18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys in Kemper County, Mississippi

When 80,000 Pounds Changes Everything

You were driving through Kemper County—maybe on your way to De Kalb, or heading east toward the Alabama line on I-20—when you saw it happening. The massive trailer swinging wide. The brakes locking up on wet pavement. Or maybe you never saw it coming at all. Just the impact. The crushing force of 80,000 pounds of steel against your vehicle.

If you’re reading this, you’ve survived a collision with a commercial truck in Kemper County. But survival is just the beginning. The medical bills are mounting. The trucking company’s insurance adjuster keeps calling. And you’re wondering how you’ll ever put your life back together.

We’ve been fighting for trucking accident victims across Mississippi for over 25 years. Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, has stood up to Fortune 500 companies like BP and recovered multi-million dollar settlements for families just like yours. Our firm includes Lupe Peña, a former insurance defense attorney who spent years inside the system—now he uses that insider knowledge to fight against the very tactics he once employed. We know how trucking companies operate, and we know how to make them pay.

But here’s the truth: evidence in your Kemper County trucking accident is disappearing right now. Black box data can be overwritten in 30 days. Dashcam footage gets deleted. Witnesses forget what they saw. That’s why we send spoliation letters within 24 hours of being retained—demanding preservation of every piece of evidence before it’s gone forever.

Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911. We answer 24/7. You pay nothing unless we win.

Why 18-Wheeler Accidents in Kemper County Are Different

The Physics Don’t Lie

Your sedan weighs roughly 4,000 pounds. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds under federal law. That’s a 20-to-1 weight disparity that physics doesn’t forgive. When these vehicles collide on Kemper County’s rural highways—like US-45 or Mississippi Highway 16—the results are catastrophic.

An 18-wheeler traveling at 65 miles per hour needs nearly 525 feet to stop. That’s almost two football fields. On the winding two-lane roads common throughout Kemper County, that stopping distance becomes deadly when traffic slows unexpectedly or when severe weather hits.

Unlike car accidents, truck crashes involve multiple layers of liability, federal regulations, and corporate defendants with teams of lawyers already working to minimize your claim. The truck driver isn’t the only potentially responsible party. We’re talking about the trucking company, the cargo owner, the loading company, maintenance contractors, and sometimes even the manufacturer of defective parts.

Mississippi’s Legal Landscape

Kemper County lies within Mississippi’s Third Judicial District, and if your case goes to trial, it will likely be heard in the Kemper County Circuit Court in De Kalb. But long before a courtroom, you need to understand how Mississippi law affects your recovery:

Statute of Limitations: You have three years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Mississippi. For wrongful death claims, the same three-year window applies. That sounds like plenty of time, but in trucking cases, waiting even weeks can be disastrous. Evidence spoils. Witnesses move away. And the trucking company’s rapid-response team is already building their defense.

Pure Comparative Fault: Mississippi follows pure comparative negligence. This means you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault—even if you were 99% responsible. Your recovery simply gets reduced by your percentage of fault. So if you suffered $1 million in damages and were found 30% at fault, you’d still recover $700,000. This is victim-friendly law, but insurance companies will try to inflate your fault percentage to save money.

Punitive Damages Cap: While Mississippi caps punitive damages at $20 million, there’s no cap on compensatory damages. For catastrophic injuries—which are common in 18-wheeler accidents—this means you can pursue the full value of your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering without artificial limits.

Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents We Handle in Kemper County

Not all trucking accidents are the same. The rural highways and agricultural economy of Kemper County create specific risks that differ from urban interstate crashes. Here are the accident types we see most often:

Jackknife Accidents

A jackknife occurs when the trailer swings out perpendicular to the cab, folding like a pocket knife. On I-20, which runs through the southern portion of Kemper County, sudden braking on wet pavement or improper braking technique can send a trailer sliding across multiple lanes. These accidents often involve multiple vehicles and cause chain-reaction pileups.

Why It Happens: Driver error during panic braking, improper brake maintenance (violating 49 CFR § 393.48), or following too closely for conditions (violating 49 CFR § 392.11).

Who’s Liable: The driver for improper technique, the trucking company for inadequate training, or the maintenance company for brake failure.

Rollover Accidents

With Kemper County’s mix of highways and rural routes carrying agricultural products, rollover accidents are particularly dangerous. Tanker trucks hauling fuel or liquid cargo experience “liquid surge” that can topple a trailer on curves. Flatbeds carrying timber or heavy equipment can roll if cargo shifts.

Why It Happens: Speeding on curves, improper cargo securement (violating 49 CFR § 393.100-136), or unbalanced loading.

