Truck Accident Lawyers

After a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries or for the wrongful death of a family member. The circumstances of your case dictate who you can make a claim against.

You may be able to file a lawsuit against:

• A negligent or careless truck driver 
• A trucking company
• A mechanic responsible for truck maintenance

• A truck manufacturer  
• The entity responsible for maintaining the roads 
• The distributor that loaded the vehicle

A federal agency called the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires trucking companies have a minimum of $750,000 in liability insurance coverage. A trucking company responsible for transporting hazardous material must have between $1 million and $5 million in insurance.

It often makes sense to sue the company that employs the driver because the company will have more insurance coverage. Our trucking accident attorneys will help you identify defendants to take legal action against.

When it comes to truck accidents, the potential for serious injury and damage is even higher than with typical car accidents. If you have been involved in a commercial truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for a wide range of damages. Here are some of the types of compensation that you can seek after a truck accident:

• Medical Expenses: This includes the cost of past, present and future hospital stays, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and any other medical treatment related to the accident. Given the severity of injuries in many truck accidents, medical expenses can quickly add up to significant amounts.

   

• Lost Wages: If the injuries sustained in the accident prevent you from working, you may be able to recover lost wages, including future lost earnings if your injuries result in long-term disability. This can help ensure that you and your family are financially stable despite the aftermath of the accident.

   

• Property Damage: In a truck accident, the damage to your vehicle or other property can be significant. You can seek compensation for the cost of repairs or replacement, as well as rental car expenses.

   

• Pain and Suffering: This type of compensation is designed to compensate you for the physical and emotional pain and suffering caused by the accident. Given the severity of truck accidents, pain and suffering can be significant and long-lasting.

   

• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If the injuries from the accident prevent you from participating in activities that you once enjoyed, you may be entitled to compensation for loss of enjoyment of life.

   

• Wrongful Death: If the accident resulted in the death of a loved one, you may be entitled to compensation for funeral expenses, loss of income, and other wrongful death damages. This can help provide some financial stability for you and your family during this difficult time.

   

It is important to note that every case is unique and the types of damages that you can seek compensation for will depend on the specific circumstances of your case. It is recommended that you speak with an experienced commercial truck accident attorney who can evaluate your case and help you understand what types of compensation you may be entitled to.

In commercial truck accidents, liability can fall on a number of parties, including:

• The truck driver: If the accident was caused by the driver’s negligence, such as speeding, driving under the influence, or driving while distracted, they can be held liable.

   

• The trucking company: If the company failed to properly maintain the truck or neglected to train their driver properly, they can be held liable.

   

• The manufacturer: If the accident was caused by a defect in the truck’s design or manufacturing, the manufacturer may be held liable.

   

• The cargo company: If the accident was caused by improperly loaded or secured cargo, the company responsible for loading and securing the cargo may be held liable.

Determining liability in a commercial truck accident can be a complex process, and multiple parties may share responsibility for the accident. At Broussard Knoll Law Firm, we conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident to identify all parties who may be liable. We work closely with accident reconstruction specialists and other experts to build a strong case on your behalf.

We see several different types of accidents occurring with big rigs or tractor-trailers. Each type of accident will have different causes and contributing factors. We work with experienced accident investigators to help us determine all the factors that led up to the tragic truck collision.

• Truck Driver Problems: Driver fatigue, driver drug or alcohol use, lack of proper training or lack of training altogether, no driver’s license or fake driver’s license. It’s particularly important to thoroughly review the driver’s log as soon as possible after an accident. Driver’s logs can be falsified.

   

• Truck Loading Problems: If cargo is not loaded properly it can shift within the trailer, throwing the load off and causing the truck to jackknife. Cargo can also come loose from on top of a flatbed and fly off, striking motorists behind the truck. If a truck is overweight, it puts an extra load on the brakes that could contribute to brake failure.

   

• Truck Maintenance Problems: Was the truck properly maintained on an established schedule? Were the brakes, tires, gears, and steering in good working order?

   

• Truck Operation Problems: Did the driver have a history of driving recklessly, over the speed limit, or aggressively? If the truck was on the side of the road, did it have proper lighting and markers? Did the trucker leave enough room in front and behind him for other cars? These can all contribute to tragic truck override and underride accidents.

