A collision with a commercial truck creates immediate challenges, and an experienced Greenwood truck accident lawyer can help you face them. People often assume a truck’s insurance policy operates like a car’s, but that’s rarely the case.
Many commercial trucks carry multiple layers of liability coverage, often held by different insurers for the tractor, the trailer, and the cargo, which makes pursuing a claim by yourself far more complicated. At Richard Schwartz & Associates, we manage these complex claims for you. Contact us today for a free case evaluation at (601) 988-8888.
Why Choose Richard Schwartz & Associates for Your Truck Accident Claim
After a serious truck wreck on a road like U.S. 82, you need a law firm that possesses deep roots in Mississippi. Richard Schwartz & Associates has served communities across the state for decades. We bring a thorough and determined approach to every commercial truck wreck case we handle.
Our attorneys provide clear guidance from the first conversation to the last. We believe you perform best in your recovery when you have a dedicated legal team managing the details of your claim. We put your needs first.
We’ll Build a Greenwood-Specific Case
Our Mississippi roots give us a unique perspective on local truck accident cases. We know the major transportation corridors that pass through Greenwood, from the busy traffic on U.S. 49E to the commercial routes around Downtown.
We’ll build your case based on the specific factors that contribute to accidents in Greenwood. These factors include traffic patterns on Howard Street or visibility challenges along the Yazoo River.
Decades of Experience With Complex Claims
Tractor-trailer crash claims require a completely different approach than a standard car accident case. A Greenwood truck accident lawyer from our firm understands the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations that govern the trucking industry.
These rules cover everything from driver hours of service to vehicle maintenance schedules and cargo securement. We know how to investigate potential rule violations and link them to the cause of a collision.
A Client-First Approach
We built our practice on a foundation of open communication and client support. You receive regular updates about your case, and we explain each development in clear, simple terms. Our team remains accessible to answer your questions and address your concerns.
Your well-being guides our legal strategy. We manage every detail, from collecting evidence and filing paperwork to communicating with insurance adjusters, so you can channel your energy toward what matters most: your recovery and your family.
Let our experience work for you. For a dedicated legal advocate, call Richard Schwartz & Associates at (601) 988-8888.
Identifying All Liable Parties in a Commercial Truck Wreck
In a typical car wreck, you usually deal with one at-fault driver. Commercial truck accidents present a much wider web of potential liability. Our investigation goes beyond the person behind the wheel to identify every party whose negligence contributed to your injuries.
Successfully resolving a claim often means pursuing compensation from multiple defendants and their insurance carriers. Our team carefully dissects the facts of your collision to construct a case against all responsible entities. We consider many potential parties, including:
- The Truck Driver: A driver’s poor decisions, such as speeding, distracted driving, or driving under the influence, often cause wrecks. We also investigate violations of federal Hours of Service rules designed to prevent driver fatigue.
- The Trucking Company: A motor carrier may hold liability for its own negligence. This includes hiring unqualified drivers, failing to perform drug tests, encouraging rule violations to meet deadlines, or neglecting proper vehicle maintenance.
- The Cargo Loader: The crew that loads the trailer can introduce serious dangers. An improperly secured or unbalanced load can shift during transit, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
- A Parts Manufacturer: A catastrophic equipment failure can lead to a devastating crash. Defective brakes, tires, steering components, or trailer hitches may place liability on the part's designer or manufacturer.
The Critical Role of Evidence in Your Case
Evidence forms the bedrock of any successful truck accident claim. Unlike car wrecks, commercial truck collisions involve unique and highly technical forms of proof. A knowledgeable lawyer acts quickly to preserve this information before the trucking company has a chance to lose or destroy it.
Our legal team sends immediate preservation letters to all potential defendants. This formal demand instructs them to protect and save every piece of relevant data. We then use the legal discovery process to obtain and analyze this crucial evidence.
Uncovering Electronic Data
Modern commercial trucks are equipped with sophisticated electronics that record vast amounts of information. The most important of these devices is the Electronic Control Module (ECM), often called the truck's black box.
This device captures critical data from the moments before, during, and after a crash. The ECM shows a truck's speed, braking patterns, cruise control usage, and other operational details. We also use GPS data to reconstruct the truck’s route and verify the driver's activity.
Documenting the Scene and Vehicles
The physical evidence from the collision tells a story. Our team analyzes the scene, whether it's on a busy highway or a local road in a neighborhood like Baptist Town. We document skid marks, debris fields, and vehicle damage.
Examining the truck may reveal maintenance issues like worn brakes or bald tires. A close look at your vehicle helps establish the severity of the impact and how the crash occurred.
Using Company Records to Your Advantage
A trucking company's own internal documents can provide some of the most powerful evidence of negligence. A Greenwood truck accident lawyer from our firm demands access to these records to build your case. We scrutinize every document for signs of systemic safety failures.
These records include the driver's qualification file, training history, and drug and alcohol testing results. We review post-collision inspection reports, maintenance logs, and repair orders for the truck.
Our legal team also analyzes driver logs and dispatch records, comparing them to GPS data to uncover any attempts to falsify Hours of Service information.
How a Greenwood Truck Accident Lawyer Establishes the Value of Your Claim
The goal of a truck accident claim is to secure the resources you need to rebuild your life. Many people only consider their immediate medical bills and lost paychecks. Our team takes a much broader view, accounting for every single loss the collision caused, both now and in the future.
