Collisions involving large commercial trucks can result in catastrophic injuries for the occupants of the smaller vehicle. The cost of medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma can leave these victims wondering how they will ever be able to put their lives back together.
If you have been involved in a truck accident, recovering compensation will rest on determining who is at fault for the collision. The last thing anyone wants to do while healing from their injuries is to be their only advocate. Doing the legwork in assigning fault and building a case can be a monumental task to take on by yourself.
When you work with a truck accident lawyer at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we can take on these burdens while you recover from your injuries. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss the details of your case. We also work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that we do not accept any fees unless we can recover compensation for you. A member of our team can provide you with some clarity during this dark time. For more information, call (337) 777-7777.
Investigating Your Glencoe Truck Accident
There will need to be a full investigation to determine which parties are responsible for your collision. Any accident that involves a commercial truck can become complicated when it comes to assigning fault. This is because there are many entities and individuals involved with the operation and maintenance of these vehicles.
When pursuing financial recovery, some of the parties that may be held responsible can include:
- The truck driver
- The trucker’s employer
- The manufacturer of the truck
- The workers who loaded the truck’s cargo
There may be any number of reasons why the truck crashed and caused your injuries. Truck accidents are not always clear cut, and if you are seriously injured, the only way to prove their cause is to have a detailed investigation of the incident.
Your truck accident lawyer will need to gather all the available evidence to prove that the crash was not your fault. This is not easy; it requires resources, experience, and effort.
As you are struggling with your injuries, it can be challenging to prove your claim on your own. At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we can help you gather the evidence that you need to help bolster your account of the events.
Some of the evidence that will need to be collected includes:
- Police, accident, and recall reports
- Witness statements
- Photos of the crash scene
- Medical history and related medical evidence (including doctor’s diagnoses)
- Proof of how your injuries have affected your quality of life
- Medical expense records
- Pay stubs that indicate lost wages or reduced earning capacity
- Witness testimony
Members of our team want to hear from you. For more information on the services we provide, call (337) 777-7777.
Laborde Earles injury was great for me they took care of me very fast and professional. If for any reason I need legal help they will be who I use.
ClientPotential Causes for a Truck Accident
According to the Motor Carrier Safety Progress Report by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were over 164,550 truck accidents that occurred nationwide in 2018. Several factors can result in a collision with a large truck.
Driver Fatigue
Many collisions each year are caused by driver fatigue. This occurs when a motorist is too tired to drive but continues to stay on the road. In its 2018 Fatality Facts, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that truckers are only allowed to drive for 11 hours at a time. The FMCSA also provides additional clarity on the maximum driving time for property-carrying vehicles. The driver’s rest logs will need to be investigated to determine whether they were resting at appropriate times or if the company was implementing unreasonable delivery schedules.
Distracted Driving
The use of cell phones and other distractions may also be the cause of a truck accident. Just like drivers of passenger vehicles, truck drivers may become distracted when behind the wheel. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) comments that distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents in the U.S.
Unsecured Cargo
If a truck’s cargo spills out onto the road, this can cause catastrophic results. Whether restraints did not hold the shipment in place or if it was not loaded properly, our team can determine who should be held responsible. A claim of negligence may be filed against the trucking company or possibly the crew that secured the load improperly.
Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is prohibited. If found doing so, the trucker risks losing their driver’s license and any endorsements that may allow them to operate a commercial vehicle. Stimulants, alcohol, and certain prescription medications are not permitted when a trucker gets behind the wheel.
Faulty Parts
Some accidents are not the fault of the truck driver at all. If the truck parts were designed in a subpar manner and failed in some way, you may be able to hold the manufacturer liable. Your legal team will need to prove that the trucker was using the vehicle for its intended purpose and had not modified its parts in any way.
I thank God for Digger & David. I don’t know what we would have done if it hadn’t have been for them.
Rick Smith | ClientLet a Glencoe Truck Accident Lawyer Help You
The Louisiana State Legislature gives two years from the date of the accident to file a civil action for a personal injury claim. If you do not file within this timeframe, you risk forfeiting your right to compensation.
Injuries sustained from a commercial truck accident can leave you under a mountain of medical debt and possibly without a way to earn a living. If you or a loved one were involved in a truck accident due to another’s negligence, a truck accident lawyer serving Glencoe can help you seek the financial recovery to which you may be entitled.
Some of the services that we provide include:
- Promptly initiating legal action
- Collecting evidence that assigns liability
- Estimating the value of your claim
- Handling all communications with the involved parties and their insurers
- Representing you in court, if necessary
We believe that you should not have your life turned upside down by a truck accident that you did not cause. Contact Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers at (337) 777-7777 to learn more.
