Truck Accidents in Knoxville, TN

Millions of auto accidents have occurred in the state of Tennessee alone, thousands of which involved medium or large trucks. Though some accidents result in Property Damage Only (PDO), the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports more than 40,000 auto accident victims have lost their lives in these crashes… and countless others have been injured. For the accidents that involve trucks, those numbers are even higher.

Knoxville Truck Accidents

In Knox county alone, there were 13,379 auto accidents between 2015 and 2019. Of those auto accidents, large trucks were responsible for thousands of injuries and fatalities.

With the addition of new technology in vehicles and more distracted drivers than ever, sources like the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security have reported a fairly steady rise in the number of truck-related crashes in Knoxville and the Tri-Cities: Johnson City, Bristol, and Kingsport.

Tragic Truck Accident Results In Loss Of Life

Just this year, a Knoxville resident was pronounced dead at the scene of a wreck after losing control of his semi-truck while driving on I-40. This accident alone caused both sides of the highway to shut down temporarily, while the Knoxville Police Department investigated the scene to determine the cause of the accident.

According to later reports by local news source WBIR, an overhanging highway sign hit another nearby tractor-trailer, causing the now-deceased truck driver to flip and roll into the median. A dangerous incident for all on the road that day, this is just one example of how truck accidents can result in the loss of valuable life.

Personal Injury Lawyer Shares Tips for Preventing a Truck Accident

Everything we do at G3 is to help protect our clients and community. To better ensure your safety on the road, here are a few simple things you can do to avoid a truck accident:

• Give the truck extra room on the road. Trucks have more side-view blind spots than the standard car, so it’s important to allow extra space when passing them on the highway. Depending on your road’s speed limit, you may consider speeding up or slowing down to allow the truck room to see your vehicle.

• Avoid tailing the truck. In addition to giving them extra space to the side, large trucks need extra room behind them. Trucks have different braking systems than standard vehicles and sudden braking is one of the most common causes of truck accidents. In addition, trucks are larger in general, meaning they can be easily moved by strong winds when transporting light loads. A less common cause of truck accidents, this is still important to keep in mind when driving nearby. As a general rule of thumb, a good distance to travel behind a truck is 3-4 seconds.

• Watch for tight or unexpected turns. Trucks require more room to turn than a standard car, so in order to stay safe, you should always pay close attention to their actions on the road. If they use their signal to indicate an upcoming turn, make sure to give them the extra room they need to turn safely. This is especially important to remember if you are turning the same way alongside them.

• Use your signal and stay away from truck drivers that don’t use theirs. Similarly, it’s just as important for you to use your turn signal as it is for large trucks to use theirs. Never assume another driver knows where you plan to go on the road. Once you put on your signal, allow about 3-4 seconds before getting over into their lane.

If you or someone you know is looking for help after a Knoxville or Tri-Cities area truck accident, we’re here to help.


Give us a call at (865) 658-4012 to schedule your free, confidential case evaluation today. And as always, stay safe out there.

— Turner Howard & Team, G3 Help Me Law | Wreck Attorneys