While any vehicular accident can be a serious matter, none have the potential to be as devastating as truck accidents. In Gulfport, Mississippi, commercial trucks are a constant. The area’s proximity to major shipping hubs and freight ports means that large trucks are on major highways and even local roads daily. When a crash occurs with one of these massive vehicles, you may feel overwhelmed. But a Gulfport truck accident lawyer from our firm can handle the legal process on your behalf.
Chhabra, Gibbs & Gustavis, P.A. is known for our fierce approach to justice on behalf of accident victims. Since these accidents can be more complex than passenger vehicle accidents, our immense understanding of truck accident laws proves to be highly valuable for clients.
No matter how many parties or overlapping levels of regulation are involved in the truck accident case, we remain dedicated to your results. If a truck accident has left you hurt, in debt, or struggling in life, we’re only a call away.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Commercial trucks are an important part of our economy here in Mississippi and across the country. Though many drivers travel and do their job responsibly, these larger commercial vehicles are often linked to negligence and unsafe practices.
Because of the larger dimensions and heavier weight of these vehicles, they often require more distance to turn, more time to stop, and more careful handling in any challenging road conditions. Some common causes of truck accidents include:
Driver fatigue. Many drivers spend long hours on the road, and can become more fatigued if they don’t take their federally mandated rest breaks.
Distracted driving. Due to their long trips, some drivers turn to e-books, podcasts, or calls with loved ones to occupy their attention, which can lead to accidents.
Speeding. Because truckers are often tasked with making many deliveries in tight timeframes, it’s common that they may speed.
Improper loads. Some trucks are loaded too full or improperly, often in an effort to save money, but this cost-cutting measure can cause the trailer to sway or even flip.
Mechanical failures due to poor maintenance. Some drivers and companies also neglect maintenance to save time or money, but this can also present serious road hazards.
Lack of experience on local roads. Many commercial freight deliveries come from out of state, so drivers may not be familiar with local roads in Mississippi.
Whether your truck accident case is based on the willful negligence of a driver or company, or it is focused on a simple but costly mistake they made, our law firm can help you pursue justice with a fact-focused case.
With a Gulfport truck accident attorney from our firm supporting you, it’s much easier to hold truck drivers and freight companies accountable. While their unique commercial status may raise some questions about how to proceed, we are highly familiar with truck accident case practices. Let us put this knowledge to work and pursue a settlement on your behalf.
How a Truck Accident Could Impact Your Health
The sheer size and weight of commercial vehicles make them capable of causing enormous bodily and property harm. Even a low-speed accident with a commercial truck can be catastrophic for anyone affected.
No matter the scope of your injuries, we can aid you in pursuing justice. Truck accident victims may emerge from the crash with ailments ranging from painful to catastrophic or even fatal, including:
Smaller injuries. It doesn’t take much for a commercial truck to cause injuries. Even when moving at low speeds, it can lead to bruises, fractures, scrapes, abrasions, and broken bones. While some people may feel lucky to escape their accident with just these injuries, you can still seek compensation if the other driver was at fault.
Catastrophic injuries. Commercial vehicles can generate tremendous force and send other vehicles flying, spinning, or flipping. The sudden impact can lead to internal injuries like organ damage or traumatic and debilitating injuries like spinal cord or brain damage.
Fatal injuries. In some cases, a truck injury can be fatal. Large trucks accounted for 9% of all fatal crashes. Mississippi Code Section 11-7-13 notes that a person may pursue legal action on behalf of someone who died due to injuries from an accident.
The broad scope of injuries represents the unpredictable nature of truck accidents. Chhabra, Gibbs & Gustavis, P.A. can bring a greater degree of control to your case.
Though no outcome is guaranteed, as every case depends on its own evidence, we’ve recovered millions on behalf of past clients. We can bring this same sense of diligence and dedication to you when you hire a truck accident lawyer from our firm.
Three Common Mistakes People Make in Truck Accident Cases
A truck accident can be extremely jarring to your body as well as your mind. Not only could you be dealing with injuries, but you may also be suffering from a great deal of uncertainty about what to do next.
