Monteagle, TN — November 21, 2025, one person was injured in a truck accident at about 5:45 a.m. on eastbound Interstate 24.

Authorities said two semi-trucks were involved in a crash near West Main Street/U.S. Route 41A, with at least one of them catching fire.

One driver was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries after the crash, according to authorities.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Grundy County crash at this time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When people hear about a crash involving two 18-wheelers, especially one where a truck caught fire and someone ended up in the hospital, they naturally want to know: How did this happen? Was anyone at fault? And is the public getting the full story?

As of now, there’s no official word on what led to this early-morning crash on I-24. That means several critical questions remain unanswered. Was one of the trucks stopped or stalled on the highway? Did one of the drivers make an unsafe maneuver? Were either of them distracted, fatigued or otherwise impaired? Depending on the answers, very different legal conclusions could follow.

Without that information, it’s impossible to say where fault lies—but that doesn’t mean we’re left to guess. In my experience, getting to the truth in these situations starts with evidence that’s already out there, if someone takes the time to get it.

For instance, both trucks likely had engine control modules, which function like a “black box.” These can show speed, braking, sudden steering inputs or whether cruise control was engaged. If a truck was stopped in a live lane without proper warnings, that’s going to show up too, especially if dash cam footage is recovered.

Cell phone records can also shed light on whether a driver was texting or talking at the time of the crash. In-cab cameras, if present, might reveal whether either driver fell asleep or was distracted. And then there are the trucks themselves: if one caught fire, that raises the possibility of mechanical issues or post-crash fuel leakage, both of which deserve close scrutiny.

It’s also fair to ask whether either driver should have been on the road in the first place. I’ve handled cases where drivers had long records of unsafe behavior, but the company failed to vet them properly. Or where a trucking company’s scheduling practices encouraged drivers to cut corners on sleep just to make delivery windows. Those aren't excuses. They’re decisions that could make a company liable.

Ultimately, the public shouldn’t be satisfied with vague statements or partial reports. A thorough investigation using modern tools — black box data, video, electronic logs and hiring records — can provide answers that the initial reports don’t.

Key Takeaways:

• Authorities haven’t said what caused the crash, so key questions remain unanswered.
• Black box data, dash cams, and cell phone records can help clarify what each driver was doing.
• Whether a truck was moving or stopped at the time of impact makes a big difference in legal responsibility.
• If fire was involved, mechanical failure or poor maintenance might also be part of the story.
• Trucking company policies and hiring decisions can also contribute to these kinds of wrecks.