Commercial trucks are a constant presence on our state’s roadways, the lifeblood of our economy, delivering essential goods and services to communities from the Delta to the Gulf Coast. We share the road with these massive vehicles every day on major arteries like I-55 near Jackson, I-20 through Meridian, and U.S. Highway 49 near Hattiesburg. While their drivers and the companies they work for provide a vital service, the immense size and weight of a semi-truck mean that when something goes wrong, the consequences for those in smaller passenger vehicles can be catastrophic.
If you have been hurt in a collision with a commercial truck, you are likely dealing with serious physical injuries and a sudden wave of financial stress and emotional trauma. As medical bills pile up and you are unable to work, the future can feel uncertain and frightening.
In this difficult time, you need a compassionate guide and a powerful advocate who will stand up for you against large trucking and insurance companies. You need a dedicated Mississippi truck accident lawyer who will make your fight their fight. At Richard Schwartz & Associates, we are here to lift the legal weight from your shoulders so you can focus on what is most important: your healing. Your journey toward justice begins with a simple, confidential conversation. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.
Why Choose Richard Schwartz & Associates for Your Mississippi Truck Accident Claim
When you are choosing a law firm to represent you after a devastating truck accident, you are choosing a team to entrust with your future. The right choice can make all the difference in the outcome of your case and your ability to rebuild your life. At Richard Schwartz & Associates, we have built our reputation on a foundation of compassion, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to achieving excellence for our clients. We are not just lawyers; we are members of your community, and we are deeply invested in your well-being.
Here is why thousands of Mississippians have trusted us to fight for them:
- A Legacy of Success and Experience: With over four decades of dedicated service and more than $1 billion recovered for our clients, our track record speaks for itself. Our attorneys possess a deep understanding of the complex federal and state regulations that govern the trucking industry, and we know how to use that knowledge to build a powerful case on your behalf.
- Deep Mississippi Roots: We are proud to be known as “Mississippi’s Law Firm.” Our attorneys live and work in the same communities you do. With offices in Jackson, Tupelo, Hattiesburg, and beyond, we have an intimate knowledge of the local courts, judges, and legal landscape. Our roots here mean our care for you extends far beyond the courtroom walls.
- Unmatched Resources to Battle a Goliath: Trucking companies and their insurers are corporate giants with vast resources and teams of aggressive lawyers. We level the playing field. Our firm has the financial strength, expert network, and investigative resources to take on any opponent, no matter how large, ensuring your case receives the meticulous attention it deserves.
- No Fee Unless We Win for You: We handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay us nothing upfront and owe no attorney's fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you. This allows you to access elite legal representation without any financial risk.
Choosing Richard Schwartz & Associates means choosing a team that is wholly dedicated to your cause. We will stand by your side, answer your questions, and fight tirelessly to secure full and fair compensation for your injuries.
Who May Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident
One of the most complex aspects of a commercial truck accident case is determining who is legally responsible for your injuries and losses. Unlike a typical car crash that may only involve two drivers, a truck accident can involve multiple negligent parties. Identifying all potential defendants is a critical step, as it can significantly increase the resources available to compensate you for your damages.
Our experienced legal team will launch a comprehensive investigation into your accident to uncover every contributing factor and identify every liable party. This may include:
The Truck Driver
The driver’s actions are often the most immediate cause of a crash. Our investigation will look for signs of negligence such as speeding, distracted driving (texting, eating, etc.), driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, falsifying logbooks, or violating federal Hours-of-Service regulations designed to prevent driver fatigue.
The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier)
The company that employs the driver and owns the truck holds significant responsibility. A trucking company can be held liable for its own negligence, which can include:
- Negligent Hiring: Hiring drivers with poor driving records, a history of substance abuse, or inadequate experience.
- Inadequate Training: Failing to properly train drivers on safety protocols, defensive driving techniques, and company policies.
- Poor Maintenance: Cutting corners on vehicle maintenance, leading to equipment failure like worn-out brakes, bald tires, or malfunctioning lights.
- Encouraging Unsafe Practices: Placing unrealistic demands on drivers that pressure them to speed or violate Hours-of-Service rules to meet deadlines.
The Cargo Loader or Shipper
The way cargo is loaded and secured onto a truck is crucial for its stability on the road. If a third-party company was responsible for loading the trailer, they could be held liable if the crash was caused by:
- Overloading: Exceeding the truck's maximum weight capacity.
- Improperly Secured Cargo: Freight that shifts during transit can cause the driver to lose control or can spill onto the roadway, creating a hazard.
- Unbalanced Load: Distributing the weight unevenly, making the truck more susceptible to a rollover accident.
The Truck or Parts Manufacturer
Sometimes, the accident isn't the fault of the driver or the company, but a defect in the vehicle itself. If a critical component like the steering system, tires, or brakes failed due to a design or manufacturing flaw, the manufacturer can be held liable under product liability laws.
