Dump Truck Accident Lawyer

Were You Injured in an Accident With a Dump Truck? Get the Help You Need Today

For decades, the Mississippi dump truck accident lawyer at Giddens Law Firm, P.A. has been helping accident victims throughout the state with their dump truck accident claims. We understand how difficult these claims can be and chances are the insurance company wants you to settle as soon as possible. But before you sign any documents, it’s always best to speak with our dump truck accident lawyer to learn your rights and get a better understanding of how much your case is worth. We offer a free case review to anyone who was injured in a trucking accident anywhere in Mississippi. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.

Do I Need a Truck Accident Attorney After a Dump Truck Accident?

If you were severely injured in a dump truck accident, chances are you are not sure what you should be doing next. All you know is that you are facing a huge financial debt that you cannot afford. The insurance company may be calling you constantly, wanting you to sign the settlement agreement. But how do you know if that amount will cover not only your current expenses but your future ones?

That’s why it’s crucial to speak with a Mississippi truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Once they learn more about your injuries and what happened in the accident, our dump truck accident attorney can explain what you should do next and provide an estimate of how much your accident is worth.

By hiring a dump truck accident attorney in Mississippi, you will feel safe in the knowledge that someone is watching out for your interests. Not only will your accident attorney represent you in the courtroom, but will help in the following ways:

• Gather evidence that will prove who is at fault for the accident. This includes speaking with eyewitnesses, getting video footage and photos from the accident scene if available, hiring expert witnesses, and obtaining the police report and the dump truck driver’s logbooks.
• Estimate the value of your truck accident claim.
• Negotiate with the insurance companies to make sure you receive the maximum amount of compensation for your accident.
• Provide legal advice on what your next steps should be once a settlement has been offered.
• Fight for your rights in a court of law

Accident claims can be difficult to navigate on your own. You’ll need the assistance of an experienced attorney who has a track record of getting compensation for truck accident victims throughout Mississippi. Contact our Jackson dump truck accident lawyer today for more information.

What Should I Do Following a Dump Truck Accident?

What you do after a dump truck accident is crucial to your case, so it’s important what your next steps should be in the days following a dump truck accident. Your first step is to seek medical attention as soon as possible. After any type of accident, it can be difficult to know what type of injuries you suffered because of the adrenaline and shock of the incident. It may take a few hours or days to start feeling the effects of the truck crash. So seek medical assistance as soon as possible. If you do not go to the hospital at the scene of the accident, then make sure you follow up with your personal physician.

Once you know the severity of your injuries and what is your treatment plan, you will need to contact your insurance company to let it know that you were in a truck accident. Even if you’re not planning to file a claim through your own insurance, there may be a requirement on your policy to alert your insurance carrier after an accident.

You will need to stay organized after the accident. Keep a record of all your expenses, including medical bills, travel expenses, and repair costs. It will also be helpful to keep track of any missed time from work. If you have any communication with the insurance company, keep a record of this as well.

You will also want to get a copy of the police report as soon as it’s available. The report will give you an explanation of what happened and any citations that you or the dump truck driver may have received.

While you’re gathering this evidence, you may receive a phone call from the dump truck company’s insurance company wanting to know about the accident. Remember, you are not under any obligation to speak with them. But if you do find yourself speaking with the insurance adjuster, remember to keep your comments brief and do not allow them to record your statement.

And finally, contact a Jackson, MS dump truck accident attorney as soon as possible to learn what your options are.

What Compensation is Available for My Dump Truck Accident Claim?

After any type of truck accident, you will be facing a large number of expenses. Your insurance may only cover so much which is why you have the option to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault’s insurance. If you are successful in your claim, you could receive the following compensation:

• Medical expenses, including doctor bills, surgery, lab results, long-term care, and physical therapy.
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
• Emotional distress
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium

In some cases, you may also receive punitive damages. These damages are meant to punish the behavior of the other party.

Who Can Be Held Responsible in Dump Truck Accidents?

Truck accidents, in particular dump truck accidents, could have multiple parties involved. Not only could the responsibility for the accident lies on dump truck driver, but other parties, such as:

• The dump truck hauling or leasing company
• The truck manufacturer or mechanic
• The government, if it’s a municipal vehicle
• Any business that owns the vehicle

To discover who may be responsible for the dump truck crash, you will need to show the at-fault party is at fault. First, you will have to prove the dump truck driver or company had a responsibility to keep the injury victim from harm, yet failed to do so. For example, if the trucking company had failed to maintain the vehicle properly, and faulty brakes were the cause of the accident, the truck accident company had breached its duty of care by not keeping the injury victim safe from harm.