The anxiety from the situation can cloud your judgment, making it even harder to navigate the complex legal system and the overlapping legislation governing truck accidents. Chhabra, Gibbs & Gustavis, P.A. can help you make the right decisions and avoid common mistakes. A few of the most common errors a person may make in their truck accident situation include:
Assuming partial fault disqualifies them from seeking compensation. Some people mistakenly assume that if they played a role in the accident, they’re unable to pursue a claim. Even if you were partially responsible for the accident, you can still seek a settlement, though it may be reduced. This concept is known as contributory negligence, as outlined by Mississippi Code Section 11-7-15.
Downplaying their injuries. While many accident victims are eager to move on, this can lead them to make the serious error of neglecting their injuries. Some injuries, like traumatic brain injuries, grew worse in 30% of victims over five years. It’s recommended to seek medical attention after your accident, so you can know the full extent of your injuries and use these medical reports in your truck accident case.
Trying to represent themselves. It’s easy to assume that a commercial truck is always at fault in an accident with a passenger vehicle. Insurance companies know how to attempt to avoid as much blame as possible in order to minimize their required payouts. A Gulfport truck accident attorney from our firm can anticipate and counter these tactics, so you get what you’re entitled to.
The simplest way to avoid these and other errors is to hire a truck accident lawyer. Our firm can provide you with case-specific guidance throughout all steps of your situation. Our team can handle all aspects of your case, from gathering evidence and negotiating with insurance companies to helping you prepare for court and representing you directly if the matter proceeds to this point.
Truck accidents are more common in Gulfport because the area is a major hotbed for shipping, thanks to its coastal location. Two major truck routes that serve the area are I-10 and US 49. However, truck accidents can occur in any location, as about 54% of crashes occurred in rural areas, 27% on highways, and 13% fell into both categories by occurring on rural interstate highways.
Commercial trucks are governed by both federal and state laws. Federal regulations are controlled by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and cover matters like vehicle standards, rest breaks, and drug testing. State traffic laws also apply, even to out-of-state drivers. Our law firm can use our knowledge of both sets of law to help build your case.
Multiple parties can be held liable in a truck accident case. These include the driver, the trucking company, the equipment manufacturer, the cargo loader, or some combination of these. This can result in a longer investigation with more evidence required. Our law firm can work to find the facts in your case and pursue proper accountability on your behalf.
A truck accident case can involve a wide variety of evidence. This includes accident scene analysis, ELD records, maintenance logs, company practices, witness testimonies, medical reports, and camera footage from traffic and dashboard cameras. Our team can work to gather all necessary evidence for your case and build a strong fact-focused argument as we pursue your settlement.
Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer
A truck accident can leave you dealing with severe injuries, soaring medical bills, and serious lifestyle struggles. But you don’t have to handle the ensuing legal process alone. Here at Chhabra, Gibbs & Gustavis, P.A., we take a thorough and focused approach to pursuing justice on behalf of every client who seeks our help. Our firm has:
More than 130 years of combined experience among all team members
A near-perfect Google rating with over 500 reviews
A commitment to prompt communication with clients
An aggressive approach to pursuing settlements quickly
We know that a truck accident can leave you suffering and struggling, so our team can work with great dedication to get you the resources you need for recovery. When you’re ready to learn why more people choose us after they’ve been in an accident, reach out to our office. We can schedule a consultation.
Do you need legal help or a consultation? Contact us now.
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$5,720,000
Workers’ Comp/3rd Party injury - client hit by a front-end loader.
$2,907,000
Personal injury - Three-year-old fell from a second-story window sustaining serious injuries.
$2,350,000
Workers comp/third party Construction injury at maintenance plant.
$2,200,000
Workers' Comp/3rd Party injury - scaffolding on job site collapsed. Back injury which required spinal surgery.
$2,000,000
Workers’ Comp/3rd Party Injury - Forklift injury case.
$1,950,000
Wrongful death from construction site injury.
$1,900,000
Workers’ Comp/3rd Party - Struck by a tire pushed by heavy machinery on job site.
$1,400,000
Workers’ Comp/3rd party - Log fell on top of truck driver at logging site.
$1,300,000
18-wheeler/logging truck wreck.
$1,100,000
Verdict for a Woman Injured in Disputed Liability Car Wreck.
$1,058,180
Slip and Fall Damages injuries to right and left leg.
$1,028,287
Workers’ Comp/ Slip and Fall - Caregiver slip and fall at patient's home.