If you or a loved one has been harmed in a cargo truck accident in Mississippi, the aftermath can be overwhelming. Mounting medical bills, lost wages, and understanding your legal rights makes this time challenging. Fortunately, our experienced cargo truck accident attorneys have your back. At Giddens Law Firm, our Mississippi truck accident lawyers focus on ensuring that you, as a victim of a cargo truck accident, get justice.

We work to secure financial compensation and offer dedicated legal representation throughout your case. Call us today for a free consultation, and let us help you during this difficult time.

What Is a Cargo Truck?

A cargo truck, a freight truck, or a commercial truck is a large vehicle used to move goods from one location or the other. They are essential to the transportation industry, helping to haul various goods, from consumer products to industrial materials, across long distances. Cargo trucks come in different sizes and configurations based on the nature of their cargo; some common types include 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, box trucks, flatbed trucks, tanker trucks, and tractor-trailers. While these trucks are vital to the economy, they can be dangerous on the highway due to their size and weight.

Causes of Cargo Truck Accidents in Mississippi

In 2022, there were 5,837 fatal large truck accidents (National Safety Council(NSC), 2023). Cargo truck accidents can result from:

Driver fatigue

It can cloud a tired driver’s judgment and reaction time due to the long hours on the road and the demanding programs of these drivers.

Speeding

Some drivers drive higher than limits or overspeed in road conditions, making it challenging to maintain control during an 18-wheeler accident. Speed can sometimes trigger a rollover, tumble, or jackknife in commercial vehicles.

Improper loading or overloading of cargo

Securing and balancing cargo in an organized and informed manner is critical. Failure to do so can result in massive accidents, such as rollovers, or the driver losing control. If the cargo is dangerous to expose when airborne or explosive, matters can be much more complicated.

Mechanical breakdowns

These are often caused by defective truck parts and inadequate maintenance of such parts, brake failures, or electrical system failures; stopping and signaling are absolute musts.

Unfavorable weather conditions

Slippery roads, fog, and heavy storms can pose hazardous conditions for managing commercial vehicles.

Distracted driving

Using electronic devices, eating food, or other acts distract the driver from driving dangerously.

Why You Need an Experienced Mississippi Truck Accident Lawyer

Dealing with the aftermath of a cargo truck accident in Mississippi can be overwhelming, especially when you are grappling with injuries, medical bills, and complicated legal processes. Hiring a cargo truck accident lawyer to protect your rights is important. Commercial vehicle accidents can be complicated with many potential liable parties.

You need a well-informed Mississippi truck accident attorney with the experience, knowledge, and skillset to help provide legal advice. You need a truck accident lawyer at the Giddens Law Firm.

How to Pursue a Truck Accident Claim or Lawsuit Against a Cargo Trucking Company

There could be several liable parties, such as the cargo truck driver, the company that the cargo truck is part of, cargo loaders, etc. Your truck accident attorney can help to initiate a claim or lawsuit against a cargo trucking company:

• Gather evidence, Including photos of the accident scene, witnesses’ testimonies, police reports, and surveillance camera footage, and secure the electronic logging device data (EDAs) to present a solid case on your behalf.
• Identify who may be held liable: Truck accidents are different from car accidents which usually have only two liable parties. In a truck crash, possible liable parties may be the truck driver, the company responsible for this cargo truck, the cargo workers who loaded the truck, or the manufacturer of the truck’s parts.
• Consult with an attorney: An experienced truck crash lawyer at Giddens Law can identify the liable party, submit a claim to the insurance company responsible for what happened, and communicate with the agents on your behalf.
• File a claim: Formalize seeking compensation for your injury, lost wages, work capacity, pain and suffering, and property damage by completing a claim. Severe injuries and catastrophic injuries, such as brain injuries or spinal cord injuries, may require extended care, and documentation must be kept for everything.
• Negotiations: An attorney will negotiate for you with an insurance company for a fair settlement.
• Consider litigation: In cases where the insurance company refuses to accept your demands and offers significantly less payment than you intended, you may receive, attempt to negotiate or move ahead with a lawsuit. A knowledgeable attorney knows when to shift accordingly in your best interest.
• Participate in mediation and arbitration: Hire legal counsel to protect your rights.
• In the event of a fatality, family members will need to file a wrongful death claim. These should be filed with counsel by your side, especially at such a devastating time. Consult a personal injury lawyer to understand your rights; the initial free case evaluation.

