Truck Accidents

Millions of Dollars Recovered for Accident Victims in Mississippi

Any motor vehicle accident is traumatic, but surviving a collision with a big rig or 18-wheeler is particularly devastating and can cause life-changing injuries. It makes sense a vehicle as large as a semi-truck could cause serious injuries when you consider the massive size and weight of these vehicles, which can be upwards of 80,000 pounds.

If a distracted, fatigued, or otherwise reckless truck driver gets behind the wheel, it can result in a serious and potentially deadly collision. The blame could also be attributed to faulty parts from the manufacturer or the trucking company itself. When you call Richard Schwartz & Associates Injury Lawyers, P.A., we can help you determine liability and seek justice.

Why You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer

Trucking companies, knowing how expensive it can be to pay out a full settlement, do everything they can to reduce the amount they owe an injury victim. As soon as they hear of an accident, they will likely send investigators to the scene to look for evidence—so they can prove you were to blame. You can expect them to challenge your injuries and losses and use other unfair tactics against you.

This would be frustrating enough for anyone to handle—but many injury victims, who must devote their time and energy to healing and considering big questions about their future, simply cannot handle this onslaught. Working with a lawyer can reduce the burden of filing a claim and increase your likelihood of maximizing your compensation. We can help by investigating your accident, gathering and preserving evidence, submitting your claim, and handling all phone calls and negotiations with the at-fault party. Our vast experience in the field means we know how to achieve the most favorable results for our clients.

When Should I Contact an Attorney?

After any accident that wasn’t your fault, you should reach out to a lawyer as soon as possible. There are multiple reasons to get an attorney on your side right away. First, evidence can be lost or destroyed, which can harm your ability to prove the other party was liable. We understand the urgency in these cases and hasten to find and protect valuable data.

Second, if you do not have a lawyer fighting for you, the trucking company may try to take advantage of you. They count on accident victims’ inexperience to broker agreements that benefit them at your expense. Our lawyers can watch out for these stunts and offer honest and trustworthy counsel.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?

Mississippi’s statute of limitations for truck accident lawsuits is three years. While this may seem like a long time, keep in mind the insurer may attempt to continually delay your claim and run out the clock on the statute of limitations. Also, our attorneys need time to ensure your case is as strong as possible. It’s best to get started sooner than later, because if you do not file your case on time, you will not be able to recover any compensation.

Investigating the Cause of Your Big Rig Accident

18-wheelers often have a black box that records important data that could affect the outcome of your case. This data would include the speed of the truck, whether brakes were applied, and other potentially vital data. However, the black box is not readily available; many times, you will need the assistance of a truck accident lawyer to obtain the data.

In many serious trucking accident cases, the services of an accident reconstructionist will also be necessary. If you wait too long to consult an attorney, some of the evidence to reconstruct the accident could change over time.

It is also important to determine the driver’s condition at the time of the collision. Was he or she too tired to be behind the wheel? Was there any alcohol or drug use involved? If negligence on behalf of the truck driver was a deciding factor in the accident happening in the first place, it is important to make note of this fact when presenting your case.

How to Hold the Responsible Person or Party Accountable

Not all truck accidents are caused by the truck driver. Our investigations therefore also look at whether a third party might have negligently caused a crash.

Depending on the circumstances of your collision, you could be able to file a claim against the:

• Trucking company: Trucking companies can be held liable when they take negligent actions like hiring inexperienced drivers or failing to train their truckers adequately. In other situations, they may force drivers to work extra hours to meet deadlines. It is also up to the company to check in on the trucks regularly to prevent a crash caused by poor maintenance. In some cases, employees of the trucking company can be responsible for improperly loading or overloading a trailer.
• Truck driver: Drivers are responsible for operating their trucks safely at all times. When they fail to do so, they put your life at risk. Examples of driver negligence include intoxication, drowsiness, and distracted driving.
• Parts or vehicle manufacturer: Faulty auto parts can also be the cause of a truck crash. Whether it’s brake failure, defective tires, a bad tow hitch, or even a malfunctioning steering system, the manufacturer of specific parts may be the subject of a defective product lawsuit.

You have the right to file a lawsuit and seek compensation from the responsible parties to cover the damage you have sustained. Let our firm put over 30 years of experience on your side. Call Richard Schwartz & Associates.

At Richard Schwartz & Associates, we believe in doing everything we possibly can to offer our clients a successful outcome. We know that the aftermath of a truck wreck can be really difficult to handle on your own. Our trusted legal team in Jackson, MS has successfully handled countless personal injury cases, including complex trucking accident cases. You won’t regret having us on your side during this difficult time.

Our Truck Accident Lawyers Will Review Your Case for Free

If you were the victim of a truck accident, you can take steps to protect your financial future by seeking compensation from the party whose negligence caused your injuries. You’ve likely been left with serious injuries, which can lead to high medical bills and days or weeks of missed work while you heal. All of these losses, and more, should be paid for by the liable party.

The best strategy for pursuing justice is retaining competent representation from a lawyer familiar with Mississippi law. Our attorneys at Richard Schwartz & Associates have over 30 years of experience and have recovered millions of dollars for our clients. We know precisely how to help you with the legal process, so you can start rebuilding your life.

It is our responsibility as your legal advocates to carefully research every aspect of the crash and assemble a strong case, so you have the best chance at recovering fair compensation. You may be able to secure remuneration for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. If you have questions about how we can help you, give us a call today.