The Hamilton Firm Blog

When a family is facing the aftermath of a catastrophic truck accident, experience matters. Commercial trucking cases are unlike ordinary automobile accidents. They involve federal safety regulations, corporate defendants, electronic data, multiple insurance policies, accident reconstruction experts, and legal issues that many lawyers rarely encounter. For more than two decades, Patrick Cruise has dedicated his…

On August 4, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit held that a primary shipping entity can be held vicariously liable as a statutory employer for the driver negligence of a subcontractor motor carrier. In Crane v. Penske Transp. Management, LLC., (5th Cir. Aug. 4, 2026), the Court held: This appeal concerns…

One of the most important concepts taught to every commercial truck driver is space management. Commercial motor vehicles are larger, heavier, and require significantly more distance to stop than passenger vehicles. As a result, maintaining adequate space around the truck is essential to preventing serious crashes. The Tennessee Commercial Driver License Manual emphasizes that safe…

Over the years, Patrick Cruise and The Hamilton Firm have earned the respect of fellow attorneys throughout Tennessee for handling complex trucking cases, catastrophic injury cases, and other serious personal injury litigation. Lawyers often refer cases or associate us as co-counsel when a case required experience, knowledge, and the resources to handle challenging litigation. At…

At The Hamilton Firm, we believe that recognition is earned one client at a time. We are honored to announce that Patrick Cruise has been selected to the Super Lawyers Tennessee Top 100, a distinction awarded to only a small percentage of attorneys in the state. While awards are never the reason we practice law,…

Few situations on the highway are more dangerous than encountering a stopped tractor-trailer in a travel lane. Whether the truck is disabled because of a mechanical failure, involved in a previous crash, or stopped for another reason, federal safety regulations impose specific duties on commercial drivers designed to protect the motoring public. Unfortunately, those duties…

The Hamilton Firm is proud to announce that attorney Patrick Cruise has been selected to Super Lawyers for the 13th time in his legal career. This honor reflects Patrick’s dedication to representing individuals and families who have suffered serious injuries as a result of trucking accidents, motor vehicle collisions, and other acts of negligence throughout…

Hiring a lawyer is not just about finding someone with a license, finding someone who can do the job, or even finding someone who has done it before. It is about finding someone who has the right experience, communication style, strategy, and fee structure for your specific problem. You want to find the right fit.…

Most personal injury cases settle before reaching a jury. However, the amount an insurance company is willing to pay often depends on one critical factor: whether the lawyer representing the injured person has the experience and willingness to take the case all the way to trial. Insurance companies and their lawyers evaluate risk every day.…

Commercial truck drivers play a critical role in keeping goods moving across the country. However, the demands of the trucking industry can sometimes lead drivers and trucking companies to prioritize deadlines over safety. One of the most common causes of serious truck wrecks is a violation of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Hours…