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One Killed in Mississippi Accident Involving Three 18 Wheelers

Recently, a truck driver died following an accident involving three 18 wheelers on Interstate 10 near Diamondhead. Local authorities report that the driver became trapped inside his truck when it caught fire.  The 44 year old victim was from Georgia. The Mississippi Highway Patrol reports that two of the trucks were rear-ended, creating a domino effect.  The first truck collided into the rear of a semi truck, causing the trucks to become entangled and a fire to erupt.  One of the semi trucks then rammed into a tanker.  The tanker was transporting a corrosive chemical, but fortunately none of the chemical leaked out of the truck.  An accident reconstructionist is still working to uncover the cause of the accident.

Chain Reaction Truck Accidents

Any tractor trailer accident has the potential to cause serious injury or death. When multiple tractor trailers or multiple vehicles are involved in an accident, often many people will be injured or killed.  Chain reaction crashes are defined as any accident involving several vehicles with one or more vehicles starting a series of events that led to the accidents.

There are several types of chain reaction crashes. An example of a simple form of a chain reaction accident would be several vehicles stopped at a light and one slams into the vehicle in front of it, sending that car or truck into the following car.  In this instance, the vehicle that stated the chain reaction would likely be the vehicle liable for the damages inflicted.

Another common chain reaction accident is as follows: Vehicle A rear ends Vehicle B, and Vehicle C hits Vehicle A because it was following too closely.  In this scenario, it is likely the driver of Vehicle A who would be liable to the driver of Vehicle B for any injuries and damages inflicted, but the driver of Vehicle C may be liable to the driver of Vehicle B as well.

As you can see, chain reaction accidents can be quite complex and there are often several potentially liable parties. When one or more commercial trucks are involved, the accident becomes even more complicated with the involvement of multiple trucking companies.  Some of the most common trigger events of chain reaction crashes include:

  • Rear end accidents
  • Jackknifing trucks
  • Accidents resulting from speeding
  • Sudden stops
  • Bad weather accidents
  • Drunk driving accidents
  • Distracted driving accidents
  • Failure to stay in a lane

If you have been injured in a chain reaction crash that involved one or more trucks, contact a licensed truck accident attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney will review the accident and uncover all possible parties that may have been liable for your injuries or damages inflicted in the accident.  These complicated cases will require thorough investigation and an experienced attorney who will fight for you to receive compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Barrett Law, PLLC: Seeking Justice for Truck Accident Victims

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a truck accident, contact the Mississippi Truck Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law, PLLC. Our preeminent Mississippi law firm has assisted injured truck accident victims and their families for over 75 years.  We fight for our injured clients to receive the coverage they deserve for their medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and much more.  Do not delay in seeking legal assistance as you have a limited time within which to file a claim after your injury.  Call Barrett Law, PLLC today at 1 (601) 790-1505 to schedule your free initial consultation.

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Our Mississippi Truck Accident Attorneys Discuss the Complex Matrix of Trucking Regulations

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The trucking industry is subject to an extensive regulatory framework due to the inherent dangers posed by sharing Mississippi roadways with massive 18-wheelers that dwarf sedans and other passenger cars.  Many of the detailed regulations that govern the trucking industry are designed to implement safety standards that make our roadways safer.  When tractor-trailer drivers and the commercial carriers for whom they work disregard these standards, deadly trucking accidents are the all too common consequence.  Our Mississippi Trucking Accident Attorneys carefully analyze potential cases to identify violations of trucking regulations or other laws that often serve as a basis for holding trucking companies accountable for unsafe practices.

In the broadest sense, there are two major types of trucking schemes that regulate a commercial carrier and their drivers.  Trucks that operate exclusively within the boundaries of Mississippi are governed by “intrastate trucking” regulations, whereas carriers that operate across state lines are subject to “interstate trucking” rules.

Because violations of important trucking safety regulations often constitute the basis for imposing liability on commercial drivers and trucking companies, effective litigation of semi-truck accident cases requires thorough knowledge of trucking regulations.  Examples of issues addressed by these safety standards include:

  • Vehicle inspections and maintenance;
  • Maximum weight and length;
  • Medical fitness of drivers;
  • Proper loading which includes the amount and securing of loads;
  • Testing for impairing substances like alcohol, prescription drugs, and narcotics;
  • Anti-Fatigue regulations;
  • Recordkeeping regarding maintenance, hiring practices, and HOS; and
  • Pre-employment screening and monitoring of drivers.

