Truck Accidents

Mississippi Truck Accident Lawyers

Dedicated Advocacy to Fight for Accountability in the Trucking Industry

Large truck accidents happen every day all across the country. The specific causes of truck accidents can vary, but overall, two things are almost always true. One, when it comes to large truck accidents, the people outside the big rig are almost always the ones most harmed, and two, these crashes often cause catastrophic injuries or death. Fortunately, injury victims and their loved ones can file a personal injury claim to seek compensation. However, the insurance company of the negligent party is likely to fight back. That’s why you need a Mississippi truck accident lawyer on your side.

At Rundlett Law Firm, PLLC, our dedicated team of personal injury lawyers is here to handle your truck accident claim. We’ve been dealing with these cases for years, and we know it’s typically an uphill battle for injury victims. Fortunately, you don’t have to go through this alone. If you or someone you love has been involved in an accident with a large truck, whether it was with a big rig, tanker truck, construction vehicle, tow truck, or anything else, substantial compensation might be available. Contact the accident lawyers at our law firm today.

We’ll review your case and help you better understand your rights so you can make the best decision for yourself moving forward.

Are You Entitled to Financial Compensation?

When someone is involved in an accident with a semi-truck, they’re often entitled to compensation. However, this is not guaranteed. You can ask any legal professional in the country — from New York paralegals to Gulfport truck accident lawyers — and they’ll tell you that personal injury claims always come down to proving liability. While this may sound straightforward, it’s more complicated than simply looking at the other party and saying, “Their actions caused my accident.” In fact, there are several elements of liability that must be proven in court:

  • Duty of care: It’s first necessary to show that a responsibility to avoid actions that could harm others existed. For instance, a truck driver is expected to drive safely.
  • Breach of duty: Any successful personal injury case must also involve a breach of duty. For instance, a truck driver who is fatigued or intoxicated would be breaching their duty of care.
  • Damages suffered: A successful truck accident claim will also show that damages occurred. This could be anything from medical expenses to pain and suffering.
  • Causation: Breaches of duty happen every day, but a successful personal injury claim must show that a specific breach is what directly caused the victim’s damages.

It’s important to keep in mind that these elements only need to be established in court if your truck accident claim isn’t settled with the insurance company. However, a settlement is unlikely if the insurer believes you’ll be unable to establish these elements in a court of law. That’s why it’s so important to have an experienced truck accident attorney in Mississippi handle your case for you. They know how to deal with insurance adjusters, and insurers are less likely to try to take advantage of you when they know you have legal representation.

There’s a reason why injury victims with attorneys secure higher compensation on average. Don’t accept less than you deserve. Contact our law firm today to learn how we can help.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

Like any collision, there are a lot of factors that can cause large truck crashes. That said, these crashes can be more complicated and involve multiple at-fault parties. The most common cause of truck accidents is reckless or negligent driving. These are essentially dangerous actions taken by truck drivers, such as driving drunk, speeding, or driving distracted. Driver fatigue is a major cause of big rig accidents, as trucking companies incentivize drivers to forgo sleep to save time — even though there are strict working hour requirements on the federal level.

Failing truck parts can also cause a driver to lose control, which can lead to major accidents like a jackknife. Additionally, large trucks have significant blind spots, which means they don’t often see you passing them and can accidentally swerve into your car. The list of possible causes is endless, which is why you’ll want a personal injury law firm to analyze your case and determine who should be held liable for your injury claim. Identifying liable parties after a victim has suffered injuries is one of the most difficult aspects of these cases, but we’re here to help.

Passenger vehicles don’t stand a chance when they encounter large commercial trucks with negligent drivers behind the wheel — but with the right Mississippi truck accident lawyers on your side, it’s possible to secure fair compensation. Contact our law firm today to get the help you need.

Is the Truck Driver Always to Blame?

