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Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys

Jackson Truck Accident Lawyer

A truck accident in Jackson, MS, can result in devastating consequences. Seeking compensation from the trucking company’s insurance can be very difficult. This is true, even with high medical bills and property damage. In the aftermath of such a tragic incident, you may not know what to do next. You need a skilled Jackson truck accident lawyer. They have the knowledge and resources to help you get the most compensation.

At Giddens Law Firm, our Jackson truck accident lawyers know how hard recovery can be after a semi-truck crash. We protect your rights by thoroughly investigating the accident site to collect important evidence quickly. We push insurance companies to cover all your needs. If needed, we’ll take your case to court to win your truck accident claim.

Our truck accident lawyer is ready to help if you were in a truck accident in Jackson. Contact us right away to talk with our truck accident attorney.

Why You Need a Jackson Truck Accident Attorney

Jackson truck accident lawyer John GiddensIf you have been in an 18-wheeler accident, you may be facing some challenges. These can include financial debt, lost wages, and emotional pain. The pressure from the insurance company to accept their initial settlement offer can be overwhelming. You need help from an experienced truck accident lawyer. They can manage the claims process while you focus on getting better.

Here is how our knowledgeable trucking accident lawyers can help with your accident claim:

In-Depth Knowledge of Trucking Regulation and Industry Practices

Truck accidents often involve factors such as overloaded freight, driver fatigue, and excessive speed. Federal and state laws regulate how trucks are maintained, and drivers are required to complete vehicle inspection reports. These reports can be important evidence. They help show the truck’s condition at the time of the crash.

The trucking industry has many rules. These rules are set by federal and state governments. They are in place because trucking accidents can cause serious injuries and deaths. These rules aim to improve highway safety. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) primarily governs interstate trucking, which involves commercial drivers operating across multiple states. Trucking companies and drivers that exclusively operate within Mississippi fall under the jurisdiction of the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT).

These extensive regulations aim to mitigate the elevated danger posed by large trucks and cover various safety aspects, including:

  • Pre-employment screening and hiring standards for the truck company.
    Inspection and maintenance of commercial trucks.
  • Hours of service (HOS) rules to prevent fatigued truck drivers from driving.
  • Pre-employment and random drug and alcohol screenings.
    Maximum length and weight requirements for commercial trucks.
    Proper securing of cargo.
  • Assessment of commercial drivers’ medical fitness.
  • Record-keeping requirements to verify compliance, such as driver logbooks.

Many truck accidents in Jackson happen because truck drivers and companies ignore safety rules. They put profit before the safety of other drivers.

Preservation and Collection of Evidence in Jackson, MS Trucking Lawsuits

Trucking lawsuits can be complicated. Commercial carriers and truck drivers often have little reason to keep evidence that shows who is at fault. Trucking companies often deploy rapid response teams to accident scenes almost immediately. These experts conduct immediate investigations to develop strategies for minimizing or evading liability.

The success of a Jackson trucking accident lawsuit often depends on promptly contacting experienced trucking accident lawyers. Once you hire our truck accident lawyer, we will send written notices to trucking companies right away. These notices will state that the commercial truck and data in the rig’s black box are part of a legal case. They must not be destroyed or changed.

When a truck is quickly fixed and put back in service, the black box data is erased. This data has information about events before and during the accident. Logbooks can be changed to hide problems. So, black box data is very important. It helps find safety violations and understand what caused the trucking accident.

Our truck accident lawyers do thorough research to find records. These records may show negligence by the truck driver or the commercial carrier. This may include:

  • The truck driver’s personnel file.
  • The truck company’s hiring procedures and criteria.
  • Maintenance and inspection records.
  • The driver’s lodging and fuel receipts.
  • Documents related to any prior safety regulation violations.

Trucking litigation is complex, so speak with an experienced trucking accident law firm as soon as possible. Contact our truck accident attorneys today at (601) 355-2022 to arrange a free consultation. Remember, there is no fee unless we win your case.

