If you were injured in a Mississippi tanker truck accident, contact the truck accident attorneys at Giddens Law today. Our team understands the devastation these accidents can cause and is committed to helping you secure the compensation you deserve.

Tanker trucks often transport gasoline or other flammable liquids and materials, posing unique hazards on the road. In an accident, these trucks can explode, causing extensive damage to road structures like bridges and overpasses and endangering other drivers and pedestrians.

Whether you were a motorist or a pedestrian during the accident, our experienced attorneys can help you file a claim.

What Is a Tanker Truck?

Tanker trucks transport about 72.6 percent of all the U.S.’s freight (trucking.org, 2022). 

A tanker truck is a specialized vehicle for bulk transport of liquids or gases. It is unique because of its cylindrical tank, typically mounted to the cargo bed of a truck or a semi-trailer. Tanker trucks carry various substances. They are an essential part of the petroleum, chemicals, agriculture, and even the transportation industry, as they allow for the cost-efficient transportation of liquids and gases from manufacturing to stipulation centers or end-users.

Common Causes of Tanker Truck Accidents in Mississippi

• Driving error: Distracted driving, misinterpreting signage, fatigue, and improper training.
• Improper loading:  Failure to balance and secure cargo properly can pose a significant danger.
• Poor weather conditions: Slippery roads, icy roads, and fog can impose dangerous maneuvering.
• Road hazards: Construction and lane shifts and adjustments.
• Inadequate equipment maintenance can lead to electrical system failures and tire blowouts.
• Inexperienced drivers: Inadequate training and truck driving skill sets can impose harm on others.

Common Tanker Truck Accident Injuries in Mississippi

The injuries that might result from such an accident are often severe due to the impact of the size and weight of tanker trucks and the potentially hazardous materials onboard. Some severe injuries resulting from a tanker truck accident include:

• Burns
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Fractures, broken bones, and orthopedic injuries
• Internal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries
• Psychological trauma

All the above serious injuries can have a lasting impact on a person physically, emotionally, and even financially. Therefore, victims must seek justice by involving the services of qualified attorneys.

Who Is Liable for my Mississippi Tanker Truck Accident?

Depending on the specific circumstances of the incident, several liable parties can be responsible for a Mississippi tanker truck accident, such as the:

Truck driver: Will be responsible for the accident if it is a negligent and reckless act.

Company: The company will take responsibility for the accident if it fails to maintain the tanker truck and does not inspect it for potential issues.

Manufacturer: If the design or manufacturing defect caused the accident, the manufacturer will be responsible for the incident through product liability claims.

Other third parties: Other parties guilty of the accident are workers who load the trailers (cargo loaders). They will take responsibility for a rollover truck crash or spill due to wrong loading or securing the paradigm.

Determining the parties liable for the trucking accident will require a comprehensive investigation of the scene, evidence, and relevant laws and regulations. Consult an experienced commercial truck accident lawyer to investigate and examine your case and the responsible parties to claim compensation for your injury and loss.

How Is Liability Determined in Tanker Truck Accidents?

Tanker truck accidents and determining their liability require conducting a detailed investigation involving various factors and parties in the accident. The following steps should help identify the individuals who caused the commercial vehicle accident and should be held accountable for the victim’s injuries:

• Evidence collection: This includes obtaining the police report, eyewitness statements, photographs of the accident scene, and any available video footage from nearby surveillance cameras or dashcams. The black box recording device in the truck is critical in reviewing what transpired.
• Accident reconstruction: Experts recreate large truck crashes using physical evidence, such as skid marks, vehicle damage, and other factors, which can provide insights into how the accident occurred and who may be at fault.
• Truck driver actions: This includes examining the truck driver logbook, checking for traffic law violations, assessing the truck driver’s training and qualifications, and determining any signs of truck driver impairment, fatigue, or distracted driving.
• Vehicle maintenance records: Examine maintenance conducted on semi trucks and if any mechanical issues may have contributed to the accident. Failure to address known truck maintenance issues could showcase negligence on the part of the trucking company.
• Company policies and procedures: The policies and procedures of the trucking company should always comply with federal and state regulations governing the trucking industry. Any violations or failures to adhere to safety protocols may indicate that the trucking company is liable.
• Cargo handling: Cargo loaders may be liable if an accident is caused by improper Loading, weight distribution, and cargo securement.
• Expert testimony: Specialized tanker trunk experts, regulators, and manufacturers can offer significant knowledge in case reviews.