From intoxication to distracted driving, there are a multitude of unsafe actions committed by truck drivers that can cause serious injuries. However, statistics show us that most collisions involving a commercial vehicle aren’t as clear-cut as one might expect. In fact, it’s typically the case that the truck driver is not the primary liable party. This will obviously depend upon the circumstances of your situation, but the reality is that these drivers are highly trained. That’s why it’s not uncommon for the following trucking company professionals to face negligence claims:

  • Trucking or carrier company
  • Truck owner
  • Freight loader or cargo shipper
  • Maintenance or repair company
  • Manufacturer of the truck or its parts
  • Third-party drivers (e.g., other passenger vehicle drivers)
  • Government or municipal entities
  • Leasing or rental company
  • Broker or logistics company
  • Inspection agencies
  • Training companies

Being involved in a collision with a semi-truck can bring devastation to a person’s life. However, not all tractor-trailer crashes are the fault of the big rig driver. This is why it’s critical to work with Mississippi truck accident lawyers when pursuing compensation. Not only will your attorney be adept at identifying whether the truck driver’s negligence was to blame — but they can also investigate other potential causes that could result in shared liability and the identification of other negligent parties. Unfortunately, injury victims sometimes contribute to their own accidents.

However, this doesn’t mean they’re not entitled to compensation.

What if You’re Partially Responsible for an Accident Involving Large Trucks?

Anyone involved in a tractor-trailer collision should seek the assistance of an experienced truck accident attorney in Mississippi. This is true regardless of the underlying circumstances of your situation. However, injury victims who believe they partially contributed to the collision are in particular need of legal representation. While passenger vehicle drivers often share liability in commercial truck accidents, this doesn’t mean they can’t successfully pursue financial compensation. This is especially true in Mississippi since we’re a pure comparative negligence state.

This means that injury victims can secure compensation even if they’re partially to blame for their own injuries. In fact, it’s possible to recover compensation even if you’re 99% at fault for the collision. This works by reducing awarded compensation by the percentage of relative fault shared by the injury victim. For instance, imagine that a jury decides that you’re 10% at fault because you were speeding. In this situation, a court award for $1 million would be reduced by 10% — so you would receive $900,000 instead of the full award.

This is a great thing for any personal injury case involving liability shared by the victim. However, comparative negligence rules also mean insurance adjusters will often try to shift partial blame to the injured party. You have to remember that every insurance carrier is a business, and their stated goal is always profit. If they pay out every dollar you deserve — especially for serious or fatal injuries — it becomes much more difficult for them to profit. That’s why you should always work with a Mississippi truck accident lawyer who will seek maximum compensation on your behalf.

What Are the Common Injuries Suffered by Truck Accident Victims?

Truck accident injuries can be absolutely devastating. This explains why injurious and fatal truck accidents make up a disproportionate amount of serious auto accidents across the nation. While passenger vehicle collisions are much more common, a truck wreck is more likely to cause major injuries and even death. The injuries suffered by individuals involved in these collisions will differ based on individual circumstances. However, the one fact that remains true is that the results are often devastating. Just consider the most common trucking accident injuries:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Blunt force trauma
  • Whiplash and neck injuries
  • Lacerations and burns
  • Disfigurement
  • Chest injuries
  • Amputations
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Psychological trauma
  • Internal organ damage
  • Wrongful death

The average car is around 25 times lighter than a fully loaded tractor-trailer on the highway. This is precisely why a big rig collision will typically always be more severe than a traditional car wreck. However, it’s important to keep in mind that compensation isn’t only available for catastrophic injuries. Even a fractured bone can seriously disrupt a person’s life — resulting in excessive medical bills and lost time at work. You shouldn’t have to bear the burden of these losses on your own, and with our truck accident lawyers in Mississippi on your side, you may not have to.

At Rundlett Law Firm, we’re here to guide you through the complicated personal injury claim process. We don’t get paid unless we secure compensation on your behalf. This means you have nothing to lose by reaching out. Contact us today to learn more.

What Evidence Will I Need to Prove Fault?

Because these cases tend to involve multiple parties and high-powered law firms hired by the insurance company, any evidence you can gather will help form a strong legal claim. In order to win, you and your truck accident lawyer will need to prove that a commercial truck driver, trucking company, or truck manufacturer acted negligently – and that is what caused the accident. This will often be more difficult than proving fault in a traditional car accident. This is due to the potential for multiple liable parties and the potentially life-altering outcomes of a trucking accident injury.

Still, the following pieces of evidence may prove invaluable to proving your case:

  • Photos and videos of the accident scene
  • Police report
  • Witness statements
  • Medical records and bills
  • Expert testimony
  • Employment records
  • Vehicle damage estimates
  • Black box data
  • Toxicology reports
  • Maintenance and inspection records
  • Bills and receipts for out-of-pocket expenses
  • Psychological records
  • Proof of pain and suffering
  • Correspondence with the trucking company or their insurer

Clearly, there’s no shortage of evidence that can help injury victims prove their case. If you have an experienced truck accident lawyer on your side, they can uncover this evidence and use it to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf. However, insurers will not always operate in a good faith manner. If they refuse to properly compensate you, filing litigation is the next step to securing financial recovery. Whether you’re looking for a Biloxi or Gulfport truck accident attorney — or anywhere in our beautiful state — Rundlett Law Firm is here to help.