Although trucking companies and commercial drivers are subject to regulations that require keeping track of certain safety practices, the process of proving negligence is often compounded by failure to abide by these rules.  Truck drivers keep personal logbooks that are supposed to document hours of service.  These logs are so routinely falsified that those in the trucking industry often joke about the widespread practice of maintaining two sets of books.  Our Mississippi trucking lawyers often combat such tactics in some or all of some of these ways:

  • Sending a “Spoliation” Letter:  This notice will advise the trucking company  that the truck and the vehicle’s data recorder (similar to a commercial airplane’s black box) are the subject of litigation.  This correspondence will also warn of the consequences associated with repairing the big-rig, or failing to preserve the black box data.  We can seek financial sanctions or ask the judge to unfavorably rule on certain issues if the trucking company disregards our warning.
  • Filing for an Injunction: Situations might arise where we suspect that the carrier is prepared to destroy evidence and disregard our admonishment regarding spoliation of evidence.  Our law firm might file for an injunction in such cases, so altering or destroying such evidence will constitute a violation of the judge’s order.
  • Using Discovery Aggressively: Because we know that alterations or omission of important records can be a standard practice of certain commercial carriers.  Our Mississippi semi-truck lawyers engage in aggressive discovery to obtain documents and records that can used to expose inconsistencies.

Contact an Experienced Mississippi Truck Accident Attorney Today to Schedule a Free Consultation 

At Barrett Law, PLLC, our compassionate Mississippi Truck Accident Attorneys understand tractor-trailer accident victims often feel overwhelmed, and we are here to help.  Contact our firm today at (601) 790-1505 to schedule your free consultation, so we can answer any questions you may have regarding filing your truck accident case.

 

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Mississippi Truck Accident Attorneys Discuss Jackknife and Rollover Crashes

Tractor trailer drivers work hard every day to transport essential goods across the country.  Though truck drivers serve an important role in society, whenever a large truck enters the roadway, there is a risk of serious accidents.  Tractor trailers are massive vehicles, often weighing 80,000 pounds when fully loaded.  Huge tractor trailers can inflict devastating damage and injuries to the occupants of passenger motor vehicles in the event of an accident.  There are several common types of truck accidents, two of which include jackknifing and rollover accidents.  These crashes are discussed below, as follows:

Large Trucks are Prone to Rollover

Tractor trailers stretch some 13 to 14 feet into the air.  These tall vehicles are extremely prone to rollovers.  Rollover accidents can occur from a variety of circumstances, including being hit from the side or running off the road.  Rollover accidents can also occur due to a variety of truck driver behaviors, such as driving fatigue, speeding, driving while impaired by alcohol abd/or drugs, and more.  These negligent behaviors can lead to loss of control, side collisions, and running off the road, which can all cause the truck to flip.  A rollover truck accident will send a massive vehicle spiraling to the ground, holding the potential to injure not just the truck driver, but drivers and passengers travelling in surrounding vehicles.

Braking Issues Can Cause Trucks to Jackknife

Tractor trailers are generally equipped with three different braking mechanisms, required to control a vehicle so large.  If one of these brakes locks up, the truck could jackknife.  Jackknifing occurs when the trailer swings out from the truck at an angle.  A jackknifing truck can create a major road hazard as it travels across the roadway, often leaving other drivers without sufficient time to stop to avoid a collision.  Inexperienced or poorly trained truck drivers can make a jackknife situation worse by failing to promptly regain control of the truck when it begins to jackknife.

Fighting for the Compensation You Deserve Following a Truck Accident

Jackknife and rollover accidents most frequently result from negligence on the part of the truck driver, trucking company, or manufacturer of a component within the truck.  If you have been injured in a jackknife or rollover truck accident or involved in a chain reaction crash that included a tractor trailer, you may be entitled to compensation.  Truck accident lawsuits will often involve multiple defendants and can become quite complex.  Your experienced truck accident attorney will investigate the crash to uncover the parties responsible and gather evidence in support of your claim.

