Nashville Truck Accident Lawyer

A crash with a semi-truck can change your life in seconds. The injuries are often serious. The medical bills pile up. You might be out of work, in pain, and unsure who to trust. At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, our experienced truck accident lawyers can help you determine if you have the legal right to compensation beyond what the insurance company may provide.

Our team works on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t pay a dime unless we win your case. Give us a call at (615) 590-3106 or contact us online today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Nashville truck accident lawyer today. You can also visit our offices: 3102 West End Ave, Suite 1050, Nashville, TN 37203.

Why Truck Accidents Are So Dangerous—and So Different

In 2023, Tennessee reported 13,068 large truck crashes across interstates, state highways, intersections, and local roads. Urban areas saw far more crashes than rural regions—8,849 vs. 4,219—with interstates like I-40 and I-65 topping the list at 3,584 crashes statewide. Closer to home, Davidson County alone recorded 2,030 truck crashes in 2023 with 163 fatalities, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security, underscoring just how dangerous Nashville’s busy roads and intersections have become.

Truck accidents are fundamentally different from regular car wrecks, and far more difficult to navigate:

• Injuries are usually more severe. The force of impact is greater, often causing traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and long-term disability. Victims may need surgery, rehab, or lifelong medical care.
• Multiple parties may be liable. Unlike car accidents, liability could involve the truck driver, their employer, a shipping company, maintenance contractors, or even the vehicle manufacturer. That means more people pointing fingers—and more complexity in proving your case.
• Federal and state regulations apply. Trucking companies must follow rules from the FMCSA, including driving time limits, maintenance schedules, drug testing, and more. Proving violations requires deep knowledge of these laws and access to detailed records like logbooks, black box data, and inspection reports.
• Trucking companies move fast to protect themselves. Within hours of a crash, their insurance teams are already gathering evidence and trying to minimize your claim. If you don’t act quickly, crucial evidence like dash cam footage or driver logs could disappear.
• Insurance policies are larger—and more aggressively defended. Commercial trucks typically carry millions in liability coverage, so insurance companies will fight hard to avoid paying out full value. They may try to shift blame to you or pressure you into an early lowball settlement.

All of this makes truck accident claims harder to win—and even harder to navigate alone. That’s why it’s so important to have a legal team that understands trucking cases inside and out.

Who is Liable After a Truck Accident in Nashville?

Because of the accident specifics and the regulations, liability in a truck accident can be complex, often involving multiple parties. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Nashville, identifying who is at fault and proving negligence are critical steps in seeking compensation.

To establish liability, you must first prove that negligence occurred. In Tennessee, negligence is based on four elements: duty, breach of duty, causation, and damages. For large truck crashes, this often begins by showing that the truck driver, trucking company, or another involved party had a duty to operate safely but failed to do so, resulting in your injury.

Truck Driver Negligence

A truck driver may be liable if they were driving recklessly, speeding, driving under the influence, or violating federal regulations, like the Hours of Service (HOS) rules mentioned above. This can clearly indicate driver fatigue, which is a leading cause of semi-truck accidents. Proving driver negligence may involve analyzing the driver’s logs, reviewing black box data, and interviewing witnesses.

Trucking Company Liability

Trucking companies can also be held accountable if they fail to properly train drivers, neglect vehicle maintenance, or encourage unsafe driving practices. If the company pressured drivers to exceed legal driving hours or cut corners on safety checks to meet deadlines, they might share liability for the accident. In these cases, proving negligence could involve examining company policies, maintenance records, and driver schedules. Holding a company accountable requires a thorough investigation, but it can increase your chances of securing full compensation.

Vehicle Manufacturer or Maintenance Provider Liability

Sometimes, the accident is due to mechanical failure rather than driver error. In these cases, the manufacturer of the truck or its parts could be liable. For example, if defective brakes or tires cause a crash, the manufacturer might be responsible for your injuries. Similarly, if a maintenance provider failed to properly inspect or repair the truck, they could share liability. These cases require expert analysis to trace the fault back to a mechanical issue or improper maintenance.

Shared Liability

Truck accidents often involve multiple parties. For example, both the driver and the company might be liable if the driver was fatigued due to pressure from the employer. In Tennessee, the modified comparative negligence rule applies. Even if more than one party is at fault, you can still recover compensation as long as your share of the fault is less than 50%. The amount you can recover, however, will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Tennessee Truck Accident Laws and Regulations

If you’ve been involved in a large truck accident in Nashville, knowing the specific laws and regulations that govern these cases can help you protect your rights and pursue compensation. Here’s what you need to know.

Statute of Limitations in Tennessee

Tennessee law gives you one year to file a personal injury lawsuit after a truck accident. This deadline is strict. If you don’t act within this timeframe, you could lose your chance to recover compensation. If a wrongful death occurs, the statute of limitations remains the same—one year from the date of death. In cases involving minors or incapacitated individuals, there may be some exceptions. Regardless, reaching out to an experienced attorney as soon as possible ensures you won’t miss these critical deadlines.

