Hamilton County Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer

Legal Help for Complex Accidents Involving Company and Work Vehicles in Chattanooga

Commercial vehicles are everywhere in Hamilton County — from Amazon vans on city streets to utility trucks on rural roads, to construction vehicles on I-75. When one of these vehicles is involved in a crash, the outcome can be devastating. And the legal process? Complicated.

If you’ve been injured in a wreck involving a commercial vehicle, you need a lawyer who understands how these cases work — and how to win them. At Pritchard Injury Firm, our Hamilton County commercial vehicle accident lawyers represent victims across Chattanooga, East Ridge, Red Bank, Soddy-Daisy, and surrounding areas. We fight for compensation, accountability, and your future.

Why Hire Pritchard Injury Firm for a Commercial Vehicle Accident Case?

Not all accident cases are the same. When a crash involves a company-owned or fleet-operated vehicle, you’re dealing with business insurers, corporate defense attorneys, and layers of liability that don’t exist in a standard personal injury claim.

Here’s why clients trust us:

• We understand Tennessee commercial vehicle laws and industry safety standards.
• We pursue all responsible parties, including employers, vendors, and contractors.
• We know how to analyze driver logs, company policies, and maintenance records.
• We prepare every case for trial — and we have the results to prove it.
• You pay nothing unless we win your case.

Attorney Zach Pritchard and his team bring years of experience, a local presence in Chattanooga, and a fighter’s mindset to every case.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Commercial Vehicle Crash?

A serious crash with a commercial vehicle can disrupt every part of your life — physically, financially, and emotionally. At Pritchard Injury Firm, we fight to recover the full value of your losses, which may include:

• Emergency room and hospital costs
• Ongoing medical treatment, surgeries, and physical therapy
• Loss of income and future earning ability
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and trauma
• Permanent disability or loss of mobility
• Property damage to your vehicle
• Wrongful death compensation, if a loved one was lost in the crash

We also work with medical experts, economists, and life care planners to ensure we fully account for your present and future needs.

Why Commercial Vehicle Accidents Are So Complicated

Accidents involving commercial vehicles often involve multiple layers of responsibility. The driver may have made a mistake, but that’s just the beginning. Employers are often liable under Tennessee law for what their employees do on the job. Additionally, businesses may have failed to maintain the vehicle properly, ignored safety violations, or hired drivers with poor records.

In many cases, commercial vehicles are operated by contractors or third-party companies, making it harder to trace liability. These companies often carry high-limit insurance policies, which means larger potential payouts — and more aggressive defense teams. Without skilled legal representation, important evidence can disappear and insurance companies will try to settle for far less than your case is worth.

Common Types of Commercial Vehicles Involved in Accidents

We handle a wide range of commercial vehicle accident cases throughout Hamilton County, including:

• Delivery vans (Amazon, UPS, FedEx, USPS)
• Box trucks and freight carriers
• Utility vehicles (electric, gas, cable, water service)
• Rideshare cars (Uber, Lyft)
• Company cars or fleet vehicles
• Landscaping and construction trucks
• Municipal and government vehicles
• Food service trucks, such as catering or vending vehicles

Whether your accident happened on a city street in Chattanooga or a state highway near Red Bank, we’re ready to help you hold the right parties accountable.

Frequent Causes of Commercial Vehicle Accidents

In Hamilton County, commercial vehicle accidents often stem from the pressures and demands placed on drivers and the companies that employ them. Many drivers are expected to meet tight delivery windows or travel long distances across Chattanooga and surrounding areas, which leads to long hours behind the wheel. Fatigue becomes a serious factor — drivers may push past safe limits or skip rest breaks to stay on schedule.

Speeding is another common issue. On interstates like I-75 or I-24, it’s not unusual to see delivery vans or utility trucks exceeding the limit to make up time. And with more time on the road comes a greater chance for distraction. Whether a driver is looking at a GPS, answering a dispatch call, or responding to messages, even a split second of inattention can cause a serious crash.

