When an oversized truck changes lanes on a busy Mississippi highway and strikes a far smaller automobile, its moving mass can make violent impacts. The difference in size and weight between a commercial truck and a smaller car means that the crash can be incredibly forceful, resulting in severe injuries and even death of the victims.

 

Have You Been Injured in a Mississippi Sideswipe Truck Accident?

To ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries, contact a Mississippi truck accident attorney as soon as possible. They will help protect your rights as an accident victim. Trucking companies and their insurance providers always have the upper hand and will push you to settle quickly. Contact Giddens Law Firm for a free consultation and review your legal options before you make any decision.

What Are the Leading Causes of Sideswipe Trucking Accidents in Mississippi?

• Distracted driving: Truck drivers in Mississippi use their phones, GPS systems, and other distractions, leading to sideswipe collisions.
• Fatigue: Since most truck drivers in Mississippi work for many hours on the road, they become fatigued, leading to misuse of judgment and poor response times, thus increasing sideswipe potential.
• Blind spots: 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers and other big trucks have large blind spots to the front, behind, and on the right and left sides, making it hard for the drivers to see what is happening in the adjacent lanes.
• Improper lane switching: A Mississippi truck driver does not check in the mirror or signal before changing lanes, which results in a sideswipe with vehicles on either side.
• Poorly maintained trucks: If the vehicles are not checked regularly or the brake and tires are not serviced, mechanical failures may result in most truck road collisions sideswipe.

What Are the Common Injuries from Sideswipe Truck Accidents?

• Whiplash: This involves sudden, irregular movement to the regular axis of the neck.
• Soft tissue injuries: Muscles, ligaments, and tendons respond poorly to such effects.
• Head damage: Such accidents can lead to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), concussions, and skull fractures.
• Spinal cord damage:This includes herniation, or rupture of the nerves and the spine’s bony vertebral body.
• Broken bones: Fractured ribs, limbs, or pelvis are often susceptible to inevitable sideswipe crashes.
• Internal injuries: Blunt tissue assaults can cause internal bleeding, organ damage, and other complications.

Establishing Negligence in Sideswipe Accidents

The elements involved in proving negligence in a sideswipe truck accident include:

• Duty of care: Prove that the truck driver owes the other motorist the responsibility of taking care, often fully, observing the traffic laws and avoiding specific actions that might lead to an accident.
• Breach of duty of care: One must demonstrate that the truck driver committed a breach of duty of care through negligence, such as distracted driving, speeding, or rough lane changes.
• Causation: Prove that the driver’s breach of duty caused or contributed to the sideswipe accident and the motorist’s injuries.
• Damages: Show that the truck driver’s negligence must have harmed the victim, and as a result, the victim is entitled to compensation

Determination of fault in a sideswipe truck accident is based on the following:

• The police report
• The witness statements
• The extent of the vehicle’s damage
• Checking the road for skid marks
• Event data recorders (EDRs) / onboard informational systems
• The defendant’s criminal record

If the truck driver’s distracting driving or emergent lane change were found to cause and then result in the accident, the driver could be considered responsible for the consequences, as he failed to act according to the “reasonable care” standard. Also, electronic data recorded on trucks’ black boxes, also known as the truck onboard information systems, such as speed or maneuverability, can help understand the scenario of events leading to collision and possible fault.

Determining Liability in a Sideswipe Truck Accident

Several parties may be liable when it comes to a sideswipe truck accident due to the negligence of the driver or other factors:

• Truck driver: If his negligent behavior directly contributed to the accident.
• Maintenance provider: If the improper condition of the truck contributed to the vehicle accident.
• Trucking company: If they didn’t fulfill their proper supervisory or training duties.
• Manufacturers: If they produced a vehicle that was prone to be subject to a malfunction.
• Other parties: Depending on the circumstances, liability may exist with other parties, such as other drivers, contracting companies, or vehicle owners involved.

What Compensation Is Available for Your Sideswipe Truck Accident?

After a sideswipe truck accident, victims can receive several forms of compensation to cater to their physical, emotional, and lost income. Whether it is medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, a combination of these factors described above, or more, understanding which forms of compensation apply is essential to achieve full physical and regular recovery and justice:

• Medical expenses: The plaintiff can recover the costs of medical treatment, including hospitalization, surgery, medication, rehabilitation, and therapy in personal injury cases.
• Loss of earnings: The victim may file a claim for loss of wages due to illness and injury and damages for catastrophic injuries — if the harm is irreversible and future employment opportunities are limited.
• Pain and suffering: In tort cases, the individual can recover physical and psychological pain damages.
• Property loss: As a general rule, a person can recover the expenses of replacing his property destroyed by someone else’s misconduct.
• Loss of consortium: When a party suffers emotional distress because of their injury and experiences the loss of support from a close family or the benefit of an intimate relationship.
• Wrongful death: Family members of persons who have died as a result of another person’s carelessness may file a claim for the costs of the funeral, loss of financial support, and suffering.

