If you or a loved one has been injured in a head-on truck accident, then you know how life-altering these events can be. Victims of truck accidents suffer catastrophic injuries, emotional wounds, and, in some cases, fatal injuries. At Giddens Law, we are honored to be Mississippi’s award-winning attorney for truck accident victims. Our passionate truck accident lawyers thoroughly understand Mississippi’s trucking laws and regulations. Their expertise with head-on truck collisions will ensure your case is handled with the precision and care it deserves.

Don’t go another day without legal representation. Contact our law firm today to request a free consultation.

Common Causes of Head-on Truck Accidents in Mississippi

A head-on truck accident is typically more severe than a head-on car accident due to the significant size and weight difference between trucks and cars. A large commercial vehicle has much greater mass, which results in higher impact forces during a collision. This increased force can cause more damage to vehicles and a greater risk of severe injury or fatalities to passenger car occupants, especially in the smaller car involved in the accident.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) states that in 2021, 31% of passenger vehicle occupants were killed in head-on two-vehicle crashes with a large truck. Head-on tractor-trailer collisions in Mississippi can result from a combination of factors that create catastrophic crashes. Some of the common causes of head-on truck accidents include:

• Drowsy driving: A tired or drowsy 18-wheeler driver may take longer to respond and make poor decisions, increasing the risk of accidents and making a head-on collision more likely.
• Distracted driving: Texting, talking on the phone, or fiddling with the navigation system can cause truck drivers to lose their ability to respond to unexpected road hazards or changes.
• Speeding: When traveling at high speed, a sudden directional force from a collision can throw a truck off-balance, causing the trailer to fold at its hinge. In a head-on collision, this may result in the truck jackknifing, with the trailer’s back end swinging around to the front of the cab, which comes to a sudden stop.
• Reckless driving: Actions such as aggressive driving, tailgating, or unsafe lane changes can be dangerous when a truck driver is in question because they may lead to a head-on collision, especially on a highway or a narrow road.
• Drunk driving: An intoxicated truck driver will have impaired judgment and slowed reaction times, leading to serious accidents.
• Improper passing: Passing another car on a lonely road or somewhere where it is unsafe to pass can end up in a head-on semi-truck collision.
• Failing to check blind spots: Commercial trucks have bigger blind spots
• Road conditions or Poor weather: Slipping ice, poor visibility, or a building zone along the way can lead to a head-on collision in road conditions when they are not controlled accordingly. Heavy rain, fog, ice, or snow are some of the most dangerous driving situations.

What Are Common Truck Accident Injuries Suffered in a Head-On Collision?

The damage and long-term effects caused by a head-on collision are catastrophic for victims and their families, affecting every aspect of life: physical, emotional, and financial well-being. Individuals should immediately seek legal advice to understand better their options and the possibility of obtaining fair compensation for damages. Common head-on truck accident injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and other severe head injuries: TBIs can range from mild concussions to severe, life-altering catastrophic injuries with long-term cognitive and physical impairments.
• Spinal cord injuries Can result in paralysis or loss of sensation in several parts of the body.
• Broken bones/Fractures: Fractures such as the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis bones often require longer-term medical treatment.
• Internal injuries: damage to internal organs can result in internal bleeding or any other complications which could lead to death.
• Death: All these serious injuries can lead to wrongful death as a result due to the severity of the trucking accident. When a person is tragically killed in a head-on truck collision, family members may be entitled to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Speak to our experienced truck accident attorney to discuss your wrongful death claim.

Who Is Liable for My Mississippi Head-on Truck Crash?

Establishing liability following a head-on collision involves many factors. Multiple parties could be held responsible, from the commercial driver to the trucking company to the truck manufacturer. It is important to understand who can be held liable to ensure that truck accident victims receive financial compensation for their injuries and losses. Liability in a Mississippi head-on truck wreck varies according to multiple scenarios:

• Driver: The truck driver may be at fault if they were negligent before the crash, including speeding, driving while distracted, truck driver fatigue, driving under the influence, or failing to give the right-of-way.
• Trucking company: If a trucking company overlooks the maintenance guidelines or driver’s fitness policies, it may be held responsible for negligence in maintenance and inspection, such as brake failures or another equipment failure.
• Manufacturer: If manufacturing or design defects contributed to the commercial accident or if adequate warnings and instructions were not included in the accompanying manual, manufacturers might face product liability litigation.
• Third parties (if relevant), such as cargo loaders; if improper loading causes the driver to lose control and leads to a head-on collision, the third-party shipper may also be held responsible.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) found that, in a national crash injury study, almost 30 percent of the semi trucks had brake problems, compared to only 5 percent of the passenger vehicles.

Call our Mississippi truck accident attorney for a free case evaluation today.

