Trucking Accidents

For many truckers, Mississippi highways serve as the crossroads between the major cities of the southwest and the urban centers of the east coast.  Trucks, 18-wheelers, car haulers, and other large commercial vehicles from all over the nation frequently pass through the heart of Mississippi at dangerous speeds, “making time” to arrive at their destinations and meet their deadlines.  Unfortunately, in their rush to cover more miles in less time, truck drivers often display a dangerous disregard for the safety of regular drivers.  Passenger vehicles are almost always on the losing end of a truck accident, and serious, life-changing injuries, such as brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, severe burns, severed limbs and other catastrophic injuries, are the results.

The trucking industry is one of the most profitable sectors of business in the country. Average total annual revenues exceed $250 billion, far more than other modes of freight transportation, including air freight and train freight.  Unfortunately, part of the profitability of trucking comes at the expense of the truckers who get the freight from point A to point B.

Since the 1980s, when trucking was de-regulated and the industry became far more competitor-based, truckers have lost many of the rights that other workers enjoy. Due to competition, many contractors consistently pass off their freight contracts to the lowest bidders.  To meet their bare bones pricing, bidders will sometimes hire unqualified truck drivers with troubling records of accidents and many instances of unsafe driving in their past.  Beyond that, these same truck drivers are required to work for low wages and drive for extremely long hours, often driving for up to 18 hours without sleep.  Needless to say, the alertness and reaction time of truck drivers in this condition is very poor.  In fact, many experts compare the condition of fatigued truck drivers to that of drunk drivers.  And when you consider that many trucks can be as long as 65 feet and weigh as much as 40 tons, a fatigued truck driver presents an unacceptably dangerous situation.

Compared to cars, trucks are highly complex machines that require regular preventative maintenance, work on brake systems, electrical systems, engines, transmissions, and differentials, along with many other components.  Failure to do this consistently leaves trucks far more vulnerable to brake, engine, or other system failures. Leaks from trucks can cause hazardous road conditions or leave the driver with the inability to respond in time to avoid a collision or accident (such as with brake failure).  Material falling from the truck due to improper loading and HAZMAT accidents can cause serious injuries to drivers as well.

Many experts also believe that issues of international trade will increase the dangers trucking represents on the nation’s highways, especially in states like Mississippi. Implementation of the North American Fair Trade Agreement (NAFTA) means more trucks from Mexico are entering the United States.  Already, more than 4 million Mexican trucks enter the United States every year, with about 3 million coming in through Texas alone. Many of those trucks will begin using highways in Mississippi as NAFTA permits them to deliver their loads beyond Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and California.  Regulating American truck drivers and the safety of the rigs they drive has already proven a difficult challenge for state and federal authorities.  Once U.S. borders are fully opened to Mexican trucks, ensuring that truck drivers and their trucks are as safe as possible will be next to impossible. Not only will there be more trucks on the road; there will be more trucks that don’t comply with trucking safety standards.

Jay Foster believes Mississippi drivers have a right to safe roads, and that truck drivers and their companies need to be held accountable in ensuring that they are in compliance with all the laws and regulations that govern their movement of freight.  With all the money it saves by evading them, you can bet that the truck industry won’t fully and consistently comply with those laws until someone gets hurt, and that person strikes back in a court of law.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, you’ll need an aggressive attorney who can carefully evaluate every factor involved in your truck accident.  As we’ve discussed, there can be multiple factors that combine to bring about any truck accident.  In truck accidents, only an experienced attorney with a seasoned knowledge of trucking litigation, such as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, can successfully pursue injury cases against large trucking companies.  Jay has proven his abilities to many truck accident victims, bringing them the court awards that help them recover from their injuries, and forcing truck companies to think twice before disregarding safety standards.  If you believe you need similar help, contact Jay Foster today.

Library for Trucking Accidents:

• Truck Drivers - Are They Asleep When They Are Driving? [PDF]   
  Description: Truck Drivers May Be Asleep When Driving Which May Cause Trucking Accidents, Testing Is Proposed for Sleep Apnea
• Commercial Truck Driving Licenses and Rules   
  Description: Trucking Accidents and Rules and Statutes Applicable to Truck Drivers
• Trucking Accidents - Federal Moter Carrier Safety Regulations   
  Description: Trucking Accidents Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations

Frequent Questions for Trucking Accidents:

• Can trucking companies in Mississippi avoid fatigue-related trucking wrecks?
• Does it cost too much to install devices in trucks that would prevent fatigue-related crashes?
• In Mississippi, are truck drivers (people who drive 18 wheelers) limited in the number of hours they can drive?
• If I am in an accident with a 18 Wheel Truck in Mississippi, how do I know if my attorney has the experience necessary to handle my wreck involving an 18 Wheel Truck?

Web Resources for Trucking Accidents:

• Atlanta, Georgia Trucking Accident Attorney Ken Shigley

  Description: Trucking Accident Attorney in Atlanta, Georgia

• DOT 2003 Truck Accident Injuries & Fatalities Chart
• Mississippi Truck Accident Investigations

  Description: This site is for 18 Wheeler Truck Accidents in Mississippi and other states. It lists by trucking company name the number of accidents, deaths, tickets, and injuries caused by truck drivers and trucking companies.

• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration - Mississippi Trucks

  Description: This site is for searching the rules and regulations pertaining to trucks which are on Mississippi Highways. There is other pertinent information involving Mississippi eighteen wheelers and Mississippi truck drivers.