When it comes to commercial truck accidents, the injuries sustained can be even more severe due to the size and weight of the vehicles involved. Some of the most common injuries from truck accidents include:

• Head and brain injuries: Similar to car accidents, truck accidents can cause concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and skull fractures. Symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating.

   

• Neck and spine injuries: Whiplash is a common injury in rear-end truck accidents, which can cause neck pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. Spinal cord injuries can also occur, resulting in partial or complete paralysis.

   

• Back injuries: Truck accidents can cause back strains and sprains, herniated discs, and fractures. These injuries can lead to chronic pain and limited mobility.

   

• Broken bones: Fractures to the arms, legs, hips, and ribs are common in truck accidents. These injuries can range from minor to severe and may require surgery to repair.

   

• Internal injuries: Due to the force of impact, truck accidents can cause damage to internal organs, such as the liver, spleen, and kidneys. Internal bleeding may also occur, which can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.

   

• Soft tissue injuries: Muscles, ligaments, and tendons can be strained or sprained in a truck accident, causing pain, swelling, and limited mobility. These injuries can take weeks or months to heal and may require physical therapy.

   

• Psychological injuries: Truck accidents can be traumatic and can cause emotional distress, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

   

It’s important to seek medical attention after a truck accident, even if you don’t feel any immediate pain or symptoms. Some injuries may not be apparent right away and can worsen over time without proper treatment. 

While you may need to go to court to obtain compensation, this is usually not the case. You can often negotiate a settlement with the trucking company or driver who hurt you. There is no guarantee that you will recover compensation in any truck accident claim, but an experienced truck accident law firm can vigorously represent you with the insurance company and work towards getting you a fair settlement offer.

If you were injured in a trucking accident, or you are the surviving loved one of someone who was fatally injured in one, you need to know who may sue for death or injury from a trucking accident in the State of Louisiana. 

As a victim of a trucking accident, you may be entitled to pursue a personal injury lawsuit if the truck involved in the collision caused, or contributed to, the crash. Because Louisiana uses the doctrine of comparative negligence, the truck driver does not have to be entirely at fault for you to potentially be entitled to compensation for your injuries. 

If you lost a loved one as a result of a fatal trucking accident you may also be entitled to file as a claimant in a wrongful death lawsuit. Only certain people, however, are entitled to pursue a wrongful death action in the State of Louisiana.

Survivors entitled to file a wrongful death lawsuit, in order of priority, include:

• The surviving spouse or children of the decedent.
• The surviving siblings of the deceased person if there are no surviving parents.
• The surviving grandparents of the decedent if there are no surviving siblings.

The amount and type of damages that may be available to you will depend on several factors, starting with whether you are filing a personal injury lawsuit as a victim or a wrongful death lawsuit as a survivor. In either case, you may be entitled to a significant amount in damages if your injuries were severe or you lost a loved one as a result of someone else’s negligence.

Dealing with the aftermath of a truck accident can be overwhelming, leaving you and your loved ones with physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial hardships. At Broussard Knoll Law Firm, we’re here to help you navigate the complex legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve. We have a team of experienced truck accident lawyers who understand the unique challenges and complexities involved in truck accident cases.

When you choose Broussard Knoll Law Firm to handle your truck accident case, you can expect:

• A thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding your accident to determine liability and identify all responsible parties.
• Careful analysis of all available evidence, including witness statements, police reports, and medical records, to build a strong case on your behalf.
• Collaboration with top experts in the field of truck accidents to ensure that we have the most accurate information about your injuries and damages.
• Professional handling of all communication with the insurance companies and other parties involved in the accident, taking the burden of the claims process off your shoulders.
• Aggressive negotiation to ensure that you receive the maximum amount of compensation possible, based on the facts and evidence we’ve gathered.
• Skilled trial advocacy in court, if necessary, to ensure that your rights are fully protected and your case is presented in the most compelling manner possible.

We understand that recovering from a truck accident can be difficult and stressful. That’s why we’re here to help you through the legal process and take control to get you every cent you deserve.