Vehicle crashes are one of the country’s top 10 leading causes of death. And Mississippi leads the nation with the highest rate of fatal car accidents. These harrowing statistics highlight the dangers that many people face when traveling on Mississippi roadways.
The severity of an accident depends on many factors, but truck accidents involving 18-wheelers and semi-trucks tend to lead to the most catastrophic damages. Those who have suffered injuries in an 18-wheeler or trucking accident should consult the Jackson truck accident lawyers at the Harris Law Firm, PLLC, to determine their rights and remedies.
Rate of Trucking Accidents
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that approximately 30,000 people have died from vehicle crashes in the U.S. every year since 1949. The most recent annual edition of Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) indicates that of approximately 415,000 reported accidents involving large trucks, there were 4,444 fatal crashes and 101,000 injury crashes. The data shows a 27% increase in fatal large truck crashes over the past decade.
More specifically, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that Mississippi has a fatality rate of 25.4 per 100,000 people. According to the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Jackson metro area is one of the top three districts with the highest crash frequencies. Also of significance is that the MS-25 and US-51 in Jackson are included in the top seven most crash-prone highway locations.
JACKSON TRUCK ACCIDENT HELP
Hurt In A Jackson Truck Accident?
Truck accident cases often involve more than one liable party, the driver, the trucking company, or even the vehicle’s manufacturer, and Jackson’s own roads rank among Mississippi’s highest for crash frequency. Our team can help you find out who’s actually responsible and what your claim is worth.
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Causes of Jackson Trucking and 18-Wheeler Accidents
Many factors can contribute to a truck accident in Jackson. The causes of truck accidents often vary depending on where the crash occurs. However, data indicates that the frequencies of vehicle crashes in metropolitan and coastal areas in Mississippi are relatively high. Some of the factors that impact the likelihood of a trucking accident include:
- Driver error,
- Vehicle design and manufacture,
- Highway conditions, and
- Weather conditions.
The previously cited FMCSA study also found the following:
- Driver error accounted for 87% of total truck crashes;
- Vehicle issues made up 10% of total truck crashes; and
- Environmental factors accounted for 3% of total truck crashes.
In addition, researchers found that hundreds of associated factors were involved in large truck accidents. Accident victims should consult with a Jackson truck accident attorney to discuss how causation will factor into their personal injury claims.
Ready to Speak to a Jackson Truck accident lawyer?
If you were recently injured in a Truck accident, you shouldn’t face it alone. We want to hear from you. Simply fill out the form below and we will contact you to set up a consultation. We just need some brief information:
Potentially Liable Parties in Truck Accident Claim
Generally, a driver who causes a Mississippi truck accident will be held liable for the victim’s damages in a civil lawsuit. But car drivers and occupants who suffered injuries in a truck accident might find that more than one party was at-fault or responsible for their damages.
Truck Driver
Truck driver error is one of the leading causes of semi-truck and tractor-trailer accidents. Despite screening, training, and licensure requirements, many truck drivers engage in negligent behavior while operating their large vehicles. Truck drivers could be held liable for an accident if they engaged in any of the following conduct:
- Driving while impaired by prescription or illegal drugs,
- Driving while intoxicated,
- Driving while fatigued,
- Texting while driving,
- Speeding, or
- Reckless driving.
Establishing negligence requires a thorough investigation which might include the help of experts who can reconstruct the accident.
Trucking Company
Many trucking companies prioritize profits to the detriment of their employees and the general public. Despite federal truck driving regulations, many trucking companies put unrealistic and dangerous expectations on their drivers. Trucking companies could be found liable for an accident in cases if they did any of the following acts:
- Failed to screen, train, or monitor their drivers;
- Failed to maintain or repair their fleet correctly; or
- Encouraged driving for too many hours or encouraged the use of stimulants to stay awake.
Trucking companies could be held liable for their negligence or the negligence of their employees.
Truck Owner
In some situations, the trucking company may not own the truck involved in the accident. If an accident involves a poorly maintained truck, the truck owner may be responsible for their failure to ensure the safety of their vehicle.
Truck Manufacturer
Truck manufacturers might also be liable if the accident resulted from a defective or dangerous truck or truck part. Additionally, the entity that designed or installed a truck part may be responsible for damages to the victim.
Cargo Loader
Dislodged cargo can result in disaster and often lead to chain-reaction collisions. Cargo loaders who fail to load properly and secure items could be liable if those items become dislodged and cause an accident or injury.
Determining fault after a truck accident can be complex and often requires a comprehensive understanding of federal and state personal injury and product liability laws. Those who have suffered injuries in an accident should consult a semi-truck accident lawyer in Jackson to help them identify the liable parties.
Key Evidence in a Jackson Truck Accident Case
Truck accident cases often involve evidence that doesn’t exist in an ordinary car accident claim, since commercial trucking companies are subject to federal recordkeeping requirements. Depending on the circumstances of your crash, the following can help establish liability:
Electronic Logging Device (ELD) and Hours-of-Service Records
Federal regulations require most commercial truck drivers to log their driving hours electronically. These records can reveal whether a driver exceeded legal hours-of-service limits and was driving while fatigued.
Event Data Recorder (“Black Box”) Data
Many commercial trucks record speed, braking, and other data in the moments before a crash, which can help establish exactly what happened.
