Southaven, Mississippi, Semi Truck and Trailer Accident Attorney
Semi-truck accidents often result in catastrophic injuries requiring expensive medical treatment and years of physical rehabilitation. Given the size of a tractor-trailer, it’s also possible for collisions with these vehicles to end in the loss of life.
Truck accident survivors or their loved ones can count on Stroud, Flechas & Dalton to fight for them. Our experienced attorneys can help negotiate a better settlement or seek legal damages for you in court.
If you or a loved one were involved in a semi-truck accident near Southaven, MS, contact our personal injury lawyers today. You can also reach our law office by phone at (662) 667-1870.
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How Long Do I Have to File a Semi-Truck Accident Case?
In the state of Mississippi, you have three years from the date of the large truck accident to file a personal injury claim. Once this three-year statute of limitations has passed, you will not be able to file a legal claim.
Three years may sound like a long time, but it is important that you speak to our Southaven semi-truck accident lawyers as quickly as possible. Truck accident claims are always more complex than a car accident claim due to the number of potential defendants. You need a strong advocate in your corner who will fight aggressively for your rights, ensuring you receive the compensation you are entitled to receive.
Why Hire the Attorneys of Stroud, Flechas & Dalton
At Stroud, Flechas & Dalton, we will be by your side from start to finish, helping you deal with the aftermath of a truck accident. In addition to our history of successful verdicts, settlements, and case results, the people of northwest Mississippi know that they can count on us.
More Than 50 Years of Combined Experience
Our team of lawyers have more than 50 years of combined experience practicing law. We can collaborate on your case, pooling our knowledge and resources to ensure you receive the best possible representation in your semi-truck crash claim.
Deep Ties to the Southaven and the State of Mississippi
Our attorneys grew up and went to school in Mississippi. In fact, Attorney Philip A. Stroud was raised in DeSoto County, and his family has roots in the area. We know potentially dangerous roads, highways, and interstates that semi-truck drivers use when traveling from Mississippi to Tennessee and Arkansas.
Free Initial Consultations with Our Lawyers
Your first consultation with our personal injury attorneys is free of charge. This allows you to share your story with us. Our truck accident lawyers will listen to you, assess what happened, and give you honest counsel about what steps to take next.
Representation on a Contingency Fee Basis
When Stroud, Flechas & Dalton take your case, we believe we can be successful. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis. Clients do not have to pay a retainer or any attorneys fees unless and until we can secure a pre-trial settlement or damages in court. If we don’t win, you don’t pay—it’s as simple as that.
Contact Our Large Truck Accident Attorneys in Southaven, MS
Stroud, Flechas & Dalton removes financial hurdles for people seeking restitution after a serious collision with a large truck. We can hold negligent truckers and trucking companies accountable for their negligence.
If you were in a major wreck with an 18-wheeler or tractor-trailer, contact our Southaven semi-truck accident attorneys.
How Common Are Semi-Truck Accidents?
According to national data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were 119,000 injury crashes involving large trucks or buses in 2021. The FMCSA also estimates 5,340 fatal crashes involving large trucks or buses that same year; 98 fatal truck accidents occurred in the state of Mississippi in 2021.
Semi-Truck Accident Risks Around Northwest Mississippi
There are numerous potential truck accident risks along Mississippi Highway 302 (MS 302)/Goodman Road. This thoroughfare passes through Southaven just a few miles south of the state line from Tennessee and the greater Memphis area.
MS 302/Goodman Road crosses multiple interstates and highways where semi-trucks and big rigs are common, including Interstate 269, Interstate 55, U.S. Route 72, U.S. Route 78, U.S. Route 51, and U.S. Route 61.
How Semi-Truck Accidents Differ from Passenger Vehicle Accidents
Semi-truck braking capability can be a factor in large truck collisions. A fully loaded big rig can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. By comparison, the average passenger vehicle weighs closer to 3,000 pounds. Because of this, the loaded tractor-trailer needs 20-40% more distance to come to a stop, with even more room required on wet and slippery roads.
The sheer size and weight of a large commercial truck almost guarantees that those in the smaller vehicle will be grievously injured or even killed. The injuries sustained by those in a passenger vehicle are often catastrophic, changing lives and altering futures.
Why Are Large Truck Accidents So Complex?
It can be difficult to establish liability following a semi-truck accident. Multiple people and entities that could bear some responsibility for the wreck.
- Mistakes by the Truck Driver – The driver of the truck could be at fault, particularly if he or she was impaired, driving recklessly, or driving while distracted.
- Negligence by the Trucking Company – The trucking company could be held liable if they were aware the driver was exceeding his or her hours, if they failed to perform a proper background check on the driver, or if the driver did not receive proper training.
- Errors by the Loading Company – The loading company could be at fault if they loaded the cargo improperly or failed to secure it.
- Problems with Truck or Fleet Servicing – The maintenance company could be at fault if they failed to properly maintain the truck, particularly the brakes or tires.
- Auto Part or Vehicle Design Defects – If the big rig accident was the result of a defective truck part, the truck manufacturer could be held liable.
Identifying the Cause(s) of the Semi-Truck Crash
It is crucial that there is a complete investigation immediately following a truck accident—otherwise, evidence can sometimes go missing. An experienced Southaven truck accident attorney from Stroud, Flechas & Dalton will act quickly to discover the cause of the crash, preserving all evidence crucial to proving your claim.
