Accidents involving large trucks can cause severe damages. Also, there may be several responsible parties involved. Contact an experienced Mississippi truck accident lawyer at Richard Schwartz & Associates right away to learn about your legal rights.
While any motor vehicle accident can be dangerous and damaging, crashes involving large commercial trucks can be particularly hazardous. Semi-trucks usually weigh upwards of 80,000 pounds, and their bulky size alone is enough for them to be exceedingly dangerous.
These vehicles are also more difficult to maneuver and often carry potentially hazardous materials. For these reasons, truck drivers and trucking companies must be extremely cautious and vigilant. In the event that a driver or company is negligent or makes even the slightest error, it could result in a serious and potentially deadly traffic collision.
Common causes of truck accidents include:
- Driver intoxication
- Drowsy driving
- Improperly loaded or overloaded trailer
- Poorly maintained truck
- Inadequately secured cargo
- Driver inexperience or lack of proper driver training
- Driver negligence
- Vehicle or part malfunction, including brake failure
Truck Accident Liability
Usually, one of three parties is responsible for causing a truck accident: the driver, the trucking company, or the vehicle manufacturer. Each of these potentially liable parties has a responsibility to ensure truck safety in some capacity, and if any mistakes are made or anyone is negligent, that individual or company may be held responsible for the resulting damage.
Trucking Company Liability
Trucking companies that do not follow specific trucking regulations could be liable for any crashes caused by their negligence. For example, if a company fails to properly train a driver or and that driver ends up causing a crash, the company could be liable for the resulting damage. Trucking companies are also required to comply with federal regulations regarding a trucker's maximum daily driving time to ensure drivers don't become exhausted on the road. Or, if a company fails to properly maintain and inspect their vehicles, resulting in vehicle malfunctions, the company will likely be held responsible.
Driver Liability
Drivers are also responsible for their actions when operating commercial vehicles. There are specific trucking rules that require drivers to hold special drivers’ licenses, to follow traffic laws, to abstain from drugs or alcohol while driving, to take breaks in order to prevent drowsy driving, and more. If a driver fails to follow any of these rules, he or she may be held liable.
Parts or Vehicle Manufacturer Liability
In the event that an accident is caused by some error by the vehicle manufacturer, they may be held responsible for any resulting damage. For example, faulty brakes or a malfunctioning steering system could cause a crash, and the company responsible for the design or manufacturing could be liable.
Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation
If you or someone you love was involved in a truck accident, it is crucial that you seek legal representation from a skilled truck accident attorney close to you in Mississippi. Our legal team at Richard Schwartz & Associates Injury Lawyers, P.A. has the knowledge and drive you need in your corner as you pursue justice and compensation for your injuries. With more than 40 years of experience, our lawyers know precisely what to do in order to help you with the legal process. We also have expert Mississippi car accident lawyers who can help with all types of auto accident cases.