Injured truck accident victims may be entitled to receive compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.  Truck accidents often result in serious injuries that could have long term implications on your life and career.  Retain the assistance of an attorney as soon as possible after your crash to protect your legal rights.

Barrett Law PLLC:  Mississippi Truck Accident Attorneys With Decades of Experience and a Proven Track Record of Success

If you have been injured in a truck accident, contact the Mississippi Truck Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC.  We understand the serious nature of any truck accident and the long term impact an accident can have on your life and livelihood.  Our prominent Mississippi law firm has assisted injured truck accident victims for over 75 years.  Allow our zealous attorney team to fight for your full recovery following any truck accident.  Do not delay in seeking legal assistance as you have a limited time within which to file a claim after your injury.  Call us today at 1 (601) 790-1505 to schedule your free initial consultation.

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Mississippi Truck Accident Attorneys Explore Discovery of the Truck Driver

The discovery process will prove critical to the ultimate success of any truck accident case.  Discovery is multi-faceted, and will involve an investigation as to the truck driver, the truck, and much more.  Your attorney should be well versed in the realm of truck accident discovery and able to guide you through this important but time consuming process.

The following is a look at the steps to a comprehensive discovery on the truck driver:

Analyze the truck driver’s employment records.

It will be critical to obtain the truck driver’s employment records so as to uncover his or her work history.  Delve into the reasons the truck driver left each prior job, as negligent conduct is a frequent motivator for departure from a company.

Examine the truck driver’s training.

Focus on the training that the driver received at his or her current job.  Also, focus on the driver’s training as it relates to the cause of the current Mississippi truck accident.  For instance, if the accident was caused by an improper turn, question the trucker and trucking company on the driver’s training as to turning.

Establish the driver’s level of knowledge of the law.

All truck drivers should understand the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s rules that govern the trucking industry.

Dig into the driver’s medical history and current medications.

Many truck drivers will get behind the wheel despite being on medications that impact their alertness and perception.  Other drivers will have disabilities that make driving dangerous.  Find out the driver’s current and past medical condition to determine whether it played a role in the accident.

Request copies of the incident report and photographs from the scene.

Ask the police department in charge of the investigation to provide you with a copy of the incident report and any photographs taken.  In addition, many truck drivers will keep cameras in their truck to take pictures in the event of an accident.  If such photographs were taken, be sure to request copies.  The trucking company may also have generated an incident report to be used internally.  Request copies of this as well.

Investigate the trucker’s personal information.

It can be useful to look into the truck driver’s personal information.  Minor details such as the driver’s nickname could be useful.  For instance, a nickname like Speed Demon could go a long way in proving negligence in your speed related truck accident case.

Obtain the truck driver log book.

The log book will contain substantial information about each trip a trucker makes and the total hours driven each day.  It will also include information about the period right before the accident, including the driver’s starting time, the name of additional drivers, remarks, and more.  Log books can prove important in showing a driver exceeded the number of allowable hours or had to have been speeding in order to reach the accident site at the time the crash occurred.

Barrett Law PLLC:  Exceptional Representation for Injured Truck Accident Victims

Truck accidents often result in severe injuries such as paralysis, brain injury, back injury, broken bones, spinal cord damage, and much more.  Hundreds of thousands of these accidents will also result in death.  If you or a loved one is hurt or killed in a truck accident, the Mississippi Truck Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC can help.  Our attorneys understand the intense discovery process necessary to build a successful case.  We offer skilled representation to truck accident victims seeking a full recovery for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.  Call the experienced truck accident attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (601) 790-1505 to schedule your free consultation.

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Mississippi Truck Accident Attorneys Discuss Black Boxes in Trucks

Obtaining black box data can be essential in proving your truck accident case.  In recent years, black boxes have become the standard in the industry as more safety regulators push the use of these important devices in an effort to improve safety in the commercial trucking industry.  These electronic monitoring systems are also referred to as electronic data recorders or electronic log systems and are implemented in commercial trucks throughout the nation.

It is crucial that truck accident attorneys download the truck’s black box data as soon as possible following any serious truck accident.  The black box data can help to prove your case.  Below is an overview of the importance of black boxes:

Black Boxes and Truck GPS

Black boxes are usually equipped with global positioning systems and will provide the main source of information as to a truck’s route and journey, depicting exactly where the truck was before the crash.

