1010 Market Street, Ste. 401 • Chattanooga Tennessee 37403   Phone: 423-266-1111

Common Questions
At Robinson Law Firm, PC, clients come first – not insurance companies, hospitals, government officials, medical personnel, or anyone else. When we take your case, we are on your side, and your side only. Located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, we serve clients throughout Hamilton, Marion, Bledsoe, Rhea and Sequatchie counties with issues related to Personal Injury Law, Criminal Defense, and Family Law & Divorce.

Frequently Asked Questions: Truck Accidents

Q: I've read that commercial truck accidents can result in serious injuries. What is a "commercial truck"?

A: A commercial truck is a vehicle used in the course of business and/or for the transport of commercial goods. Examples are eighteen-wheeler tractor trailers, tanker trucks, delivery vehicles, and other large freight trucks.

Q: Why is a traffic accident involving a commercial truck more likely to cause injury than one involving passenger cars?

A: A typical fully-loaded large commercial truck can weigh 80,000 pounds or more, while an average passenger automobile weighs approximately 3000 pounds. Due to this size disparity, and the basic laws of physics, any collision between a commercial truck and another vehicle is likely to result in serious, even fatal, injuries.

Frequently Asked Questions: Motor Vehicle Accidents

Q: Can I recover even if the accident was my fault?

A: Whether you can recover if the accident was your fault depends on the laws of your state. Some states do not consider fault with regards to some damages, and in those states some of your economic losses may be paid by your own no-fault policy. Other states consider fault, but you may still be able to recover for your injuries, even if the accident was partially your fault. However, in that case, you may be required to prove that the other party's fault was greater than yours or to reduce the amount of your compensation by your percentage of fault.

Q: Who can I sue to recover my damages?

A: In some cases, an accident victim may be able to sue parties other than the at-fault driver. For example, if the at-fault driver did not own the car, the car's owner may also be liable for your damages. If the at-fault driver was impaired from consuming too much alcohol, you may be able to bring a "dram shop" complaint against a business that served alcohol to the driver even though he was visibly impaired. In some cases, you may be able to bring an action against another party, such as an automobile manufacturer or construction company, if a defect in the vehicle or the roadway caused the accident. If the accident involved a tractor-trailer, the driver's violation of rules and regulations may be the basis for a lawsuit against the driver or his or her employer.