Compensation Available After a Truck Accident in Jackson, MS

Truck accident on mountainous road in Jackson, Mississippi with an injured victim in need of a Jackson truck accident lawyer.Following a trucking accident, you likely find yourself burdened by substantial debt. As your medical bills grow from your injuries, lost wages, and emotional pain, you may need money to recover.

One of the most common questions from our truck accident clients is about the compensation available after a crash. You may receive the following damages:

Economic Damages

These compensate for any financial losses resulting from the tractor-trailer accident, including:

  • Medical costs include hospital visits, urgent care, doctor appointments, surgeries, lab tests, medical equipment, and long-term care.
  • Lost wages, including any vacation or personal time used due to the accident.
  • If you have to take a lower-paying job because of injuries from the truck accident, you may receive compensation. This is known as loss of earning capacity. This compensation can help cover the difference between your old and new income.
  • Property damage.
  • Rehabilitation costs.
  • Funeral and burial costs if you lost a loved one in the tractor-trailer accident.

Non-Economic Damages

These compensate for non-financial losses you endured. Pain and suffering are common types of non-economic damages. They include physical pain and mental trauma from the accident. Other non-economic damages may include:

  • Loss of companionship or consortium.
  • Emotional distress.
  • Loss of enjoyment of life.

In rare cases, punitive damages can be given to punish the at-fault party. This is for their reckless behavior that caused the truck accident.

How Are Truck Accidents Different From Car Crashes?

Truck Accident Lawyers in Mississippi

A truck crash significantly different from a typical car accident. All car accidents can cause serious injuries to drivers and passengers. However, truck accidents are especially dangerous. They carry a higher risk of severe harm. These accidents also present unique challenges when trying to get compensation.

Large semi-trucks can outweigh a small economy car by 25 times or more. This stark difference in size means that these collisions are particularly perilous for occupants of smaller passenger vehicles. Data shows that those in passenger vehicles are killed in three out of four trucking accidents.

The differences between a car accident and an accident with an 18-wheeler go beyond the truck’s size. The larger truck can cause more damage. In typical accidents with two passenger cars, there are usually two parties involved: the driver and the injured person. However, when large trucks are involved in accidents, there can be additional parties beyond just the truck driver. This is because the truck driver may not be the owner of the truck, which is often a business entity.

Understand Your Rights as a Jackson Truck Accident Victim

Truck accident victims need to know that trucking companies quickly send teams to the accident scene. They do this to collect as much evidence as they can. If you are in an accident with an 18-wheeler, it is important to work closely with the police and other officials. However, exercise caution when dealing with individuals from the accident response team. These people work for the trucking company. They are there to collect information that helps their client. This information may not be in your best interest.

Furthermore, commercial trucks typically carry more substantial insurance policies compared to personal vehicles. Insurance policies can be very costly for the company if they pay out. Because of this, insurance adjusters often try hard to avoid giving you the full compensation you deserve. Any statement or action you make can be used against you. This could deny your claim or blame you for the truck accident. For this reason, it is smart not to talk to the other party’s insurance company. First, consult with our experienced Jackson personal injury attorney at Giddens Law Firm.

In addition to the truck driver and company, other parties can become involved in commercial truck accident cases. These parties may include truck parts makers, the shipping company that loads the cargo, or those who maintain the vehicle. Many parties are involved in personal injury cases from truck and car accidents. This can make resolving claims more complicated.

Luckily, our experienced 18-wheeler accident lawyer in Jackson, MS, knows how to handle these cases. They will work hard to get the best result for you.

What Are the Major Causes of Truck Accidents in Jackson, MS?

Accidents are sometimes unavoidable, but when negligence contributes to a truck accident, pursuing legal action against the responsible party becomes your right. Here are some common causes of truck accidents that result from driver negligence:

Drowsy Driving

Following hours of service regulations can help ensure that truck drivers start their shifts well-rested and alert. Many drivers take breaks during the day to refresh themselves and give their eyes a rest. Some even incorporate brisk walks or exercise breaks to stay alert. Of course, coffee and other caffeinated stimulants also play a role in helping drivers stay awake.