Then, you will need to show that the accident caused an injury that resulted in damages. Damages can include medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. With the evidence your personal injury attorney will collect, you will be able to prove negligence.

How Dangerous Are Dump Truck Accidents in Mississippi?

According to IBIS World, there are more than 28,000 dump truck service businesses in the United States. It is projected that dump truck services will continue to increase as time progresses. With more dump trucks on the road, the possibility of dump truck accidents in Mississippi also increases.

What makes a dump truck accident different from other types of truck accidents is what the vehicle is hauling. Unlike a tractor trailer which has its cargo confined in an enclosed space, dump trucks usually have open trailers that are full of loose, rocky, unsecured contents. When a dump truck crash occurs, the materials can spill out, creating a major hazard to everyone on the roadway. In addition, a sudden stop can also cause objects to leave the back of the truck and into the path of other drivers and pedestrians.

Dump trucks are also heavier as compared to passenger vehicles. On average, a car weighs approximately 2,800 pounds, while a typical dump truck weighs 56,000 pounds and can carry an additional 28,000 pounds of material.

Our Mississippi Dump Truck Accident Lawyer is Here to Help

Getting into an accident with a dump truck can result in devastating injuries, financial debt, and loss of life. It can take you years to recover from the crash, and when the insurance company is not willing to pay you the compensation you deserve, it can be catastrophic. What you need is a dump truck accident attorney who understands the complexities of dump truck accidents and can get you the justice you deserve.

For decades, our trucking accident lawyer at Giddens Law Firm, P.A. has been helping truck injury victims across Mississippi with their cases against dump truck drivers, trucking companies, and insurance companies. We understand the complexities of these cases and have the resources and skills needed to make sure you are properly compensated for your injuries. We will go after all parties responsible for your accident and fight on your behalf against the insurance company.

The time to act is now. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to collect the evidence needed to support your claim. Contact our Mississippi truck accident lawyer today for a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dump Truck Accidents

Q: What Are the Common Causes of Dump Truck Accidents?

A: According to the most recent data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the number of dump truck accidents has increased in the past three years. In 2019 alone, there were 6,067 dump truck accidents that resulted in an injury and 402 fatalities.

Like most trucking accidents, the common causes of accidents involving dump trucks include:

• Distracted driving
• Defective vehicle parts
• Failure to maintain or repair the vehicle
• Impaired driving
• Improperly loaded or overloaded dump trucks
• driver fatigue
• Inexperienced drivers

Q: How Long Do I Have to File a Dump Truck Accident Claim?

A: In Mississippi, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit against those responsible. Although that may seem like enough time, it can go by quickly. Evidence needs to be collected and the quicker it can be preserved, the more likely your claim will be successful.

Q: I Was Hurt in an Accident While Driving a Dump Truck. Can Giddens Law Firm Help?

A:  If you were hurt in a dump truck accident on the job as a driver, passenger, or construction site worker, there are several avenues available to you to gain compensation. We help you pursue a workers’ compensation claim and collect maximum benefits for medical expenses and lost wages. In addition, we can also determine if you are eligible to file a third party claim. For example, if your accident was caused by another motorist on the road, we can help you pursue compensation from the at-fault driver, in addition to your workers’ compensation.

Q: What Should I Do If the Insurance Company Calls Me Before I Can Talk to a Dump Truck Accident Lawyer?

A: If you are contacted by the truck driver or trucking company’s insurance, you don’t have to speak with them. In fact, it is better if you do not speak with them at all until you have consulted with an attorney. It is especially important that you do not provide a recorded statement. While their questions may seem benign, a recorded statement can later be used against you in order to deny or diminish your claim. This is why it is important to have an experienced truck accident lawyer on your side to handle all correspondence with the insurance companies on your behalf.

Q: Should I Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer Even If My Injuries Are Minor?

A: Absolutely. Although your injuries may seem minor at the moment, there could be a chance of complications in the future. What may seem like an aching back right now could turn out to be a herniated disc or fractured vertebrae. It’s always a good idea to speak with a personal injury attorney after getting into any type of motor vehicle accident, even if you don’t think you have much of a case.

If you were involved in an accident with a dump truck, contact a truck accident lawyer at Giddens Law Firm for a free consultation.