Trucks are gigantic motor vehicles which could weigh up to three tons. Their potential for destructive force is unmatched on the roadways. Roughly 500,000 truck accidents happen each year in the United States. Those who have been involved in accidents involving tractor-trailers often suffer injuries such as broken bones, head trauma, spinal cord injuries, and organ damage.
Suffering from a truck accident injury could set you back physically, mentally, and financially. A Gautier truck accident lawyer might be able to help you pick up the pieces and pursue just compensation for your losses. A diligent personal injury attorney could help you navigate the complex waters of legal recovery.
Mississippi follows the fault car insurance system. As opposed to no-fault insurance states which afford limited options for recovery, fault-based insurance allows claimants three potential options for recovery. Under the first two options, a party injured in a truck collision in Gautier may file an insurance claim with their own insurance company, or against the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier. If both of those options are insufficient to cover the expenses of their injuries, a Gautier truck accident lawyer could file a personal injury lawsuit.
Most states require a minimum amount of liability coverage for auto insurance. Mississippi is no different and requires $25,000 in liability coverage for both property damage and bodily injury or death for auto accidents and $50,000 in liability coverage for total bodily injury or death liability. Liability coverage pays out damages such as medical expenses, vehicle damage, and costs incurred by those injured in an accident. These are the minimum coverage requirements, but drivers may carry additional insurance.
Truck drivers are often operating on behalf of an employer. In these situations, those injured in truck crashes in Gautier may seek damages against both the at-fault truck driver and the company. But there are some requirements. In order to be vicariously liable for an employee’s negligent conduct, an employee must have supervision and control over the employee. This means that the driver has to be an employee, not an independent contractor. Also, the employee’s conduct must have taken place during the scope of their employment. Negligent acts committed off-duty would be insufficient to hold an employer vicariously liable. An experienced tractor-trailer collision attorney in Gautier could investigate the accident and determine which party is at fault for the crash.
Truck accident plaintiffs in Gautier must file their personal injury lawsuit within three years of their injuries according to Mississippi Code §15-1-49. Plaintiffs may seek economic, non-economic, and punitive damages against a defendant. Punitive damages are not often awarded and are only given when the court feels that it is necessary to deter a defendant from committing an act that rises above ordinary negligence.
Economic and noneconomic damages typically provide relief for the following types of losses:
A knowledgeable Gautier truck crash attorney could review the injured claimant’s losses and help them recover compensation that covers the full value of their damages.
As titans of the road with such destructive capabilities, truck drivers and their parent companies should be held accountable when they negligently cause harm to others. Tacking on companies and law firms by yourself could be an overwhelming task. A Gautier truck accident lawyer could help you hold the responsible party accountable for their actions and help you pursue compensation for your damages.
To learn more about your potential recovery, schedule a consultation today.