville, TN will also be responsible for figuring out whether any defective or malfunctioning truck parts contributed to your collision. There are many different parts on these tractor-trailers that could be defective or malfunction at any time. Examples of such parts could include:

• Braking systems
• Steering systems
• Hitch system defects
• Defective tires
• Defective mirrors
• Electrical issue
• Engine overheating
• Oil leaks

The owner of the tractor-trailer involved in your accident could be responsible when the parts on their truck are defective or malfunctioning. The trucking company may also share liability depending on the circumstances of your case. 

You can expect your attorney to thoroughly investigate to uncover all potentially liable parties and ensure each one is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

Proving Negligence After a Collierville 18-Wheeler Accident

Our 18-wheeler accident lawyers are here to prove negligence and liability so you can recover the compensation you are entitled to. To do this, we will need to show that the elements of negligence have been met. The elements of negligence are as follows:

• Duty of care
• Breach of duty
• Causation
• Damages

The burden of proof in 18-wheeler accident claims is based on a preponderance of the evidence. This means the evidence presented must convince the judge and jury that the defendant is more likely they are not responsible for causing your injuries. Some examples of evidence that could be used to support your case include:

• The commercial truck’s black box data
• The truck driver’s blood alcohol concentration levels
• The truck driver’s cell phone records
• The trucking company’s employee records
• The trucking company’s safety inspection logs
• Communication exchanges between trucking companies and employees
• Photos of your injuries
• Video of the 18-wheeler accident

Types of Damages You Could Be Awarded 

Our Collierville 18-wheeler accident attorneys are here to help you maximize the amount of compensation you recover in your lawsuit and insurance claims. To do this, we will thoroughly review your damages to ensure every loss is considered. 

You have the right to be made whole. You should be compensated for your financial losses and non-financial losses alike. Here are some of the top damages you may be entitled to after your 18-wheeler accident:

Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering are one of the most common types of losses to seek compensation for after a collision with an 18-wheeler. It can describe how your life has been emotionally and physically turned upside down by your injuries and the accident that caused them. 

Examples of pain and suffering damages could include:

• Chronic pain
• Physical suffering
• Mental anguish
• Embarrassment
• Shock
• Anticipation
• Fear
• Indignity
• Apprehension
• Psychological distress
• Skin scarring
• Disfigurement
• Dismemberment

Coverage of Medical Bills

You should not be stuck covering any medical expense that relates to your 18-wheeler accident injuries. Some of the more common costs you may be able to get covered include:

• Co-pays
• Transportation expenses
• Diagnostic imaging fees
• Ongoing treatment
• Costs of mental health counseling
• Medical equipment fees
• Cost of prosthetic limbs
• Prescription drug expenses
• Costs of future medical care

Meet with an 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer in Collierville Today

After everything you have been through, dealing with a complex and drawn-out insurance or civil claim may be the furthest thing from your mind. Fortunately, when you enlist the services of a reputable Collierville 18-wheeler accident lawyer at Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC, you can breathe a sigh of relief. 

We will handle everything on your behalf. You will not have to worry about any of the legal details. Let us guide you through the claims process and maximize the amount of compensation you are awarded. 

Contact our team for a free consultation and learn more about what your case is worth. You can reach us by phone or through our quick contact form to get started as soon as today.