Who’s Liable: The trucking company, the cargo loading company, or the driver.

Underride Collisions

Perhaps the most horrific truck accidents, underrides occur when a passenger vehicle crashes into the rear or side of a trailer and slides underneath. The height difference shears off the roof of the car, often causing decapitation or catastrophic head injuries. Despite federal regulations requiring rear impact guards (49 CFR § 393.86), many trailers have inadequate protection, and side underride guards aren’t federally mandated at all.

Why It Happens: Sudden stops by the truck, inadequate lighting or reflectors, or missing/broken underride guards.

Who’s Liable: The trucking company for maintenance failures, the trailer manufacturer for design defects, or the driver for unsafe stopping.

Cargo Spill and Shift Accidents

Kemper County’s economy runs on agriculture—timber, cattle, and row crops. When logging trucks or grain haulers lose their loads on Highway 16 or county roads, the results can be deadly. Improperly secured logs can break free, and shifting grain can cause rollovers.

Why It Happens: Violations of cargo securement regulations (49 CFR § 393.100-136), overweight loads, or failure to use proper tiedowns.

Who’s Liable: The loading company, the trucking company, and sometimes the cargo owner who demanded unsafe loading practices.

Rear-End Collisions

An 18-wheeler rear-ending a passenger vehicle often results in override accidents, where the truck literally drives over the smaller vehicle. On rural stretches of US-45, where traffic patterns change suddenly and cell service can be spotty, distracted or fatigued drivers can cause devastating rear-end impacts.

Why It Happens: Following too closely (49 CFR § 392.11), driver distraction (49 CFR § 392.82), or brake failure (49 CFR § 393.40-55).

Who’s Liable: The driver, the trucking company for HOS violations, or the maintenance company for brake failures.

Tire Blowout Accidents

Mississippi’s heat and humidity stress truck tires, and debris on rural roads can cause blowouts. When a steer tire blows out on a loaded 18-wheeler, the driver often loses control immediately. The resulting “road gator” (shredded tire debris) can strike trailing vehicles or cause secondary accidents.

Why It Happens: Inadequate tire maintenance (49 CFR § 393.75), overloading, or failure to conduct pre-trip inspections (49 CFR § 396.13).

Who’s Liable: The trucking company, the maintenance provider, or the tire manufacturer if defective.

Brake Failure Accidents

Brake problems contribute to approximately 29% of large truck crashes. On the hilly terrain approaching the Tombigbee River watershed, brake fade from overheating can lead to runaway trucks.

Why It Happens: Deferred maintenance (violating 49 CFR § 396.3), improper adjustments, or using substandard parts.

Who’s Liable: The motor carrier for failing to systematically inspect and maintain the vehicle, or the maintenance company for negligent repairs.

Who Can Be Held Responsible? (It’s More Than Just the Driver)

Most law firms sue the truck driver and call it a day. That’s a mistake that costs victims millions. In Kemper County trucking accidents, we investigate every potentially liable party because more defendants means more insurance coverage means higher compensation for you.

The Truck Driver

Obviously, the person behind the wheel can be held liable for negligence: speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, impairment, or traffic violations. But individual drivers rarely have sufficient assets to cover catastrophic injuries. That’s why we look deeper.

The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier)

Under Mississippi’s vicarious liability laws (respondeat superior), employers are responsible for their employees’ negligent acts committed within the scope of employment. But trucking companies can also be directly liable for:

• Negligent Hiring: Did they verify the driver had a valid CDL? Did they check his safety record? We subpoena the Driver Qualification File (49 CFR § 391.51) to find out.
• Negligent Training: Did the driver know how to handle emergencies on rural roads? Was he trained on cargo securement?
• Negligent Supervision: Did the company monitor hours of service? Did they know the driver was falsifying logs?
• Negligent Maintenance: Did they skip brake inspections to save money?

Trucking companies carry high-limit insurance policies—typically $750,000 to $5 million or more. They’re the primary target for recovery.

The Cargo Owner and Loading Company

In Kemper County’s agricultural economy, logging companies, grain elevators, and livestock shippers often control how cargo is loaded. If they overload a truck or fail to secure the load properly, they share liability. We examine bills of lading and loading contracts to identify these parties.

The Truck or Parts Manufacturer

If brake systems fail due to design defects, if tires blow out due to manufacturing flaws, or if the trailer’s underride guard was inadequately designed, the manufacturer may be liable under product liability theory.

The Maintenance Company

Third-party mechanics who performed negligent repairs—failing to identify critical safety issues or using substandard parts—can be held responsible when their work causes accidents.