A Third-Party Maintenance Company
If the trucking company outsourced its vehicle maintenance to another garage, that repair shop could be at fault if their shoddy or incorrect repairs led to mechanical failure and caused the crash.
The Insurance Company Offered Me a Settlement. Should I Take it?
In the days or weeks following a truck accident, it is very common to receive a phone call from an insurance adjuster representing the trucking company. They may sound friendly and concerned, and they might offer you a quick settlement check. It can be tempting, especially when medical bills are piling up and you’re unable to work.
It is critical that you do not accept this initial offer or sign any paperwork without first speaking to an experienced truck accident lawyer.
These trucking companies have deep pockets. They employ teams of claims adjusters and defense attorneys whose entire careers are built around one goal: to devalue and defeat claims from people just like you.
By offering a quick check, they are trying to get you to sign away your rights before you understand the full extent of your injuries and the long-term financial impact this accident will have on your life. Once you accept a settlement, you can never go back and ask for more money, even if your injuries turn out to be more severe than you initially thought and require future surgeries or lifelong care.
Hiring a lawyer from Richard Schwartz & Associates completely levels the playing field. We take over all communication. We conduct our own thorough investigation, gather all your medical records, consult with economic and medical experts to calculate the true, full value of your claim, and present a comprehensive demand package to the insurer. We force them to negotiate in good faith, and if they refuse to offer a fair settlement, we are fully prepared to take them to court. Don't let them intimidate you. Let us fight for you.
Compensation Available in a Mississippi Truck Accident Lawsuit
No amount of money can truly undo the trauma and pain of a serious truck accident. However, securing a fair and just financial recovery is essential for protecting your future and providing you with the resources you need to heal and move forward.
In a Mississippi truck accident claim, you may be able to recover compensation for a wide range of damages, such as:
- All Past and Future Medical Expenses: This covers everything from the initial emergency room visit, hospital stays, and surgeries to ongoing physical therapy, rehabilitation, prescription medications, medical devices, and even future medical care you may need for the rest of your life.
- Lost Wages or Income: Compensation for the paychecks you missed while you were unable to work during your recovery.
- Loss of Future Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or limit your ability to work in any capacity, we will fight for compensation for the income you will lose over the course of your lifetime.
- Property Damage: The cost to repair or replace your vehicle and any other personal property that was damaged in the crash.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain, discomfort, and anguish you have endured and will continue to endure.
- Emotional Distress and Mental Anguish: This covers the psychological impact of the accident, such as anxiety, depression, fear, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Loss of Consortium: A claim that can be brought by your spouse for the loss of companionship, support, and intimacy resulting from your injuries.
In some rare cases where the defendant's conduct was particularly reckless, malicious, or grossly negligent (such as a trucking company knowingly putting a dangerously maintained truck on the road), a Mississippi court may award punitive damages. These are not meant to compensate you for a loss, but rather to punish the defendant and deter similar behavior in the future.
Mississippi Truck Accident FAQs
Here are answers to some common concerns we hear from our clients about truck accidents cases:
How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases, including truck accidents, is three years from the date of the accident. While this may seem like a long time, it is crucial to act much sooner. Vital evidence can be lost or destroyed, witnesses' memories can fade, and complex investigations take time. If you miss the three-year deadline, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation forever. Contacting an attorney promptly is the best way to protect your rights.
What if I was partially at fault for the truck accident?
You may still be able to recover compensation. Mississippi follows a "pure comparative negligence" rule. This means you can still file a claim even if you were partially to blame for the crash. However, your final compensation award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found to be 20% at fault, your total award would be reduced by 20%. Insurance companies often try to unfairly shift blame onto the victim to reduce their payout, which is why having an attorney to defend you and prove the truck driver's overwhelming fault is so important.
How long will my truck accident case take to resolve?
Every case is unique, so there is no set timeline. The duration depends on factors like the severity of your injuries, the complexity of the evidence, and whether the insurance company is willing to negotiate a fair settlement. A straightforward case might be resolved in several months, while a complex case that goes to trial could take a year or more. While we work efficiently, our primary goal is not speed—it is to achieve the absolute best possible outcome for you. We will never rush a settlement that doesn't fully and fairly compensate you for everything you have lost.
Contact Our Trusted Mississippi Truck Accident Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a truck accident in Mississippi, the compassionate and experienced team at Richard Schwartz & Associates is here to be your shield and your sword—to protect you from the insurance companies and to fight relentlessly for justice in your case.
For more than 40 years, our firm has been a pillar of support for injured Mississippians. We have the knowledge, the resources, and the unwavering resolve to hold negligent trucking companies accountable. We will handle every legal detail, from evidence collection to expert consultations to aggressive negotiations, so you can pour all your energy into your recovery.
Your fight is our fight. Let us put our legacy of success and deep Mississippi roots to work for you and your family. Contact us today at (601) 800-5559 or through our online form for a free case consultation.