Modified Comparative Negligence in Tennessee

As it was mentioned, Tennessee follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means you can still receive compensation if you were partially at fault for the accident, but there’s a catch—your share of the blame must be less than 50%. If you’re 49% at fault or less, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. However, if you are found to be 50% or more at fault, you won’t be eligible to receive any compensation. This rule makes it crucial to establish who is at fault clearly, and an attorney can help defend your position if the insurance company tries to assign you undue blame.

Truck Driving Regulations

Truck drivers and trucking companies must adhere to strict regulations to ensure safety on the road. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the hours truck drivers can spend behind the wheel, commonly referred to as the Hours of Service (HOS) rules. Drivers are limited to 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty and must take breaks to prevent fatigue. Violations of these rules, such as driving for too long without rest, can contribute to accidents.

Insurance Requirements for Trucking Companies

In Tennessee, truck drivers and trucking companies are required to carry specific types of insurance to cover damages in the event of an accident. For commercial trucks, this typically includes liability insurance that covers bodily injury and property damage. The minimum coverage required varies based on the type of cargo and whether the truck operates across state lines. If the truck is transporting hazardous materials, the insurance requirements are even higher. If an accident occurs and the trucking company does not meet these insurance standards, it could open additional avenues for liability.

Additional Safety Regulations and Requirements

Beyond driving hours and insurance, trucking companies must also ensure that their vehicles are properly maintained. Regular maintenance and inspections are required under federal and state law. If a vehicle defect—such as faulty brakes or worn tires—contributes to an accident, the company responsible for maintaining the truck could be held liable. Likewise, truck drivers must hold a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and may face disqualification if they commit certain traffic violations or engage in unsafe driving practices.

Tennessee Truck Accident Laws and Regulations

If you’ve been involved in a large truck accident in Nashville, knowing the specific laws and regulations that govern these cases can help you protect your rights and pursue compensation. Here’s what you need to know.

Statute of Limitations in Tennessee

Tennessee law gives you one year to file a personal injury lawsuit after a truck accident. This deadline is strict. If you don’t act within this timeframe, you could lose your chance to recover compensation. If a wrongful death occurs, the statute of limitations remains the same—one year from the date of death. In cases involving minors or incapacitated individuals, there may be some exceptions. Regardless, reaching out to an experienced attorney as soon as possible ensures you won’t miss these critical deadlines.

Modified Comparative Negligence in Tennessee

As it was mentioned, Tennessee follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means you can still receive compensation if you were partially at fault for the accident, but there’s a catch—your share of the blame must be less than 50%. If you’re 49% at fault or less, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. However, if you are found to be 50% or more at fault, you won’t be eligible to receive any compensation. This rule makes it crucial to establish who is at fault clearly, and an attorney can help defend your position if the insurance company tries to assign you undue blame.

Truck Driving Regulations

Truck drivers and trucking companies must adhere to strict regulations to ensure safety on the road. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the hours truck drivers can spend behind the wheel, commonly referred to as the Hours of Service (HOS) rules. Drivers are limited to 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty and must take breaks to prevent fatigue. Violations of these rules, such as driving for too long without rest, can contribute to accidents.

Insurance Requirements for Trucking Companies

In Tennessee, truck drivers and trucking companies are required to carry specific types of insurance to cover damages in the event of an accident. For commercial trucks, this typically includes liability insurance that covers bodily injury and property damage. The minimum coverage required varies based on the type of cargo and whether the truck operates across state lines. If the truck is transporting hazardous materials, the insurance requirements are even higher. If an accident occurs and the trucking company does not meet these insurance standards, it could open additional avenues for liability.

Additional Safety Regulations and Requirements

Beyond driving hours and insurance, trucking companies must also ensure that their vehicles are properly maintained. Regular maintenance and inspections are required under federal and state law. If a vehicle defect—such as faulty brakes or worn tires—contributes to an accident, the company responsible for maintaining the truck could be held liable. Likewise, truck drivers must hold a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and may face disqualification if they commit certain traffic violations or engage in unsafe driving practices.

Common Types Of Semi-Truck Accidents

Truck accidents are rarely “simple fender benders”—the cause of the crash, the type of collision, and the injuries sustained all play a major role in determining the strength of your case and the amount of compensation you may recover. Common causes in Nashville include drowsy or distracted driving, following too closely, unsafe lane changes, failure to yield, lane departures, improper turns, and even mechanical failures like brake or tire issues. Each of these factors not only shows how the wreck happened, but also helps identify who should be held responsible—whether that’s the driver, the trucking company, or a maintenance provider. These causes often lead to different types of collisions, such as

