A Bay St. Louis truck accident lawyer from the Morris Bart law firm may be able to help you build a case to hold the at-fault truck driver and their employer accountable for your collision. When a truck driver violates traffic laws or other rules and causes a collision, serious injuries are common. If you were hurt in a tractor-trailer accident, you might have a case against the truck driver and their employer, often a trucking company or another corporation.
The team from the Morris Bart law firm’s Gulfport office will review the details of your Bay St. Louis collision for free today. We can determine the strength of your case and the actions you may be able to take to get a payout for your losses. Call (228) 357-9621 to get started with your complimentary case assessment.
Vicarious Liability and Bay St. Louis Truck Collisions
Truck accidents differ significantly from other types of car crashes that occur in Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi. They are often more severe because of a large commercial vehicle’s size and weight compared to a much smaller passenger car. In addition, there are also additional safety rules truckers must follow set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Violating these rules could contribute to a collision, and a victim may need to prove it to recover compensation in their case.
Truck accidents and other commercial vehicle accidents also involve vicarious liability thanks to a legal doctrine known as respondeat superior. Under respondeat superior, trucking companies and other businesses that employ truck drivers may be vicariously liable for the injuries and damages that occur in these accidents under the Mississippi Civil Code.
The last factor common in trucking accidents and not in other types of car collisions is that the trucking company often has possession of much of the key evidence needed to prove the victim’s case for compensation. This situation requires quick action to ensure the company preserves this evidence and the victim’s legal team can access it.
For a free legal consultation with a Truck Accident lawyer serving Bay St. Louis, call (228) 357-9621
Seeking Damages Through a Liability Insurance Claim
A Bay St. Louis truck accident lawyer from the Morris Bart law firm may be able to help you seek damages following a collision caused by a commercial driver. We can often negotiate out-of-court settlement agreements for our clients after investigating the accident and filing a strong claim supported by the evidence we collected. It is imperative that we build solid support for our case before filing a claim against the driver and their employer.
We sometimes need to go toe-to-toe with corporate attorneys or large insurance firms in these cases. The evidence available to us to prove what happened in a truck accident could include:
- The police report and other official reports
- Data from the truck’s computer
- The driver’s rest logs
- Dash cam video, if the truck was equipped
- Eyewitness statements
- Post-accident drug and alcohol test results from the truck driver
- Accident reconstruction expert testimony
- Other evidence unique to the accident
We need to gather and analyze all evidence to build our case and develop an argument to present to the insurers or in court if we need to take the case to trial. Most cases do not require us to file a lawsuit in civil court, but this is sometimes necessary when the insurers will not compensate our clients fairly and justly.
In the event we do need to take a case to court, Miss. Code Ann. §15-1-49 sets a general deadline of three years from the accident date to do so.
Damages Available in a Successful Claim or Civil Trial
When a truck driver’s negligence causes a Bay St. Louis collision, we seek to hold the trucking company and the driver accountable by recovering compensation to pay for our client’s related expenses and losses. The value of these cases varies widely depending on the damages experienced, but many victims suffer the same types of damages. These damages include:
- Injuries, which require medical care and may need future treatment as well
- Time away from work, leading to lost wages and missed benefits
- Money spent to replace their vehicle or cover related expenses
- Physical pain because of their injuries, treatment, and rehabilitation
- Mental suffering and distress
- Other intangible losses
It is these damages we document and want to recover for our clients, either through an insurance liability claim or in court. We also seek wrongful death damages for qualifying families based on Miss. Code Ann. §11-7-13. We can determine your family’s rights during your free consultation.
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Speak with a Member of Our Team Serving Bay St. Louis
A Bay St. Louis truck accident lawyer from the Morris Bart law firm may be able to help you following a commercial vehicle collision with injuries. We will evaluate the legal options you may be able to pursue based on the facts of your crash. Our team member is available now to discuss your accident, injuries, and the potentially liable parties.
Our assessments are free for victims of Bay St. Louis truck collisions. Call the Morris Bart law firm’s Gulfport office now at (228) 357-9621 to get started with your complimentary consultation right away.
Questions?Call (228) 357-9621
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