We meticulously document the full scope of your damages and create a comprehensive picture of the financial and personal impact of your injuries.
We account for all losses, including:
- Medical Expenses: This covers everything from the initial emergency room visit and surgeries to ongoing physical therapy, medications, and any necessary long-term care.
- Lost Wages: We document the income you lost while unable to work and calculate any future reduction in your ability to earn a living due to your injuries.
- Property Damage: This addresses the cost to repair or replace your vehicle and any other personal property that was damaged or destroyed in the wreck.
- Non-Economic Damages: This includes compensation for the physical pain, emotional distress, and the overall impact the injuries have on your daily life and personal relationships.
Calculating Long-Term Medical Needs
Serious injuries often require years of medical attention. We consult with your doctors and other medical professionals to understand your prognosis and future care requirements.
Our goal is to account for every anticipated medical need, including future surgeries, rehabilitation, assistive devices, and home health care.
Accounting for Lost Income and Career Impact
Your injuries may prevent you from returning to your previous job or working at all. We assess the complete impact on your career and financial stability. This involves more than just calculating missed paychecks.
We may work with economic and vocational experts to project your lost earning potential over the course of your career, including lost promotions, raises, and retirement contributions.
What To Expect from the Trucking Company's Insurance
Trucking companies and their insurers act quickly to protect their financial interests after a crash. They often have rapid-response teams that start investigating the scene within hours. Their primary goal is to minimize their liability and reduce the value of any claims made against them.
An insurance adjuster may contact you very soon after the collision, and your conversations with them can affect your case. Your Greenwood truck accident attorney manages these communications so you can avoid common pitfalls.
Adjusters often use specific tactics, for example:
- Requesting a Recorded Statement: They may ask you to provide a statement about the accident, hoping you’ll say something that they can later use to question or deny your claim.
- Offering a Quick Settlement: An initial offer almost never covers the full extent of your damages. Adjusters often make quick offers before victims know the true scope of their future needs.
- Delaying the Process: The insurer might drag out the investigation for months to create frustration and pressure you into accepting a lower settlement amount.
- Questioning Your Injuries: Adjusters may dispute the severity of your injuries or suggest they came from a pre-existing condition, not the collision.
FAQ for Greenwood Truck Accident Lawyer
What Should I Do After a Collision With a Commercial Truck in Greenwood?
Following a collision with a commercial truck, follow all medical advice, attend every follow-up appointment, and keep a record of your symptoms. Gather any documents you have, including the police report, medical records, and the contact information you collected at the scene.
Report the accident to your own insurance company, but don’t provide a recorded statement to any insurance adjuster, especially one representing the trucking company. Then, contact a truck accident lawyer in Greenwood.
Why Do I Need a Greenwood Truck Accident Lawyer for My Claim?
You need a Greenwood truck accident lawyer because these cases present unique and significant challenges that are challenging to face alone. A lawyer protects you from the insurance companies’ tactics and manages the entire claims process on your behalf.
Your legal team will conduct a thorough investigation, preserve crucial evidence before it disappears, and identify all sources of liability. A lawyer also has the resources to accurately calculate the full value of your damages, including future medical needs, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
How Do Truck Accident Cases Differ From Car Wreck Cases?
Truck accident cases involve a different level of complexity. They fall under a mix of state and federal laws, specifically the FMCSA regulations that govern the trucking industry.
The potential for catastrophic injuries and damages is much higher, and there are often multiple liable parties, such as the driver, the trucking company, and maintenance crews.
Evidence is also more complex in crashes involving commercial trucks, often including the black box data, driver logs, and extensive company records.
Should I Speak With the Trucking Company's Insurer?
You have no obligation to speak with the other party's insurance adjuster, and you should decline to provide any statement, recorded or otherwise. You can politely tell the adjuster that you’re focusing on your recovery and that your attorney will contact them.
Providing a statement can put you at a disadvantage, as insurers train adjusters to ask questions designed to elicit responses that can damage a future claim. Let your Greenwood truck accident lawyer handle all communication on your behalf.
Who Investigates a Commercial Truck Accident in Leflore County?
Several parties may investigate a serious commercial truck accident. Local law enforcement, like the Greenwood Police Department or the Leflore County Sheriff's Office, typically creates the initial accident report. The Mississippi Highway Patrol often investigates crashes on major state and federal highways. In very severe cases involving fatalities, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) may launch its own independent federal investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Your law firm also conducts its own private investigation to build your claim.
How Long Do I Have To File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, the law provides a three-year statute of limitations to file a lawsuit for a truck accident claim against a private company. A critical exception exists for crashes involving government-owned vehicles, such as a city or state truck.
The Mississippi Tort Claims Act requires you to file a formal Notice of Claim with the responsible government entity within one year of the date of the incident. After the notice is properly filed, you must then wait at least 90 days before filing a lawsuit.
Call Richard Schwartz & Associates Today
A commercial truck collision can leave you feeling lost and uncertain about the future. The legal system seems complicated and intimidating when you are also trying to heal from serious injuries.
Richard Schwartz & Associates builds bridges over legal complexities so that you can focus on your recovery. Let us carry the legal load for you. Begin your path to clarity today by calling our team at (601) 988-8888.