Large trucks caused nearly 5,000 truck accident fatalities in 2007, and more than 101,000 injuries.  Over 413,000 large trucks were involved in truck accidents.  With nearly 9 million large trucks on the highways every year, these unwieldy semi-trucks are a very real danger to all of the other vehicles on the roadways.  Driving in Mississippi can present some real dangers as tractor-trailer traffic is high on our interstate highways such I-10, I-20, I-55, or I-59.  With I-20 and I-55 intersecting in Jackson, Mississippi, a lot of interstate tractor-trailers travel through the state each day.  What do you know about large truck accidents and would you know what to do if one happened to you?

Why is a Truck Accident Different than a Car Accident?

Tangle with a tractor-trailer or other large truck, and your likelihood of severe injuries or death goes way up. Truck accident collisions are more likely to result in fatal multiple-vehicle collisions, at a rate of 82% compared to 59% for all passenger vehicles. 75% of semi-truck-related fatalities were occupants of the other vehicle; not the large truck driver.

Large trucks are unable to stop quickly because of their weight and size, and the same and the same mass makes large truck accidents much more severe; causing more damage to passenger vehicles than collisions with other vehicles, and leading to extreme crush and mangling hazards.

Not only are truck accidents more severe than car accidents; large truck operations are actually governed by federal regulations. This means that Mississippi tractor-trailer accidents aren’t just governed by Mississippi law; federal regulations apply to 18-wheeler accidents in Mississippi. You need an attorney with the experience to ask the right questions, and launch an investigation based on federal regulations; not just state laws that apply to passenger vehicles.

Without asking the right questions, and taking into account federal regulations that govern all aspects of tractor-trailer operation, you might not get the information you need to pursue your truck accident case. Let an experienced professional do it for you, and you don’t have to worry about missing anything important.

Truck Accident Statistics

• 100,000 people were injured in large truck accidents in 2007
• 79,000 people injured in truck crashes were not occupants of the tractor-trailers; they were occupants of other vehicles or pedestrians
• 4,808 truck accident fatalities
• Over 4,000 truck wreck fatalities were occupants of other vehicles or pedestrians
• 63% of large truck accidents are caused by a truck unable to stop and colliding with another vehicle
• 51% of 18-wheeler accidents involve two vehicles traveling straight on a straight road
• 74% of weekday truck accident crashes occur during daylight
• 70 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes in Mississippi during 2007
  

Finding the Liable Party in a Truck Accident is Challenging

Liability isn’t always an easy question, and it presents unique challenges in the case of a truck accident.  In a semi-truck wreck, both the driver and the owner of the vehicle may be liable.  In many cases, 18-wheeler drivers don’t actually own the truck; they’re hired by a company to come in and drive.  In the event of an accident, both the driver and the company may be liable, and each party may argue their share in the case to avoid responsibility.

In a truck accident, you’ve got to get information about the driver's driving record, hiring process, and training of its drivers.  Tractor-trailer companies are required by federal law to carefully screen their drivers and their driving record, but many times the companies' screening process is faulty.  You also have truck drivers who are under pressure to get their load delivered on or ahead of time.  Some companies push their drivers and put them in dangerous conditions just to get the load delivered.  That is what a proper investigation of the accident will reveal and determine whether the trucking company created an unsafe condition which caused the accident.

Truck Accidents can Cause Catastrophic Injuries

With almost 5,000 truck accident fatalities annually, over 4,000 of which involve someone other than the truck driver, you could be looking at catastrophic injuries if you’re involved in an accident with a large truck.  Truck accident injuries are typically far more severe than collisions with other passenger vehicles. If you’re injured in a truck wreck, you could be looking at thousand of dollars of medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, and lost wages.  Unfortunately, tractor-trailer accidents are also more likely to cause long-term injuries that require significant treatment over time. You may have ongoing medical bills for months or years into the future after a semi-truck accident. An experienced truck accident attorney can help you consider these costs and figure them into the value of your case.

Get a Free Legal Consultation to Evaluate your Truck Wreck Case

Because of federal regulations governing large truck operations, you need an experienced truck accident attorney to prosecute your case. We’ve got the experience to ask the right questions and make sure we conduct a thorough investigation to enable us to pursue your truck accident case. You won’t need to worry about the difficulties of fighting with an insurance company or establishing liability when you consult a professional; all you have to do is give us the details and move on with your life, while we fight for you.

The Kisselburgh Law Firm has experience in representing those injured by large trucks.  If you have been involved in an accident involving a large truck/tractor trailer/semi truck, contact us online or call us at 601-936-4040 to discuss your legal options.

TRUCKING ACCIDENT RESOURCES

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCS)

• Analysis & Information Online
• Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks
• Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requests
• Rules & Regulations
• Part 383 - Commercial Drivers License Standards:  Requirements & Penalities
• Part 390 - General Requirements and Information
• Part 391 - Qualification of Drivers and Longer Combination Vehicle Driver Instructors
• Part 392 - Driving of commercial motor vehicles
• Part 393 - Parts and accessories necessary for safe operation
• Part 395 - Hours of service of drivers
• Part 396 - Inspection, repair and maintenance

• Alabama Trucking Association, Inc.
• Alaska Trucking Association, Inc.
• Arizona Trucking Association
• Arkansas Motor Carriers Association, Inc.
• California Trucking Association
• Colorado Motor Carriers Association
• Motor Transport Association of Connecticut
• Florida Trucking Association, Inc.
• Georgia Motor Trucking Association, Inc.
• Idaho Motor Transport Association
• Illinois Trucking Association
• Indiana Motor Truck Association, Inc.
  
• Iowa Motor Truck Association, Inc.
• Kansas Motor Carriers Association
• Kentucky Motor Transport Association
• Louisiana Motor Transport Association, Inc.
• Maine Motor Transport Association, Inc.
• Maryland Motor Truck Association, Inc.
• Massachusetts Motor Truck Association, Inc.
  
• Michigan Trucking Association, Inc.
• Minnesota Trucking Association
• Mississippi Trucking Association
• Missouri Motor Carriers Association
• Montana Motor Carriers Association, Inc.
• Nebraska Trucking Association
• Nevada Motor Transport Association, Inc.
• New Hampshire Motor Transport Association
• New Jersey Motor Truck Association
• New Mexico Trucking Association, Inc.
• New York State Motor Truck Association
• North Carolina Trucking Association, Inc.
• North Dakota Motor Carriers Association, Inc.
• Ohio Trucking Association
• Oklahoma Trucking Association
• Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association
• Rhode Island Trucking Association
• South Carolina Trucking Association, Inc.
• South Dakota Trucking Association
• Tennessee Trucking Association
• Texas Motor Transportation Association, Inc.
• Utah Motor Transport Association
• Virginia Trucking Association
• Washington Trucking Associations, Inc.
• West Virginia Motor Truck Association, Inc.
• Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association
• Wyoming Trucking Association, Inc.