No matter what it takes, we’ll work hard to get every penny you deserve.

How Much is My Claim Worth?

Due to the catastrophic nature of a large truck crash, victims often suffer serious injuries and even death. When you combine medical bills, lost wages, and the emotional devastation of the crash, you can easily reach hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars in damage. The insurance company will likely try to offer you a low settlement early on, hoping you will accept. Do not accept any offers without speaking with a truck accident lawyer who can look at your case and determine if what they are offering is fair. Insurance companies have one goal, and that is to pay you as little as possible.

One important thing to remember is that every case involving a semi-truck is different. The circumstances of your collision could be exactly the same as someone else’s, but due to variances in individual circumstances, outcomes can be drastically different. For instance, imagine that two people suffer the exact same injuries due to an accident involving a large truck where the truck driver was 100% at fault. If those two people have different income levels, their compensation for lost wages could differ drastically. Put simply, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for determining a claim’s worth.

If you’ve been involved in an accident involving a commercial vehicle, it’s critical for you to speak with a Mississippi truck accident lawyer who can stand up to insurance companies and get the compensation you deserve. At Rundlett Law Firm, we’ll tirelessly advocate to secure a favorable outcome with your injury claim. Truck accident cases can be incredibly complex, but we’re here to simplify things for you. Let us take the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on the things that matter most. Contact us today.

What Damages Are Available in Mississippi Tractor Trailer Accidents?

Mississippi truck accident attorneys have a goal of securing fair compensation on behalf of their clients. This can happen in a variety of ways. Settlement negotiation is the most common. While these negotiations frequently result in reduced compensation compared to litigation, securing a settlement without going to court has many benefits. This is particularly true when your attorney is able to negotiate a fair settlement. Unfortunately, insurance companies will not always treat injury victims fairly in truck accident cases.

When this happens, litigation becomes necessary. At this point, there are various damages that a court might award — damages that frequently far exceed any potential settlement offer.

Special Damages

Also known as economic damages, a court award of special damages reimburses injury victims for their financial losses when truck accidents happen. Damages can include medical bills, lost wages, property damage, funeral costs, loss of financial support, and other monetary losses.

General Damages

Also known as non-economic damages, a court award of general damages reimburses injury victims for their non-financial losses. A commercial truck accident can lead to pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of companionship, and other losses that aren’t easily quantifiable.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are typically awarded when liable parties engage in particularly egregious actions. For instance, a tractor-trailer truck driver who was intoxicated during an accident could easily be on the hook for additional damages as a form of punishment.

Why Do I Need a Mississippi Truck Accident Attorney?

Truck accident cases are quite a bit different from a standard vehicle crash. You won’t be dealing with a fellow citizen who is also a bit scared and unsure about how to navigate the legal system. You’ll be dealing with big companies that hire big lawyers. However, many people never even encounter these attorneys. That’s because insurance adjusters are often able to convince injury victims to accept unfair settlement offers. It may sound fair for them to offer to cover all your medical expenses, but the reality is that truck accident victims are often entitled to far more.

Additionally, the catastrophic injuries suffered in a semi-truck accident often have lifelong repercussions. You could need therapy and medical intervention for years to come — and if an insurance company only reimburses you for current costs, who is going to pay your future expenses? The simple fact is that insurers will do everything in their power to pay you as little as possible. And when someone refuses to accept an unfair settlement, these companies love to send their experienced attorneys to court against victims who don’t have legal representation.

The statistics don’t lie: injured individuals who seek legal counsel secure higher compensation on average. Any accident claims involving a commercial vehicle have the potential for substantial financial recovery, but this is only if you’re able to prove your case. If you or someone you love has been severely injured or killed in a large truck accident, it’s essential to enlist the help of a Mississippi truck accident attorney. Rundlett Law Firm, PLLC has been helping people get compensation for a long time and can provide needed care for clients whose cases depend on a strong response to a major accident.

How Can You Maximize Compensation After a Truck Accident?

