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Nahon, Saharovich, & Trotz

Jackson, MS Tanker Truck Accidents

Experienced Attorneys Serving Big Rig Crash Victims in Jackson

Truck accidents can be extremely dangerous, but that danger is heightened when the accident involves a tanker truck. They are not only enormous vehicles but also are often filled with massive amounts of corrosive fluids, toxic chemicals, combustible liquids, and explosive gases. Even the slightest bump to one could release the contents inside of a tanker – possibly resulting in severe injuries or even death. If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in a tanker truck accident, you should contact one of the skilled Jackson truck accident lawyers at Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz to discuss your case. Due to all of the federal regulations that tanker truck drivers must adhere to, the truck driver and the trucking company could be liable for the injuries if the accident is found to be the result of carelessness or disregard for said federal regulations.

Proving Liability in Tanker Truck Accidents

Skill and discipline are required to safely operate a tanker truck due to the enormous size, high center of gravity, and weight of the truck – and that is without thousands of gallons being transported. The addition of cargo only adds to the difficulty of maneuvering the vehicle as well as the danger of driving it. Tanker trucks require greater distances to safely brake. Even briefly slamming on the brakes of a tanker truck or momentarily swerving slightly to one side could cause the tank to roll over and possibly leak the contents – which, if flammable, could lead to an explosion.

As such, there is an endorsement a commercial driver must have on their commercial driver’s license (CDL) in order to legally transport hazardous materials. This endorsement is called a HAZMAT endorsement. In order to obtain it, a commercial driver must pass a test regarding regulations and requirements. Unfortunately, the endorsement only requires drivers to know the bare minimum, so many drivers will need additional training to safely transport hazardous materials. That additional training could be the difference between a tanker truck driver safely transporting hazardous materials and causing a significant accident on U.S. Highway 80. It is important to hire an attorney when injured in a tanker truck accident in the Jackson area that understands how to obtain evidence of lack of compliance when faced with obstructive efforts, as the driver or trucking company may attempt to avoid presenting evidence that would highlight their failure to comply with training requirements and hazardous material regulations.

The tanker truck driver or trucking company may be held liable for negligence, depending on the details of your case. In order to successfully pursue damages for your claim, you must prove that the driver had a duty to drive safely, breached that duty, and injured you as a result. The driver’s employer may also be liable if the driver did not receive proper training or was hired despite the company knowing of his incompetence. For example, you are driving to Jackson State University at 1400 John R. Lynch Street, and a tanker truck driver aggressively attempts to pass you on the road but swerves too hard when cutting in front of you. As a result, the tanker truck rolls over and crushes the front of your vehicle. If, through discovery, you find out that the driver had a history of aggressive behavior, but the trucking company hired the driver anyway, negligent hiring may be established.

Many would call the previous scenario an example of reckless disregard for the safety of others, particularly if the tanker truck driver was driving between 90 and 100 miles per hour. Depending on the facts of the case, you could pursue punitive damages – which are primarily meant to punish the defendant and deter them from future reckless behavior – on top of your compensatory damages, such as loss of earnings, pain and suffering, medical bills, emotional stress, disfigurement, loss of consortium, and other economic or non-economic damages that may pertain to your case.

Consult a Skilled Truck Accident Attorney in the Jackson, MS Area

In Mississippi and throughout the South, truck accidents can have devastating effects. They can leave you with permanent disfigurement, broken bones, chemical burns, and a loss of enjoyment of life – completely turning your life upside down. The Jackson attorneys of Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz have experience in tanker truck accident cases and will fight for the compensation to which you are entitled under the law. We employ 33 lawyers and 120 staff members, representing clients in Mississippi, Tennessee, Missouri, Kentucky, and Arkansas including in Jackson, Caruthersville, Hayti, Oxford, Starkville, Grenada, Columbus, Tupelo, Meridian, Little Rock, Jonesboro, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, and Nashville. Call us at 800-LAW-4004 or complete our online form , so we can show you why NST is the way to go.

Our Jackson, MS Office

125 South Congress St
Suite 1300
Jackson, MS 39201
Phone: 601-362-5222
Fax: 601-991-3465

Testimonials
- Climas B.
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"They stayed with my case until everything was resolved. My situation was complicated and they ensured things were in check from start to finish."
- Vicki L.
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"From start to finish it was a good experience. They listened and handled my case with compassion and care. I highly recommend them."
- Tasha S.
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"I was involved in a auto accident with my mother and she suggested NST to handle the case for us. Everything was handled professionally and in a timely manner."
Client Successes
$3,000,000.00
Obtained in tractor-trailer accident case for a husband and wife that suffered traumatic injuries.
$2,200,000.00
Recovered in car accident case against construction company in which our client suffered a traumatic brain injury.
$1,500,000.00
Received for a woman injured in car accident while on the job, who sustained numerous fractures and underwent several surgeries.
Content Reviewer Box for A. Parker Trotz with his awards and credentials