Big rigs travel up and down the road every day, transporting goods all across Jackson and throughout Mississippi. While most of them reach their destination without any issues, there are occasions when these massive vehicles collide with other cars on the road.
These accidents tend to cause substantial injuries and damage due to the size and weight of the truck involved. Anyone at the other end of the crash could be left with life-altering impairments and even, in some cases, fatal injuries.
Truck drivers and their employers must act under strict guidelines. When they ignore safety precautions or engage in reckless behavior, it can all lead to catastrophic results. The worst part of these incidents is that an innocent victim has their life completely changed due to the negligence and recklessness of another individual.
However, there is hope. You have legal options if you have been involved in this type of incident with a large commercial vehicle.
Recovering from these injuries and medical bills is often a long road for the victims and their families. We understand that your focus should be on recovery rather than negotiating with insurance companies or handling legal matters.
We have a team of legal professionals ready to work on your case. With assistance from a Jackson truck accident lawyer, we can ensure you receive the compensation you deserve from those responsible for your injuries and other losses.
Contact Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC today if you are ready to discuss your case.
How Common Are Tractor-Trailer Wrecks in Mississippi?
In 2021, 494,000 police-reported crashes involved large trucks across the United States, per the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. At least 98 of those were fatal trucking accidents that occurred in Mississippi, according to additional FMCSA data. These tractor-trailer collisions are an unfortunate part of life in Jackson, MS.
Types of Trucking Accidents in Hinds County That Our Attorneys Handle
Over the years, our law firm has assisted clients who have been involved in a variety of truck accidents in Jackson, such as:
- Jackknife accidents
- Underride accidents
- Head-on crashes
- Blind spot accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Rear-end accidents
Often, these accidents are the result of several factors. At Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC, our attorneys can help you determine the cause of the accident and identify the liable parties for your losses.
What Is the Number One Cause of Semi-Truck Collisions in Jackson?
There could be one or multiple reasons for an accident with a truck. However, most of the time, these incidents are caused by human error. Some of the leading contributing factors to truck-involved wrecks here include:
Fatigued Driving
While there are rules in place to keep everyone on the road safe, not everyone abides by them. For example, some trucking companies require drivers to work a heavy schedule, often to the detriment of their safety and health.
In the United States, the FMCSA mandates that truckers follow hours of service regulations. With these laws, truck drivers are only allowed to drive for a maximum of 11 hours, with 10 hours set as off-time or rest time. Along with that, all truck drivers must take a 30-minute break after driving for a period of eight hours without a rest period.
Drivers who do not follow these regulations risk becoming fatigued, which can affect their ability to handle a big rig on the road. A tired trucker in Mississippi will have slower reflexes and reduced awareness, which can increase the likelihood of them crashing their truck into other vehicles.
Distracted Driving
Distracted motorists are a leading cause of accidents in the United States. Personal or work phones, in-cab devices, or even the radio are just some examples of different items that may distract truckers. Just taking their eyes off the road for one second can lead to a devastating Jackson truck accident.
Speeding
Another cause of an accident is speed. When drivers are behind on their delivery schedule, they may speed to catch up on time. Unfortunately, a speeding truck can cause serious injuries and damage. Due to the vehicle’s weight, stopping before crashing into another vehicle can be difficult.
Unfortunately, the above are only a few examples of why a catastrophic truck accident in Jackson may occur. Other contributing factors that may result in a truck crash may include:
Bad Weather
Jackson does see its share of bad weather, from torrential downpours to freezing ice. Weather conditions can impact vehicle handling on the road, especially for a large truck. Slippery surfaces or a gust of wind can cause the driver to lose control and collide with other vehicles.
Improper Loading
All trucks must be loaded correctly. If not, the bulk of the load can affect how the vehicle maneuvers on the road. Sometimes, improperly loaded cargo will shift during a turn or move around after a sudden stop, leading to rollovers or jackknifing.
