Truck Accident Attorneys in Ocean Springs
Any vehicle accident can pose serious risk of injuries to the driver and others involved in the crash. However, collisions involving large commercial trucks can be especially dangerous. Semi-trucks typically weigh over 80,000 pounds, and their massive size is enough to cause exceptionally devastating injuries and fatalities.
These large automobiles are harder to maneuver and usually carry potentially dangerous materials. Based on this, truckers and trucking companies must be extremely prudent and alert. If a truck driver or trucking company is reckless or makes even a minor error, it could potentially cause a deadly traffic accident.
If you or a loved one was involved in a truck crash, it is vital that you seek legal counsel from a seasoned and skilled Ocean Springs truck accident attorney. At Gardner Law Firm, a knowledgeable and competent legal team will guide you every step of the way to pursue the fair and rightful compensation that you deserve. We have decades of combined experience in handling accident cases, and we will ensure that the liable parties are held accountable.
Reasons for Truck Accidents and Potentially At-Fault Parties
There can be multiple liable parties in a truck collision. This differs from passenger vehicle crashes which usually involve only two potentially responsible parties. The parties at fault in a truck accident might include the following:
- The truck operator
- The trucking company
- The driver of the passenger vehicle
- Car accident victim(s)
- The shipper or cargo loader
- The cargo manufacturer
- The truck or truck parts manufacturer
Truck collisions occur for various reasons, which explain the existence of so many potentially responsible parties. Besides, the relationship between the trucker and trucking company (employee-employer relationship) brings in the concept of vicarious responsibility.
The primary cause of truck crashes us almost always negligence. The most common types of negligence that causes large truck accidents are as follows:
- Errors on the part of the trucker, such as driving aggressively, taking a turn too quickly, or distracted driving
- Inadequate truck driver training
- Hours of service regulation violations
- Lack of vehicle maintenance
- Cargo/loading errors causing cargo shifts
- Trucker impairment or fatigue
- Faulty truck part(s)
The experienced truck accident lawyers at Gardner Law Firm understand the various potential causes of these collisions. We are competent to thoroughly investigate all possible causes. If a trucking company makes claims that do not ring true, we are willing and able to fight hard for your best interests.
Negligence by the Trucking Company in Ocean Springs, MS
In the United States, trucking agencies must follow Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) guidelines, along with Mississippi regulations that ensure the safety and appropriate maintenance of tractor-trailers.
However, many companies fail to adequately follow these guidelines in a bid to cut corners and reduce costs. The trucking company may be found to be responsible for any crashes that occur if a truck if found to be poorly maintained or not equipped with the requisite technological upgrades.
In the same manner, if a trucking company is found to be forcing their truck drivers to work extended hours without sleep or rest, they may be considered negligent. According to FMCSA guidelines, truckers must take breaks and halt for the night, irrespective of how urgently the company wants the route completed.
When the qualified lawyers at Gardner Law Firm investigate an Ocean Springs, MS truck crash, we check the trucker’s logbooks to understand whether the truck driver was qualified to operate the semi-truck in question and was following government guidelines on maximum hours of service and necessary rest periods. If the log books have been falsified, we can identify that as well.
Legal Help from Accomplished Ocean Springs, MS Truck Crash Lawyers
In comparison to your typical car accident, a crash involving a large commercial automobile is very different. Our lawyers at Gardner Law Firm in Ocean Springs, MS are aware of those differences. We use our in-depth understanding of truck accident cases and the vast resources at our disposal to ensure the best case outcomes for our clients. We will:
Conduct a Thorough Investigation
After an accident, trucking companies and their insurers act fast in order to protect their interests. We will act rapidly too, to protect your right to damages. We promptly investigate the crash site, get pictures, speak to witnesses and preserve, collect and review other vital evidence, such as GPS data, mobile phone records, black box data, and trucker chemical test results.
Understand if Violations of Trucking Laws Occurred
We are well-aware of the federal and state laws that cover almost all facets of interstate and intrastate trucking in MS, especially those regulations that limit the number of hours that truck drivers can spend behind the wheel, restrict texting and speaking on a hand-held mobile device, and restrict the weight that big rigs can carry. Violations of these regulations that result in an accident can amount to negligence per se.
Identify all Liable Parties
In a truck accident, unlike a passenger vehicle crash case, the other driver may not be the only one at fault for your injuries. Various other parties, including those who are located outside MS, may be held liable, including the trucker’s employer, leasing company, warehouse owner, mechanic, dispatcher, loading company, or shipping broker. To ensure that you get maximum compensation for your injuries and losses, we will work hard to determine all potentially liable parties.
Consult with Experts
The stakes are high in a Mississippi truck accident. Thus, it is important to consult accident reconstruction specialists, trucking safety experts, engineers, and other professionals. Experts can evaluate the evidence, establish the reason for your truck accident, and significantly bolster your claim for compensatory damages.
Determine your Damages
We will assess your medical records, loss of income, and other economic losses cause by your accident with a rig. Further, we will consult experts in areas such as life-care planning. Our aim is to determine every penny you are owed due to the recklessness of the trucker and/or other parties responsible for your crash. We want to ensure that you receive appropriate medical care to enable you to move ahead with your life.
Pursue Fair Compensation
Our experienced attorneys will demand fair and just compensation for your injuries from the insurance company. We are prepared to fight hard for you at trial, if required. At Gardner Law Firm, instead of pushing the client for a lowball settlement offer, we would rather fight for their rights at trial.
Protect your Best Interests in an Ocean Springs, MS Truck Crash Case
In the United States, the trucking industry is well-established, with trucking companies raking in billions of dollars in revenue annually. When truck collisions occur, these companies may have attorneys and adjusters protecting their profits. Victims of truck accidents and their families can undergo immense suffering when truck companies and truckers do not follow regulations and proper safety procedures.
If you or a loved one has been in a truck accident in Ocean Springs, MS, you need the attorneys at Gardner Law Firm on your side. To set up a free case review with a qualified truck accident lawyer, call today at (228) 436-6555.