The Danger of Large Truck Accidents
Did you know? 18-Wheeler trailer-trucks may require as much as 40% more time to stop than a car. The average car weighs 3,000 pounds, while the average 18-Wheeler can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. Add heavy loads and heavy equipment and you’ve got some of the most potentially damaging conditions for an accident in Mississippi, which Daily Journal calls the “deadliest place in the country to drive.”
It’s important to remember that truck drivers are some of the most experienced and responsible drivers out there, and accidents in are often not the results of any lack of care or driving skill – they want to arrive alive just like the rest of us! But like any time someone gets behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, accidents can happen due to negligence – either by the driver or by fault or the company the driver works for.
Types of Negligence in Semi Truck Accidents
AllLaw explains that in legal terminology, negligence refers to a duty of care, and the “breach” of that duty. Negligence can cause 18-Wheeler accidents in four main ways:
- #1: Truck maintenance
Truck drivers and companies have a responsibility to ensure that drivers are fit for the road, including making sure that all parts and equipment are in working order.
- #2: Breaking Laws
Most commercial truck companies are subject to laws requiring drivers to maintain up-to-date break logs and to undergo regular medical screenings. Many commercial laws are in place for the purpose of regulating truck weight limits, equipment maintenance, and vetting of drivers. When these laws are ignored or disobeyed, negligence occurs.
- #3: Driver Functionality
Companies by law must have rules about when their drivers take regular rest breaks. Drivers are also not permitted to operate a truck under the influence of certain prescription drugs, or of course, alcohol and other intoxicating substances.
- #4: Putting the Company’s Bottom Line Over Road Safety
Both federal and local laws regulate truck drivers and their companies. Unfortunately, sometimes truck companies place their bottom lines over the safety of the general public—with tragic results. Often companies put pressure on drivers to complete routes in a certain amount of time, or to save time in general by skimping on the regulations and requirements. This kind of pressure is illegal and may result in drivers being drowsy on the road, or trucks being unsafe due to excessive weight, faulty equipment, or outdated maintenance.
What You Can Do
If you or your loved one has been involved in a personal injury accident involving an 18-Wheeler in Jackson, MS, it’s time to fight back for the full compensation you deserve! You may only have a limited amount of time to seek damages under the law. Make sure you choose a lawyer who has extensive experience dealing with personal injury cases involving 18-Wheeler trucks. The tractor trailer accident attorneys at Heilman Law Group, P.A. in Jackson, MS are known for listening to clients’ specific needs and for having extensive knowledge of their industries – the qualities it takes to get you the successful outcomes you deserve. Don’t wait to get the help you need! Contact our Jackson office today!
Heilman Law Group, PA
Jackson Office
4266 I-55 North, Suite 106
Jackson, Mississippi 39211
Phone: 601-914-1025
Fax: 601-960-4200