The Freight Broker

Brokers who arrange transportation but don’t own trucks may be liable if they negligently selected a carrier with a poor safety record or failed to verify insurance and operating authority.

Government Entities

If poor road design, inadequate signage, or lack of maintenance contributed to the accident (for example, a dangerous curve on a county road with no warning signs), the Mississippi Department of Transportation or Kemper County may share liability. These cases involve shorter notice periods and sovereign immunity issues, so immediate action is critical.

The Evidence Window: Why 48 Hours Changes Everything

You’ve probably heard that time is money. In 18-wheeler accident cases, time is evidence—and evidence is disappearing right now.

The 30-Day Rule

Most commercial trucks have Electronic Control Modules (ECMs) or “black boxes” that record critical data: speed, brake application, throttle position, RPM, and fault codes. This data can prove the driver was speeding or never hit the brakes. But here’s what trucking companies don’t tell you: ECM data can be overwritten in as little as 30 days—sometimes sooner if the truck is still operating.

Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs), which track hours of service violations under 49 CFR § 395.8, may only be retained for six months under FMCSA regulations. After that, legally, they can be deleted.

Dashcam footage? Often deleted within 7-14 days. Surveillance video from nearby businesses (like the gas stations along Highway 16 or truck stops near the interstate)? Usually overwritten within a week.

The Spoliation Letter

The moment you hire Attorney911, we send a spoliation letter to the trucking company, their insurer, and all potentially liable parties. This legal notice puts them on notice that litigation is anticipated and that they must preserve:

• ECM/Black box data
• ELD logs and driver logs
• Driver Qualification Files (CDL, medical certificates, training records, drug tests)
• Maintenance and inspection records
• Dispatch records and communications
• Dashcam footage
• GPS and telematics data
• Cell phone records

Once that letter is sent, destroying evidence becomes “spoliation”—a serious legal violation. Courts can impose sanctions, instruct juries to assume the destroyed evidence was unfavorable, or even enter default judgment against the trucking company.

We send these letters within 24 hours. But we can’t send them until you call.

Catastrophic Injuries: The Real Cost of a Truck Crash

18-wheeler accidents don’t cause simple bruises and sprains. They cause catastrophic, life-changing injuries that require millions in lifetime care.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

The force of a truck impact often causes the brain to strike the inside of the skull, resulting in concussions, bleeding, or diffuse axonal injury. Symptoms may not appear immediately—sometimes taking days or weeks to manifest.

Long-term effects: Cognitive impairment, memory loss, personality changes, inability to work, need for 24/7 supervision.
Settlement range: $1,548,000 – $9,838,000+

As client Chad Harris told us after we handled his TBI case: “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” We don’t treat you like a case number—we fight for every dime you deserve, just like we did for Glenda Walker, who said we “fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”

Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis

The crushing weight of a truck can fracture vertebrae and sever the spinal cord. Depending on the level of injury, victims may suffer paraplegia (loss of use of legs) or quadriplegia (loss of use of arms and legs).

Lifetime care costs: $3.5 million to $5 million+ for quadriplegia.
Settlement range: $4,770,000 – $25,880,000+

Amputation

When a truck trap accident or crushing injury destroys a limb beyond repair, surgical amputation becomes necessary. Victims face prosthetics (costing $5,000-$50,000 each, replaced every few years), phantom limb pain, and total disability.

Settlement range: $1,945,000 – $8,630,000

Wrongful Death

No amount of money brings back a loved one. But holding the trucking company accountable provides justice and financial security for surviving families. Under Mississippi law, spouses, children, and parents can recover for lost income, loss of companionship, mental anguish, and funeral expenses.

Settlement range: $1,910,000 – $9,520,000+

Commercial Insurance: Why These Cases Settle Higher

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49 CFR § 387) mandate minimum insurance coverage for commercial trucks:

• $750,000 for non-hazardous general freight
• $1,000,000 for oil, equipment, and large vehicles
• $5,000,000 for hazardous materials

These are minimums. Many carriers carry $2-5 million in coverage, with excess/umbrella policies providing additional millions. Unlike car accidents where you might be fighting for scraps from a $30,000 minimum policy, trucking cases involve real money—but accessing it requires understanding complex commercial insurance policies, MCS-90 endorsements, and interstate commerce regulations.

Our attorney Lupe Peña spent years defending insurance companies. He knows exactly how adjusters evaluate claims, where they hide coverage, and what makes them settle. That’s your advantage.

