On August 11, 2024, two people were killed in the Bellevue neighborhood of Nashville when a dump truck driver collided with their vehicle after running a red light. The driver of the truck is believed to have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.
According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, there have been 1,256 crashes involving large trucks in Davidson County between January 1, 2024, and the time of this writing.
The National Safety Council (NSC) reports an astonishing 49% increase in fatal crashes involving large trucks over the past decade despite significant advances in automotive safety, particularly in the trucking industry.
One reason for this disturbing trend may be the rising number of substandard carriers who put their own profits above the safety of the public. These negligent carriers opt to cut corners in their hiring and operating procedures to save money and undercut larger, more established companies. This can take the form of neglecting regularly scheduled maintenance of their fleet of vehicles, skimping on driver training, and/or bypassing background checks on their drivers.
The simple process of performing a background check before hiring can be used to uncover a history of DUIs, for example. If this step had not been skipped, the tragic crash that unfolded this past week may have been prevented. Unfortunately, these are not the first deaths due to trucking company negligence in Nashville this year, nor will they be the last.
The average passenger car weighs less than 4,000 lbs. When passenger vehicles are struck by commercial trucks weighing tens of thousands of pounds, severe injuries are almost a given, and deaths are unfortunately all too common.
As a Nashville truck accident attorney with over 30 years of experience representing victims and their families, I have never seen such a dire situation. The loss of life and the catastrophic injuries sustained in the growing number of accidents right here in Nashville are a call to action.
Federal legislation has been proposed to strengthen the Federal Motor Carrier Act, which has not seen an update in its insurance requirements since 1980. The proposed Fair Compensation for Truck Crash Victims Act (H.R. 6884) is crucial to ensuring that victims of truck accidents receive the justice and compensation they deserve. I and my firm stand in strong support of this legislation.
Our law firm is dedicated to helping victims of big truck crashes navigate the complex legal landscape. While we can’t bring your loved one back, we want to help you hold the at-fault parties responsible and get you and your family the support you need so you can grieve without worrying about how to afford the coming months.
Our compassionate team of Nashville big truck crash attorneys is standing by. When you contact Ponce Law, your initial consultation is always free, and you don’t owe us anything unless we win your case.