January, 2020 - WNW Legal

Large 18-wheelers are familiar scenery across the United States. They’re essential to our economy. You see them on highways day after day. For the most part, everything is good, and the drivers are safe in their travels.

Unfortunately, some situations may arise that indicate potential negligence. Accidents involving these massive 18-wheelers occur, and if you’re in a smaller vehicle, you must deal with the devastating aftermath. You must recognize the common injuries and causes of these types of crashes, as well as your ability to pursue compensation.

Common Injuries After a Trucking Crash

The large size (sometimes up to 80,000 pounds) and the speed at which 18-wheelers travel can make any crash catastrophic. This term can also apply to the injuries you may sustain if you’re ever in one of these horrific crashes. Truck accidents often result in:

Traumatic brain injuries: Damages can range from mild (concussions) to severe (coma). The impact of the truck colliding with your vehicle is enough to cause significant trauma to your head, skull, and brain.
Spinal cord damage: Whiplash is one of the most underestimated injuries. You may dismiss it as minor neck pain. However, damage to your nerves in your neck can be severe, leaving you with long-term problems, and even the possibility of paralysis.

Common Causes of Semi-Truck Collisions

Many different factors cause 18-wheeler accidents, and they often involve multiple parties. Companies are negligent if they fail to maintain their trucks. Drivers are negligent if they drive beyond the Hours of Service regulation maximum limits. Other employees are negligent if they load the truck’s trailer container too heavy or imbalanced.

Some situations may even involve third parties. These situations include defective parts on the truck that result in a collision.

At Williams Newman Williams, our Jackson 18-wheeler accident lawyers are ready to represent you if you suffer harm due to negligence within the trucking industry. We work hard to determine the cause of your accident and hold the negligent party accountable for your damages.

For a free consultation regarding your potential case, we encourage you to call our firm today: (601) 949-5080.

In the aftermath of a severe car accident, you must recognize the various rights and legal options available to you to pursue compensation. Unfortunately, you may be unaware of the four factors of liability and how these play a role in your ability to have a successful case.

These four factors are crucial to proving that the other party is liable for any damages you sustain in the crash. Without these four factors, the insurance company may wrongfully deny your claim, even though you have legitimate merit to file for compensation.

The following are the four main factors of proving liability:

There was a duty of care present
There was a breach of that duty of care
There was a car accident resulting from the breach of duty of care
There was an injury stemming from the negligence-related car accident

To learn more about each of these factors and what they mean, continue reading below.

If you suffer an injury in a severe crash, contact our firm at (601) 949-5080 to discuss your rights.

The Negligent Party Had a Duty of Care

In almost all situations, a duty of care exists. Most individuals with a driver’s license have the assumed duty of care to ensure he or she, his or her passengers, and all others on the road are safe. The very fact that someone has a driver’s license creates a duty of care between said driver and you.

A duty of care means the driver is following all traffic laws, posted speed limits, traffic signs, and more.

The Negligent Party Breached the Duty of Care

A breach in the duty of care occurs any time the other driver acts unlawfully or otherwise negligently. For instance, negligent and unlawful acts often include the following:

Drinking and driving
Texting and driving
Speeding
Swerving between lanes
Ignoring traffic signals and stop signs
Driving while fatigued

When any driver commits these acts, they’re breaching the duty of care they have to keep you safe as another driver on the road. Unfortunately, these actions are some of the most common causes of devastating collisions.

The Breach of Duty of Care Led to a Car Accident

You must show that the actions of the other driver directly led to your car accident. For instance, if the other driver was texting while driving, you may show that the driver wasn’t looking when he or she ran a stop sign and hit your vehicle.

The breach in the duty of care must be the direct cause of the accident. When a driver runs into you because of defective brakes, the driver may not be the responsible party. In this case, you may take legal action against the manufacturer of the brakes.

The Car Accident Led to You Suffering an Injury and Property Damage

One reason it is vital to get medical care after a crash is the ability to obtain a medical report. The medical report goes a long way in showing your injuries were the direct result of the crash. Some insurance companies try to claim that injuries or property damage are pre-existing, thus eliminating the need to pay you compensation for the damages.

If you need help proving liability, you should speak with someone from our team at Williams Newman Williams. We have vast experience in car accident cases, and you can rest assured knowing that we dedicate our practice to going the extra mile on your behalf.

You can count on our Jackson car accident attorneys to always be by your side, protecting your rights from profit-driven insurance companies. Let us be your voice and pursue the justice you need and deserve.

Call us at (601) 949-5080 to discuss your potential case with a member of our team. We look forward to helping you through the challenging matters that lie ahead.