Hancock County Truck Accident Lawyer
A trucker who does not take appropriate caution to control their vehicle can place other drivers at severe risk of harm. Due to the size and weight of these commercial vehicles, collisions involving a passenger vehicle could result in devastating injuries.
If you or a loved one were injured in a crash involving a big truck or eighteen-wheeler, you might benefit from speaking with a seasoned personal injury attorney. A Hancock County truck accident lawyer could evaluate the cause of a crash, calculate your total losses, and represent your best interest during settlement discussions or trial.
Proving Trucker Fault for an Accident
Every trucker assumes a responsibility to care for the wellbeing of all other people that they may encounter while on the road. A failure to uphold this duty is considered negligence. Negligent defendants may be held liable to provide compensation for all damages that they cause other parties to suffer.
The injured party bears the responsibility of establishing a defendant’s negligence or recklessness. A Hancock County attorney could gather the evidence required to prove that the negligence and/or recklessness of a truck driver and/or trucking company caused the crash. In vehicle wreck cases, this often involves proving a violation of the rules of the road. Speeding, failing to yield, improper lane changes, and distracted driving (such as texting on a cell phone) could all give rise to compensation.
Truck drivers have additional laws and safety rules specific to them that they must abide by. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration limits the maximum drive times in any given day or week. For instance, a truck driver may not be on the road for more than 11 consecutive hours under most circumstances. Additionally, truck drivers may not operate for more than 60 hours in seven consecutive days on the road.
Pursuing Appropriate Compensation After a Truck Collision
When trucks collide with passenger vehicles, bikers, or pedestrians, the victims often sustain severe, permanent injuries. Common examples of these physical injuries include:
- Severe cuts
- Burns
- Separated joints
- Broken bones
- Amputations
- Spinal cord trauma
- Head wounds and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Organ damage
A seasoned Hancock County attorney could seek financial compensation for these injuries on behalf of the truck accident victim and/or her family. Recoverable damages could include compensation for past or future medical bills stemming from the wreck, as well as property damage and lost wages if the plaintiff must take time off work following the collision.
Compensation is also available for physical pain and suffering, as well as emotional distress, mental anguish, anxiety, and inconvenience. In addition, the incident may cause a person to have a decreased quality of life or lose enjoyment in hobbies or interests, which are losses for which compensation may also be demanded in a civil claim.
There is a deadline to file a civil claim. Under Mississippi Code §15-1-49, an injury victim has three-years from the date of the incident to file suit. Failure to do so could result in the case being permanently dismissed and a plaintiff losing any chance of recovery. The deadline for filing suit is even less – only one year – if the truck was operated by and/or belonged to a government entity.
A Hancock County Truck Accident Attorney May be Able to Help
Truck accidents often result in severe injuries that affect every part of your life. With the help of a Hancock County truck accident lawyer, you could hold the responsible party accountable and seek compensation for your injuries.
A truck accident lawyer could help gather evidence, explain your legal rights, demand proper compensation during negotiations with the insurance companies, and advocate for your rights at trial if the defendant is unwilling to make a reasonable settlement. Schedule your first consultation today. Consultations are always free.
