Large Truck Accident
In 2014, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released its 2012 Annual Report that includes data regarding the number of people injured or killed in accidents involving large trucks. NHTSA defines large trucks also called semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, or tractor trailers as vehicles with a gross weight of more than 10,000 pounds.
In 2012 according to this report there were 3,921 people killed and 104,000 people injured in crashes involving large trucks and 317,000 large trucks were involved in traffic crashes that year. Large trucks were more likely to be involved in a fatal multiple-vehicle crash as opposed to a fatal single-vehicle crash than were passenger vehicles.
There are federal laws and regulations governing the trucking industry. These laws establish certain standards that trucking companies, owners and drivers must meet. Agencies that regulate truck driving include the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Every state has a department of transportation with its own set of trucking regulations.
If you are the victim of a trucking accident, many times the questions of who is responsible and what actually caused the accident are more complicated than the accident. It is important to understand how the accident happened, who was responsible and to establish liability or fault. Because the trucking laws, rules and regulations differ from the rules of the road governing cars it important to know if any of the parties involved in a trucking accident were not in compliance with the trucking laws, rules and regulations.
When it comes to truck accidents, there are a variety of people that may be responsible for a victim’s injuries, including:
· truck’s driver;
· owner of the truck or trailer;
· manufacturer of the vehicle, tires, or other parts that may have contributed to the cause or severity of the accident; and
· shipper or loader of the truck’s cargo (in cases involving improper loading).
If you or a loved one has been in a large truck accident call the experienced trucking lawyers at Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C. we know how to preserve all the important pieces of evidence for you. We know how to secure the scene of an accident and take necessary photographs and statements, which is very critical so they are not lost, misplaced or purposely destroyed.
Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C., focuses on representing individuals and their family members in personal injury and wrongful death cases, such as those often involved in truck accidents. Contact us and we will evaluate your case at no cost or obligation. With more than 66 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys offer clients throughout Mississippi the representation they need.
Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedul
e your free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer.
e your free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer.
Los Abogados Hablan Espanol
