Meridian Truck Accident Lawyer

The constant flow of heavy commercial traffic on arteries like I-20/I-59 and Tom Bailey Drive is a fact of life in Meridian. So too is the devastating potential of a collision. In an instant, the force of an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer can upend lives, leaving victims with catastrophic injuries and an uncertain future. 

But the crash itself is only the beginning. Before the wreckage is even cleared, the trucking company and its powerful insurance carrier launch their own response, aimed at one thing: protecting their bottom line. They will have a team of investigators and adjusters on their side; you deserve the same. 

An experienced and compassionate Meridian truck accident lawyer from Richard Schwartz & Associates is prepared to counter their tactics and fight for the full measure of justice you are owed. Please don’t wait to get the help you deserve. Contact Richard Schwartz & Associates 24/7 for a free, confidential, and no-obligation consultation to understand your legal options.

Why Choose Richard Schwartz & Associates for Your Meridian Truck Accident Claim

When you’ve been in a serious truck accident, the law firm you choose can make all the difference. You need a team with the resources to challenge large corporations, the experience to handle complex federal and state trucking regulations, and the compassion to support you through every step of a difficult process. Richard Schwartz & Associates has been that firm for Mississippians for over 40 years.

Our commitment to our clients is unwavering, and our results speak for themselves. We have recovered over $1 billion in compensation for injured individuals and their families, providing them with the resources needed to rebuild their lives. We believe in leading with compassion and winning with excellence.

Truck accident cases are expensive and complex. We have the financial strength and expert network of accident reconstructionists, medical specialists, and economists to build the strongest possible case on your behalf.

Choosing Richard Schwartz & Associates means choosing a partner who will care for you beyond the courtroom. We will handle the legal details so you can focus on what matters most: your health and your family. Contact us to discuss your case for free

Who May Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident Lawsuit?

One of the most complex aspects of a commercial truck accident claim is identifying all the potentially responsible parties. Unlike a typical car accident that often involves just two drivers, a truck crash can have multiple layers of liability. A thorough investigation is crucial to ensuring you can pursue compensation from every party whose negligence contributed to your injuries. Our experienced attorneys will leave no stone unturned in identifying who is at fault.

Potential liable parties in a Meridian truck accident case may include:

• The Truck Driver: The most obvious potential defendant is the driver of the truck. Driver error is a leading cause of truck accidents. This can include actions like speeding, distracted driving (texting, eating), driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, driving while fatigued in violation of federal Hours-of-Service regulations, or making improper lane changes.
• The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier): Trucking companies have a legal duty to ensure their operations are safe. They can be held liable for their own negligence, a concept known as direct liability, or for the negligence of their employee driver, known as vicarious liability. Examples of trucking company negligence include negligent hiring, in adequate training, pressuring drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines, or falsifying of driver logs. 
• The Cargo Loader or Shipper: The company that loaded the truck’s trailer can also be at fault. If cargo is improperly loaded, unbalanced, or not secured correctly, it can shift during transit. This can cause the driver to lose control of the truck, leading to a jackknife or rollover accident. In other cases, unsecured cargo may fall from the truck and create a hazard on the roadway.
• The Truck or Parts Manufacturer: Sometimes, the accident is not caused by human error but by mechanical failure. If a critical component of the truck—such as the brakes, tires, steering system, or coupling—was defectively designed or manufactured, the company that made the part could be held liable through a product liability claim.
• A Third-Party Maintenance Company: Many trucking companies outsource their vehicle maintenance and repairs to third-party mechanics or service centers. If this company performed shoddy or incorrect repairs that led to a mechanical failure and a subsequent crash, they can be held responsible for the damages.

Identifying every liable party is a critical step in maximizing your financial recovery. The team at Richard Schwartz & Associates has the resources and skills to conduct a comprehensive investigation to ensure all at-fault parties are held accountable.

Should I Accept the First Settlement Offer from the Insurance Company?

After a truck accident, you will likely be contacted by an insurance adjuster representing the trucking company. They may seem friendly and concerned, and they might even offer you a quick settlement. While the idea of getting fast money can be tempting, especially when medical bills are piling up, it is almost always a mistake to accept this first offer.

You must remember that the insurance adjuster’s primary loyalty is not to you. Their job is to protect their company’s profits by resolving your claim for the lowest possible amount. They are trained negotiators who know you are in a vulnerable position. The first offer they make is rarely, if ever, a fair representation of what your claim is truly worth.

Here is why accepting an early offer is so risky:

• You Don’t Know the Full Extent of Your Injuries: Many serious injuries, like traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) or spinal cord damage, have symptoms that develop or worsen over time. You may require future surgeries, long-term physical therapy, or lifelong medical care. An early settlement will not account for these future costs.
• The Offer Won’t Cover All Your Losses: The initial offer may cover your immediate emergency room bills and vehicle repairs, but it likely ignores future medical needs, significant lost wages, your loss of future earning capacity, and the immense pain and suffering you have endured.
• You Sign Away Your Rights: Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you give up your right to pursue any further compensation for this accident. If your condition worsens or you discover you need another surgery down the road, you cannot go back and ask for more money. The case is closed forever.

Before you speak to an insurance adjuster or sign any documents, you should speak with a qualified Meridian truck accident attorney from Richard Schwartz & Associates. We will handle all communications with the insurance company on your behalf. We will protect you from their tactics and work with medical and financial experts to calculate the true, full value of your claim before we even begin negotiations.