Cargo Truck Accident Attorneys: Expert Insurance Negotiators

Protecting Your Rights Against Insurance Companies

Insurance companies will likely come forward with an early low settlement offer for your motor vehicle accident, hoping you will accept a small amount with no questions. Sometimes, insurers will use the passage of time and the need for income to get victims to accept much less than what is fair. This is where a reputable truck accident lawyer knows how to negotiate in your favor.

A truck attorney will handle all negotiations with insurance companies and their attorneys to safeguard your rights. Your Mississippi cargo truck accident lawyer will seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. By handling the negotiations, your attorney will help you get fair compensation and avoid falling for low offers or other tricks.

Your Mississippi Cargo Truck Accident Lawyer: Arbitration, and Mediation

If the settlement offer that the insurance adjuster offers is too low, negotiations may lead to arbitration and mediation before bringing the case to court. These options provide practical, flexible, and cost-effective ways to resolve:

Arbitration

• Arbitration is a formal version of a trial where both sides present their evidence and arguments to a neutral person: an arbitrator. The arbitrator makes a final decision that everyone must accept.
• There are witnesses and evidence, and you can have a lawyer present, but the process is less formal and quicker than going to court.
• Disputes are addressed and resolved efficiently.

Mediation

• Mediation resolves disputes with the help of a neutral mediator who helps both sides talk and come to an agreement. Everyone agrees on mutually beneficial terms collectively.
• The mediator facilitates discussion and negotiation; both sides communicate their perspectives and then reach a voluntary agreement.
• Mediation is a good choice for resolving disputes because it is a collective resolve.

Giddens Law Wins Trucking Cases in Mississippi

Giddens Law Firm has a strong track record in winning trucking accident cases in Mississippi. We have helped victims win trucking cases in Mississippi for many years.

The Giddens Law Firm recently secured a $500,000 settlement for an injured passenger in a truck accident case, achieving the resolution shortly after filing the complaint. The turnaround and quick resolution highlight our efficiency and competency.

Our firm also negotiated a confidential settlement for neck and back surgeries. The total settlement exceeded $1 million, covering medical expenses, damages, and loss of wage claims.

Mississippi Cargo Truck Regulations

Mississippi is subject to regulations prohibiting the operation of commercial haulage, often known as cargo trucks, at both the state and national levels. The primary objective of these rules is to ensure the safety of the drivers, their passengers, and others who might utilize the roads the respective state provides.

A Mississippi truck accident lawyer has a thorough knowledge of state and federal trucking regulations and the intricacies of personal injury law; they know what it takes to present a solid case on your behalf.

Mississippi Commercial Truck Driver State Regulations for Cargo Trucks

License registration: Commercial cargo vehicles must register and get their commercial driver’s license to use the state’s roads. Mississippi has a CDL (commercial driver license) testing that must be fulfilled and preserved to permit one to operate certain classes of commercial trucks.

Weight limits: Mississippi imposes weight restrictions on commercial cargo trucks to avoid increased road and bridge wear and tear.

Vehicle Inspections: Mississippi’s commercial cargo cars are subject to regular verification to ensure they fulfill their safety obligations and are in excellent working form.

Hours of Service: Mississippi state enforces hours of service rules and restrictions to reduce trucker exhaustion and crashes related to sleepiness.

Insurance necessity: Mississippi requires motor carriers, tractor-trailers, and semi-trucks alike to have motor vehicle insurance liability that shields them from possible harm in the event of an accident when driving cargo trucks.

Commercial Truck Driver Federal Regulations for Cargo Trucks

As per the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) there are a number of federal regulations for commercial vehicles:
Hours of Service: These are the national rules for maximum hours commercial drivers can stay behind the steering wheel.

Vehicle maintenance: Requires regular investigation and cargo truck maintenance to ensure roadworthiness.

Drug and Alcohol Test: Truckers transporting approved commodities must test for drug and alcohol levels regularly.

Event Data Recorder: These machines track a driver’s service hours electronically – as a result, they substitute paper logs.

Combining state and federal regulations is vital in improving safety and lowering the number of cargo trucks involved in accidents. Compliance with these guidelines is meant to promote the successful operation of all Mississippi drivers who must use commercial vehicles. This is also critical for screening cargo crashes for liability.

Call Giddens Law for Your Free Consultation

If you’ve been in a commercial truck accident in Mississippi, contact Giddens Law Firm. Our experienced lawyers know how to handle trucking cases and will get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses. We have the skills and resources to take on trucking companies and get results. Your initial consultation is free, and you only pay if we win your case. Don’t wait—call us today!