When someone is involved in a truck accident, everything they do from that point forward can affect the financial recovery they’re entitled to. Even actions and statements at the scene of the accident can play a significant role — potentially allowing you to maximize compensation or lose your ability to recover at all. That’s why it’s important for you to understand the best ways to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Even if you’ve already moved past some of these steps or made mistakes along the way, it’s never too late to get on the right path.

  • Seek immediate medical attention: Even if you feel fine after an accident, some injuries will not show immediate symptoms. Getting prompt medical care ensures your injuries are documented and that insurers can’t blame them for anything else.
  • Document everything: Evidence is key in truck accident claims. If possible, take photos and videos of the truck accident scene, your injuries, and the damage to your vehicle. Keep all medical records, receipts, and correspondence with insurers.
  • Avoid speaking to insurance adjusters alone: Insurance adjusters will do everything in their power to settle for less than you deserve. Do not give them the opportunity. Let your Mississippi truck accident attorney handle these discussions.
  • Hire an attorney :You should always have an experienced personal injury attorney on your side.
  • Investigate all liability sources: It’s common for there to be multiple liable parties in truck accident cases. Your attorney can investigate your case and pursue all possible avenues for compensation to maximize your recovery.
  • Calculate all damages: Remember that compensation isn’t limited to medical bills and lost wages. A big rig accident lawyer in Mississippi can help you seek damages for non-economic losses as well.
  • Preserve black box data: Most commercial trucks come equipped with a “black box” that records critical data like speed, braking, and driving hours. Getting your hands on this data early on is critical.
  • Stay consistent with medical treatment: Follow your doctor’s orders exactly as they’re given. If you fail to do so, the defense can claim that your injuries were exacerbated by your own negligence.
  • Don’t accept the first settlement offer: Insurers typically offer low settlements early on in the claims process. They want to close cases as quickly as possible. Even if you believe there’s a tentative agreement, you should speak with an attorney before signing anything.

After suffering injuries in a truck accident, you’re in an uphill battle to secure compensation. Unfortunately, far too many people assume the insurance company is going to act in good faith. The reality is that they want to save money whenever possible. This goal is so paramount that adjusters frequently steer conversations in such a way that makes it sound like injury victims are admitting fault for their accident. These people do this for a living, so it’s important that you don’t try to take them on alone. The Mississippi truck accident lawyers at Rundlett Law Firm are here to help.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.

What if You Lose a Loved One in a Truck Accident?

Most people involved in a car wreck are able to walk away with minimal or no injuries. This is far less common in commercial truck accidents. The sheer size of these vehicles greatly increases the likelihood of severe injuries. Even worse, the death rate in these collisions is highly disproportionate. If you have lost a loved one in a truck accident, it’s important to understand that you may be entitled to compensation. No amount of money can bring back what you’ve lost, but it is possible to reduce your financial burden while holding liable parties accountable.

In Mississippi, the following individuals may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim:

  • Surviving spouse
  • Surviving children
  • Surviving parents
  • Surviving siblings
  • Personal representative of the estate

If you’re unsure whether you qualify to file a claim or lawsuit, it’s best to speak with an experienced truck accident attorney in Mississippi. A legal professional can help you understand the claims process, deal with settlement negotiations, and take your case to trial if necessary. No one should lose a loved one due to the recklessness or negligence of other parties, but this is an all too common reality in America. Fortunately, you don’t have to let such wrongful acts go unanswered. At Rundlett Law Firm, our wrongful death attorneys are here to help you seek justice.

Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in Mississippi Today

Most people will never know the difficulties experienced by those involved in tractor-trailer collisions. When truck accidents happen, victims are often left wondering how to move forward. They’re likely facing a growing pile of bills at a time when they’re unable to work. They may also deal with a lifetime of pain and medical treatment. Sadly, it’s also common for people to lose loved ones in these collisions. Regardless of the situation you find yourself in, you don’t have to navigate these complicated legal matters on your own.

At Rundlett Law Firm, PLLC, our dedicated team of Mississippi truck accident attorneys will fight hard to secure the compensation you deserve. We pride ourselves in securing maximum compensation for our community neighbors — because we’ve seen what can happen when injured victims are taken advantage of by insurers. Even if you’re unsure of whether you have a valid injury or wrongful death claim, our law firm is here to help you understand your rights and options. Contact us at (601) 282-8426 to learn more about how we can help. We’re ready to fight on your behalf.