Compensation Available in a Meridian Truck Accident Case

No amount of money can truly undo the trauma and pain caused by a serious truck accident. However, securing fair compensation is essential for providing you and your family with the financial stability needed to face the future without constant worry. It allows you to access the best possible medical care and replaces the resources you have lost due to someone else’s negligence.

In a Mississippi personal injury claim, you may be entitled to recover compensation for a variety of losses, such as:

• All Medical Expenses: This covers everything from the initial ambulance ride and emergency room care to hospital stays, surgeries, prescription medications, physical and occupational therapy, and any necessary medical equipment like wheelchairs or home modifications.
• Future Medical Costs: We work with medical experts to project the cost of any ongoing or future care you will need for the rest of your life.
• Lost Wages: Compensation for the paychecks you have missed while unable to work during your recovery.
• Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or limit your ability to earn an income in the future, you can be compensated for this loss of potential earnings over your lifetime.
• Property Damage: The cost to repair or replace your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the crash.

• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain, discomfort, and emotional distress you have endured and will continue to endure.
• Mental Anguish: This includes compensation for conditions like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), insomnia, and fear.
• Loss of Consortium: A claim that can be brought by the victim’s spouse for the loss of companionship, support, and intimacy resulting from the injuries.

In rare cases involving extreme recklessness or intentional misconduct, punitive damages may also be awarded. These are not meant to compensate the victim but to punish the defendant and deter similar behavior in the future.

How Our Lawyers Prove Negligence in a Truck Accident Claim

Winning a truck accident claim requires more than just showing that an accident happened. We must prove, with compelling evidence, that the defendant was negligent and that their negligence directly caused your injuries. 

The team at Richard Schwartz & Associates uses a proactive and comprehensive approach to gathering the evidence needed to build an undeniable case. Our investigation begins immediately and may include:

• Rapid-Response Investigation: We move quickly to preserve crucial evidence before it can be lost or destroyed. This includes sending a formal spoliation letter to the trucking company, legally obligating them to preserve the truck itself, its "black box" data, driver logs, maintenance records, and more.
• Accident Scene Analysis: Our team and hired experts may visit the accident scene in Meridian to document road conditions, take measurements, photograph skid marks and debris fields, and identify potential sightline issues.
• Obtaining the Black Box Data: We will secure the Event Data Recorder (EDR), or "black box," from the truck. This device records critical data from the moments before, during, and after a crash, including the truck’s speed, braking activity, steering inputs, and more. This data is often irrefutable evidence of driver negligence.
• Reviewing Driver and Company Records: We will subpoena and meticulously analyze the driver’s employment file, driving history, training records, and post-accident drug and alcohol test results. We will also examine the trucking company’s safety record, maintenance logs, and compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations.
• Interviewing Eyewitnesses: We locate and interview anyone who witnessed the crash, as their testimony can provide a neutral, third-party perspective on what happened.
• Consulting with Leading Experts: We retain a network of highly respected experts to help us prove your case. This includes accident reconstructionists who can create a scientific model of the crash, medical experts to testify about the severity and long-term impact of your injuries, and economists to calculate your total financial losses.

By building a case fortified with overwhelming evidence, we put you in the strongest possible position to secure a full and fair settlement during negotiations or, if necessary, to win your case at trial.

Meridian Truck Accident FAQs

We know you have many questions during this confusing time. Here are answers to some common concerns we hear from truck accident victims. For answers specific to your case, please contact us for a free consultation.

How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Mississippi?In Mississippi, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims, including truck accidents, is three years from the date of the accident. While this may seem like a long time, it is critical to act much sooner. Vital evidence can disappear quickly, and the sooner your attorney can begin an investigation, the stronger your case will be. If you miss the three-year deadline, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation forever.

What if I was partially at fault for the truck accident?You may still be able to recover compensation. Mississippi uses a “pure comparative negligence” rule. This means your total compensation award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault for the crash, you could still recover 80% of your damages. Insurance companies often try to shift blame to victims to reduce their payout, making it essential to have an attorney who can protect you from unfair accusations of fault.

How much does it cost to hire a Meridian truck accident lawyer?At Richard Schwartz & Associates, we handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay absolutely no upfront costs or out-of-pocket fees. We only get paid if and when we win your case by securing a settlement or a court verdict in your favor. Our fee is a pre-agreed-upon percentage of the total recovery. If we don’t win, you owe us no attorney’s fees. This allows everyone to afford top-tier legal representation, regardless of their financial situation.

Contact Our Trusted Meridian Truck Accident Lawyers Today

You have been through enough. You should not have to fight a legal battle against a powerful trucking corporation and its aggressive insurance company while also trying to recover from serious injuries. Let us take on that fight for you. The team at Richard Schwartz & Associates is here to provide the compassionate support, experienced guidance, and aggressive advocacy you need.

Your fight is our fight. We are committed to standing with you and your family, ensuring you receive the justice and the maximum compensation you are owed.

When you trust our Meridian truck accident attorneys with your case, we will:

• Handle every phone call, email, and negotiation with the insurance companies.
• Conduct a thorough, independent investigation to identify all at-fault parties and gather critical evidence.
• Work with world-class experts to build an undeniable claim for damages.
• Calculate the full and fair value of your past, present, and future losses.
• Fight tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome for you, whether through a negotiated settlement or a trial verdict.

The path to recovery starts with a single phone call. Contact Richard Schwartz & Associates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for a 100% free and confidential case evaluation. Contact us today at (601) 988-8888 or through our online form to get started.