18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer in Jackson, MS
A crash with an 18-wheeler turns your life upside down — and the trucking company's insurance team starts building their defense before you've left the hospital.
I'm Caleb Courtney. I'm a Mississippi native, I went to law school here, and I built this firm because injury victims deserve a lawyer who actually picks up the phone. If a semi hit you on I-20, I-55, or anywhere around Jackson, call or text me directly. The trucking company is already working on their side of this. Let me work on yours.
Trucking Cases Are Different From Car Accident Claims
A crash involving an 18-wheeler isn't just a bigger version of a fender-bender. These cases operate under federal law, involve multiple potentially liable parties, and require evidence that can disappear within days of the crash.
Here's what makes trucking accident claims different:
From commercial properties to apartment complexes, property owners in Forrest County can be held responsible for unsafe conditions that cause harm.
Federal Regulations Apply
Commercial carriers operating on Mississippi highways are governed by FMCSA rules covering Hours of Service, vehicle maintenance, cargo securement, and driver qualification. Violations of those rules are evidence of negligence.
Multiple Parties May Share Liability
The driver, the trucking company, a cargo shipper, a maintenance contractor — any combination can be responsible depending on how the crash happened. I investigate all of them.
Critical Evidence is Time-Sensitive
Black box (ECM) data, driver logs, inspection records, and dashcam footage can be overwritten or destroyed quickly. Sending a spoliation letter and moving to preserve this evidence is one of the first things I do.
Carrier Insurance Teams are Aggressive
Large trucking companies carry significant liability coverage and retain experienced defense counsel. Going up against them without your own attorney puts you at a serious disadvantage.
Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Crashes on I-20 and I-55
The freight corridors running through Jackson carry heavy commercial traffic every day. These are the violations and failures I see most often in trucking cases:
Driver fatigue
Hours of Service rules exist because fatigued driving causes crashes. When carriers push drivers to meet unrealistic schedules, logs often show violations that directly contributed to the accident.
Overloaded or improperly secured cargo
Exceeding weight limits or failing to properly restrain cargo affects braking distance and vehicle control. Cargo securement violations are a separate category of FMCSA liability.
Deferred maintenance
Brake failures, tire blowouts, and lighting defects are often traceable to inspection and maintenance records the carrier was required to keep. If those records show deferred repairs, that's evidence.
Distracted driving
Commercial drivers are prohibited from using handheld devices while driving. Cell phone records and ECM data can confirm distraction at the time of impact.
Who Can Be Held Responsible After a Trucking Crash?
One of the most important — and misunderstood — aspects of trucking accident cases is that the driver may not be the only party legally responsible for your injuries. Depending on how the crash occurred, liability may extend to:
The trucking company, if it hired an unqualified driver, failed to enforce Hours of Service rules, or had a history of maintenance violations
The cargo shipper or broker, if improper loading contributed to the crash
A third-party maintenance company, if a mechanical failure caused or worsened the accident
The truck manufacturer, if a defective part was involved
I don't stop at the most obvious target. I pull every record I can get my hands on — maintenance logs, driver qualification files, dispatch records, trip histories — and build the full picture of what happened and who's accountable.
Evidence That Can Disappear After a Trucking Accident
Trucking companies are not obligated to preserve evidence indefinitely. Some data — particularly ECM (black box) data — can be overwritten by normal vehicle operation within days. Driver logs, fuel receipts, and weigh station records may be purged on a routine schedule.
The moment you hire me, I send a spoliation letter to the carrier and any other relevant parties, putting them on legal notice that evidence must be preserved. I also move quickly to subpoena records before retention windows close. If you wait too long, critical evidence is gone — and that hurts your case.
This is one of the most important reasons to contact an attorney immediately after a trucking crash, not weeks later when you're feeling better.
You Deserve to Talk Directly to Your Lawyer
When you hire Courtney Law, I handle your trucking accident case from the first call through final resolution. You get my direct number. I answer calls and texts personally. I give you honest updates about where your case stands, not form letters from a case management system.
Trucking accident victims are often up against carrier legal teams that have handled thousands of claims. My job is to make sure you're not outgunned — and that starts with making sure you actually have access to your own attorney.
I handle cases remotely across Mississippi. No office visit required. Call or text to get started today.
Frequently Asked Questions:
18-Wheeler Accidents in Mississippi
What should I do immediately after a semi-truck accident in Jackson, MS?
Call 911, get medical attention, and document everything you can — photos of the scene, the truck's license plate and DOT number, and contact information for witnesses. Then contact an attorney before speaking with the trucking company's insurance adjuster. Anything you say to their team can be used to reduce your claim.
Can I sue a trucking company after a crash on I-20 or I-55 in Mississippi?
Yes, and in many cases the trucking company carries significantly more liability exposure than an individual driver. Whether the claim targets the carrier, the driver, a shipper, or a combination depends on the specific facts of your crash. That's exactly what I investigate.
How much is a trucking accident settlement worth in Mississippi?
Trucking accident cases often involve more severe injuries than standard car accidents, which means damages can be substantially higher — including medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and in serious cases, long-term care costs. Every case is different, and I won't give you a number without knowing the facts. What I will do is give you an honest assessment after we talk.
How long do I have to file a trucking accident claim in Mississippi?
Mississippi's statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the injury. But waiting is never a good idea in trucking cases — evidence disappears fast, and the carrier's legal team is building their defense from day one.
Does it cost anything to hire you for a trucking accident case?
Nothing upfront. Courtney Law works on contingency, which means you pay no attorney's fee unless I recover compensation for you. The free consultation costs you nothing, and you can text or call me directly to get started.
Injured in a Trucking Accident? Let's Talk Today.
If you or someone you love was hurt in a crash involving a semi-truck, tanker, or other commercial vehicle on Mississippi roads, you don't have to figure this out alone. The trucking company already has lawyers working on this. You should too.
I handle 18-wheeler accident cases across the state — including Jackson,
Hinds County, and South Mississippi. Call or text me directly at 601-401-4444. The consultation is free, there's no obligation, and you'll speak with me — not staff.
