Do not let an accident with a large truck in Estherwood leave you or your family with an unmanageable financial burden. The truck driver who hit your car, his insurance company, the company he works for, or the manufacturer of the truck he was driving may be fully or partially responsible for your injuries and expenses.
A lawyer near you can help you assign liability, fully evaluate your claim, and prepare a lawsuit that compensates you for your accident-related expenses and losses. Expenses start adding up quickly after an accident with a large truck, and can keep adding up until you are fully recovered and able to return to work.
Discuss your injuries, property loss, and other accident-related expenses with our team today. Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers at (337) 777-7777 to connect with an Estherwood truck accident lawyer as soon as possible following your accident.
Passenger Vehicle Occupants Are in Serious Jeopardy in Large Truck Accidents
A large truck can weigh more than 26,000 pounds, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)—significantly larger and heavier than the weight of the average passenger car. The difference in size between these two vehicle types leaves the driver and passengers in the smaller car at a distinct disadvantage in a collision.
The NHTSA reported 4,761 deaths in collisions between large trucks and smaller vehicles in 2017. This number represents an increase of nine percent over the number of similar accidents that occurred in 2016, and a 12% increase in similar accidents that occurred over the previous decade.
The following statistics demonstrate the vulnerability of passenger car occupants, pedestrians, and cyclists, versus large truck occupants when collisions occur:
- Passenger car occupants accounted for the vast majority of deaths (72%)
- Large truck occupants accounted for far fewer deaths (18%)
- Pedestrians and cyclists accounted for the least number of deaths (10%)
The difference in size, weight, and height between vehicle types means you or any passengers in your car are at greater risk of catastrophic injuries and death than the trucker who was also involved in the accident. It can also mean the complete destruction of your much smaller car.
If you or a family member or passenger in your car were seriously injured or if your car was destroyed in a collision with a large truck, you may have the basis of a financial settlement or lawsuit. Contact Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers at (337) 777-7777 to discuss your recovery options with a member of our team.
Determine How the Point of Impact Contributes to Injuries and Fatalities
The size difference between a car and a large truck can lead to serious injuries and possible fatalities for anyone in the smaller vehicle. The point where a large truck impacts your smaller car can contribute to how injuries occur and who receives the brunt of the initial impact.
When large trucks collide with small cars, the collision is most likely to be a head-on hit. The NHTSA reports that in these types of collisions both sizes of vehicles were more likely to be hit head-on. The following percentages represent other points of impact between passenger cars and large trucks:
- Head-on impact (61%)
- Left-side impact (10%)
- Right-side impact (6%)
- Rear-end impact (22%)
Your medical records can help you and your Estherwood truck accident lawyer understand how the site of the impact contributed to your injuries. Your lawyer can help you understand how to pursue the cost of your injury-related expenses. Speak to us today for a full assessment of your potential for financial recovery in the aftermath of a two-car collision with a large truck.
For a free legal consultation with a truck accident lawyer serving Estherwood, call (337) 777-7777
File a Police Report Immediately
If you are involved in a fender bender that does not result in property damage or injuries for either driver, you might believe you do not need a police report. A crash report is always a good idea, though, to support your account of a car accident no matter how small.
In Louisiana, a police report is optional in a fender bender, but mandatory in certain other types of vehicle collisions. Within 24 hours of a collision, you are required by Louisana Statute §398 to file a crash report if any of the following conditions are met:
- Injuries occur
- Fatalities occur
- $500 or more in damages occur
Your police report will contain identifying and contact information for the at-fault driver and any available witnesses. Your lawyer will use this information to help value your claim for a monetary award and assign liability to the right parties.
Obtain a Copy of Your Police Report as Soon as it is Ready
If you or a loved one is involved in an accident that makes a police report mandatory, request a copy of your report as soon as it is ready. You can obtain a copy of your police report seven to ten days after the accident occurs. Be sure to obtain a copy for your records and one to share with your Estherwood truck accident lawyer.
When you are ready to pursue the right party for your accident-related costs, contact a lawyer near you. Your lawyer can explain the importance of your police report and the value of the information it contains in supporting your claim for compensation.
Estherwood Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me (337) 777-7777
Get the Monetary Award You Deserve
When you or a loved one is injured in an accident with a large truck, the financial burden of the accident should not fall on you and your family. The driver of the large truck, the company that employs him, or the company that built his truck might all be responsible for the cost of your medical bills and other expenses.
Determine where to assign liability and how to collect the monetary award you deserve with the help and guidance of an Estherwood truck accident lawyer. Speak to us as soon as possible after the accident by calling Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers at (337) 777-7777.
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