With approximately 2 million tractor-trailers on the road, truck drivers and motor vehicle drivers should be aware of ways to avoid truck accidents. Truck drivers are responsible for earning a commercial driver’s license (CDL) before operating a commercial vehicle and motorists are responsible for being extra vigilant when in the presence of big rigs.

Truck Driver Safety

After earning a CDL, the best way to stay safe on the road is also the most basic: know how to operate and keep control of your vehicle. According to the commercial driver’s license manual, all trucks should be inspected before, during, and after each trip. These inspections must be logged in case a truck needs to be repaired.

In the state of Tennessee, there were more than 497,000 reported motor vehicle collisions throughout 2017, including over 30,000 in which at least one passenger suffered injuries. Tragically, more than 1,000 people ultimately died due to injuries suffered in car accidents, statewide. 

If you or a loved one are injured in a motor vehicle collision, the related expenses, including vehicle damage, loss of work hours, and medical bills, can be significant. After being involved in a car accident, the first step is to check the medical condition of all passengers and to seek medical treatment for any injuries suffered. It is important to act quickly after an accident to help your chances of securing financial compensation for your injuries.

Here in the United States, rear-end collisions occur more frequently than any other type of collision. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rear-end crashes make up approximately 29 percent of all annual car accidents. In many of these instances, rear-end collisions cause severe injuries, ranging from whiplash to brain trauma and spinal cord damage. These types of injuries often come with significant medical bills and potential loss of work hours. Due to the monetary ramifications of a rear-end collision, it is important to secure injury compensation. Below we will explore the steps you need to take so you receive the financial compensation you deserve. 

Establishing Accident Liability

For a successful personal injury claim, it must be established that another driver was responsible for the collision. In the vast majority of rear-end collisions, the negligent party is the rear-vehicle driver. The most common form of negligence leading to a rear-end collision is driver inattention. Distracted driving is prevalent these days, especially texting while driving. Driver inattention can also be a result of fatigued driving or driving under the influence of alcohol. In any case, the odds of a rear-end wreck also increase if a driver maintains an unsafe following distance (tailgating).

On April 4, an elderly man and his passenger were both fatally injured in a car crash on Tennessee’s State Highway 128. The car accident served as a reminder of the risks that elderly drivers can face and present when they get behind the wheel of a car. According to statistics compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 290,000 elderly Americans were injured in motor vehicle collisions in 2016, while 7,400 proved fatal. 

Elderly Driver Accidents

An average of 20 elderly Americans are killed each day in car crashes. In many cases, car accidents caused by elderly drivers can be prevented with intervention from close family members.

Here in the state of Tennessee, car accidents are common statewide. According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, approximately 500,000 car accidents occurred in Tennessee throughout 2016. In many of these collisions, a serious injury occurred. 

After a car accident due to another driver’s negligence, it is common to feel helpless when you suffer a severe injury. It is important to act quickly in the aftermath of an accident. If you or a member of your family are injured in a motor vehicle collision, seek skilled legal guidance immediately.