Black boxes track significant information about a truck, including vehicle maintenance issues like tire pressure and truck driver performance, such as speed control, sudden braking, following distance, and exceeding the maximum number of allowable hours.

Black boxes will also contain email exchanges between the trucking company and the truck drive.  Sometimes, these exchanges will lead to monumental discoveries as to driver fatigue, mechanical problems, exceeding hours, and more.

While the data that can be obtained will vary depending on the model of the black box, in some instances records of hard braking, engine RPMS, and use of the clutch will all be recorded.

Obtaining Black Box Data

In any truck accident case involving a serious injury or death, the truck accident attorney should send a preservation of evidence letter, commonly also referred to as a spoliation letter, via certified mail to the motor carrier, notifying the company that the black box data will be required for litigation and must not be moved or repaired.  This letter should be sent as soon as possible so as to prevent the destruction of potential evidence.

It is also important that the truck accident attorney retains a truck expert who will be present when the black box is downloaded.  At the least, there should be an agreement as to how, where, and by whom the information will be downloaded.  This is vital to prevent any errors in the downloading process that could result in loss of information.

Many new trucks will have extra devices designed specifically to monitor driver fatigue, monitor proximity to the vehicles ahead, blind spot detection, and rollover prevention.  To determine what information you need to request, ask for the truck’s build sheet which will identify all the equipment installed on the truck when it was delivered from the manufacturer.  If you are having difficulties obtaining the black box data, your attorney should file suit immediately so that the court can help in preserving the evidence.

Barrett Law PLLC:  Aggressive Representation for the Victims of Truck Accidents Across the State   

Truck accidents are among the most serious accidents to occur on Mississippi roadways.  These accidents can result in severe injuries such as paralysis, brain injury, back injury, broken bones, spinal cord damage, and much more.  Many individuals will additionally lose a loved one due to a truck accident each year.  If you or a loved one is hurt or killed in a truck accident, the Mississippi Truck Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC can help.  We offer dedicated representation to truck accident victims seeking a full recovery for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.  Call the experienced truck accident attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (601) 790-1505 to schedule your free consultation.

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Mississippi Truck Accident Attorneys Explain Wrongful Death Actions

Mississippi Truck Accident Attorneys Explain Wrongful Death Actions

Commercial trucks are massive in size, often weighing up to 80,000 pounds and stretching several car lengths.  When these trucks collide with smaller passenger vehicles, the results can be catastrophic.  Each year, about 5,000 individuals are killed in truck accidents and another 130,000 are injured.

For the family members of those 5,000 individuals killed in truck accidents, life comes to an abrupt standstill.  Suddenly they are left coping with the loss of their loved one who was taken too soon.  The family suffers emotionally, and often financially as well.  The loss of the income of a breadwinner can be devastating to the average family.

In the state of Mississippi, the family members of deceased truck accident victims can seek compensation from the truck driver or trucking company who caused their relative’s death.  Compensation is pursued through a wrongful death suit.  Wrongful death actions offer grieving family members an opportunity to not only receive financial compensation but to ensure justice is served for the death of their loved one.

Parties Eligible to Bring a Wrongful Death Suit

Under Mississippi law, the following individuals are allowed to file a wrongful death suit:

  • The surviving spouse
  • The child or children of the truck accident victim
  • The surviving parent of the victim
  • The personal representative of the victim’s estate
  • Siblings of the deceased victim

When a surviving spouse initiates the action, any compensation awarded will be split between the surviving spouse and the victim’s children. If the victim is not married, divorced, or widowed, and does not have children, the surviving parents and siblings of the victim can bring a wrongful death suit and split the damage award.

Damages Awarded in a Wrongful Death Action

The damages awarded are divided between those that will go to the estate and those paid directly to the beneficiaries.

Damages that will go to the estate include: funeral and burial expenses; medical expenses, including expenses for emergency care prior to the victim’s death; and payments for destroyed or damaged property, such as the vehicle involved in the truck accident.

Damages paid directly to the beneficiaries include: pain and suffering experienced by the beneficiaries due to the loss of their relative; loss of the companionship and company of the victim; and lost wages or benefits that the victim would have earned had he or she survived.

