Collisions between large commercial trucks and smaller cars can cause devastating injuries because of the size difference between the vehicles. Tanker truck accidents in Cordova can be even more dangerous because of the hazardous cargo that tanker trucks often carry. If you or a loved one was injured in an accident involving a tanker truck and someone else was at fault, a seasoned truck accident attorney can help you hold the responsible party accountable and increase your chances of getting the compensation you deserve. The Law Office of David E. Gordon & Elissa M. Coombs has the experience and skills to support you.
Who Is Liable for a Tanker Truck Accident?
To pursue compensation after a tanker accident in Cordova, the injured person and their attorney need to demonstrate that someone else’s negligence caused the injuries. Negligence occurs when someone has a duty to behave a certain way, fails to do so, and therefore injures someone else. In tanker truck accidents, the truck driver is typically working. According to Mississippi Code Section 75-89-15, this makes the employer liable for the employee’s negligence in many cases. However, if a tanker truck driver violated employer policies or safety regulations leading up to the accident, the driver could be personally liable for the injuries. If factors like overloading or improper loading contributed to the accident and a different company was responsible for those tasks, the loading company could be partially responsible as well.
Businesses often have more financial resources and higher insurance limits than individual drivers, which can mean that they are able to cover more of the injured person’s accident-related expenses. However, determining who to sue or where to file an insurance claim can be much more complicated when there are multiple parties who are potentially responsible. David and Elissa will assess your situation and decide on the best approach.
What Compensation Could Be Available for Those Injured in a Tanker Truck Crash?
Mississippi uses an at-fault vehicle insurance system, which means the first step in seeking compensation will usually be filing an insurance claim. If the insurance company will not cover medical bills and other expenses, the injured person and their attorney can consider filing a lawsuit. In a successful lawsuit, they can be awarded two types of compensation, which are economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover specific expenses like medical bills and lost wages. Non-economic damages are intangible losses that cannot be calculated directly. They include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. An injured person is more likely to receive substantial non-economic damages if the tanker truck accident caused a permanent disability or other severe injury that affects their ability to work, participate in hobbies, or perform other activities.
Contact a Cordova Tanker Truck Accident Lawyer to Discuss Your Options Today
Tanker truck accidents in Cordova can cause life-altering injuries that come with a substantial financial burden. Recovering from these injuries often requires long periods away from work and expensive medical care. If the tanker truck driver or the driver’s employer was responsible for the accident, an insurance claim or lawsuit could help you cover these expenses.
Going through a complex legal process while already dealing with serious injuries is overwhelming, which is why hiring an experienced truck injury lawyer is essential. The Law Office of David E. Gordon & Melissa M. Coombs is here to advise you and help you get the best possible outcome. Contact us to discuss your tanker truck accident case today.
