Gulfport Truck Accident Lawyer | Tractor-Trailer Crash

If you or a loved one has been involved in a tractor-trailer accident, there are many factors to consider when forming a case. Even in a seemingly straightforward case, well-versed attorneys must consider all the factors that a truck driver alone deals with on a daily basis. Sometimes the at-fault party is the trucking company rather than the driver. A Gulfport truck accident lawyer could advise you on the steps to take to recover the compensation you deserve.

What to Do following a Tractor-Trailer Collision in Gulfport

If you ever find yourself in a trucking accident, there are a few things to be sure you take note of at the scene of the accident. First, be sure you and any passengers are safe. Immediately call 911 for an ambulance if needed. Next, call the police. Regardless of the severity of the accident, it is best to have a police report on record. Be sure the truck driver is questioned about his day previous to the accident. Where they were prior to the accident and what their destination was may say a lot about the crash or collision. Ask what their last rest stop was, when they last slept and for how long.

Make sure that there are photos of the accident, and document all injuries incurred and property damaged. Take note of injuries and damage that come up in the days and weeks following the accident. Sometimes people will write off soreness as unimportant or not consider it painful enough to do anything about it, and then once the soreness dissipates, a much larger issue will arise. All medical treatments should be compensated by the party at fault. Do not wait for things to get worse.

Take down all contact information of the people involved in the accident, and any witness testimonies if possible. The more information and evidence you have of the incident, the stronger your case will be. A knowledgeable attorney could guide an injured party through all the important steps after an 18-wheeeler wreck.

Shipping Companies’ Responsibility in Truck Crashes

Trucking companies are familiar with accidents and personal injury cases. They will try and take the easy way out with as little responsibility as possible. In trying not to be found liable, trucking companies will often try and offer up a pretty penny instead of the large sum of money you are actually owed. Many people will accept the money only to find out later that their case was worth twice or thrice as much. Do not let that happen to you and your loved ones. A dedicated truck collision lawyer in Gulfport could analyze the facts to find all the ways the shipping company may share responsibility.

Long Hours

Many truck drivers work long hours. It is no secret that they may skip a rest stop to get a job done or attempt to re-energize with coffee rather than sleep. Nowadays, all driving hours are logged digitally, equipped with ELD – electronic logging devices. With these logs we can see if a driver was working for a longer period of time than is considered safe. If sleep-deprivation is a factor in the accident, it is considered negligent driving on the truck driver’s behalf.

Maintenance

It is up to both the truck driver and the trucking company to maintain their vehicles. If a service is due, and ignored, by a driver this will play a factor in a trucking accident case. If the maintenance was never reported or shared with the driver, the trucking company is responsible. It is important to upkeep your vehicle, no matter the size or use.

Intoxication

It is never acceptable to drink and drive. Drinking while driving or driving while drunk are both recipes for disaster. Not only is this a danger to all passengers, fellow drivers and pedestrians, but drinking on the job should be a non-negotiable for companies. It is undoubtedly the truck driver’s fault for being intoxicated on the road. However, if a company hires a driver with a history of alcohol abuse while driving or past DUI offenses, the fault may be shared.

Issues the Trucking Community Faces

In the past decade, the number of experienced truck driver applicants has dropped significantly. This poses a few issues. On one hand, we have inexperienced drivers on the road because of the low competition for truck driving jobs. These drivers are not as familiar with issues that can occur on the road nor are they as prepared for surprise issues.

Reach out to a Gulfport Truck Accident Attorney Today

Whenever you are in a trucking accident in Mississippi, ensure the safety of everyone involved, and then call a team of attorneys for proper legal guidance. Seek justice and receive the compensation you and your family deserve. Braddock Law offers free consultation sessions with their Gulfport truck accident lawyers. Call our team to review your Gulfport truck accident case as soon as possible. We have a long history of success and are very proud of the service we offer.