Kemper County Trucking Corridors: We Know These Roads

Whether your accident happened on:

• I-20 (the main east-west artery through southern Kemper County)
• I-59 (running north-south through the eastern part of the region)
• US-45 (the major north-south route through De Kalb and Scooba)
• MS-16 (connecting Meridian to the Alabama line)
• County roads like Old De Kalb Road or Porterville Road
• Logging roads and agricultural routes

…we know the terrain. We know where the truck stops are. We know which intersections are dangerous and where the cell coverage drops off. This local knowledge matters when reconstructing accidents and proving negligence.

Kemper County sits at the crossroads of several major freight corridors. Trucks hauling timber from the Tombigbee National Forest, agricultural products from local farms, and manufactured goods between Alabama and Mississippi all pass through here. Combine heavy freight traffic with severe weather—tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and flash flooding common to east-central Mississippi—and you have a recipe for disaster.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kemper County Trucking Accidents

How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Mississippi?
Three years from the accident date. But waiting is dangerous—evidence disappears and witnesses forget. Call us immediately.

What if I was partially at fault?
Mississippi uses pure comparative fault. You can recover even if you were 99% at fault, though your recovery is reduced by your percentage of blame. Don’t let the trucking company convince you that you have no case.

Should I talk to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster?
Never. Adjusters are trained to get statements they can use against you. They record conversations and twist your words. Let us handle all communication.

How much is my case worth?
It depends on injury severity, medical costs, lost wages, and liability. Trucking cases typically settle for significantly more than car accidents due to higher policy limits and catastrophic injuries.

Do you offer Spanish language services?
Yes. Associate Attorney Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish. Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911.

What if the truck driver was an independent contractor?
The trucking company may still be liable under various legal theories, and the driver likely carries his own insurance. We investigate all coverage sources.

How long will my case take?
Simple cases settle in 6-12 months. Complex litigation may take 1-3 years. We prepare every case for trial to maximize settlement leverage.

What if I can’t afford a lawyer?
We work on contingency. You pay nothing upfront—no retainer, no hourly fees. We only get paid when you win. The consultation is free.

Why choose Attorney911 for Your Kemper County Trucking Accident?

25+ Years of Experience: Ralph Manginello has been fighting for injury victims since 1998. He’s admitted to federal court (Southern District of Texas) and has gone toe-to-toe with the world’s largest corporations, including BP in the Texas City Refinery explosion litigation.

Former Insurance Defense Attorney on Staff: Lupe Peña used to work for insurance companies. Now he fights them. He knows their playbook—their valuation software, their training manuals, their delay tactics. That insider knowledge wins cases.

Multi-Million Dollar Results: We’ve recovered millions for traumatic brain injury victims ($1.5M-$9.8M range), amputations ($1.9M-$8.6M), and wrongful death cases ($1.9M-$9.5M). We currently litigate a $10 million hazing lawsuit against the University of Houston, demonstrating our capacity for complex, high-stakes litigation.

4.9-Star Rating: Our 251+ Google reviews speak for themselves. Clients like Donald Wilcox, who told us: “One company said they would not accept my case. Then I got a call from Manginello… I got a call to come pick up this handsome check.” Or Kiimarii Yup: “I lost everything… 1 year later I have gained so much in return.”

Three Offices: With locations in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve Kemper County clients efficiently while maintaining the resources to take on Fortune 500 trucking companies.

We Treat You Like Family: As Chad Harris said, “You are NOT a pest to them… You are FAMILY to them.”

24/7 Availability: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 any time, day or night. We answer.

Hablamos Español: For Kemper County’s Hispanic community, Lupe Peña provides direct representation without interpreters.

Call Now: The Clock Is Ticking

The trucking company already has lawyers working to protect them. Their insurance adjuster is already looking for ways to pay you less. Black box data is already counting down toward deletion.

You need someone fighting for you right now.

At Attorney911, we don’t just handle cases—we fight for families. We’ve spent 25+ years making trucking companies pay for their negligence, and we’re ready to fight for you.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) for a free consultation.

Or reach us at:

• Houston: 1177 West Loop S, Suite 1600
• Austin: 316 West 12th Street, Suite 311
• Beaumont: Available for meetings
• Email: ralph@atty911.com | lupe@atty911.com

You pay nothing unless we win. Zero upfront costs. We advance all investigation expenses.

Don’t let the trucking company push you around. Don’t settle for less than you deserve. And don’t wait—evidence is disappearing every day you delay.

Call 888-ATTY-911 now.

Attorney Ralph P. Manginello | Managing Partner, Attorney911 / The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC