Jackson, MS Delivery Truck Accidents

In order to hold the driver of the delivery vehicle responsible for the injuries you have suffered, you will likely need to establish the driver’s negligence. Establishing negligence after a delivery truck accident requires you to show that the delivery vehicle driver owed a duty to you, that they breached that duty, and that you were injured as a result. Factors like fatigue, speeding, and distracted driving, along with others, can all play a role in proving a negligence claim.

Once you have established the delivery driver’s negligence, you may be able to hold the driver’s employer responsible for your losses as well. Most commonly, employers are found to be liable under the theory of respondeat superior, also known as vicarious liability. Employers can be held responsible under vicarious liability if the delivery driver’s negligence occurred while the driver was acting within the course and scope of his or her employment. For instance, if a driver was in the process of making a delivery in Jackson when he ran a red light and crashed into your car, vicarious liability will likely apply since the driver was on the clock and performing job responsibilities. A Jackson lawyer experienced in tractor-trailer accident cases will understand how to identify various forms of employer liability after a delivery truck accident.

Under Mississippi law, there are ways to pursue claims against the driver’s employer directly. For instance, if the delivery company encouraged speeding or other reckless driving behavior in order for drivers to make deliveries on time, the employer may be liable for its own negligence. Even if the employer merely turned a blind eye to their driver’s reckless behavior, the employer could still be liable under the theory of negligent supervision. In addition, employers can be held responsible under the theory of negligent hiring if they fail to conduct sufficient background checks or due diligence. An example of this would be an employer who hires a driver even though the employer knows that the driver has a very poor driving record.

However, while there are many potential ways to hold the driver and employer responsible for your injuries, the process of obtaining recovery is not always simple one. A truck crash attorney in the Jackson area can explain your legal rights and what you may be entitled to. The companies that insure delivery companies and their drivers are often very combative when it comes to defending against the claims of tractor-trailer accident victims. Without a skilled truck accident attorney by your side, the insurance company can rely on its superior resources and knowledge to wear you down and try to get you to accept less than you deserve.

The thriving economy in Jackson and surrounding areas of Hinds County has led to a proliferation of delivery trucks. Drivers often come across them on major arteries like US-80, US-49, or State Route 18. They also appear frequently on city streets like Capitol Street, State Street, or Gallatin Street. When their drivers act carelessly, residents and visitors to the area may suffer serious harm. Bringing a claim in Mississippi state court may provide an appropriate means to recover damages.