Mechanical Failures
Like cars, trucks, and SUVs, big rig drivers need to maintain the safety of their vehicles. Unfortunately, without the proper maintenance, or if there is a faulty part, it can lead to tire blowouts, brake malfunctions, or other problems. If the accident was caused by negligence of the manufacturer or even a mechanic, they could be held liable for any injuries, damages, and other losses stemming from the Jackson truck accident.
Have You Suffered These Injuries in an 18-Wheeler Wreck?
In a truck crash, victims rarely walk away without unscathed. Common injuries Jackson truck accident victims often are left with include:
- Head and brain injuries: The sudden impact or penetration by a foreign object often damages brain tissue. Victims can experience everything from mild concussions to severe cognitive impairments. Recovering from a brain or head injury requires continuous medical treatment and rehabilitation.
- Spinal cord injuries: The force of a truck collision can cause spinal cord injuries, resulting in partial or complete paralysis. These injuries affect mobility, bodily functions, and overall quality of life. Rehabilitation often involves intensive therapy and adaptive technologies to help with daily activities.
- Broken bones: Many individuals can suffer from broken bones, which may result in temporary immobilization. In severe cases, nerve damage or arthritis may occur. Treatment includes surgeries, casts, or braces, followed by physical therapy.
- Internal injuries. Organ damage or internal bleeding is possible due to the force exerted on the body. These injuries may not always be immediately apparent and can worsen without medical intervention. Surgery and ongoing monitoring are often required for recovery.
- Cuts and bruises: The violent impact can lead to cuts, scrapes, and deep lacerations from broken glass, metal, or other debris. Often, these injuries may require stitches and, in some cases, plastic surgery to minimize scarring and promote healing.
The above is just a sample of the type of injuries you may experience from a truck crash. If you or someone you love has suffered these or other injuries in a truck accident, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll it can take on your life. Our Pittman Roberts & Welsh, PLLC team can help you seek the compensation you deserve. Get in touch with us to speak with a Jackson truck accident lawyer about your potential case today.
Who Is Liable in a Jackson Trucking Accident?
Deterring liability in any type of accident is complex, but trucking accidents require a full analysis of several factors. In any case, the reckless and negligent parties must be identified. Whether through intentional action or omission, their negligence led to the truck accident in Jackson, MS that harmed you. In many cases, liable parties may include:
The Truck Driver
Generally, the first person assigned blame for an accident is the operator of the tractor-trailer. Often, these individuals drive under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or even prescription medication. They may even take the road while fatigued or fail to abide by traffic laws. All that can result in devastating truck accidents in Hinds County.
The Trucker’s Employer
Along with that, the trucking company can also be accountable for the actions of their employees. While most companies properly train their drivers, others will allow inexperienced individuals to operate a vehicle. Also, these companies might not perform background checks on their employees, resulting in dangerous drivers getting behind the wheel.
The Truck Manufacturer
Mechanical faults can account for trucking accidents in Jackson. If a defective part was used when manufacturing the original or after-market part installed on the truck itself, and it failed, then the manufacturers could be liable for any damages the accident caused. Sometimes, these companies will recall a vehicle, but other times, they may ignore the problem until a catastrophic event, like a crash, occurs.
Government Entities
In cases where a poorly maintained road or poor signage has led to an accident, a governmental entity can potentially be held responsible for it. Since these parties are responsible for keeping roads in proper condition, they can be held liable for a truck-involved wreck if they fail to do this.
At Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC, we will help you identify the negligent party that caused the truck crash that injured you so that you can take legal action to recover any damages you’re due.
Proving Truck Accident Cases in Mississippi
Remember that personal injury cases center around four key elements, which are:
- The driver had a duty of care to keep others safe on the road
- That individual breached their duty of care
- The breach caused damages
- The victim suffered documentable losses in the accident
Provided you or your Jackson truck accident attorney can establish these elements in your case, it’s unlikely that you’ll have difficulty in recovering compensation for your crash-related losses.
