Accidents involving commercial trucks and large vehicles cause some of the most catastrophic injuries on Mississippi roads. The size and weight of these vehicles mean that collisions with passenger cars are rarely minor, and the legal landscape surrounding these cases is significantly more complex than a standard car accident claim. Federal motor carrier regulations apply, multiple parties may share liability, and the trucking company’s insurer begins managing the claim immediately after an accident occurs.

At Tollison & Webb P.A., we represent truck accident victims throughout Mississippi with a distinct advantage: we also represent freight carriers in commercial vehicle matters. That means we understand exactly how trucking companies, their insurers, and their attorneys approach these claims from the inside. We use that knowledge to anticipate their strategies and build stronger cases for the people injured by their vehicles.

Why Truck Accident Cases Are Different

Commercial truck accident cases involve layers of complexity that standard car accident claims do not. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations govern hours of service, vehicle maintenance, driver qualification, cargo loading, and dozens of other operational requirements. Violations of these regulations can establish negligence and are often central to the liability analysis in a truck accident case.

Multiple parties may also share liability in a truck accident. The driver, the trucking company, the cargo loader, the vehicle manufacturer, and the maintenance contractor may each bear some responsibility depending on the facts. Identifying all liable parties and pursuing all available insurance coverage requires a thorough investigation that begins as soon as possible after the accident.

Trucking companies are required to preserve certain records, including driver logs, GPS data, electronic logging device data, maintenance records, and dispatch communications. These records can be critical evidence, but they are not kept indefinitely. We move quickly to send spoliation letters and preserve this evidence before it is lost.

Types of Commercial Vehicle Accidents We Handle

Tractor-Trailer and 18-Wheeler Accidents

Highway freight accidents on Mississippi roads, including I-55, Highway 78, and other major corridors through North Mississippi, frequently involve fully loaded tractor-trailers traveling at highway speeds. The forces involved in these collisions are enormous, and the injuries are often severe or fatal. We handle tractor-trailer accident claims from initial investigation through settlement or trial.

Logging Truck Accidents

Logging trucks are a common presence on rural roads throughout North Mississippi, and they present particular dangers. These vehicles are frequently overloaded, operate on narrow rural roads not designed for heavy commercial traffic, and may shed debris or lose unsecured loads. Lafayette County and the surrounding region have significant logging operations, and accidents involving logging trucks occur regularly on roads where drivers may not expect to encounter heavy commercial vehicles. We have experience on both sides of logging truck accident claims and understand how these cases are evaluated and defended.

Delivery and Commercial Van Accidents

Commercial delivery vehicles, including large package delivery vans and smaller commercial trucks, are on Mississippi roads in increasing numbers. These drivers are often under significant time pressure, and the companies that employ them may share liability for accidents caused by their employees during the course of employment. We handle delivery vehicle accident claims against national carriers and local businesses alike.

Bus and Passenger Vehicle Accidents

Accidents involving commercial buses, charter vehicles, and other passenger-carrying vehicles raise additional liability issues involving common carrier duties and, in some cases, government liability when public transit is involved. We represent passengers and other parties injured in commercial passenger vehicle accidents throughout Mississippi.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents in Mississippi are frequently caused by driver fatigue from hours of service violations, distracted or impaired driving, speeding or reckless operation, inadequate vehicle maintenance, improperly loaded or secured cargo, and driver qualification failures where the carrier hired or retained a driver with a problematic record. We investigate all of these factors in every case we handle.

Compensation Available After a Truck Accident

The damages available in a commercial truck accident case are the same categories as other personal injury claims, but the amounts involved are often significantly higher due to the severity of the injuries. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses including future care, lost wages and loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent disability or disfigurement, and wrongful death damages if the accident resulted in a fatality. Commercial trucking policies carry substantially higher liability limits than personal auto policies, which means the potential recovery in these cases is often greater than in standard car accident claims.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after a truck accident?

Seek medical attention first. Then contact an attorney before speaking with the trucking company’s insurer. Trucking companies deploy accident response teams quickly after serious collisions, and their goal is to protect the company’s interests, not yours. The sooner you have legal representation, the better your position for preserving evidence and countering early attempts to minimize the claim.

Who can be held liable in a truck accident?

Depending on the circumstances, liable parties may include the truck driver, the trucking company, the cargo loader if improperly loaded freight contributed to the accident, the vehicle or parts manufacturer if a mechanical defect was a factor, and the maintenance contractor if deferred or negligent maintenance contributed to the crash. We investigate all potential defendants and pursue all available insurance coverage.

How is a truck accident case different from a car accident case?

The core legal principles are similar, but truck accident cases involve federal regulatory requirements that do not apply to standard car accidents, more potential defendants, higher insurance policy limits, more complex evidence including electronic logging data and maintenance records, and better-resourced opposition. Trucking companies and their insurers handle these claims regularly and have experienced legal teams. Having an attorney who understands how those teams operate is a meaningful advantage.

How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Mississippi?

Three years from the date of the accident for claims against private parties. Claims against government entities are subject to shorter deadlines. Given the importance of preserving electronic data and other time-sensitive evidence in truck accident cases, contacting an attorney as soon as possible after the accident is strongly advisable.

How much does it cost to hire a truck accident attorney?

We handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront costs and no hourly charges.

Contact a Truck Accident Attorney in Mississippi

If you have been injured in a commercial truck accident, contact Tollison & Webb P.A. to schedule a consultation. We represent truck accident clients throughout Mississippi from our office in Oxford.

Call (662) 234-7070 or contact us online. There is no fee unless we recover for you.