When a commercial truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the results can be devastating. Due to their size and weight, semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and 18-wheelers often cause catastrophic injuries and fatalities when they crash. For victims and their families, the road to recovery can be long, expensive, and emotionally overwhelming. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Murfreesboro, Labrum Law Firm is here to help.
Our experienced Murfreesboro truck accident lawyer understands the complexity of these cases and the aggressive tactics used by trucking companies and their insurers to avoid liability. Our auto accident lawyers fight back—relentlessly pursuing justice and full compensation for our clients. You don’t have to face this battle alone.
Why Truck Accidents Are Different from Car Accidents
Truck accidents are not just bigger versions of car accidents—they involve more severe injuries, more complicated investigations, and more powerful opposition. Here’s what sets them apart:
- Greater impact force: A fully loaded 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Even at low speeds, a truck can crush or total smaller vehicles.
- Federal regulations: Commercial trucks are governed by state and federal laws, including rules from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
- Multiple parties may be liable: Unlike a typical car accident, a truck accident may involve the truck driver, the trucking company, a cargo loader, maintenance crews, or manufacturers.
- Commercial insurance companies: Trucking companies are backed by large insurers and legal teams that are trained to protect their bottom line.
For these reasons, you need a lawyer with experience in handling serious truck accident cases—not just general personal injury claims.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Murfreesboro
Murfreesboro’s location near major highways like I-24, Highway 231, and Highway 96 makes it a key route for commercial trucking throughout Middle Tennessee. Unfortunately, the high volume of truck traffic also increases the risk of dangerous accidents.
Common causes of truck crashes include:
- Driver fatigue: Long hours behind the wheel can lead to delayed reaction times and even falling asleep while driving.
- Distracted driving: Texting, eating, using GPS, or logging trip data can pull a truck driver’s attention away from the road.
- Speeding or aggressive driving: Truck drivers under tight deadlines may speed, follow too closely, or change lanes without signaling.
- Improperly loaded cargo: Unbalanced or unsecured cargo can shift during transit, causing the truck to jackknife or tip over.
- Mechanical failures: Brake failures, tire blowouts, and other equipment issues can result from poor maintenance.
- Driving under the influence: Alcohol or drug use (including prescription medications) can impair a truck driver’s ability to operate safely.
- Inadequate training or supervision: Inexperienced or undertrained drivers pose serious risks on the road.
When truck drivers or the companies that employ them fail to follow safety protocols, they must be held accountable.
Types of Truck Accidents
The severity of a truck accident often depends on the type of crash that occurs. Common types of truck accidents include:
- Jackknife accidents: The trailer swings out at a sharp angle, often sweeping across multiple lanes and causing multi-vehicle collisions.
- Underride accidents: A smaller car slides underneath the truck’s trailer, often resulting in fatal head or neck injuries.
- Rear-end collisions: Trucks require more distance to stop; when they hit smaller vehicles from behind, the impact can be catastrophic.
- Blind spot collisions: Trucks have large blind spots (“no-zones”) where cars can disappear from the driver’s view.
- Rollovers: A top-heavy or poorly loaded truck can tip over during sharp turns or sudden maneuvers.
- Lost load accidents: If cargo spills onto the roadway, it can cause secondary crashes or pose hazards to other drivers.
Each type of accident requires a detailed investigation to determine what happened and who should be held responsible.
Common Injuries in Truck Accidents
Due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles, truck accidents often result in serious and sometimes permanent injuries. Common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Multiple bone fractures
- Crush injuries and internal bleeding
- Amputations
- Burn injuries
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Severe lacerations or disfigurement
- Wrongful death
In many cases, victims face extended hospital stays, long-term rehabilitation, and permanent changes to their ability to work or enjoy daily life.
What to Do After a Truck Accident
If you’re involved in a truck accident, your actions in the aftermath can significantly impact your physical recovery and legal case. Here’s what to do:
- Call 911: Always report the accident and request medical attention if needed.
- Seek medical care immediately: Even if you don’t feel injured, get checked out by a doctor. Adrenaline can mask symptoms.
- Take photos and videos: Document the scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, and your injuries.
- Get witness contact information: Independent witnesses can provide valuable statements later.
- Avoid speaking with the trucking company or their insurer: They may try to get you to accept a lowball offer or say something that weakens your claim.
- Contact Labrum Law Firm: The sooner you hire an attorney, the better we can preserve evidence and protect your rights.
Proving Liability in a Truck Accident Case
Proving fault in a truck accident often requires an in-depth investigation. At Labrum Law Firm, we have the experience and resources to uncover critical evidence and build a compelling case. We may:
- Review the truck’s black box (event data recorder)
- Obtain the driver’s logs and employment history
- Analyze maintenance records and inspection reports
- Request drug and alcohol test results
- Review dashcam or traffic camera footage
- Consult with accident reconstruction experts
- Evaluate FMCSA compliance violations
Our goal is to identify every responsible party and hold them fully accountable.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident?
Truck accident cases often involve multiple liable parties. Potential defendants may include:
- The truck driver: For negligence, distraction, impairment, or fatigue.
- The trucking company: For poor hiring practices, lack of training, or unsafe policies.
- The cargo loader: For improperly secured or overloaded freight.
- The truck manufacturer or parts supplier: For defective brakes, tires, or other components.
- Maintenance providers: For failing to properly service the truck.
We pursue every angle to ensure you’re not left footing the bill for someone else’s mistake.
Compensation Available to Truck Accident Victims
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Medical bills (current and future)
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement or disability
- Loss of consortium (for spouses)
- Wrongful death damages, if a loved one was killed
In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded if the truck driver or company acted with gross negligence or willful disregard for safety.
Why Choose Labrum Law Firm?
At Labrum Law Firm, we offer more than just legal representation—we provide guidance, support, and results. Our firm is known throughout Murfreesboro for delivering honest, aggressive, and compassionate legal service to injury victims.
When you work with us, you get:
- Local experience in Rutherford County courts
- One-on-one attention from an experienced truck accident attorney
- A proven record of results in complex injury cases
- No upfront fees—you don’t pay unless we win
We understand the tactics used by trucking companies to protect themselves, and we know how to stand up for what’s right.
Time Limits to File a Truck Accident Claim in Tennessee
Tennessee law gives you only one year from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is one of the shortest statutes of limitations in the country. If you miss this deadline, you could lose your right to seek compensation entirely.
Don’t wait. The sooner you contact our firm, the sooner we can start building a strong case on your behalf.
Speak With a Murfreesboro Truck Accident Lawyer Today
A truck accident can leave you with serious injuries, emotional trauma, and financial uncertainty—but you don’t have to face it alone. At Labrum Law Firm, we’re ready to fight for the compensation and accountability you deserve.
Call today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with a Murfreesboro truck accident lawyer. Let us handle the legal work so you can focus on healing and rebuilding your life.