What Type of Compensation Can I Recover in a Tractor-Trailer Crash Lawsuit in Hinds County?
Following an accident with a big rig, you may be able to seek several types of compensation, such as:
Economic Damages
These quantifiable financial losses were incurred as a result of your semi-truck wreck. They can include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation and other treatment costs
- Lost wages or future earnings
Noneconomic Damages
These are less tangible losses that don’t have a direct monetary value. However, they impact your life. These damages can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder
- Losses of companionship or consortium negatively affect relationships with a spouse, children, or other family members
In the unfortunate event that there’s a fatality, a wrongful death lawsuit may be filed. This type of lawsuit seeks to compensate for the final expenses of the deceased, such as:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of companionship
Not every case will qualify for these damages. If you would like to learn more about compensation available to you in your specific case, please schedule a consultation with a Jackson trucking accident lawyer at our firm.
What Should I Do After an Accident With a Big Rig?
After a crash with a truck, you will want to check on everyone involved in the accident. If there are immediate injuries, make sure to call 911. Even if you feel fine after the 18-wheeler crash, always schedule an examination with a medical provider.
If you can, make sure to document the scene. Take pictures and videos, or write down what happened. Along with that, you will want to get the truck driver’s information, including their insurance information and the name of the trucking company.
While you may want to contact your insurance company, you might want to make your next call to an experienced Jackson truck accident lawyer. In these cases, the attorney will handle all communications about the accident, even to your own insurance company. An attorney can be an available resource during this time.
Why You Need Legal Help for Your Case
Trucking accident cases are very complex, and they often have higher instances of severe injuries, property damages, and even death than compared to other types of incidents. Plus, these cases usually require working with several insurance companies, most of whom don’t want to provide you with the compensation you may be entitled to.
For all these reasons, you will want to work with an experienced legal representative on your case. You can count on your Jackson truck accident attorney and the rest of the legal team will:
- Determine the cause of the accident: The first step with any personal injury case is determining liability. We’ll analyze the factors that lead to a tractor-trailer collision and hold those responsible parties accountable for their action.
- Examine evidence: All cases rely on a solid foundation of evidence. Surveillance footage, the vehicle’s black box, witness account, police reports, photographs, and videos will all play a role in your case. And our truck accident lawyers will closely examine the evidence to help build a claim in your favor.
- File all the paperwork on time: Along with that, in the state of Mississippi, there is a specific time limit for filing lawsuits. This statute of limitations is only three years (Mississippi Code § 15-1-49) from the time of the accident. If you don’t start a lawsuit within this period after the truck wreck, you may lose your legal right to pursue compensation. Keep in mind that there are certain exceptions to these rules. But they only apply in specific circumstances. Also, some deadlines are shorter. For example, if you need to file against a governmental entity, then the timeline is one year ( 15-1-49) from the accident.
- Negotiate with insurers on your behalf: We will work diligently to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. We’ll use all the evidence to strengthen your claim. Our truck crash attorneys understand the tactics used by insurance companies. We’ll overcome those obstacles to get a fair settlement on your behalf.
- Advocate for your rights: No matter whether your case is settled during negotiations or must be resolved in a courtroom, our will be your advocate every step of the way. We will ensure that you understand your options and clearly communicate as we proceed throughout the legal process. We will make sure you are our top priority.
Reach Out to a Jackson Truck Accident Lawyer
Accidents involving tractor-trailers can be extremely complex due to the various legal considerations that come into play, such as regulations governing commercial vehicles, the maintenance records of the truck involved, trucking company policies and procedures, and the specific circumstances surrounding the accident. You need a skilled Jackson truck accident lawyer to ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries, damages, and other losses.
Our truck accident attorneys will evaluate your case, determine the full extent of your damages, and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to ensure that you receive a fair settlement.
Remember, you are not alone. We are here to provide you with the guidance, support, and legal advice you deserve during this time. Find out what our law office can offer you. Reach out to our office today for a complimentary consultation with a truck crash lawyer.
