Nashville & Goodlettsville Trucking Accident Lawyer

A Nashville and Goodlettsville Trucking Accident Lawyer Fighting For The Injured

A commercial vehicle accident is often far more complicated than a car accident. There are often multiple parties and more severe injuries because of the large size of commercial trucks. I understand what’s at stake in these accident cases. Defend your future with the help of a skilled Tennessee truck accident lawyer. I run my practice from The Toll Firm’s Goodlettsville office right off I-65, so I know this corridor and the trucking companies that use it every day.

I proudly represent the people of Goodlettsville, Nashville, Davidson County, Sumner County and across Middle Tennessee through the most challenging personal injury claims. I know the difficulties that await you after an accident with a tractor-trailer, dump truck, or other commercial vehicle, and I am here to help you through it.

Common Types Of Commercial Truck Accidents I Handle

Not every truck accident looks the same, and the type of vehicle involved can change how your case is built. I represent clients hurt in accidents involving:

• Tractor-trailers and 18-wheelers hauling freight on I-65, I-24, and I-40
• Dump trucks and other construction vehicles working on Middle Tennessee job sites and roads
• Box trucks and delivery vans, including last-mile delivery fleets
• Tanker trucks carrying fuel or other liquid cargo
• Garbage and waste collection trucks

Each type of vehicle comes with its own safety rules, insurance requirements, and company records that can help build your case.

Why You Need An Attorney After A Tennessee Truck Accident

Unlike accidents between two passenger vehicles, a commercial driver often has an employer’s insurance and legal teams on their side. Both teams will act against your best interests to minimize or eliminate any liability for your injuries. They will often push for a quick settlement, even going so far as to visit you while you are still hospitalized to resolve the process as quickly as possible.

I take the time to develop a personalized representation strategy by collecting vital information such as footage of the accident, witness testimony, medical reports and consultations with expert witnesses to build the strongest case I can for each client. I explore all possible options of negotiation and litigation to pursue the fair and full outcomes my clients deserve. Because I am adept in the courtroom, I never shy away from refusing a settlement if it’s in my client’s best interests to do so. As a sitting Goodlettsville City Judge since 2020, I also bring a judge’s view of how courts and juries weigh evidence, and I use that perspective to build every truck accident case I handle.

I work hard to help injured people receive compensation for the following:

• Medical expenses to cover the cost of medical bills, including any future healthcare services relevant to an injury, such as physical or vocational therapy.
• Lost wages to cover the time out of work.
• Property damage to cover the damage done to the vehicle and other personal property during the accident.
• Pain and suffering to cover the emotional distress the accident and injury have caused.

In a serious trucking case, you may also be able to recover for permanent disability or disfigurement, since injuries from large commercial vehicles are often more severe than injuries from a typical car accident.

I will fight for your chance to achieve the maximum compensation that will allow you to focus on healing and moving forward after your accident.

Hurt in a truck accident near Nashville or Goodlettsville? Call The Toll Firm at (615) 861-1103 for a free consultation. 

Truck Accident Statistics In Tennessee And Nationwide

Large trucks are involved in a disproportionate share of the most serious crashes on the road. Nationally, 5,472 people died in crashes involving large trucks in 2023, an 8% drop from 2022 (Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2025). Seven out of ten people killed in these crashes were riding in the other vehicle, not the truck (Source: NHTSA, 2025).

Tennessee recorded more than 12,000 reportable large truck accidents and 163 deaths in 2023. (Source: Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security).

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Frequently Asked Questions About Trucking Accidents In Tennessee

Trucking accident cases bring questions that standard car accident claims rarely do. Below, I address the ones I hear most from injured victims across Middle Tennessee.

How long do you have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, you have one year from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit and three years for property damage claims. Tennessee law calls this deadline the statute of limitations (Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104). Missing it will almost certainly end your right to seek compensation. Certain situations, such as claims involving minors or government entities, can affect this timeline. Acting early gives you the best chance to preserve evidence and pursue a full recovery.

Who can be held liable for a commercial truck accident in Nashville?

More than one party can share liability in a commercial truck accident. These cases are more complex than standard car accidents. Multiple parties often contribute to the crash. Potentially liable parties may include:

• The truck driver: Driver error, fatigue or hours-of-service violations can create direct liability.
• The trucking company: Trucking company negligence, such as poor hiring practices or deferred maintenance, can hold the employer accountable.
• Third-party contractors: Third-party contractors who loaded freight or serviced the truck may share fault if their work contributed to the crash.
• Manufacturers: Manufacturer liability can apply when defective parts or equipment failures cause or worsen a collision.

Identifying every responsible party is key to building the strongest possible claim.

Can you still recover compensation if you were partially at fault for the truck accident?

Yes, you can still recover compensation even if you share some fault for the crash. Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault rule, which reduces your award by your percentage of fault. You remain eligible as long as you are 49% at fault or less. For example, if a court finds you 20% at fault in a $100,000 case, you would receive $80,000. Do not let a share of the fault stop you from exploring your legal options.

What is the “black box” in a truck accident, and why is it important?

The “black box” in a commercial truck is an electronic device that records critical vehicle data before and during a crash. Known formally as the Electronic Control Module (ECM), this device records data similar to federally required Electronic Logging Devices that track driver hours. The ECM captures data including speed, braking patterns, engine performance and hours of service. This information can reveal exactly what happened in the moments before impact, making it some of the most powerful evidence in a truck accident claim.

What are hours-of-service rules, and why do they matter in my case?

Federal hours-of-service rules limit how many hours a truck driver can drive before resting, generally 11 hours of driving after 10 hours off duty (Source: FMCSA, 49 CFR Part 395). A violation of these rules is often strong evidence of driver fatigue.

Where would my Goodlettsville or Nashville truck accident case be filed?

Crashes in Sumner County are typically filed in Sumner County Circuit Court in Gallatin, while crashes in Nashville are usually filed in Davidson County Circuit Court. Where you can file often depends on where the crash happened and where the trucking company operates.

What if the crash involved a dump truck or another construction vehicle instead of a semi?

Dump trucks, cement mixers, and other construction vehicles must follow many of the same federal safety rules as tractor-trailers, including maintenance and driver qualification requirements. These cases often involve additional parties, such as a job site owner or contractor, who may share liability.

Do I need a police report to file a truck accident claim?

A police report is strong evidence, but you can still pursue a claim without one. Gather as much documentation as you can, including photos, medical records, and witness contact information, as soon as it is safe to do so.

How much insurance do trucks need to have?

Federal law also requires most trucking companies to carry at least $750,000 in liability insurance, and companies hauling hazardous materials must carry up to $5,000,000 (Source: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 49 CFR Part 387). That is far more than the insurance most passenger drivers carry, which can mean more resources are available to pay for your injuries when a trucking company is at fault.

I Put The Toll On The Insurance Company – Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer At Your Side

As a former defense attorney for insurance companies, I know how to build a case against defense strategies. Instead of juggling your health and the challenges of your claim, focus on your recovery and allow me to represent you through your case. Call me at The Toll Firm or email me here to schedule your initial consultation today. The Toll Firm serves Goodlettsville, Nashville, and the Middle Tennessee area.

Free Consultation: Call (615) 861-1103 or visit our Goodlettsville office at 116 East Cedar Street to talk with a Nashville and Goodlettsville truck accident lawyer today.