We will ensure evidence is properly gathered, photographs are taken at the scene of the accident, and the trucking company is put on notice that they are to preserve all relevant information (such as the truck’s black box) that can be used as evidence during the claim.
Common Factors in Semi-Truck Wrecks
Every large truck accident is different, but there are certain factors that are more commonly associated with 18-wheeler collisions.
Truck Driver Fatigue
Fatigue is a common problem for truck drivers. Under current FMCSA hours of service laws, truckers are allowed to drive 11 hours at a stretch. Anyone who has ever driven for 11 hours straight will understand just how exhausting this can be.
Truck drivers only get paid for the time they are actually behind the wheel and driving. Because of this, many truck drivers keep two sets of logbooks—the real one and the one they show to the Department of Transportation (DOT). Trucking companies are generally aware of this, although it is always to the company’s benefit to keep the trucks moving. Companies are likely to turn a blind eye to truckers who exceed the federally mandated hours.
Inexperienced Truck Drivers
The drivers of large commercial trucks must go through training programs. Drivers are schooled in how specific cargo or weight of the cargo can increase the chances of an accident. Drivers are given instructions on how to operate the truck during hazardous weather conditions, in heavy traffic, and at night.
Despite the requirements that all truck drivers receive training, many trucking companies allow truck drivers to take to the road before they are fully prepared. Truck drivers who lack the training or the experience to deal with stressful driving conditions can end up being a hazard on the roadways.
Truck Driver Distraction
Distracted driving is almost as common for truck drivers as it is for other drivers. Distractions can come in the form of:
- Talking on the phone without a hands-free kit
- Texting or checking the internet
- Watching/streaming something on the phone
- Changing radio stations
- Focusing on something on the side of the road
- Eating entire meals while driving
Truck Driver DUI
Impairment is common among truck drivers, largely due to the fact that a significant number of truckers take narcotics or over-the-counter or prescription drugs to stay awake. While these substances are meant to improve alertness, they can also impair someone’s overall driving ability.
Other truck drivers may be drinking alcohol or using other illicit drugs behind the wheel. This can have a negative effect on reaction times and the ability to drive safely.
Other Contributing Factors in Large Truck Accident Cases
Other common causes of truck accidents include:
- Poorly loaded cargo
- Tire or brake malfunction
- Reckless or aggressive driving behaviors
- Lack of proper vehicle maintenance
- Lack of visibility (e.g., blind spots)
- Inclement weather
- Poor roadway design
Contact Our Semi-Truck Accident Attorneys in Southaven
No matter the cause or contributing factors involved, the lawyers of Stroud, Flechas & Dalton are here for you. Your initial consultation with us is free. If you were in a wreck with an 18-wheeler or tractor-trailer, contact our Southaven semi-truck accident attorneys.
Common Injuries from Truck Accidents
Those who survive a truck accident are usually left to deal with severe injuries. These injuries result in altered futures. Some potential injuries after a semi-truck crash include:
- Broken limbs or loss of limbs
- Internal organ injuries
- Burn injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Neck and spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia)
If you experienced significant trauma, a disability, or physical disfigurement in a semi-truck accident, our Southaven catastrophic injury lawyers will help hold the liable party or parties accountable.
Compensation and Damages After a Large Truck Accident
The damages you are entitled to receive following your semi-truck accident will depend on the facts surrounding the accident. Generally speaking, truck accident survivors are entitled to compensation that covers:
- The Cost of Medical Care – This refers to all medical expenses related to the injuries you sustained from the truck accident, including ambulance and emergency room costs, current rehabilitation expenses, as well as any future health expenses that will be necessary for recovery.
- Lost Wages and Earning Potential – Crash survivors are entitled to lost wages if they were injured severely enough to prevent a return to work. If the accident victim is not able to return to work for a considerable length of time—or ever—they can also be compensated for future lost wages.
- Pain and Suffering – Finally, 18-wheeler collision victims are entitled to compensation for any pain and suffering caused by the truck accident. This covers any mental health or psychological counseling and the impact on quality of life.
Legal Options After Fatal Semi-Truck Accidents
Collisions with big rigs often result in the loss of life. Family members and loved ones of the deceased can file a wrongful death claim after a fatal crash. These fatal injury claims can hold negligent truck drivers, trucking companies, and other parties accountable for causing the accident and the loss of life.
In a fatal semi-truck accident claim, surviving loved ones can seek compensation to address the losses listed above. In addition, wrongful death claims will compensate surviving loved ones for funerary costs, the loss of companionship, and the expenses related to grief counseling and bereavement.
Should I Accept a Settlement After a Large Truck Accident?
This depends on what happened in the semi-truck accident and the amount offered by the insurance company. Our Southaven truck accident lawyers can review the settlement offer to make sure it accurately accounts for all of the losses you’ve experienced.
Our lawyers understand the negotiation process, and can use their knowledge to seek a better settlement for you. If a more agreeable settlement cannot be reached, we will take your case to court. The team at Stroud, Flechas & Dalton believe we can convince a jury of the value of your claim and win.
Contact Our Southaven Semi-Truck Accident Lawyers Today
Whether you were seriously injured in a semi-truck crash or lost someone close to you in a fatal wreck, Stroud, Flechas & Dalton is here to provide support and sound legal counsel. We will give your case the attention it deserves.
To request a free consultation, contact our northwest Mississippi lawyers today. You can also reach our Southaven law firm by phone at (662) 667-1870.