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Head-on Crashes

Truck Accident Lawyer for Victims in Maryville and Other Areas of East Tennessee

Head-on collisions involve the front ends of two vehicles colliding. When a tractor trailer or big rig is involved in a head-on crash in East Tennessee, the results may be catastrophic or even deadly. Due to the immense size of a commercial vehicle, the real harm is likely to affect people in a passenger car, rather than the truck driver. At the Hartsoe Law Firm, Maryville truck accident attorney Mark Hartsoe has an accident reconstruction team on 24-hour standby that we can send out to determine the cause of a crash.

Seeking Compensation for a Head-on Crash

Common consequences of a head-on crash include spinal cord injuries, head trauma, paralysis, coma, lacerations, broken bones, burns, or even death. The faster that the vehicles were traveling, the more likely it is that the accident will result in one or more fatalities. Most head-on crashes occur on two-lane roads or rural roads. Often, they happen because one driver strayed into another driver's lane or because one driver turned the wrong way onto a one-way street.

Truck drivers who cause these accidents may have fallen asleep at the wheel, be under the influence of alcohol, fail to handle a curve appropriately, or be speeding. Sometimes a head-on crash is due to a failure to yield the right of way or a driver running a stop sign. When a driver fails to follow safety laws and causes injuries, the doctrine of negligence per se or negligence as a matter of law may apply, which may make it easier for a plaintiff to recover damages. However, even if negligence per se does not apply, a truck driver's failure to use reasonable care, such as by texting while driving or driving while fatigued, is powerful evidence of negligence.

The employer of a truck driver who acted negligently on the job may be held indirectly liable under a theory of respondeat superior. This is a theory of derivative liability, which means that it applies if the truck driver is found to have been negligent on the job. It does not depend on proving that the trucking company acted carelessly.

Moreover, employers of truck drivers may also be held liable under direct theories of negligence, such as negligent hiring, negligent supervision, or negligent retention. In Tennessee, these theories may be established by showing a trucking company's negligence and the knowledge of the company that a truck driver was not fit to operate a commercial vehicle.

Once liability is established, a plaintiff will need to present evidence on damages. The damages that a plaintiff may be able to recover include both monetary and nonmonetary items of loss. Damages may include lost wages, lost earning capacity, medical bills, medical mileage, vocational rehabilitation, household services, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Hire Maryville Attorney Mark Hartsoe for Your Truck Accident Case

If you were hurt as a result of a head-on crash, Maryville truck accident lawyer Mark Hartsoe can evaluate whether you have a case and provide aggressive advocacy. Call the Hartsoe Law Firm at 865-804-1011 or contact us via our online form to set up a free initial appointment. Hartsoe represents victims and families who need a motor vehicle collision attorney throughout East Tennessee, including in Blount, Knox, Monroe, Loudon, Jefferson, Grainger, Cocke, Campbell, Hamblen, Greene, Anderson, Cumberland, and Fentress Counties.


Client Reviews
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Mark: We would like to thank you for all the hard work you put in winning our medical malpractice lawsuit. The money we were awarded will certainly change our lives. The fact that you never treated us like clients but instead like friends meant so much to us. Again from our hearts we say thank you. Client
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The Peroulas family and I deeply appreciate your help and expertise. Although I am certain that it would have been most enjoyable to work with you on the trial, my clients are happy with what they and I believe to be a very favorable settlement, thanks in large part to your guidance. James S. Tipton, Jr.
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We appreciate the great job that you did on our case. You watched out for our interest even before you took our case. Mark Hartsoe did a wonderful job. He showed great expertise as he went up against a multi-national corporation with multiple lawyers. He had a thorough understanding of the many details and events that occurred. We were especially impressed with his skill during mediation. Mark’s PowerPoint presentation was excellent, overwhelming the opposition. It was refreshing to work with someone who does what he says he will and truly had our best interest in mind. Thank you for everything. Dennis and Julie Greene
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Just a short note to let you know we appreciate all of your hard work! Rhonda and Mike Cherrin
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We would very much appreciate it if you would be so kind as to e-mail to our office the Powerpoint presentation that you made at the commencement of the mediation. Our General Manger was very impressed and would like to show it to the CEO and may in turn show it to other corporate personnel as an example of what can happen to the same or similar case when placed in the hands of an excellent lawyer such as Mark Hartsoe. William T. Wray
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