How to Handle the Aftermath of a Truck Accident

Accidents of any kind aren’t exactly a fun topic to discuss. It is, however, extraordinarily important to be prepared for unforeseen circumstances that can occur on the road. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported in 2015 that more than 4,000 large trucks and buses were involved in crashes causing a fatality and more than 90,000 accidents causing injury.

If those numbers don’t grab your attention, the financial statistics might. According to the US Department of Transportation, the average cost of a fatal truck-involved accident is over $7 million. Every case is different in its way, and hopefully, it is something you never have to experience, but being educated on a few simple steps and procedures can help your case immensely and get you the compensation deserved.

Put yourself in these shoes: You’ve just been involved in a truck accident. Do you know how to handle the situation? The first step is to check (if possible) to see if anyone involved, including yourself, might need immediate medical assistance. Next, you should contact the police by dialing 911 immediately for a quick and timely preservation of the accident scene.

NOTE: After calling the police, we recommend contacting us, Butler, Vines and Babb, as quickly as possible. We have a Rapid Response Team in Knoxville Tennessee and surrounding region to assist in the immediate investigation of an accident.

If you are able, before emergency services arriving at the accident scene, you should document as much as possible of the site from your perspective. This includes taking pictures of everything from the road conditions (skid marks, ice, rain, construction zone, etc.) to multiple angles of all vehicles involved. Also, gather the names of anyone involved in the accident and their insurance information. A good piece of advice is to ask for contact information of any bystanders or motorists that were witness to the accident take place.

Once emergency services arrive, they will assess the situation further and provide medical service if needed. They will conduct a medical evaluation on anyone involved. It is important to be honest during this and to not over-exaggerate any injuries, but also be sure to disclose any minuscule differences such as a sore neck that wasn’t sore before the accident. Once evaluations are finished, the police will conduct quick interviews with all parties involved and if possible, any witnesses. It is critical that when interviewed, you stick to the facts only and do not admit fault. Once the accident report is finished, request a copy.

While you are still at the scene, you should contact your insurance provider. Insurance companies occasionally send an adjuster to a scene to acquire information directly. Once again, it is important to not admit fault of any kind to your insurance company.

Another tip that often goes forgotten following a truck accident is to seek medical attention after the fact. Regardless of whether you are injured or not, find a medical professional to provide you with a full evaluation. Many vehicle injuries do not show signs immediately.

If you or a someone you know has been involved in a truck accident in the Knoxville Tennessee region, or anywhere, contact Butler, Vines and Babb. At Butler, Vines and Babb, we have represented clients in negotiations and the courtroom for more than 35 years with car and truck accidents. We are your Knoxville Tennessee attorney for the tough times, so if you come face to face with an unfortunate situation, contact us to make an appointment.

Butler, Vines and Babb is a leading law firm in Knoxville, TN, with extensive litigation experience in Medical Malpractice Law, Birth Injury Law, Trucking Accident Law, Personal Injury Law, and Business Law. Contact us today at 

www.butlervinesbabblaw.com or call 866-701-9631.

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How to Handle the Aftermath of a Truck Accident

Multi-Vehicle Accidents

The damages caused by passenger vehicle and truck accidents every year is in the billions. These damages are made up by the damage to vehicles, roads, and individuals. While there can be many contributing factors, it is often the fault of a driver involved. The human factor in these accidents could be due to alcohol or drug use, drowsy driving, distractions, construction areas, or other situations. 

Multi-vehicle accidents can be the most damaging in terms of financial and human damages. When multi-vehicle accidents occur on highways, it often leads to truck accidents as well, which can further the amount of property damage and personal injury, even leading to multiple fatalities. Additionally, multi-vehicle accidents can lead to complex legal cases.

An Explanation of Multi-Vehicle Collisions

A collision is considered multi-vehicle whenever it involves two or more vehicles.  Often, these are caused by the continued inertia after a vehicle has been struck, causing it to steer into the path of other vehicles. In high-speed situations, when weather creates poor visibility, multi-vehicle crashes can be caused by the limited visibility not providing adequate stopping time. These conditions often lead to truck accidents, due to the increased amount of stopping distance required for a truck to come to a complete stop. Congested traffic or poor road conditions can also contribute to multi-vehicle accidents. 

In the event of multi-vehicle accidents, vehicle passengers often sustain repeated trauma. The initial collision and each subsequent collision create an additional opportunity for sustaining injuries. When a multi-vehicle collision involves a truck accident, the injuries sustained often become more traumatic.

