Jackson, MS Rear-End Truck Accidents

According to data provided by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), approximately 400,000 accidents involving large trucks or tractor-trailers occur each year, and about one in every five involve a rear-end collision. In most instances, a commercial truck driver who rear-ends another vehicle is held responsible for injuries caused to the occupants of that vehicle, as failure to provide sufficient stopping distance and following too closely are often considered negligence. The force from the rear-end collision itself often causes the occupants’ heads to jerk forward and backward abruptly, and they may suffer serious or catastrophic injuries as a result. Common injuries caused by rear-end truck accidents in Jackson are neck, spinal cord, and head injuries.

These serious injuries often require immediate medical treatment and sometimes surgery. The victim may not be able to work for a prolonged period of time while recuperating from his or her injuries. Thus, medical expenses and lost wages can add up quickly. Aside from medical expenses and lost wages, a rear-end truck accident victim may also seek compensation for his or her pain and suffering and mental anguish. These are known as non-economic damages. In most cases, the company that employs the truck driver will be financially responsible for the accident and any resulting damages as long as the act occurred within the course and scope of employment.

Mississippi recognizes the doctrine of respondeat superior, also known as vicarious liability, under which an employer can be held responsible for the negligent actions of its employees. For example, suppose a truck driver rear-ends another vehicle stopped in traffic on I-55 in Jackson while in the process of making a delivery to a customer. In this scenario, the truck driver’s negligence likely caused the accident, and the accident victim can choose to seek compensation for his damages from the trucking company rather than only being able to pursue the individual driver.

Trucking companies generally have insurance policies with high commercial limits which would allow injured parties to seek a greater recovery than what they would be entitled to under a truck driver’s personal auto insurance policy. For example, most interstate trucks must carry at least $750,000 in liability insurance coverage, whereas an individual driving a passenger vehicle is only required to carry $25,000 in liability insurance coverage under Mississippi law. It is particularly beneficial for victims with serious injuries and high medical bills to be able to pursue the larger commercial insurance policy to ensure a complete recovery.

Being struck from behind by a massive 18-wheeler is a nightmare that drivers on I-20, I-220, and I-55 hope that they never need to face. However, truck accidents are more common in Mississippi than in the average state. They claimed the lives of 81 victims in 2014, of whom only 13 were truckers. Eight of those 13 trucker deaths were in single-vehicle truck accidents, so the disparity is even more stark when limited to multi-vehicle accidents. This type of ratio is not uncommon in most states, underscoring who suffers the most when a trucker is careless. Nationally, nearly 2,900 people in other vehicles were killed in multi-vehicle crashes involving large trucks in 2014, compared to only about 250 truckers. Even if a truck is not traveling at a high speed on an interstate, its weight may result in devastating consequences. Jackson residents on roads like State Route 18, US-49, or US-80 should be wary when a tractor-trailer gets behind them as well.