Many personal injury attorneys focus on representing motorists injured in accidents involving large commercial trucks. While truck accidents do cause hundreds of thousands of injuries to drivers and passengers in the motor vehicles involved, truckers are also commonly injured in such crashes. Recently, a man was killed in Jones County when his 18 wheeler truck crashed into a passenger vehicle. The 42 year old truck driver died at the scene as a result of his injuries.
Emergency medical responders were called to the intersection of Spur Line Road and Mississippi 29 South. According to investigators, the accident occurred when an individual driving a sedan pulled out onto Mississippi 29 from Spur Line Road. The vehicle pulled directly in front of the 18 wheeler, which was traveling lawfully on Mississippi 29. The truck driver attempted to swerve to avoid colliding with the vehicle but clipped the front passenger side of the car. When the vehicles collided, the car was knocked down an embankment on the side of the highway and the 18 wheeler plowed down the embankment into a ravine. The now deceased trucker was trapped inside his truck. The driver of the car sustained only minor injuries and is expected to make a full recovery.
When truckers and injured or killed in an accident while on the job, workers’ compensation will generally be their only avenue of relief. Injured workers can seek reimbursement for their medical expenses and part of their lost wages through workers’ compensation. The relatives of those killed while on the job can seek death benefits, which will usually include partial wage compensation, funeral, and burial costs.
The following is a list of steps injured truckers should take following any accident:
- Report: Report the accident to the police and your employer. Record the injury in your logbook as soon as possible. Obtain a copy of the police report and tell your employer in detail, in writing, precisely how the accident happened. If your employer requires a certain form be used, be sure to turn in the form.
- Write: Write down your description of the accident as soon as possible after it happens, while it is still fresh in your memory. Include any witness names, addresses, and phone numbers. Take pictures of the scene of the accident and the damage to you, as well as your truck.
- Seek Medical Attention: Even if you are unsure of the extent of your injuries, seek medical attention right away after the accident. Inform your doctor as to what occurred and provide a full description of any pain or problems which you are experiencing.
- Don’t Sign: Do not sign any document or offer any recorded statements unless you have consulted with an attorney who approves of you doing so and is present at the time.
- Call a n Attorney: As soon as you can after the accident, retain the assistance of an experienced workers’ compensation attorney who understands the unique issues involved in trucker workers’ compensation claims.
Barrett Law PLLC: Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Offering Assistance to Injured Truckers
Truckers are involved in accidents every day across the nation. While many accident attorneys focus on injured drivers and passengers of motor vehicles, the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC have considerable experience representing truckers who are injured in accidents while on the job. We understand the complexities often involved in receiving full benefits following your truck accident. Our attorneys have the knowledge and skill to fight for your full recovery. Call the renowned workers’ compensation attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule your free consultation.