In a press release issued January 13, 2015 The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) stated it wants to “improve safety in the nation’s commercial trucking industry and require that people with medical conditions be deemed medically 
fit for duty before they can operate vehicles.” The release further states the NTSB is seeking improvements in commercial trucking safety because of an “increase in the number of fatalities associated with crashes involving larger trucks.”
Fatalities from crashes in the United States involving tractor-trailers or semi trucks are increasing according to a December report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The increase marked the fourth straight jump in annual large truck involved fatalities since hitting a low point in 2009, according to NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Tractor-trailer or semi truck accidents are typically among the worst kind of motor vehicle accidents on Tennessee roads. Injuries from semi trucks are often very serious because of the size and weight of the truck. Such accidents can result in catastrophic injury, permanent disability or even death. Because tractor-trailers are usually owned by large companies, often a sophisticated team of insurance adjusters or lawyers will quickly begin working on building a case against a person involved and/or injured from a crash by one of these large trucks. That’s why it is imperative to talk to a personal injury lawyer before talking to any representative from the trucking company and before you sign or agree to anything.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a tractor-trailer accident and it was not your fault, you may have certain rights to recover compensation for injuries, property damage, missed work, medical bills and disability. Truck accident claims may be more complicated than car accident cases for a number of reasons, therefore it’s important you find an experienced personal injury attorney who has successfully tried tractor-trailer cases. Contact Attorney Michael Pence to schedule a free consultation.