Southaven, Mississippi, Semi Truck and Trailer Accident Attorney

Drivers in metropolitan Memphis have lots of experience sharing crowded interstates and highways with heavy trucks. Doing so can sometimes be nerve-wracking, and rightly so. The numbers tell the tale: each year there are over 400,000 truck accidents across the country, including many here in Southaven, Mississippi. Out of these hundreds of thousands of accidents, 5,000 lives are typically lost when heavy semis crash into much smaller passenger vehicles.

One of the most common causes for such deadly accidents is a simple one: speeding. While drivers of ordinary passenger vehicles typically speed because they are in a hurry, the pressure to drive fast is even greater among commercial truck drivers. After all, their job requires that they move goods across vast distances of the country and arrive at the destination on time. Truckers’ livelihoods depend on them being prompt and this financial incentive can spell trouble on Mississippi roadways.

Though actions have been taken to reduce deaths associated with speeding trucks, they do not appear to work in every case. For instance, all new trucks are manufactured with governors which work to set a top speed for trucks. While this might seem to end the problem of speeding semis, the problem is that not every trucking company or individual owner uses the governors. The desire for faster deliveries and fatter paychecks cause some to cut corners.

Another frequent cause of trucking accidents in Southaven comes from overloaded or improperly balanced tractor-trailers. Federal trucking regulations make clear that commercial vehicles are not allowed to exceed 80,000 pounds and must also submit to periodic checks at weigh stations. Despite these rules, some trucking companies run overloaded trucks which represent a serious danger to unsuspecting motorists.

One of the dangers associated with overweight or improperly balanced trucks is an increased chance of tire blowouts. Blowouts are extremely dangerous for small passenger vehicles and are doubly dangerous for giant trucks. When a blowout occurs, the driver can lose control over the vehicle causing it to veer into neighboring lanes of traffic. Even worse is when a blowout happens and a driver overcorrects, potentially setting off a dangerous chain reaction endangering all nearby drivers.

Overloaded vehicles are also dangerous because they have a harder time coming to a complete stop. It’s more difficult to steer overweight vehicles, especially in less than ideal road conditions. Trucks that are overweight can pick up too much speed when going down hill and brakes are more likely to fail. Finally, steering problems and a danger of overturning due to shifting loads are also problems that come with overloaded or improperly balanced trucks.

Our office has successfully helped numerous individuals recover from the trucking companies who were responsible for causing injuries. Whether the damage is minor or catastrophic, you can seek justice from those at fault. Everyone at our office treats clients with the same respect and attention we would want ourselves. We understand how scary truck accidents can be and are here to help during a very difficult period of your life. If you’ve been injured in a Mississippi semi-truck accident and have questions, please contact the semi truck and trailer accident attorneys at The Stroud Law Firm for a free consultation.