18 WHEELER WRECKS

Tractor-trailer accidents that cause catastrophic injuries and wrongful death can result from multiple parties' negligence. Our law firm conducts asset searches and extensive discovery to identify all responsible parties and sources of insurance coverage available to satisfy a judgment or settlement. This approach allows us to maximize the recovery we obtain for our clients because a verdict is little more than words on a piece of paper without getting funds from the defendants. Some of the parties that might be responsible for trucking accidents include:

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Truck Drivers: Many drivers with a commercial license often feel pressure to ignore safety practices and skirt trucking regulations to increase their income. Truck drivers might disregard hours of service (HOS) rules that prevent driver fatigue or use methamphetamines and other intoxicating substances to drive beyond the point of exhaustion. Unrealistic delivery schedules can also create pressure to speed or take routes that are not advisable because of steep grades. When a commercial driver disregards trucking regulations or operates a big rig in an unreasonably unsafe manner, the driver can be liable for causing a collision that results in injuries or fatalities.

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Commercial Carriers: Trucking companies are responsible for the negligent conduct committed by their employees, including truck drivers. The legal doctrine of “respondeat superior,” which means “let the employer answer,” makes an employer vicariously liable for the negligence of an employee. However, many commercial carriers engage in strategies like designating truck drivers as “independent contractors” to evade liability. Our experienced Mississippi trucking accident attorneys look beyond such designations to the nature of the relationship between the parties to defeat such tactics. Our law firm also pursues liability against trucking companies based on negligent hiring, negligent supervision, and negligent retention. The trucking company also must adequately inspect and maintain its trucks to transport cargo. Our law firm knows that establishing the trucking company's liability is imperative because it will tend to have more extensive insurance coverage than the truck driver.

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Independent Maintenance Company: Some commercial carriers enter into maintenance contracts with third-party companies. These companies are responsible for exercising reasonable care when inspecting and maintaining tractor-trailers. If the brakes fail on a semi-truck because of improper maintenance, the maintenance provider can be financially accountable for the resulting losses.

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Vehicle/Part Manufacturers: While improper maintenance of brakes or tires plays a role in a fair number of collisions involving large trucks, defective parts or vehicles also contribute to some crashes. When a vehicle component or semi-truck is defective, the manufacturer may be legally responsible.

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Shipper: Improperly loaded cargo also can contribute to a collision. As a result, the shipper might be liable for injuries. If the load is unbalanced, overweight, or improperly secured, the trucking company and driver typically share responsibility for this type of hazard.