Truck Accident Attorney In Columbia, MS
A Columbia truck accident lawyer from WaideLaw advocates for clients who have been injured in collisions with commercial vehicles. Accidents with tractor-trailers, delivery trucks, and other large vehicles often present unique issues that are distinct from many passenger car crashes. Victims can be left with extensive medical needs, long recovery times, and serious financial losses as they attempt to identify who is at fault for the accident.
Learning about the causes of a collision and the legal options available afterward can play an important role in the recovery process. A Columbia personal injury lawyer from WaideLaw is here to represent victims of truck accidents in Columbia and across Mississippi.
Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer
Daniel Waide has focused his legal career on helping people with complex legal issues. Daniel Waide is currently serving as the Executive Committee Chair for the Employment Law Section of the Mississippi Bar. He believes in the value of continued education, professional development, and advocacy.
At WaideLaw, clients receive legal representation backed by courtroom experience, professional involvement in the legal community, and a commitment to client advocacy.
Why Truck Accident Cases Are Different From Car Accident Cases
Truck accident claims can involve unique issues that aren’t present in many accidents involving passenger vehicles. Commercial trucks can weigh several times as much as passenger vehicles, creating greater potential for serious injuries and significant property damage when a collision occurs.
In addition, trucking operations are heavily regulated by federal and state government agencies, which set standards for driver qualifications, vehicle maintenance, cargo transportation, and hours of service.
Investigation of truck accidents often requires review of special records and documentation not involved in routine car accident cases. These and other factors can make truck accident claims more complex than other motor vehicle accident matters.
Parties That May Be Liable in a Truck Accident Claim
A truck driver may not always be responsible for a truck accident. In many cases, several parties can be involved in the events leading to a collision. Potentially responsible parties in a truck accident can include trucking companies, cargo loading contractors, maintenance contractors, truck owners, and manufacturers of defective truck parts.
In Mississippi, more than one party could be responsible for an event that caused an injury. Mississippi Code § 85-5-7 also provides for the allocation of fault among responsible parties according to their percentage of fault. Reviewing records and crash evidence can help identify who may be responsible.
Federal Regulations That Affect Commercial Trucking Operations
Commercial trucking companies and drivers are subject to a wide array of federal regulations under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, codified in 49 C.F.R. Parts 350-399. These regulations cover a range of subjects, such as drivers’ qualifications, truck inspections and maintenance, hours-of-service restrictions, and recordkeeping.
There are also rules governing cargo securement and other safety practices intended to reduce roadway hazards. Any violations of applicable trucking regulations could become relevant in an investigation into the cause of a collision. Evidence regarding a driver’s or motor carrier’s compliance with federal requirements may be an important part of the investigation into how an accident occurred.
Types of Evidence Commonly Used in Truck Accident Investigations
Investigations into truck accidents may also involve evidence that is specific to the operation of commercial vehicles. ELD data may show details about driving hours and rest periods, for example, and onboard recording devices can provide information about speed, braking, and other vehicle operations.
Maintenance and inspection records, driver qualification files, dispatch records, and cargo documents may also be reviewed. Trucking companies are often required to keep more detailed records than other drivers, and there may be a large amount of information available after a crash.
FAQs
How Many Injury Crashes Involving Large Trucks Occur in the United States?
According to the Federal Highway Administration’s Crash Facts report, there were 114,000 injury crashes involving large trucks in 2022. Commercial trucks and large vehicles drive on our nation’s highways and local roads in every state, including Mississippi, which means there are daily interactions with passenger vehicles. The number of reported injury crashes highlights the safety risks associated with large commercial vehicles.
Who Is Most Often Injured in Large Truck Crashes?
Most people injured or killed in crashes with large trucks are not in the commercial truck. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 70% of people killed in large truck crashes nationwide are occupants of other vehicles. The large size and weight differences between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles mean those in smaller vehicles face a greater chance of serious injury in a collision.
Where Can Truck Accidents Occur Near Columbia?
Truck traffic travels through Marion County via highways that connect businesses and communities in the county to other parts of Mississippi. Trucks are frequent users of Columbia’s main thoroughfares, including U.S. Highway 98 and Mississippi Highway 13. Traffic accidents can happen in multiple types of locations along roadways that are shared by both passenger vehicles and commercial traffic, such as at intersections, highway on-ramps, and rural roads.
What Is a Truck Driver Qualification File?
Motor carriers are required by Federal regulations to keep qualification files on their commercial drivers. Qualification files can include information about a driver’s license status, driving record, medical certification, training, experience, and employment history.
As part of the investigation into a truck accident, a driver’s qualification file may reveal whether the driver was in compliance with applicable federal requirements at the time of the crash. These records are occasionally a relevant part of a commercial truck accident case.
Contact a Columbia Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck accident claims often involve issues that are not present in many other motor vehicle accident cases. Commercial carriers, trucking companies, maintenance providers, and other parties can all be involved in the events leading up to a collision.
Trucking operations are also subject to industry regulations that can play an important role during an investigation. Identifying the factors that contributed to a crash can often be an important part of evaluating a potential claim.
WaideLaw represents individuals throughout Mississippi who have been affected by commercial truck accidents and the challenges that can follow these serious collisions. Schedule a consultation today to hire a truck accident lawyer.