How Is Liability Determined in Head-on Truck Accidents

Liability in commercial truck accidents is usually established through a detailed investigation and the assistance of a personal injury lawyer. For truck wrecks, the following are key to the investigation:

Black box data, event data recorders, or “black boxes” are installed on many commercial trucks. Before the accident, data record speed, brake applications, and steering input. Black box analysis can provide excellent insight into the truck driver’s actions, which must be assumed to have been taken before impact.

Accident reconstructionists investigate any factors, such as skids, to reconstruct the event, which can help to determine the commercial vehicle’s rate, the path it flew, and the direction of the collision, all of which add to finding liability.

Driver statements provide evidence of a driver’s actions before, during, and after a collision.

Vehicle maintenance logs are examined to see whether the truck has been appropriately serviced and if there is any record of mechanical failure.

Eyewitness testimony provides impartial accounts of the events, behaviors, and conditions observed, which can support or contradict other evidence and identify negligence.

An experienced Mississippi truck accident lawyer at Giddens Law will hold the negligent party liable and fight for your rights to fair compensation.

Compensation for Your Mississippi Head-on Truck Accident

The types of compensation you could potentially claim for your head-on truck accident in Mississippi may include:

• Economic Damages: These damages reimburse you for actual financial losses from the collision, which include medical care and rehabilitative costs, medical bills, loss of income or earning capacity, asset damage restoration or replacement, and funeral expenses in the event of a fatality.
• Non-economic Damages represent losses that are harder to quantify but impact your life. These might include pain and distress, mental anguish, loss of pleasure in life, and consortium loss.
• Punitive Damages: When the offender has shown extreme negligence, disregard, or criminal wrongdoing, punitive damages may be awarded. While economic and non-economic damages pay the victim, punitive damages are only appropriate to punish the offender and discourage similar actions.

Consult an attorney to help determine what kinds of damages you can pursue in your truck accident claims. An experienced personal injury lawyer will examine your case’s specifics, collect evidence supporting your claim against the negligent party, and seek compensation for all the damages you suffered in your head-on truck accident.

How Can a Mississippi Truck Accident Lawyer Help?

A head-on truck crash attorney can help a victim go through the accident and investigate it thoroughly to establish liability and fault. If the attorney proves the defendant is liable, they can negotiate with insurance companies for medical expenses, lost wages, severe injuries, and pain and suffering. A qualified Mississippi truck accident attorney provides the following:

• Legal guidance: They can provide expert legal advice and direction based on the scenario, allowing you to comprehend your rights and choices fully.
• Thorough examination: They will also conduct a complete assessment of the truck accident scene, collecting evidence like police reports, eyewitness statements, and expert testimony that they will employ to build a solid case on one’s behalf.
• Negotiation: They will also communicate and negotiate with the insurance company
• Litigation: If you are unable to reach a fair settlement, your attorney will take your case to court.

What if the Insurance Company Contacts Me?

It’s best to avoid talking to insurance adjusters alone because their main goal is to reduce the amount of blame and compensation. Instead, reach out to a specialized head-on truck accident attorney first. They can help you understand your claim and the potential settlement before you deal with the insurance company.

Let the Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers at Giddens Law Handle the Insurance Companies

Our experienced personal injury lawyers at Giddens Law will handle every aspect of your case and ensure you are best positioned for success. We will communicate with and negotiate for you with insurance companies while you focus on healing and well-being. Our skilled lawyers, with offices in Jackson and Gulfport, will fight to protect your rights, hold liable parties responsible, and secure the maximum compensation available for your injuries. Don’t allow insurers to intimidate you. Let Giddens Law’s truck accident attorneys help you secure the justice and compensation you deserve.

How Much Will It Cost to Hire a Head-on Truck Collision Lawyer?

A personal injury lawyer typically does not charge any money upfront when you hire them. Instead, most personal injury attorneys, including the team at Giddens Law, use a contingent fee arrangement. We get paid when we win the case. If we fail to win the case, we do not charge anything. Calculating these percentages and further details can be explained during your free consultation or case review.

Lawsuits Have Deadlines: Your Truck Collision Claim and the Mississippi Statute of Limitations

Lawsuits have deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, which vary depending on the state and the type of case. In Mississippi, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including those arising from head-on truck collisions, is typically three years from the accident date. However, this rule has exceptions, so it’s important to consult with a personal injury attorney promptly to ensure you understand and comply with the applicable deadlines.

Waiting too long to take legal action can result in the forfeiture of your right to seek compensation for your injuries and damages. Contact Giddens Law’s truck accident attorneys today for a free consultation; you can ensure that you understand your legal rights, options, and deadline and take the necessary steps to protect your interests. Don’t let time run out – reach out to us today to start pursuing the compensation you deserve for your head-on truck collision.