While most truckers adhere to these safety practices, there are some who engage in risky behavior that impairs their ability to operate their trucks safely. The long hours and demanding conditions experienced by truck drivers can lead to extreme fatigue. Drowsy truck drivers can be just as dangerous as those under the influence of alcohol.

Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol

Unfortunately, some truck drivers resort to illegal substances to stay awake, compromising the safety of everyone on the road. One such illegal stimulant is methamphetamine, or meth, which is easily accessible to truck drivers. While meth may help them stay awake, it can also lead to hallucinations and vertigo. Meth also impairs a driver’s reaction time and depth perception, which are highly undesirable when operating a massive eighteen-wheeler.

Meth users are at an increased risk of health issues like heart attacks and strokes, which can occur suddenly and potentially lead to accidents if the affected individual is behind the wheel.

Aggressive Driving

Spending extended hours on the road can be stressful, especially when under tight deadlines. This stress can lead to irritability and aggressive driving behavior, which can result in devastating crashes.

Aggressive driving encompasses various unsafe behaviors, including speeding, tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, running red lights and stop signs, illegal passing, cutting off other drivers, brake checking, and failure to yield the right of way.

Distracted Driving

The rise of cell phones has made distracted driving alarmingly common, and it poses a significant danger. In 2020 alone, 3,142 people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.

Taking one’s eyes off the road for just five seconds may not seem risky, but at a speed of around 55 mph, a truck can travel the length of an entire football field without attention to the road.

Why Choose Giddens Law Firm for Your Truck Accident Case?

When your injuries result in a lifetime of pain and suffering, a quick settlement from the insurance company is insufficient to cover future medical expenses and the suffering caused by the truck driver’s negligence. Catastrophic injuries like amputations, paralysis, burns, brain damage, or even death often occur in accidents involving large trucks and have lifelong consequences for you and your family. In such cases, you need the guidance of a compassionate and experienced Mississippi truck accident lawyer dedicated entirely to your cause.

Meticulous in its approach, the Giddens Law Firm has the time and resources to maximize the chances of a favorable outcome for your trucking accident case. We collaborate with some of the top trucking accident attorneys in the country to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve after an accident.

If you have been seriously injured in a truck accident, it is critical to take immediate action.  Please contact us today for a free case evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jackson, MS Truck Accidents

What is the value of my truck accident case?

The value of every personal injury case is unique, and there is no fixed amount. To estimate the value of your accident, we must consider various factors. Once we have a better understanding of your claim and the losses resulting from another party’s negligence, we can provide a rough estimate of the value of your truck accident case.

How much does a truck accident lawyer cost?

Our 18-wheeler accident attorneys, like most Mississippi truck accident attorneys, work on a contingency basis. This means you are not required to pay for our services until the case concludes. If we successfully secure a settlement or a favorable verdict on your behalf, we will retain a portion of the award. If we cannot obtain the necessary compensation, you owe us no fee.

What should I do if a trucking company representative calls me?

It is essential to consult with an attorney before providing a recorded statement to the trucking company or its insurance provider. Insurance agents may attempt to pressure you into accepting a settlement immediately. Furthermore, avoid signing any documents until you have spoken with a truck accident attorney.

How much time do I have to file a lawsuit after a truck accident in Jackson?

Under Mississippi law, truck accident claimants generally have a three-year window from the date of the accident to file their claims. While this may seem like a considerable amount of time, evidence can deteriorate rapidly after an accident. Filing your accident claim as soon as possible increases your chances of success.

Contact John Giddens, a Top-Rated Truck Accident Attorney in Jackson Today

Reach out to Giddens Law Firm, P.A. if you or a loved one has been involved in an accident with a commercial vehicle. Our initial consultation is free, and we operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay us if there is a financial recovery.

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