Anyone driving the highways of Mississippi has come across serious accidents involving tractor-trailers. These accidents are so disruptive that they often tie up all lanes of a freeway for hours. They also frequently involve devastating life-changing injuries because of the relative weight difference between a big-rig that is carrying a full load and a relatively diminutive passenger vehicle. Although tractor-trailers constitute a fairly nominal percentage of vehicles on Mississippi roadways, they account for a third of all motor vehicle related fatalities in the U.S. We often receive inquiries about Mississippi tractor-trailer accidents so we have provided some answers to basic questions.
Are tractor-trailers really any more dangerous than other motor vehicles?
Tractor-trailers are absolutely more dangerous than other types of motor vehicle accidents. A fully loaded conventional tractor-trailer that navigates the roads of Mississippi may weigh as much as 80,000 pounds and exceed 75 feet in length. This makes tractor-trailers more likely to be involved in a collision because they are less responsive to sudden steering and braking maneuvers. Tractor-trailers also have enormous blind spots that make collisions more likely when making lane changes or merging with traffic. These enormous motor vehicles also cause more serious injuries when involved in a collision because of the weight difference between a passenger vehicle and a tractor-trailer.
Are there special rules that tractor-trailer drivers must follow?
While tractor-trailer operators must abide by the traffic laws that apply to motorists generally, there are special restrictions on the operation of tractor-trailers because of the unique risk that these motor vehicles posed to those with whom they share Mississippi roadways. Any big rig that engages in interstate trucking, which means it operates across state lines, is subject to regulation by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These carriers may also be subject to state regulations when being operating within Mississippi’s borders. Intrastate trucking companies operate exclusively within Mississippi, and they are governed primarily by Mississippi state laws and regulations. Trucking regulations address many key safety issues associated with tractor-trailers including:
- Drug and alcohol testing
- Anti-fatigue rules (hours of service rules)
- Maximum length and weight of tractor-trailers
- Pre-employment screening standards
- Rules regarding medical fitness to operate a tractor-trailer
- Restrictions on the transport of hazardous substances
- Rules regarding properly securing of loads
While these are just a few example of trucking safety issues that are governed by state and federal regulations, these regulations are an acknowledgement of the danger posed by tractor-trailers.
What types of Mississippi tractor-trailer accidents is a driver likely to be involved in?
Tractor-trailers may be involved in any of the normal sorts of accident that passenger vehicles are involved in including rear-enders, head-on collisions, rollover accidents, run-off-the-road accidents as well as others. However, the unique physical attributes of a tractor-trailer mean that it also may be involved in accidents that are unique to this type of vehicle. One particularly dangerous type of Mississippi tractor-trailer accident is a “jackknife” accident. A jackknife accident occurs when the cab of a tractor-trailer is skidding and the trailer pushes the cab forward which causes the cab to swing around toward the rear of the vehicle. These accidents can be extremely dangerous because the tractor-trailer may rollover on other vehicles or block the entire roadway. Carriage underride accidents are also a particularly dangerous type of tractor-trailer accident. In a carriage underride accident, a passenger vehicle slides under the tractor-trailer where it may be crushed.
How common are fatalities in trucking accidents?
Accidents involving tractor-trailers account for one-third of all accident related fatalities.
Is a tractor-trailer injury claim similar to other motor vehicle accident claims?
Collisions involving tractor-trailers are generally more serious than other motor vehicle accidents. Many times our experienced Mississippi trucking accident attorneys use industry experts during the process of negotiating or litigating a claim. We also work aggressively to avoid the loss of critical evidence. Trucking accidents are so common for commercial carriers that they frequently make minor repairs and put commercial vehicles right back in service. This can mean that evidence of damage to the tractor-trailer or information stored on the vehicle’s black box data recorder may be lost. While fatigue and hours of service related issues also may be recorded in a driver’s logbook, these books are often filled with distortions and inaccuracies.
If you are involved in a tractor-trailer accident, our experienced tractor-trailer accident lawyers at Barrett Law may be able to represent you in obtaining compensation for your injuries. Our law firm offers careful investigation of the facts, extensive knowledge of the law, creative legal strategies and effective negotiation and litigation. The experienced Mississippi tractor-trailer accident attorneys at Barrett Law have been providing aggressive representation to Mississippi tractor-trailer accident victims for over 75 years. We provide diligent legal representation and impassioned advocacy so we invite you to call us today at 662-834-2376 to learn how we can help.