If you were involved in a truck accident, an Abbeville 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer with Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers will fight for compensation on your behalf. While you focus on recovering from your injuries, our team can handle all aspects of your personal injury insurance claim or lawsuit.
For a free consultation about your truck accident case with a team member, you can call our Lafayette office today. We will discuss your case and assess your legal options for you for free.
Potentially Recoverable Damages in an Abbeville Truck Collision Claim
If you prove that another party’s negligence caused your accident, you may be able to recover compensation for your damages. The potentially recoverable damages in a personal injury case include:
- Medical expenses (both current and future)
- Property damage
- Loss of income
- Reduced earning capability
- Pain and suffering
An Abbeville 18-wheeler crash lawyer from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can gather evidence of your damages and their value when we investigate your case. We will use what we learn to ensure any settlement agreement compensates you fairly. We will sue a driver and their employer if their insurers refuse to negotiate.
If your family lost a spouse, parent, or child in a truck accident in Abbeville, we are sorry for your loss. Our team can evaluate your case to determine if you can pursue wrongful death damages under CC Art. 2315.2.
How Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Can Help You Seek Compensation
If you were hurt in an accident that an 18-wheeler driver caused, Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers may be able to help you. Our lawyer handling car accidents in Abbeville will manage all aspects of your insurance claim or civil case, including:
- Investigating your accident to identify the liable party
- Collecting evidence of their liability
- Collecting evidence of your damages
- Filing your insurance claim and/or lawsuit
- Managing all communications, deadlines, and paperwork for you
- Negotiating for a settlement offer with the liable party
- Taking your case to trial, if necessary
If you are considering taking legal action for your injuries, we encourage you to act soon. Per CC Art. 3492, there is a general one-year statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits in Louisiana.
Exceptions to this rule could extend how long you have, but some mean you need to act even faster. We can explain your deadlines when we review your case.
Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Vermilion Parish
Eighteen-wheelers are some of the largest vehicles on the road. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 18-wheelers may weigh around 20 to 30 times more than regular passenger vehicles. Because of the size and strength of these vehicles, the slightest mistake behind the wheel can result in disaster.
If another party’s negligence caused your accident, they may be liable for your damages. In addition, because of the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, their employer may also be vicariously liable.
Various negligent actions may cause an 18-wheeler collision. This includes:
Traffic Law Violations
If an 18-wheeler driver causes an accident by speeding, making an illegal turn, or performing any other type of traffic law violation, they may be liable for the resultant damages.
Worn Brakes
When an 18-wheeler’s brakes are worn, they may not be able to stop as quickly as they should. With their size and weight, these large trucks already take longer than the average vehicle to stop. With old brakes, this time may increase and can easily cause an accident.
Lack of Training or Experience
It takes skill and training to maneuver an 18-wheeler. If a driver does not receive adequate training, they may not be able to react properly in some situations. Truck drivers must possess a commercial driver’s license (CDL), pass regular medical checkups, and follow many federal and state laws.
Distracted Driving
An 18-wheeler truck driver is often driving long distances. It can be tempting to pay attention to a phone or something else to pass the time. However, taking your eyes off the road for even a few seconds can result in disaster.
Impaired Driving
Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol can not only exaggerate response times, but it can also cause the driver to make decisions they would not otherwise.
Drowsy Driving
Truck drivers must follow strict rules about rest and sleep. This should prevent driving while drowsy. However, many drivers may try to fudge their rest logs and push beyond what is allowable. This may be because of pressure from their employer, tight deadlines, or a desire to return home early. Drowsy driving may be as dangerous as drunk driving in some cases.
Depending on how your accident occurred, the potentially liable party may include:
- A truck driver
- A trucking company
- A truck mechanic
- A vehicle component manufacturer
Our Abbeville 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate your accident and identify the liable parties. For a free case review with a representative of our firm, you can reach out to us to get started today.
Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), 4,657 large trucks were involved in fatal accidents, and 107,000 trucks were in injury crashes in 2017. Each of these accidents was unique, and crashes can occur in various ways.
Types of 18-wheeler accidents may include:
Bridge Strikes
Bridge strikes occur when a vehicle is too large to fit under a bridge. The vehicle driver may not realize they do not have the clearance and try to fit under the bridge. This could result in disaster for the truck driver as well as the occupants of nearby cars.
Head-On Collision
When a head-on collision occurs with an 18-wheeler, it is usually more devastating for the other vehicle.
Rear-End Collision
Getting rear-ended by an 18-wheeler can result in serious injuries or even death.
Rollover
Rollover accidents are common with large trucks, especially when carrying a significant amount of weight or poorly secured or unbalanced weight.
If a truck carries too much weight, the back end can pull the truck to one side or the other when they turn a corner. The weight can pull so hard that the entire vehicle could roll over. Tanker trucks with a partial load are at an especially high risk of rollover.
Spilled Cargo
If a truck is not loaded properly, the cargo can spill out onto the road. This can cause accidents with other vehicles if they cannot react to the hazard fast enough.
Discuss Your Legal Options with Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers for Free
Our team is here for you after your Abbeville 18-wheeler truck accident. We may be able to provide you with representation on a contingency fee basis. In this payment structure, we do not collect attorney’s fees unless and until you win your case and recover compensation via a settlement offer or court award.
To learn more about our services and your legal options in a free case review with a member of our team, call our Lafayette office now: (337) 777-7777.
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