Compensation for Damages for your Mississippi Tanker Truck Accident

There are three general categories of damages in a Mississippi truck accident case: economic, non-economic, and punitive. A plaintiff may have evidence of each type of damage. Having an experienced attorney on your side can help you prove your damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damage is physically apparent and tangible. It is easily calculable and easily proven. Economic damages include current and future medical bills, the cost of ongoing treatment, including rehabilitative care, lost wages and earning capacity, and other tangible losses.

Non-economic Damages

Non-economic damage refers to intangible losses an accident victim suffers. These can include loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, inconvenience, disfigurement, disability, etc. Intangible losses are harder to prove than economic damages. A skilled attorney can help you establish your non-economic damages to ensure you are fully compensated for your injuries following your crash with a tanker truck.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages aim to deter defendants and others from acting similarly if it was an action that caused the injury was wildly outrageous. Punitive damages are not available in every state and may be limited. Speak to your attorney to learn more about the availability of punitive damages in your tanker truck accident case.

How Can Mississippi Truck Accident Lawyers Help?

• Legal expertise—A personal injury lawyer with experience in tanker truck accidents knows the ins and outs of these cases. For example, such a lawyer will be familiar with various federal and state regulations regarding commercial vehicles and car accidents. This experience means that your lawyer can handle the entire process for you.
• Investigation—Your lawyer will investigate the accident. They might request relevant and productive evidence, such as accident reports and witness statements, and hire an accident reconstruction expert to determine fault.
• Negotiation—In addition to discussing the specifics of your case with the insurance company, your lawyer can also argue on your behalf. When negotiating compensation, your lawyer will highlight all your losses, including medical expenses, financial and economic losses, and emotional trauma and pain. Your lawyer will prioritize reaching a fair agreement wherever possible.
• Litigation (if necessary)—If an agreement is not achievable, your lawyer will be prepared to represent you fully in court. Your lawyer will work with due diligence and ensure that your rights and your case’s strength make it to court before a judge and possibly a jury.

What if the Insurance Company Contacts Me?

It is crucial to exercise a high level of caution if insurance adjusters reach out to you. Often, their representatives will take advantage of truck accident victims‘ vulnerable state and persuade them to accept a low-ball settlement or get them to make damaging statements.

Let Us Handle the Insurance Companies.

You should only discuss the accident’s specifics or agree to any deals once you have spoken with a veteran tanker truck accident attorney. A knowledgeable, experienced truck accident lawyer at Giddens Law could examine the situation and determine the most viable strategies to ensure your and your loved one’s rights are well-protected, and you receive the compensation you deserve.

How Much Will It Cost to Hire a Tanker Truck Crash Lawyer?

Most lawyers who deal with tanker truck accidents operate on a contingency basis: you do not pay fees upfront for services. Instead, your commercial truck lawyer recovers the agreed compensation funds through a settlement or court award payment to you. The attorney will then take their share of the total compensation amount. In most cases, the attorney charges around 33% to 40% of the settlement or court-ordered compensation received, but this can vary based on your case’s specifics and your agreement with the attorney.

When searching for tanker truck accident lawyers, ask if they charge for the initial consultation or case examination. Many lawyers offer these services for free, depending on the specific law firm’s policy.

Statute of Limitations for Filing Truck Accident Claims in Mississippi

In Mississippi, the usual statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is three years from the date of the accident. However, there are exceptions and particularities to the statute of limitations, so speak  with a tanker truck accident lawyer to make sure you meet deadlines that could affect your ability to seek compensation.

We Are Award-winning Mississippi Truck Accident Lawyers

At the Giddens Law Firm, with offices in Jackson and Gulfport, our Mississippi truck accident attorneys work diligently to find meaningful resolve for our clients. Our founding member, John Giddens, has achieved many accolades and victories, here are a few:

• Named one of the Mid-South Super Lawyers multiple times.
• One of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in America.
• According to the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys, John Giddens has been identified as among Mississippi’s 10 Best.
• He is a member of the Trucking Litigation Group at the American Association for Justice and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.
• Memphis Magazine recognized Giddens as a Mid-South Top Lawyer.

Contact Giddens Law Today for Your Free Consultation

At Giddens Law Firm, our truck accident personal injury lawyers know the complexities of tanker truck collisions. We will develop the best argument to prove liability and recover the compensation you deserve throughout this trying period.

The Giddens Law legal team has the experience, knowledge, and resources to handle complicated cases against major tractor- trailer truck carriers. We has recovered millions of dollars for our clients through settlements and jury decisions. Allow us to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Ready to take action? Contact Us for Your Free Case Evaluation.