Time Limits for Wrongful Death Suits

For most truck accidents, the victim’s family will have three years from the date of their relative’s death to file the action.  If the victim was killed as a result of an intentional act, which would rarely be case in a truck accident scenario, the family will have one year from the date of the victim’s death to bring the action.

It is important that you act quickly after the accident to secure the assistance of an attorney who will protect your legal rights and see that justice is achieved.

Barrett Law PLLC:  Assisting Your Family in the Aftermath of a Fatal Truck Accident   

Truck accidents hold the potential to inflict devastating injuries and death.  The loss of your loved one in a truck accident is one of the greatest tragedies imaginable.  Family members left behind will often find themselves emotionally and financially distraught.  The Mississippi Truck Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC can assist your family following the loss of your relative in a fatal truck accident.  Our experienced attorneys will fight to see that your family is not left financially struggling due to the wrongful death of your loved one.  Call the exceptional truck accident attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (601) 790-1505 to schedule your free consultation.

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Mississippi Truck Accident Attorneys Offer Insights Into How to Choose a Truck Accident Attorney

When you have been injured in any type of truck accident, selecting the right personal injury can be a difficult decision.  You need an attorney who will ensure that your case is successful and you receive the compensation that you deserve.  Choosing a truck accident attorney is not always easy and accident victims often have no idea where to begin.  We offer the following helpful hints to selecting the right accident attorney so you can focus on your recovery:

  1. Experience:  When it comes to a truck accident case, and really any personal injury action, you will want an attorney with some experience.  Truck accident cases are complex and require extensive knowledge of this special area of the law, as well as the practical aspects, such as negotiation.  You need an experienced litigator and skilled negotiator so that your case is in the best of hands, whether it settles early on or proceeds all the way to trial.
  2. Focus:  A lot of attorneys will represent clients in a broad range of matters, taking personal injury cases on the side while conducting mostly criminal law, for instance.  Due to the unique and complex nature of truck accidents, victims should look for an attorney with intimate knowledge of this field of law.  An attorney who focuses on truck accident cases will be more likely to recognize crucial evidence to your recovery and achieve a full damage award.
  3. Reputation:  You need a truck accident attorney with a strong reputation in the community.  Attorneys who receive accolades, peer recommendations, and testimonials from previous clients will be the best choice.  You want an attorney who is tough but can also work well with others and maintain a good report with the insurance companies.  If your personal injury attorney has a reputation as a strong negotiator who is also willing to go to trial then the insurance company is more likely to take your case seriously and reach a strong settlement early on.
  4. Resources:  The strength of your case will hinge on the experts you employ along with the experience and ability of your attorney.  A strong truck accident attorney will conduct extensive investigations and have several experts at their disposal in order to build your case.  Medical and accident reconstruction experts will offer insight into the accident and its effect on your health along with everyday functioning.   Their testimony strongly impacts your ultimate damage award.
  5. Testimonials:   When you first meet with your potential truck accident attorney, you should ask them for testimonials from previous clients.  Most attorneys will gladly provide you with documentation as to what their prior clients have to say about their representation.  Sometimes client testimonials will additionally be posted on the attorney’s website, offering you a glimpse into the attorney’s level of service before you meet with him or her.

Choosing the right attorney is not easy, but with these factors in mind you should be able to select that attorney who will successfully bring your case to completion.

Barrett Law PLLC:  Mississippi Truck Accident Lawyers Ensuring Your Full Recovery 

Your choice of truck accident attorney will greatly impact your later recovery.  Do not neglect the importance of interviewing attorneys and selecting a qualified attorney to represent you no matter the complexity of the truck accident.  The Mississippi Truck Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC have decades of experience and the accolades to show for it.  We understand the unique issues involved in truck accident cases and will aggressively fight for your full recovery.  Call the superior truck accident attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (601) 790-1505 to schedule your free consultation.

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Mississippi Truck Accident Attorneys Report: Four Killed in Accident on Interstate 10

Recently, a truck pulling a flatbed trailer caused a massive, multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 10 in Mississippi.  The accident occurred around midnight on Friday, December 12, 2014.  A 2011 Toyota Tundra pickup truck was driving eastbound in Hancock County, which is west of Biloxi and about 12 miles from the Louisiana state line.  This vehicle started the accident that came to involve eleven vehicles.

