Unfortunately, truck accidents on Highway 98 in Hattiesburg, MS, are extremely common. Taking time to learn about why this is such a dangerous area and what your legal options are after a crash can help you understand what to do after a truck accident.
Understanding Why Truck Accidents Are So Common on Highway 98
Highway 98 is notorious for car and truck accidents. In Hattiesburg, Highway 98 runs concurrently with Hardy Street, a common area for crashes.
Highway 98 has many features that increase the risk of a crash. In more rural areas, the four-lane highway leads many drivers to speed, which becomes particularly dangerous when they reach commercial areas. This roadway also has extremely dangerous intersections, such as with Highway 49, Westover Drive, or Weathersby Road.
Many commercial trucks rely on Highway 98 as a major roadway, but may struggle to navigate the speeding, frequent lane changes, and complex intersections. In 2024, there were 1,830 large truck accidents in Mississippi. Common truck accidents on Highway 98 in Hattiesburg, MS, include rear-end collisions, jackknifes, or rollover accidents.
Why Do Truck Accidents Happen?
Truck accidents can happen in an instant, leaving behind life-changing injuries and vehicle damage. A Hattiesburg truck accident attorney can examine evidence from your case to identify the cause of a truck accident and determine who can be held liable.
Driver-related factors are the leading cause of truck accidents. This includes errors, such as distracted driving, fatigue, or speeding. Trucks take 40% longer than other vehicles to come to a complete stop, so errors like speeding or inattention can make it difficult for a truck to safely stop.
Other factors that may cause a truck accident on Highway 98 include:
- Mechanical issues: Mechanical issues, such as worn tires or a faulty brake system, can limit a driver’s control over the truck or make it difficult to prevent a collision. These issues are often the fault of the vehicle manufacturer for producing defective vehicle parts or the trucking company that failed to properly maintain the truck.
- Improper cargo loading: Cargo must be carefully loaded to avoid weight shifts, poor weight distribution, or an overweight vehicle. Not only does overweight cargo increase the risk of a crash, but it can also increase the severity. Trucks that weigh over 33,000 pounds make up about 65% of fatal truck accidents.
- Environmental conditions: Road and weather conditions can have a significant impact on a driver’s control over their vehicle. Whether there is low visibility, wet roads, sharp turns, or uneven roads, the risk of a truck accident rises.
Damages in a Truck Accident Case
The damages caused by a truck accident on Highway 98 can be severe. Potentially the most life-altering damage is an injury, as it can leave lasting physical and mental effects.
Common injuries after a truck accident include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): TBIs can happen when the brain is forced against the inside of the skull after an impact with a truck.
- Soft tissue injuries: Damage to the soft tissue, like muscles, tendons, and ligaments, can limit your mobility and cause lasting pain. Whiplash is one of the most common soft tissue injuries, being especially common in rear-end accidents.
- Back and spinal cord injuries: These injuries can include vertebral fractures, herniated disks, or spinal cord nerve damage.
- Broken bones: Broken bones are severe and can require surgical intervention and ongoing care to heal.
- Psychological disorders: Truck accidents are deeply traumatic, leaving many victims suffering from psychological disorders, such as PTSD, anxiety, or depression.
Beyond injuries, truck accidents can result in pain and suffering, property damage, and lost wages.
If you have been involved in a truck accident, a Hattiesburg truck accident lawyer can help you file a claim to recover compensation for your losses. They can include a comprehensive list of your damages in your claim and negotiate for the full compensation you need for your recovery.
FAQs
Why Should You Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?
If you have been involved in a crash, a Hattiesburg truck accident lawyer can help you file a claim to pursue justice and compensation. A lawyer understands the truck accident laws and Mississippi’s claims process and can build a claim that meets the legal requirements. When determining compensation, a lawyer can pursue a fair award by negotiating with insurance providers on your behalf.
Who Is Liable for a Truck Accident?
Who is liable for a truck accident depends on your truck accident case. The most common at-fault party is the truck driver, since they are directly responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle. However, depending on the cause of your accident, there may be another liable party. For example, the trucking company, vehicle manufacturer, or cargo loader is a potential at-fault party.
How Much Are Most Truck Accidents Settlements Worth?
Truck accident settlements range greatly depending on the types and severity of the damages you have suffered. If you hire a truck accident lawyer, they can calculate the value of your damages, including your financial losses and intangible losses like pain and suffering. Then, they can pursue a settlement that reaches that amount by presenting evidence of your damages, such as medical records, repair invoices, pain logs, and witness testimonies.
What Should You Do After a Truck Accident on Highway 98?
After a truck accident on Highway 98, you should move to a safe location away from the highway, call 911, and receive medical treatment for your injuries. Once you are out of danger, you can exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver, take photos and videos of the accident scene, and contact a lawyer for guidance.
Speak With an Experienced Hattiesburg Truck Accident Attorney at WaideLaw: Available 24/7
Attorney Daniel Wade is dedicated to helping those injured in a truck accident recover. He is guided by the principles of justice and compassion of Isaiah 1:17 and understands the value of hard work and dedication after his youth spent on the farm and in football.
After a crash, contact our personal injury lawyer at WaideLaw to learn how a deep understanding of Mississippi’s truck accident laws can build a strong case against a truck driver or trucking company.
