Earlier this year, two students who attended Central Hinds Academy in Raymond were tragically killed in an interstate crash on I-20 when an 18-wheeler rear-ended them. They had been forced to stop in the roadway due to another tractor-trailer being stopped ahead of them.
Sadly, both teens were pronounced dead at the scene while the truck drivers both survived. Unfortunately, when a tractor-trailer is involved with another vehicle, the outcome is often as such and the people in the smaller automotive are likely to suffer catastrophic injuries.
Insurance companies covering truck drivers understand that accidents involving trucks are often extremely costly and will try to get a victim to settle for far less than a case is worth. If you or a loved one is injured, or worse, in a tractor-trailer accident, you should call an experienced personal injury attorney right away.
What Laws do Truck Drivers have to Adhere to?
Truck driving is regulated both by the federal government and the Mississippi law. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issues regulations that truck drivers must adhere to when operating their tractor-trailers. In particular, special rules are imposed upon truck drivers regarding:
- Fatigue
- Substance abuse and alcoholism
- Speed
- Equipment inspection
- Prohibited cargo
There are many more regulations dictating how a truck driver should operate his vehicle and sadly, many times they drivers just do not abide by those rules. In addition to truck driver negligence, sometimes the issue that caused the accident resulted from the mechanics of the truck itself. If that is the case, it will be important to include the manufacturer in the personal injury lawsuit.
An experienced attorney will always help you identify every appropriate defendant in a lawsuit.
What is your Truck Accident Case Worth?
As illustrated above, accidents involving tractor-trailers often result in catastrophic injury and even death. Examples of the kinds of injuries that arise from these accidents include:
- Spinal injuries and paralysis
- Brain damage
- Loss of limbs
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
If you suffer one or a combination of these significant harms or others, you are likely to incur medical bills both for the initial injury and for ongoing treatments and physical therapy. Additionally, you may suffer loss of income. Depending on the severity of the injury, you may be unable to ever work again.
Damages claimed due to injuries resulting from a trucking accident must be calculated upon the present and future needs of the victim.
Call an Experienced Jackson Truck Accident Attorney Today
Time is of the essence in a truck driving accident case and although the other party may try to point fingers and make you think an accident is your fault, you should not speak to anyone before talking to a Jackson truck accident attorney first. Derek L. Hall understands the negotiation tactics that truck driving companies and their insurers play and he is not afraid to take your truck accident case to court to help you get what you deserve.