The pickup truck and trailer it was hauling overturned on the highway, spilling tons of used computer equipment across eastbound Interstate 10.  Many vehicles saw the spill and stopped, but an 18 wheeler continued eastbound through the stopped vehicles and collided with several cars and trucks.  Four tractor trailers and six passenger vehicles were involved in the accident.  Some of the vehicles were so badly damaged it was impossible to determine their make and model.

Four individuals perished in the catastrophic accident and several others were injured.  A father and daughter were among the victims, as were two young men.  Two of the victims were from Louisiana.  Eastbound Interstate 10 was closed for some time as emergency crew officials attempted to aid the injured, identify the deceased, and clean the crash scene.

Investigations are ongoing and thus far police have revealed that weather was not a factor.  It is unclear what caused the initial truck and trailer to overturn, as well as why the 18 wheeler failed to stop to avoid the vehicles that had stopped due to the spilled computer equipment.

This recent crash is an example of a multi-vehicle accident, one involving commercial trucks along with passenger motor vehicles.  Roughly half of all accidents will involve more than one vehicle.  Pile ups, such as this accident, occur when cars are stopped on the highway due to some hazard and a vehicle or vehicles behind to do stop in time to prevent a collision.  This is a common form of accident and one that can inflict many injuries, as well as present unique liability issues.

Determining fault in a multi-vehicle accident such as this can be a difficult task.  Often, more than one party will be considered partially at fault for the accident.  Your car or truck accident attorney will examine all the facts of the crash and likely employ an expert to reconstruct the accident.  The negligence of each driver and their role in causing your injuries will be assessed.  From there, your attorney will have a full understanding as to which parties should be held responsible for your damages stemming from the accident.  Your own liability, if any, will also be considered but should not bar your recovery.

Barrett Law PLLC:  Proudly Representing the Victims of Mississippi Truck Accidents  

Truck accidents such as this recent Interstate 10 accident can devastate those involved and their loved ones.  Our hearts go out to all those involved in this tragic multi-vehicle accident.  If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a truck accident, the Mississippi Truck Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC are here to help.  Our team of dedicated truck accident attorneys understands what it takes to bring a successful personal injury or wrongful death claim following an accident.  We will thoroughly investigate your truck accident to uncover all avenues of recovery and evidence of negligence.  Armed with this knowledge, we will fight for your full recovery, which may include medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and non-economic damages.  Call Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (601) 790-1505 to schedule your free consultation with one of our experienced truck accident attorneys.

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Mississippi Truck Accident Attorneys Answer: What is the Value of 18-Wheeler or Semi-Truck Accident?

One of the first things many new clients want to know when they enter our office is the value of their case.  There are a number of factors that impact the value of a case, which in turn affects the final amount you will end up receiving to compensate you for the injuries and damages stemming from your truck accident.  Overall, it is important to realize that it can be difficult to assign a value to a case.  Each case’s settlement value is determined as a prediction of what the jury would decide the case is worth.  However, different juries often arrive at different verdicts, even when the circumstances are the same.

The following is a look at several factors that will determine the value of your 18-wheeler or semi-truck accident case.  A truck accident attorney in your area will be able to review the exact facts of your case and provide you with a monetary estimation which he or she believes to be an accurate representation of your case’s value.

  1. The Type of Accident:  Certain personal injury cases are likely to be worth more due to the extent of the injuries often involved, the facts associated, and the defendants likely to be included.  18-wheeler and semi-truck accidents are known to have some of the highest values because they so often involve serious injuries, driver negligence, multiple defendants, and significant insurance funds available.
  2. The Location of the Accident:  The state in which the accident occurs and even the county within the state can impact your recovery.  Different states set varying laws concerning recovery limits, and each area will have slightly differing attitudes towards personal injury actions.
  3. Your Injuries:  Perhaps the most significant factor in determining the value of your case will be the extent of your injuries.  Serious injuries that require time off work, medical treatment, and a long term recovery will entitle the victim to more compensation than minor injuries that are easily resolved without much impact on the victim’s work or daily living.
  4. The Available Insurance:  Your case’s settlement potential will be impacted by the amount of insurance available.  Truck accident victims often benefit from this because truckers and trucking companies are typically required to carry high premiums due to the potential for serious injury involved in the commercial trucking industry.
  5. Economic Damages:  Related to your injuries, the value of your case will be determined greatly by the extent of the damages you incurred.  These damages will often include medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and more.
  6. Pain and Suffering:  Truck accident cases can include large pain and suffering awards.  The extent to which your pain and suffering stemming from the accident impacts your life will include your ultimate recovery.
  7. Your Attorney:  An experienced, knowledgeable attorney will make a significant difference in the ultimate success of your case and hence its value, as an attorney well versed in truck accident law will uncover your strongest evidence, pursue all avenues of recovery, and mount the strongest possible case.