• Jackknifing: This occurs when the cab of the truck folds against the trailer, often caused by sudden braking or slick roads. Jackknifing can lead to multi-vehicle collisions due to the truck blocking multiple lanes of traffic.
• Rollover Accidents: Result from a shift in the truck’s balance, causing the vehicle to tumble. This can happen due to speeding, overloading, or sharp turns, leading to severe injuries and fatalities.
• Sideswipes: These accidents often occur when a truck changes lanes and hits another vehicle in its blind spot. Sideswipes can cause extensive damage to smaller vehicles, especially at high speeds.
• Rear-End Collisions: Semi-trucks require more time and distance to come to a complete stop. When traffic ahead stops suddenly, trucks may crash into the rear of other vehicles, causing serious injuries.
• Wide Turn Collisions: These generally happen when a truck does not have enough room to make a right turn, resulting in the vehicle swinging wide and hitting other cars or pedestrians.
• Mechanical Failure Accidents: These occur due to issues like brake failure, tire blowouts, or other maintenance problems. While some mechanical failures can be unpredictable, others may point to negligence in vehicle upkeep.

Because of the sheer size and weight of semi-trucks, the injuries that result are often severe. Victims frequently suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage leading to paralysis, multiple fractures, internal bleeding, and severe neck and back trauma. In the most tragic cases, families pursue wrongful death claims after losing a loved one.

The bottom line: proving the cause and type of accident directly impacts how much you can claim for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term care. At our personal injury law firm, we have extensive expertise in handling claims arising from any of these tractor-trailer accident types and more. No matter the cause of your accident, we are equipped to pursue justice and the compensation you deserve.

Compensation Available to You After a Truck Accident in Nashville

In the majority of cases, the truck driver will be responsible for the injuries and other losses you suffered. However, in some instances, the trucking company may be held liable, such as if they didn’t provide proper training to their drivers. In other cases, the party responsible for maintenance of the truck may be liable if a vehicle malfunction causes the wreck. Your Nashville truck accident lawyer will determine which party is responsible; there may be multiple. 

During your free consultation, your personal injury lawyer will will evaluate all of the details of your case and determine how much compensation you may be owed. Typically, this compensation, or damages, is divided into economic and non-economic categories. 

• Economic damages pertain to the monetary losses accident victims suffered, such as medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and more. If your loved one is killed in a semi-truck accident, you may also receive compensation for funeral and burial costs, your loved one’s lost earning capacity, and more.
• Noneconomic damages are more ambiguous. Because they aren’t related to money, they are more difficult to put a solid number on. As such, your lawyer will consult with doctors, psychologists, and other experts to determine how much you are owed for pain and suffering, physical disfigurement, mental anguish, and more. In instances of wrongful death, noneconomic damages may also include the loss of your loved one’s society, companionship, and love, as well as their mental anguish.
• In some instances, punitive damages may also be assessed. These damages are intended to punish the person who caused your injuries, and are only awarded if that person acted “maliciously, intentionally, fraudulently or recklessly.” If punitive damages are assessed, they are capped at $500,000 or twice the amount of compensatory damages (economic and noneconomic damages combined), whichever is greater.

How We Help After a Truck Accident

While compensation explains what you may be entitled to, actually securing it is another challenge. Trucking companies and their insurers fight hard to limit payouts, and these cases are rarely straightforward. That’s where we come in.

• Investigate every detail of your crash, from driver logs to black box data
• Identify all potentially liable parties—driver, trucking company, or maintenance provider
• Work with medical and financial experts to calculate your full damages
• Push back against insurance companies trying to undervalue your claim
• Take your case to trial if that’s what it takes to get the justice you deserve

We’ve recovered over $2 billion for injury victims across the Southeast, and we bring that same determination to every Nashville truck accident case. When you work with us, you’re not just hiring a lawyer—you’re getting a team that fights to protect your health, your finances, and your future.

Areas We Serve Around Nashville

Our Nashville office is located at 3102 West End Ave, Suite 1050, Nashville, but we proudly serve clients throughout the surrounding areas and beyond:

• Nashville
• Franklin
• Hendersonville
• Murfreesboro
• Smyrna
• La Vergne
• Mt. Juliet
• Goodlettsville
• Nolensville
• Greenbrier.

Get the Help You Deserve from a Nashville Truck Accident Lawyer

After a truck accident, you may suffer serious injuries, leaving you with mounting medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and other expenses. What’s more, you may be unable to work, leaving you with no way to pay your bills.

At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, our accident injury lawyers are dedicated to helping you get the compensation you deserve so you can start putting your life back together.  You may receive a settlement offer from the insurance company after your wreck. The insurance company knows you may be struggling financially after the collision, and will likely try to low-ball you so they don’t have to pay what you deserve. If you accept that offer, you forfeit your right to seek greater compensation.

Before you accept anything from the insurance company, call us first. We’ll evaluate your case, including any settlement offer you received, and determine if we can get you more compensation. Give us a call at (615) 590-3106 or contact us online today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Nashville truck accident attorney today or visit our offices: 3102 West End Ave, Suite 1050, Nashville, TN 37203. 

Trucking Accident FAQ