Trucks and trailers are common on the roads of Mississippi, especially on interstate and major highways. Accidents with these enormous vehicles can be disastrous or even deadly, and negligent drivers must be held accountable.
Distracted driving, intoxication behind the wheel, and traffic violations are common causes of truck accidents. They can also be caused by equipment malfunctions on the truck. While an insurance claim is certainly possible, your potential damages might be limited by the terms of the insurance policy. A lawsuit can help you recover damages from the negligent driver and the trucking company that hired the driver. Economic damages may include extremely high medical bills and the value of your totaled car. Non-economic damages might involve pain, suffering, and the lasting effects of any long-term or permanent injuries.
Trucks are so dangerous that truck drivers must constantly be on their guard to prevent accidents. When truck drivers slip up, others on the road might be hurt. Our Mississippi truck accident attorneys can work to get you compensation to pay for your damages. Call Howe Law for a free case review at (844) 876-4357.
How and Where Truck Accidents Can Happen in Mississippi
Truck accidents happen more often on major highways and interstates because these are common trucking routes. Small residential streets are often off-limits to larger vehicles, including most trucks. Highways are particularly dangerous places for accidents because there are often so many other cars on the road, and multiple drivers might end up hurt in a crash.
Distracted driving is a serious concern among all drivers, not just truckers. When truck drivers are distracted from the road, they could cause serious accidents. Truck drivers must remain focused because a large truck is very hard to stop if the trucker brakes on short notice.
Driver fatigue is a big problem in the trucking industry. Truckers often make long trips while under pressure to deliver goods as quickly as possible. This often means that truckers forego sleep so they can make their delivery deadlines. Although trucking companies are legally required to give their truckers time to rest, these rules are only sometimes followed. Many severe accidents have occurred because truck drivers fell asleep at the wheel. If trucking safety standards are ignored, our Mississippi truck accident lawyers can step in and help you hold people accountable.
Equipment failures are also responsible for a lot of truck accidents. Trucks are so large and heavy that numerous pieces of safety equipment are required to make sure trucks remain safe. For example, the underride bar prevents vehicles from becoming wedged under the truck in case of a collision. The trailer hitch connects the trailer to the truck. If either of these pieces of equipment malfunctioned, a very serious accident could occur.
Filing an Insurance Claim After a Truck Accident
Insurance is often the first thing people think of after an accident. All drivers, including truckers, must carry insurance, which is meant to help people pay for their damages. Unfortunately, insurance often does not work out for many injured drivers. Our Mississippi truck accident lawyers can help you file an insurance claim and take further legal action if the insurance claim does not pan out.
Mississippi is a fault-based insurance state, meaning injured drivers must file third-party claims against other drivers’ insurance. It also means that you must prove to the insurance company that the other driver is at fault for the crash before getting any compensation.
Unfortunately, even if your claim is successful, your compensation may be limited by the insurance policy’s terms. Truck accidents are known for being catastrophic, and damages can be very high. Your total damages might exceed the limits of the truck driver’s insurance policy. Not only that, but many insurance policies will not cover non-economic injuries like your pain and suffering.
Who You Can Sue for a Mississippi Truck Accident
A lawsuit can help you recover damages that might otherwise be limited or unavailable through insurance. You also have several options when it comes to whom you can sue. Of course, you can sue the trucker who caused the accident. You can also sue the trucking company that hired the negligent trucker in many cases. You can even name additional drivers if they contributed to the accident.
You can sue the truck driver and hold them liable for their negligence. The truck driver is often the last person who can prevent a truck accident. They also have an important duty of care and safety on the road. Violations of this duty may open the truck driver to liability, and our Mississippi truck accident attorneys can help you make them cover your expenses.
You can also sue the trucking company that hired the negligent truck driver, depending on the circumstances. Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, employers may be vicariously liable for their employee’s negligence. The trucker’s negligence must have occurred in the course of their normal job duties for the trucking company to be vicariously liable. Even if the trucking company cannot be held vicariously liable, they might be liable for negligent hiring if they knew the trucker could not be trusted behind the wheel.
Possible Damages in Mississippi Truck Accident Cases
Economic damages may be covered by insurance or a lawsuit and encompass the actual monetary expenses encountered by an injured plaintiff. The bulk of many economic damages for truck accidents is medical bills. Plaintiffs often suffer severe or permanent injuries after a car accident, and medical treatment can be expensive. If you need ongoing or long-term care, you can also claim the value of future medical costs in your damages calculations.
Non-economic damages are often only available in a personal injury lawsuit and are related to your personal experiences with the accident. Emotional and physical pain and suffering may necessitate high non-economic damages, especially if you experience permanent injuries or disfigurement. Other possible non-economic damages include humiliation, the loss of enjoyment of life, and damage to your reputation.
Contact Our Mississippi Truck Accident Attorneys for a Free Evaluation of Your Case
If you were hurt in a truck accident, the trucker, trucking company, and anyone else who bears responsibility should be brought to justice. Our Mississippi truck accident lawyers are here to help you while you recover from your injuries. Call Howe Law for a free case review at (844) 876-4357.