Barrett Law PLLC: Experienced Truck Accident Attorneys   

            The Mississippi Truck Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC have devoted years of practice to representing the victims of 18-wheeler and semi-truck accidents across the state, helping our clients to obtain a full recovery for their injuries stemming from the accident.  We will evaluate your case and provide you with an accurate idea of what you may receive in the event of a settlement or trial.  We vow to always fight for your full recovery, as we never wish to see our clients experience the hardships of unpaid medical bills or uncompensated long term disability.  The attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC have the dedication, knowledge, and experience you need to obtain the strongest truck accident recovery possible.  Call Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (601) 790-1505 to schedule your free consultation.

 

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Mississippi Truck Accident Attorneys Discuss the Dangers of Undertrained Truck Drivers

Most tractor trailers and semi-trucks weigh in at around 80,000 pounds, over 30 times the weight of the average car or SUV.  These colossal vehicles are often 70 to 80 feet long, making them four times the length of the average passenger vehicle.  Safely driving a tractor trailer or other commercial truck requires extensive training, focus, and skill.  Truck drivers who have not received the training required for the job are a threat to all vehicles on the road.

Poorly Trained Trucks Can Cause Accidents in a Number of Ways

Truck drivers who have not been adequately trained pose a serious threat to themselves and others.  Studies show that close to 40 percent of all fatal truck crashes involve out of control trucks.  Another nearly 40 percent of truck accidents are caused by inattention.  Over correcting and over steering account for another 10 percent of crashes.  These mistakes are nearly always caused by inexperienced or undertrained truck drivers.  In fact, each of these common truck accident causes, controlling the truck, paying attention, and avoid over steering or correction, should be discussed during a truck driver’s training period.  Nonetheless, as is clear from the high occurrence of these types of accidents, truck drivers across the state and country continue to make these costly mistakes.  The trucking companies that send these undertrained truck drivers out onto the roadways can be held liable for their driver’s negligent errors.

Bringing a Negligence Claim Following a Truck Accident

Any truck accident victim who has been injured by a poorly trained truck driver can file a lawsuit for negligence against the driver and the trucking company that employs the driver.  In order to succeed in a negligence suit, the truck accident victim will need to prove that:

  • The truck driver and/or trucking company owed a duty to the plaintiff;
  • The truck driver or trucking company breached that duty; and
  • These actions were a cause of the plaintiff’s injuries.

All trucking companies have a duty to train their drivers adequately and fully.  If the trucking company fails to provide this necessary training and sends out a poorly trained driver who then injures another, the trucking company can be held liable.

Truck accident victims should contact an attorney as soon as possible following a crash.  To bring a successful negligence claim against the trucking company requires considerable evidence.  It will be necessary to obtain driver training records, driver logs, and the trucking company’s training policies.  Using this evidence, your attorney can mount a strong negligence claim.  This evidence should be obtained as soon as possible after the accident to help preserve your claim.

Barrett Law PLLC: Providing a Voice for Those Injured in Truck Accidents Across the State

18 wheelers and semi trucks are massive vehicles that require extensive training and considerable skill in order to be operated safely.  If a trucking company fails to provide its drivers with adequate training, the results can be disastrous.  When that undertrained driver causes an accident, the trucking company can and should be held liable.  If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, the Mississippi Truck Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC can help.  Our firm has represented clients in Mississippi and the southeast since 1936, providing the highest quality of legal representation to all truck accident victims.  Our experienced attorneys are dedicated above all else to achieving positive results for our clients.  Allow us to assist you by calling Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (601) 790-1505 to schedule your free consultation.

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