Experienced Mississippi Truck Accident Lawyers Holding Tired Truckers Accountable

Help for families who loved ones were injured in a collision with a commercial vehicle

The trucking industry is driven by speed and results. For many of these companies, the more loads delivered, the higher the profits. As such, safety standards often take a backseat to volume, particularly when concerning driver limitations. Operating a big rig requires attention to detail and quick reaction times. That is why the government puts standards in place to limit the amount of time a driver can work without a period of rest. When these regulations are ignored, truck drivers take to the roadways fatigued and sleepy, which places innocent people at risk of harm or death.

The lawyers of Merkel & Cocke, P.A. have seen the devastating consequences of fatigued truck driving. We know how severe the resulting accidents and injuries can be and the overwhelming difficulties of mounting medical bills. Our highly capable Mississippi truck accident lawyers stand up to trucking companies, holding them accountable for the harms caused by their negligence. We never back down from a fight when justice is on our side. Let us fight for you.

Understanding truck driver safety standards

Tractor-trailer accidents happen far too often on the streets and highways of Mississippi, with the news constantly reporting about 18-wheeler crashes on Highway 98 or Interstate 10. Unfortunately, truck driver fatigue attributes to many of these accidents. The Federal Motor Safety Carrier Administration (FMSCA) is a government agency that sets service guidelines applicable to most truck drivers. Among other stated rules, the FMSCA has established the following:

• Within any 24-hour period, truck drivers may not exceed 11 hours of driving.
• Within any 24-hour period, truck drivers are prohibited from working more than 14 hours (including loading and unloading trailers).
• A truck operator may not drive after 60-70 hours on duty in 7-8 consecutive days. In order to restart a 7-8 consecutive day work period, the driver must remain off duty for 34 or more consecutive hours.

These rules are in place to prevent fatigued driving and the trucking accidents that result. Yet, all too often these safety regulations are ignored in order to quicken delivery times and increase company profits. The results are often severe injuries or even the wrongful death of an innocent party. Our skilled attorneys believe that profits should never come before safety. That is why we diligently work to secure a fair and just settlement or verdict on your behalf.

Proving driver fatigue in a truck accident injury case

Proving driver fatigue can be a difficult task without assistance from experienced lawyers. Truck operators are required to maintain detailed logs of their service time and breaks. We have the knowledge and skills to ensure that a thorough investigation of the incident is completed, including inspection of the driver’s service log. We also interview any witnesses, analyze the vehicle’s black box, and investigate the trucking company’s practices.

As one of the biggest plaintiff’s law firms within the state, Merkel & Cocke has a proven track record of success in all types of trucking accident cases. We have the skills to deal with even the most challenging circumstances, which is why other law firms count on us for help with their most complex cases.

Contact our Mississippi truck driver fatigue attorneys for help today

If you have been injured in an accident caused by truck driver fatigue, you need help from a reputable lawyer. With Merkel & Cocke on your side, you can rest assured that you are receiving top-notch legal assistance. We offer decades of experience representing injured parties throughout Mississippi, including Jackson, Cleveland, Indianola, Clarksdale, Tupelo, and across the Gulf Coast region. We also handle truck crash cases occurring in Tennessee and Arkansas. Call us today at 662-627-9641 or complete our contact form. Your first consultation is free.