Driver Qualification File
Trucking companies are required to maintain records on each driver’s licensing, training, and safety history. This file can reveal whether the company adequately screened the driver before hiring them.
Vehicle Maintenance Records
Records of inspections and repairs can show whether the trucking company properly maintained the vehicle, or whether a mechanical failure contributed to the crash.
Drug and Alcohol Testing Records
Commercial drivers are subject to federal drug and alcohol testing requirements, including post-accident testing, which can be critical evidence in a truck accident claim.
Cargo Manifests and Loading Records
If dislodged or improperly secured cargo contributed to the crash, records of how the truck was loaded can help identify the cargo loader’s liability.
Police Crash Report and Witness Statements
As with any crash, the responding officer’s report and independent witness accounts help establish how the collision occurred.
Damages in a Mississippi Truck Accident Lawsuit
In Mississippi, personal injury claimants can pursue compensatory and, in rare cases, punitive damages.
Economic Damages
These are straightforward, verifiable financial losses:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Reduced earning capacity
Non-Economic Damages
These address the more subjective, personal impact of your injuries, which makes them harder to prove without an experienced attorney:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
Punitive Damages
Unlike compensatory damages, which work to compensate for the victim’s losses, punitive damages are designed to punish the at-fault party for egregious misconduct. They are difficult to secure and require proving by “clear and convincing” evidence that the at-fault party engaged in particularly malicious or wrongful conduct. Mississippi also places statutory caps on the amount of compensation a victim can secure.
What Affects Your Case Value
Several factors typically influence how much a truck accident claim is worth:
- The severity and permanence of your injuries
- How well your medical treatment is documented
- The strength of the liability evidence, including ELD and maintenance records
- The trucking company’s available insurance coverage, which is often significantly higher than a personal auto policy
- Whether more than one party (driver, company, manufacturer) shares liability
Where Your Jackson Truck Accident Case Is Heard
Truck accident lawsuits arising in Jackson are filed in the Hinds County Circuit Court, located at 407 E Pascagoula St, Jackson, MS. Circuit Court is Mississippi’s trial court for civil actions, including personal injury and truck accident claims, and it is where your case would be heard if a fair settlement cannot be reached with the trucking company or its insurer.
Harris Law Firm, PLLC has represented injured clients throughout Hinds County and is familiar with the procedures and filing requirements of the Hinds County court system.
Jackson Truck Accident Lawyer FAQs
Why is a truck accident claim different from a regular car accident claim?
Truck accidents often involve multiple potentially liable parties, such as the driver, the trucking company, the truck’s owner, or even the manufacturer, and federal trucking regulations create additional evidence, like hours-of-service logs, that don’t exist in an ordinary car accident case. We investigate all of these angles to identify every available source of compensation.
How quickly should I contact a lawyer after a truck accident?
As soon as possible. Trucking companies often send investigators to the scene quickly, and some evidence, like ELD data or dash-cam footage, can be lost or overwritten if it isn’t preserved right away.
How much does it cost to hire a Jackson truck accident lawyer?
We offer a free initial consultation, so you can discuss your case with us at no upfront cost or obligation. Ask us about the specific fee arrangement for your case during that consultation.
What if more than one party was responsible for the crash?
Mississippi allows you to pursue claims against multiple liable parties in the same case. We investigate whether the driver, the trucking company, the vehicle owner, the manufacturer, or a cargo loader shares responsibility.
Is an 18-wheeler accident the same as a truck accident?
Yes. “18-wheeler” refers to a tractor-trailer combination, one of the most common types of large commercial trucks on the road, and the same liability rules, federal trucking regulations, and evidence types (like ELD and maintenance records) apply whether you call it an 18-wheeler, semi-truck, or tractor-trailer accident.
How much is my 18-wheeler accident case worth?
Case value depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical expenses, lost wages, and the strength of the liability evidence. 18-wheeler cases often involve higher insurance policy limits than an ordinary car accident, since commercial trucking companies are required to carry substantial coverage. We can give you a realistic assessment after reviewing the specific facts of your crash.
What should I do immediately after being hit by an 18-wheeler in Jackson?
Call 911, seek medical attention even if you feel fine, photograph the scene if it’s safe to do so, and get contact and insurance information from everyone involved. Then contact us as soon as possible, since evidence specific to 18-wheeler cases, like ELD data and dash-cam footage, can be lost quickly.
Why should I choose Harris Law Firm for my Jackson truck accident case?
We have specific experience handling Mississippi truck accident claims and a track record of litigation experience, not just settlements. During your initial consultation, we’ll be upfront with you about the realistic strengths and weaknesses of your case.
Speak with Experienced Jackson Truck Accident Lawyers
If you or a loved one was recently involved in a truck accident, reach out to the dedicated personal injury and wrongful death attorneys at the Harris Law Firm for immediate assistance. At the Harris Law Firm, PLLC, our compassionate lawyers understand what you’ve been through. Therefore, we do everything possible to make the recovery stress free while maximizing your compensation. We have more than 40 years of combined experience helping to connect accident victims and grieving families with the compensation they need. To schedule a free consultation with a Jackson truck accident lawyer today, call 662-335-4171. You can also reach us through our online contact form.