A trucking accident can leave behind devastating property damage and cause grievous injuries to involved drivers. If you or a loved one have been harmed in an accident with a truck, you may have legal options.
Call (504) 777-7777 and contact the Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers for a free consultation today. There is no obligation. We are just ready to tell you more about how your legal recourse and a Jefferson Parish truck accident lawyer could help you pursue damages.
Dangers of Trucking Accidents
Accidents involving trucks can be especially dangerous due to their size. Trucks are already heavier than passenger cars, and they are often carrying tons of cargo, meaning that a speeding truck is simply going to do more damage when it hits something. Trucking accidents are also dangerous because they occur predominantly on interstate highways or in rural areas, where drivers may be traveling at faster speeds.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were roughly 450,000 police-reported crashes involving trucks in 2017. Of those, 344,000 resulted in injuries, and more than 4,000 resulted in fatalities. Truck safety needs to be taken seriously, and if it is shown that a driver or other involved party was negligent when it comes to one of these heavy-duty vehicles, you may want to pursue damages.
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How Trucks Are Regulated and Investigated
Trucks are regulated heavily by the federal government, partly because of how much damage they can potentially cause in an accident. Everything from the weight of the trucks to driver operating hours is regulated by the FMCSA and the Department of Transportation.
Regulations even mandate when commercial truck drivers need to take a break. They are designed to protect truck drivers and those that share the road with them. When these regulations and rules are violated, that creates a dangerous situation. The parties who do not act responsibly should be held liable.
Federal regulators also have a strict process for investigating truck accidents. The FMCSA will look at the driver, the carrier, and the truck itself to determine culpability. The evidence from this investigation can be used to bolster your personal injury case.
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Types of Compensation
When you suffer injuries in an accident with a truck, there are multiple types of damages that you can pursue in a civil suit. Types of awards include, but are not limited to:
- Medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Loss of enjoyment
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
Medical bills can begin to pile up when you have been injured in an accident, but as you can see, it is also possible to pursue compensation for the wages you miss out on and future earnings that could be affected by your injuries.
It takes time to recover from a motor vehicle accident, and in some cases, lingering injuries might end up having effects on you and your capabilities for life. You deserve compensation if that is the case. Consider calling Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers at (504) 777-7777 to learn more about the damages you may be entitled to.
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When a Lawyer Can Help
A Jefferson Parish truck accident lawyer will fight for the best possible outcome and do everything they can to help you receive the compensation that you deserve. An attorney can:
File Your Lawsuit
Louisiana Civil Code (CC) §3492 dictates you have just one year to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. That may seem like a significant amount of time, but as you recover from injuries and attempt to get back to your normal life, that year can pass by surprisingly quickly. A lawyer will help you promptly file your case. You do not have to worry about building your case yourself or missing out on obtaining compensation.
Gathering Evidence
An attorney gathers the evidence needed to show that you are the one who is owed damages, whether that evidence is an eyewitness account, information from the federal investigation of the crash, or the police report that was filled out at the scene.
Identify Liable Parties
Your lawyer will also identify the liable parties and show why they owe you compensation. As we mentioned, there are multiple rules and regulations that drivers, carriers, and others need to follow when it comes to truck safety and care. Parties that ignore those rules could be held liable, and there could be multiple potentially liable parties in your case.
The driver is one person who may need to be held responsible, as their mistakes could have caused the accident. For example, they could have been driving while impaired. The owner of the truck could also be held liable if the vehicle was not properly cared for. In addition, a maintenance company that made a mistake or a safety inspector who overlooked a problem could be held liable. These cases can be complex, which is why having a lawyer on your side may be a good idea.
Acting as Your Advocate
Your truck accident lawyer acts as your advocate every step of the way, doing what they can to fight for the best outcome. They will make your case in court, if need be, and do everything within their power to help you get the compensation you deserve.
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Call for Your Free Consultation
Now that you know more about your options and what a Jefferson Parish truck accident lawyer can do for you, call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers at (504) 777-7777 to set up a free consultation. We can walk you through all of your legal options and tell you how a truck accident attorney can help you pursue your entitled compensation.
Get The HelpYou Need(337) 777-7777To Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION
24 hours a day • 7 days a week
