Mississippi is a state known for its beautiful landscapes and Southern hospitality, but it’s got a darker reputation, too: its dangerous roads. Mississippi 18-Wheeler accidents historically kill more than 900 people per year, and injure thousands more. Families and victims of large truck accidents often face higher medical bills, longer recovery periods, more catastrophic life-altering injuries, more missed time on the job, and greater degrees of pain and suffering than those involved in car accidents with passenger vehicles. If you’ve been injured in a Mississippi 18-Wheeler accident, let an experienced attorney fight for your rights.
Mississippi 18-Wheeler Accidents can cause Serious Injuries
Semi-truck accidents can be serious. In an 18-wheeler crash, your injuries are likely to be serious; the fatality rate for multiple-vehicle truck accident collisions is 82%, compared to 59% for all passenger vehicles.
Why 18-Wheeler Accidents Occur
Here are some of the reasons why 18-wheeler accidents occur. Any of these situations may lead to a successful lawsuit if another motorist is injured:
- The truck driver did not take extra caution in adverse weather conditions.
- The truck driver operates his tractor-trailer carelessly.
- The tractor-trailer has been poorly maintained.
- A defective part, such as brakes, leads to an accident.
- The tractor-trailer is improperly loaded with cargo.
- The tractor-trailer driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- The tractor-trailer driver has been driving more than the maximum allowed hours.
- The tractor-trailer company failed to follow federal trucking safety laws.
A government study in 2006 identified four causes responsible for the majority of 18-wheeler accidents:
- The driver lost control due to unsecured cargo shifting.
- Adverse weather conditions.
- Speeding
- Driver fatigue
To combat the danger of fatigued driving, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration limits the number of hours a trucker can drive in a 24-hour time span. If a trucker violates these rules and causes an accident, both the driver and the trucking company may be held legally accountable.
When you’re injured in a Mississippi 18-wheeler accident, you could face tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills. If the responsible party won’t pay, you could get stuck with those medical bills. Don’t let irresponsible drivers get away with injuring you and walking away without paying. Whether you’ve been injured in a semi-truck accident governed by federal laws, or accident that falls under local jurisdiction, our experienced Mississippi 18-wheeler accident attorneys can help.
What To Do After a 18-Wheeler Accident
Don’t Become a Victim of the Insurance Companies
Insurance companies aren’t your friends. They’re in business to make money, and they do this by collecting more money than they pay out. It’s in an insurance company’s best interests to avoid paying out on your claim, and sometimes they may try to avoid paying your legitimate car accident claim. When they do pay, insurance companies try to low-ball you so they can keep more of their money for themselves. Things can get even more complicated if you’re injured in a Mississippi 18-wheeler accident, as those may be governed by federal law and can get very complex.
Don’t rely on the insurance companies to treat you fairly and pay your claim. You might not need an attorney for a small property damage claim caused by a Mississippi car accident, or for minor injuries that go away in a few days. However, if you’ve got serious injuries or a claim in excess of a thousand dollars, however, hiring a Mississippi 18-wheeler attorney can make sure your case gets the attention it deserves.
As an 18-wheeler victim, you have rights. If your accident was caused by another driver’s negligence, you have a right to recover your medical bills, lost wages and property damage from the accident. Don’t let the insurer pay less than your accident is worth. Chhabra & Gibbs, P.A. is an experienced Mississippi 18-wheeler wreck law firm, and they know how to deal with insurance companies. Let us represent your interests – call today for a free consultation.
Our Mississippi 18-wheeler accident attorneys specialize in handling legal cases involving large truck collisions. Our attorneys possess expertise in personal injury law and understand the complexities associated with commercial truck accidents. They provide legal representation to victims seeking compensation for injuries, property damage, and other losses resulting from such accidents. Skilled and knowledgeable, our accident attorneys navigate the legal process to help our clients achieve favorable outcomes.