Trucking Accidents

Day & Blair represents individuals who have been injured or lost a loved one in crashes involving tractor-trailers, buses, and other commercial vehicles.  Commercial vehicles make up a significant percentage of vehicles on the roadway, but an even greater percentage of vehicles involved in serious roadway accidents.  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration estimates there were 10,400,000 commercial truck and bus drivers in the United States in 2004, or about 5% of all licensed car drivers.  However, large trucks are involved in 7% of all crashes, and 11% of all fatal crashes.  On average, 334 people per year die in bus accidents nationwide. 

In Tennessee alone, there were 1,661 large trucks involved in fatal crashes between 1994 and 2005.  1,785 people lost their lives in those Tennessee accidents – an average of 148 fatalities per year.  From 1995 to 2005, the number of fatalities in crashes involving large trucks in Tennessee increased by 21%. 

In addition to the responsibilities of every driver on the road, tractor-trailer and bus drivers must follow specialized laws and regulations.  For example, federal law limits the number of hours a commercial driver can remain on duty without a sufficient break to rest.  In severe weather conditions, a commercial driver must exercise extreme caution or stop driving entirely.

Tractor-trailer and bus drivers who do not follow the law should be held accountable for the harm they cause.  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration estimates that in 2002 alone, 75 to 120 lives could have been saved by commercial drivers complying with the hours of service requirements.  It is important for a lawyer delving into a tractor-trailer accident case to have a working knowledge of commercial vehicle laws, familiarity with the mechanics of tractor-trailers and other large vehicles, and experience in working with competent and persuasive expert witnesses in the field.

If you would like to speak with us about a potential trucking accident case, please contact us online or call us at 615-742-4880 or 866-812-8787.



Statistical References