Accidents involving large trucks are a common cause of motor vehicle injuries and deaths. Throughout 2018, there were 31.14 fatal truck accidents per one million people in Mississippi. This statistic puts Mississippi behind just Wyoming and North Dakota as the third most dangerous state in the country for fatal truck accidents. Further, while large trucks make up only 5% of registered vehicles, they are involved in 9% of deadly crashes. Unfortunately, these devastating accidents are only becoming more common.
Being injured in a truck accident can have life-altering ramifications. A truck’s sheer size causes more damage than what is seen in other types of auto accidents. Truck crashes often involve more vehicles and cause more injuries. To make matters worse, more parties face potential liability in a truck accident, so sorting through the chaos and finding a party liable can be more difficult for truck crash victims.
At Harris Law Firm, PLLC, we understand the importance of holding the responsible parties liable after a truck accident. We have been seeking justice for clients injured in auto accidents since 1981. When you work with Harris Law Firm, an experienced Starkville truck accident attorney will take the time to get to know you and your case and provide the highest quality service. If you have been injured in an auto accident, contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Large trucks are inherently more dangerous than lighter-weight vehicles. While on the road in such a large truck, many things can go wrong and cause a truck crash. Common causes of truck accidents include the following:
- Poorly maintained roads,
- Improperly loaded cargo,
- Reckless driving,
- Distracted driving,
- Fatigued driving,
- Manufacturing defects,
- Improper maintenance,
- Negligent scheduling,
- Inexperienced drivers,
- Tailgating,
- Impaired driving,
- Speeding,
- Brake failure, and
- Failure to take proper precautions.
In most cases, some form of negligence or recklessness is a direct cause of a truck crash. If someone else’s negligence or recklessness causes an injury, you can hold them liable for the damage done. A Starkville truck accident lawyer can help you determine the cause of your truck accident.
Common Injuries
Truck crash injuries can be catastrophic. Common injuries to look out for include the following:
- Spinal cord injuries,
- Back and neck injuries,
- Whiplash,
- Concussions,
- Hemorrhaging,
- Deep lacerations,
- Burns,
- Amputation,
- Disfigurement,
- Paralyzation,
- Broken bones,
- Deep contusions, and
- Traumatic brain injuries.
It is critical to seek immediate medical attention after being in a truck accident, even if you feel fine. Many significant injuries can be hard to spot in the immediate aftermath of an accident without a thorough medical examination.
What to Do After Being Injured in a Truck Accident
You should take several steps immediately after being involved in a truck accident.
Call 911
The quicker medical professionals and police get to the scene, the better. The safety of everyone involved is the most urgent issue after the crash. If you can not call 911, ask someone else to do so.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
If there is any chance you were injured, do not just try to walk it off. A thorough medical examination can help you spot life-threatening injuries you are unaware of, such as internal bleeding or a traumatic brain injury. Seeing a doctor as soon as possible will also help prove your injuries in court as you seek compensation.
Collect Evidence
Collect witness contact information, insurance information, videos, and pictures of the crash site as soon as you can. A truck accident attorney in Starkville, MS, will be able to use whatever evidence you collect to help prove your claim.
Avoid Unnecessary Statements
Any statements you make might be used against you during settlement negotiations or at trial. These statements include posts on social media. It is best to keep your comments as terse as possible and only provide information that you must. It is also critical to never admit any level of fault.
Contact an Attorney
A truck accident lawyer in Starkville, MS, can help identify any further steps you should take. They will also help protect your rights against insurance companies and at-fault parties.
File an Insurance Claim
Filing an insurance claim after a truck accident can be difficult. It is usually unclear who is at fault in the immediate aftermath of a crash before an investigation occurs. But you can work with an attorney to file an insurance claim against any parties that might be at fault.
Who Can You Hold Liable for Truck Accident Injuries?
Truck accidents involve several factors, and many different people might be at fault for causing the accident.
Driver
Truck drivers are responsible for operating their vehicles safely and ensuring proper vehicle maintenance. Drivers are often at least partially at fault in truck accidents.
Trucking Companies
Trucking companies must ensure their drivers are trained and qualified to operate their vehicles. They can also be responsible for truck maintenance and making sure their drivers comply with safety regulations, such as getting enough sleep. Unfortunately, it is common for trucking companies to act negligently by setting unreasonable working schedules for their drivers.
Cargo Owner
The cargo owner is sometimes responsible for loading the truck. Whoever loads the shipment can be held liable for a failure to load and secure the cargo properly.
Truck or Parts Manufacturers
When a component fails and leads to an accident, the manufacturer might be primarily at fault.
Maintenance Companies
Proper maintenance is essential to operate a heavy truck safely. If the maintenance company fails to perform maintenance adequately, they might be liable.
Vehicle Inspectors
A vehicle inspector or inspection company could be liable if they give a truck a passing grade when it should fail an inspection.
Multiple Party Liability
It is often the case that multiple parties are jointly responsible for the failures that lead to a truck accident. In Mississippi, the trier of fact (the judge or jury) assigns each at-fault party a percentage of the blame. These parties are then each liable for that percentage of damages. Unlike in some other states, joint and several liability—where every party is responsible for the full amount of damages—is only available when defendants deliberately commit a tortious act together.
Call Harris Law Firm Now!
Our firm’s primary focus is recovering damages for people injured through the negligence of others. A Starkville truck accident lawyer from Harris Law Firm can help you hold the negligent party accountable and get the money you need. If you have been injured in a truck accident, contact us now.