Many commercial accidents also result from poor training or lack of experience. Some companies cut corners in the hiring process or fail to properly educate drivers on vehicle handling and safety protocols. In other cases, the crash traces back to vehicle maintenance failures — worn brakes, bald tires, or neglected inspections. Combined, these factors create a dangerous mix that puts other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists at serious risk.

Injuries in Commercial Vehicle Collisions

The injuries sustained in commercial vehicle crashes are often far more serious than those in standard car accidents. Because these vehicles are larger, heavier, and frequently loaded with cargo or equipment, they carry greater momentum and cause more severe impact forces.

Victims of these collisions often suffer from traumatic brain injuries, which may result from striking the interior of a car or being thrown during the crash. Spinal cord injuries, including herniated discs or even paralysis, are also common — especially in rear-end or rollover impacts. We frequently see broken bones, internal bleeding, and organ damage, particularly in high-speed or head-on collisions with vans, trucks, or fleet vehicles.

Burns and lacerations may occur if the crash results in a fuel leak or shattered glass, and victims often face extensive scarring or disfigurement. In the most severe cases, commercial vehicle crashes result in fatalities, leaving families behind to deal with the financial and emotional aftermath of wrongful death. Even survivors who initially appear “okay” can face chronic pain, limited mobility, or psychological trauma in the months and years that follow.

At Pritchard Injury Firm, we understand how these injuries impact every part of your life — and we’re here to make sure your case reflects that.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Commercial Vehicle Case?

Liability in these cases often involves a chain of responsibility. Depending on the facts, we may pursue claims against:

• The driver, for careless or reckless behavior
• The employer or company, under Tennessee's respondeat superior laws
• A contracting business, if the driver was hired as an independent operator
• Fleet maintenance providers
• Vehicle or parts manufacturers
• Municipal entities, if a government-operated vehicle was involved

We’ll identify every party with potential liability and build a strong, evidence-based case to support your claim.

What to Do After a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Hamilton County

If you’ve been in a crash involving a commercial or company-owned vehicle, take these steps to protect your health and your legal rights:

1. Call 911 and request emergency response.
2. Seek immediate medical attention, even if you feel “fine.”
3. Document everything: photos of vehicles, license plates, injuries, and the crash scene.
4. Get driver and company info (company name, USDOT number, insurance details).
5. Avoid giving statements to the other party’s insurance company.
6. Contact Pritchard Injury Firm as soon as possible so we can begin preserving key evidence.

Early action is essential — commercial companies often have legal teams ready to defend themselves immediately after an accident.

FAQ: Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Hamilton County

How is a commercial vehicle accident different from a regular car crash?

Commercial vehicle cases involve businesses, professional drivers, and corporate insurance carriers. They often have more money at stake and use more aggressive legal tactics.

Can I sue the company if their employee caused the crash?

Yes. In most cases, employers are legally responsible for the actions of their employees while on the job — and they can also be directly liable for poor training, hiring, or vehicle maintenance.

What if it was a rideshare vehicle like Uber or Lyft?

We can pursue a claim against the rideshare company’s commercial insurance policy, which typically provides up to $1 million in coverage depending on the driver's status at the time.

Is there a time limit to file a claim?

Yes. In Tennessee, you have only one year from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. That’s why you should speak to an attorney as soon as possible.

How much does it cost to hire your firm?

We work on a contingency fee basis, so there are no upfront costs and no fees unless we recover money for you.

Speak With a Hamilton County Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer Today

You don’t have to face a company’s insurance team alone. At Pritchard Injury Firm, we’ll stand by your side, protect your rights, and fight for every dollar you deserve. From initial investigation through settlement or trial — we’re the legal partner you need when the stakes are high.

Call (470) 828-3363 for a free consultation We proudly serve clients in Chattanooga, Hixson, Red Bank, East Ridge, Soddy-Daisy, and all of Hamilton County.