Statistics Surrounding Multi-Vehicle Collisions

Multi-vehicle accidents and truck accidents have very high mortality rates. Over 10,000 people have died due to multiple vehicle accidents since 2014. What is even more enlightening is that 7,000 of those fatalities were the drivers of vehicles involved. In total, it is estimated that 2 million collisions involving multiple vehicle crashes occur every year. Compared to all vehicle accidents taking place in a single year, multi-vehicle collisions make up almost one-third of the total. The more cars and trucks involved in a single accident the higher the probability of injuries or fatalities occurring.

Serious Injuries in Multi-Vehicle Accidents

Multi-vehicle and truck accidents are unfortunately common in the US. Additionally, these often lead to at least one fatality. For those who survive, both the physical injuries and the emotional trauma associated with these accidents can remain for years. The psychological trauma from being involved in multiple successive collisions can leave people with devastating emotional damage. Anyone involved in a multi-vehicle accident who has not been physically injured should still seek the assistance of a mental health professional to assess any psychological trauma sustained.

Seeking Legal Assistance

These kinds of collisions often require an in-depth investigation to determine fault and liability. This is primarily because of the number of vehicles involved and because there are many potentially contributing factors such as weather, visibility, driver condition, and road condition. The longer you wait to obtain legal help the more complex your case may become. If you are involved in a multi-vehicle or truck accident, it is imperative that you seek legal assistance as soon as possible. 

Butler, Vines and Babb is a leading law firm in Knoxville, TN, with extensive litigation experience in Medical Malpractice Law, Birth Injury Law, Trucking Accident Law, Personal Injury Law, and Business Law. Contact us today at www.butlervinesbabblaw.com or 

call 866-701-9631.

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Multi-Vehicle Accidents - Truck Accident Lawyer Knoxville

3 Types Of Distracted Driving that Cause Accidents - Personal Injury Lawyer Needed!

Multitasking is an unavoidable part of life sometimes, but others multitasking while driving may cause you to need Personal Injury Accident Lawyer. 

Since technology has evolved and continues to revolutionize daily life, people are distracted all the time. Yes, unfortunately, even while driving, people are frequently distracted, attempting to complete more than one thing at a time, unaware of the danger they are creating.

Distracted driving accidents have proved to be one of the major causes of collisions. They happen because the driver was distracted by either the phone call or text they have just received or the cup of coffee that they want to finish before reaching work. According to the National Highway Safety department, distracted driving caused roughly 424,000 recorded accident related injuries in 2013 alone! This is just a rough figure; the actual figure may be much higher.

Distracted Driving: 3 Different Kinds:

·         Cognitive Distraction

Cognitive or mental distraction occurs when the driver’s mind is occupied with either a personal or work related issue. Talking to another passenger or arguing as well as fighting in the car are examples of cognitive distraction. Listening to a podcast or being preoccupied with your favorite radio station can even be cognitive distractors too!

·         Visual Distraction

Visual distraction occurs when the driver’s focus is shifted from the road to their surroundings. This includes attending to kids or pets in the car or trying to fix their GPS device, or looking at anything other than the road in front of them.

·         Manual Distraction

It is when the driver takes both his hands off of the wheel for mostly eating or drinking in the car, adjusting the radio or trying to get something from their bag or wallet.

Texting and driving is the most dangerous as it involves all three types.

Keeping your focus on the road is easier said than done because of the lifestyle we follow. Here are some tips to help you improve your life and save it too:

• Switch off your cell phone while driving, even if you are expecting an important phone call. After all, nothing is more important than your life.
• Use a hands-free device if it is extremely important for you to stay in touch. These can be just as dangerous as receiving a normal phone call. We suggest you keep it for emergencies only.
• Eat before you drive or wait till you pull over some place nearby.
• Do not drive when sleepy or tired
• Do not drive without wearing a seatbelt. If you are traveling with kids or pets make sure they are wearing a seatbelt. If at any point you must attend to their needs, pull over on the side before you do so.

Driving and Multi-Tasking are Not Recommended in Any Case:

It might be important to receive that phone call or reprogram your GPS for the fourth or fifth time. But if you are able to resist the temptation and focus on the road ahead, you will be able to react to the unexpected and will be able to avoid accidents.

Butler Vines and Babb is a leading law firm in Knoxville TN, providing a multi-disciplined practice including business and defense law. Butler Vines and Babb is also skilled and has significant experience in Medical Malpractice Law, Birth Injury, and other Personal Injury Law, including Trucking Accident Law. Contact us today at www.bvblaw.com or call 866-701-9631.

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3 Types Of Distracted Driving that Cause Accidents - Personal Injury Lawyer Needed!