Gulfport Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck accidents are some of the most catastrophic events on the road. These incidents are all too common in Gulfport, where major highways like I-10 and U.S. 49 see heavy truck traffic. Even nationwide, this is a major problem, with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reporting nearly 160,000 truck crashes in the United States in 2023.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, you may feel overwhelmed by medical bills, lost wages, and dealing with insurance companies. Our skilled Gulfport truck accident lawyer can help with the process.

At Owen, Owen & Smith, PLLC, we are here to provide you with the guidance, advocacy, and support you need during this time.

Truck accidents are not the same as your typical car accident. Semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and delivery vehicles are larger and heavier than passenger vehicles. When they collide with other vehicles, that can lead to more serious injuries and legal issues.

Here are a few reasons why these accidents are different from other vehicle crashes:

• Severe injuries: Due to the size and weight of trucks, these accidents often result in catastrophic injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and even fatalities.
• Multiple parties involved: Unlike a car crash, truck accidents often involve numerous parties, including the truck driver, the trucking company, cargo loaders, and maintenance providers. In these cases, determining liability can be challenging.
• Federal and state regulations: All trucking companies and drivers must comply with strict rules set by the federal government and Mississippi state laws. Any violations of these regulations play a role in determining fault.
• Insurance issues: Since commercial trucking companies carry large insurance policies, their insurers are aggressive in minimizing payouts.

With all these factors in play, it stacks the cards against you when you want to take legal action. You will want to have an experienced and skilled Gulfport truck accident lawyer to work on your behalf. From the moment you hire us, our law firm will quickly work to help you get the maximum benefits for your claim.

Sometimes, several factors lead to these accidents. When it comes time to take legal action, you want to make sure you include all the negligent parties. At Owen, Owen & Smith, PLLC, we will investigate the cause of your accident to identify all liable parties and build a strong case on your behalf.

Truck drivers and trucking companies are required to follow strict regulations. When there are violations, that can factor into your truck accident case.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules include:

• Hours of Service limits: Drivers are restricted in how many hours they can drive consecutively to prevent fatigue.
• Weight limits: Trucks must not exceed certain weight limits to ensure safe operation.
• Maintenance requirements: Regular inspections and maintenance are mandatory.

Along with that, there are Mississippi-specific regulations, such as:

• All trucks must adhere to state weight limits and roadway restrictions.
• Commercial drivers need to comply with licensing and permitting requirements.

A Gulfport truck accident lawyer will examine whether these regulations were violated. If there were, you could use that evidence to strengthen your case.

After a truck accident, figuring out who is responsible can feel overwhelming. These crashes can involve multiple parties, each playing a role in what went wrong. Let’s break this down so you can better understand who may be accountable for your accident and why.

The Truck Driver

Truck drivers have a huge responsibility on the road. Operating a massive vehicle requires focus, skill, and strict adherence to safety rules. Unfortunately, drivers sometimes fall short. And their mistakes can have life-altering consequences. If the driver’s actions caused your accident, they might be directly responsible. But often, they’re not the only ones to blame.

The Trucking Company

The company that hired the truck driver also has a legal duty to ensure safety. However, profit pressures sometimes lead to cutting corners. In turn, that can put everyone at risk. Trucking companies are often held liable under a concept called vicarious liability. That means they can be responsible for the actions of their employees.

Cargo Loaders and Shippers

If you have ever seen a truck wobble on the road, it is because of improperly loaded cargo. The team responsible for loading the truck has an important job. When they don’t do it right, it can lead to serious accidents. The loaders or shipping companies might share the blame if cargo issues contributed to your crash.

Maintenance Providers

Trucks are machines that need regular care. Many trucking companies hire outside maintenance teams to inspect and repair their vehicles. When those teams fail to do their jobs correctly, the results can be catastrophic. The maintenance provider might be held accountable if mechanical failure played a role in your accident.

Truck Manufacturers

Sometimes, the problem isn’t the driver or the trucking company; the truck might be defective. These faulty parts can cause accidents even when everyone else does everything right. A product liability claim may be needed to hold the manufacturer accountable in these cases.

Other Drivers

Another driver’s negligence could trigger a chain reaction that leads to a truck crash. If those actions contributed to your accident, they could also share responsibility.

Understanding who might be responsible for your truck accident ensures you get the compensation you need to rebuild your life. Each party may have different insurance policies that can cover your damages.

A Gulfport truck accident lawyer can help you piece together what happened so you can ensure the right parties are held accountable for their actions or inactions.

If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, you could be entitled to several types of compensation to help you recover. These may include:

• Coverage for hospital stays, surgeries, medication, physical therapy, and future medical care.
• Compensation for time missed at work due to your injuries.
• Damage awards for the income you lost due to the accident.
• Reimbursement for repair or replacement of your vehicle or other damaged property.
• Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress.

Unfortunately, these crashes can also lead to death. Under these circumstances, the surviving family members would be able to file a wrongful death claim to recoup expenses for funeral and burial costs along with other damages.