An experienced attorney’s free consultation is essential to determine the extent of potential damages and attract fair compensation.

Large Truck Insurers Will Minimize Compensation

Trucking companies have the financial resources to employ fast-acting legal teams who jump on the accident scene quickly and try to minimize payouts. They have the edge in many legal battles for several reasons:

• Resources: They have the financial power to hire the best legal representation and expert witnesses.
• Experience: They are well versed with the trucking regulations and may use compliance issues to defend themselves.
• Investigative connections: They have investigators who can access information and use the evidence gathered in court.
• Knowledge of established laws: Legal precedents and federal preemption protect the trucking’s side.

Based on these factors, truck insurers have several advantages in the legal battle, which can make it difficult for the underrepresented victim to win the sideswipe accident case; however, experienced and reputable personal injury lawyers know what it takes to hold trucking companies accountable.

How Sideswipe Truck Wreck Lawyers Win

Experienced lawyers can use distinct legal strategies and knowledge that may put insurers in a very tight spot and force them to come clean or revise their reasoning or legal tactics:

• Regulatory Violations: If the lawyers find evidence of truck companies or insurers breaking federal or state transportation regulations, using such allegations may help reduce the defense’s strength.
• Negligence and Liability: They can also show proof of neglect by the truck driver, the company, and the insurance provider.
• Evidence Gathering: Experience and knowledge allow lawyers to compile and present evidence, including statements and accident reconstruction studies and experts, to make a point.
• Insurance Policy Review: Lawyers can also criticize and defend the insurance agreement’s strengths and backdoors. They can exploit the “fine print” in insurance policies to prove the insurers’ advantage in their language rather than the law.
• Precedent and Case Law: Lawyers can also use their understanding of case law and precedents in court. The experience of similar cases can help the lawyer find the insurer’s weaknesses.
• Litigation Strategy: They can pressure insurers using legal tactics and tools available to lawyers, such as finding additional information and demanding more detailed reports. The most essential part of any case process is developing a litigation plan to use all the ace cards against the insurer.
• Lawyers can use their legal knowledge and expertise to challenge truck insurers and recover compensation.

Why Do You Need a Sideswipe Truck Accident Lawyer in Mississippi?

Over the last five years, more than 1,050 fatal sideswipe truck crashes have occurred (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), 2023). Having an accident lawyer for sideswipe trucks in Mississippi is indispensable because they have the expertise and experience handling complicated sideswipe collision cases.

An aggressive truck accident lawyer with this specialization investigates carefully to establish what party is guilty and knows about insurers and their tricks. They make insurance claims less complicated than they should be, helping you obtain adequate compensation for injuries and losses. They are also likely to increase your chances of receiving the maximum compensation the law allows. Ultimately, a truck accident law firm in Mississippi will streamline your processes and provide you with the necessary assistance and representation.

How much does a sideswipe truck accident attorney cost?

The Giddens Law Firm works on a contingency fee basis. This means you or your loved one does not pay the attorney’s fees until compensation is recovered by settlement or after a court verdict.

Why Choose Giddens Law as Your Sideswipe Truck Accident Lawyer?

Our company has experience in sideswipe cases and has deep knowledge of the trucking laws of Mississippi.

Our firm has won victories and  earned accolades, validating the seriousness of our intentions and readiness to fight for our clients’ victories.

Our law firm knows how to handle insurance company representatives; you can be sure you will receive your funds in the maximum amount possible.

Giddens Law Firm Has the Talent, Reputation, and Accolades

With Giddens’ truck crash team, you receive top-quality service, experience, attention, and clear results. Our law firm boasts an impressive array of accolades, including:

• Being named to the Mid-South Super Lawyers list for 2009-2010 and 2014-2020.
• The American Trial Lawyers Association has recognized John Giddens as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in America and by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys as one of Mississippi’s 10 Best.
• Memphis Magazine acknowledged Mr. Giddens as a Mid-South Top Lawyer in 2014 for his excellence and achievements in the legal community.

Trust the Giddens Law Firm – Delivering results for personal injury victims

If you are considering hiring a sideswipe truck accident attorney, meet with the Giddens Law Firm to gain an edge. Our contingency fee will enable you to file your claim without paying anything upfront. We believe that justice should be available to everyone.

Call us today to get started on your path back to recovery and compensation. Our knowledgeable team can walk you through your sideswipe truck crash case details, negotiate with the parties involved, and take your fight to court if necessary. With Giddens Law Firm by your side from the start, we will set your case up on the right track, and you won’t have to go through any of this on your own.