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    A truck overturning and rolling is a terrifying thing to witness. When a large commercial vehicle flips, it often slams into or crushes other vehicles nearby. Devastatingly, fatalities are common in these accidents.

    Rollovers are usually a sign that someone was negligent, and negligence triggers an obligation to pay damages. If you were hurt in a rollover truck accident in Memphis, consult a local truck crash attorney on our team right away. The Reaves Law Firm could discuss your legal options and help you pursue fair compensation for your injuries.

    What Causes Trucks to Overturn?

    Trucks are inherently unstable vehicles. Their high center of gravity makes them unwieldy and prone to tip on curves or hills. Improper loading can amplify this tendency, especially in a tanker truck carrying liquids. A partial load could allow the liquid to move as the truck travels, potentially exerting enough force to cause a rollover. Improperly secured cargo could have the same effect.

    Driver error is another frequent culprit in rollovers. The driver might be speeding or driving too fast for conditions and might roll after taking a turn too quickly or skidding on a wet road. Driver impairment, distraction, and inexperience also could lead to a commercial vehicle overturning.

    Additionally, poor truck maintenance or defective parts could cause a rollover. Brake failure or tire failure is often the direct cause of a rollover, but even poor windshield wipers might be to blame if they prevented a trucker from seeing a hazard ahead. A seasoned Memphis attorney could investigate all aspects of a semi-truck rollover to identify parties whose negligence might have contributed to the wreck.

    Liable Parties in a Rollover Truck Wreck

    A tractor-trailer may overturn under multiple situations. Anyone whose conduct had a role in the accident has potential liability for an injured person’s damages, so bringing as many responsible parties to the table as possible is usually a wise move.

    If the trucker is or was an employee at the time of the accident, the employer is probably liable. However, many truck drivers are independent contractors, so holding the transport company responsible can be complicated in those cases. Depending on circumstances, a knowledgeable Memphis attorney might allege that the company imposed an unrealistic schedule, failed to investigate the driver’s record, or failed to use reasonable caution in some other way, resulting in the truck overturning and crashing.

    The company that loaded the truck might also have liability, as could a maintenance company responsible for keeping the vehicle road-worthy. Additionally, a manufacturer could be liable if a defective part contributed to the rollover. Since so many parties could have played a role in the collision, it is essential to work with a knowledgeable attorney experienced with these types of cases.

    Common Injuries Caused by Overturned 18-Wheelers

    Rollover truck accidents often become multi-vehicle collisions. A truck might collide with vehicles in adjacent lanes as the driver loses control and the truck tips. Smaller vehicles could be crushed or launched airborne. Vehicles following behind might not have time or space to avoid the wreck and crash into the truck, debris, or another vehicle.

    Injuries from severe accidents involving trucks could include:

    • Soft-tissue injuries like whiplash, sprains, and deep muscle contusions
    • Fractures
    • Damage to internal organs
    • Amputations
    • Facial injuries leading to disfigurement or blindness
    • Back injuries
    • Spinal cord damage
    • Head trauma, including traumatic brain injuries

    Plaintiffs are entitled to claim their medical costs and lost wages from negligent parties as damages. They also could claim compensation for their pain and suffering, but the Tennessee Code Annotated §29-39-102 caps these damages at $750,000 in most cases. In cases of specific catastrophic injuries, a claimant could receive as much as $1,000,000 for their pain and suffering.

    Seek Help from a Memphis Attorney After a Truck Rollover Accident

    If you are recovering from injuries suffered in a rollover truck accident in Memphis, you might be feeling lucky just to be alive. However, at some point you will need to consider holding the wrongdoers accountable for your suffering. The sooner you begin putting a legal case together, the stronger it is likely to be. Schedule a discussion with the Reaves Law Firm as soon as possible to discuss your accident.

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