Truck accidents cause serious injuries and fatalities to other drivers every year in Lafayette, and they often lead to complex lawsuits. If you were seriously injured or lost a loved one due to a truck driver’s negligence, you may be wondering if an attorney can get you a settlement that can cover your expenses.
You may be entitled to damages for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. After an accident, you can take some of the pressure off of yourself by hiring a law firm to help you file a claim.
Can I Sue for Being Hit by a Semi-Truck?
You can sue for damages if you were involved in a collision with a semi-truck as long as you can prove that your case meets the criteria for a personal injury case. That means:
- You must prove that the truck’s driver, the trucking company, or another liable party had a duty of care toward you.
- You must prove that any liable parties breached that duty of care by being negligent and causing the accident.
- You must prove that you sustained damages as a result of the accident.
For a free legal consultation with a truck accident lawyer serving Lafayette, call (337) 777-7777
Should You Get a Lawyer After a Truck Accident?
It’s a good idea to hire a Louisiana truck accident attorney if you’ve been in a truck accident in Lafayette. These cases are typically much more complex than your standard car accident due to the seriousness of the injuries and the fact that there may be multiple at-fault parties.
The truck company’s insurers will do whatever it takes to blame you to reduce the amount of compensation they’ll have to pay. A personal injury lawyer who specializes in truck accidents understands how the insurers work. They can protect you from their tactics.
Lafayette Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me (337) 777-7777
Do Semi-Truck Accidents Go Trial?
Insurance companies can be aggressive when it comes to settling cases quickly. An initial offer from an insurance company may seem like a large amount of money, but chances are, it is not enough to cover your future medical needs. When an insurer won’t offer you enough to cover the full value of your damages, your truck accident lawyer may need to take your case to trial.
Approximately 90% of personal injury claims will settle without a trial. Insurers try to avoid going to court whenever possible because the process is expensive.
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How Long Does It Take to Settle a Semi-Truck Accident?
In addition to being more complex, semi-truck accident lawsuits typically take longer to settle. Trucking companies carry a high amount of insurance coverage. Naturally, the insurers do not want to pay, because it means giving up a large chunk of their profits. Because of this, it can take some time before they’ll agree to a fair and adequate settlement.
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Determining Liability for Your Truck Accident Injuries
You may be able to sue more than one party for your truck accident injuries. But, to do that your attorney will need to identify the liable parties. Liability for your truck accident injuries can rest on the shoulders of multiple defendants in a lawsuit. These can include:
- The truck driver behind the wheel
- The trucking company they work for
- The manufacturer of the truck
- The company that loaded the truck’s cargo
Federal and state laws regarding hours of service and training are in place to keep drivers safe. When a trucker takes a risk behind the wheel or when a trucking company places profits over people, they put others in harm’s way.
Wrongful Death Lawsuits After Fatal Truck Accidents
You may want to reach out to a wrongful death attorney if your loved one was killed in a fatal truck accident. Depending upon the circumstances of your case and your relationship with the decedent, you may be entitled to damages for:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of future income
- Loss of inheritance
- Medical debt
- Emotional trauma
These are just a few examples of the types of damages your lawyer may be able to pursue on your behalf. The damages you will be able to claim will depend on the specifics of your case.
Louisiana Has a Short Statute of Limitations
Time is not on your side due to Louisiana’s strict statute of limitations to file a claim. According to Louisiana Civil Code §3492, you have one year to file a civil action. While 12 months from now may seem far off into the future, the demands of everyday life can quickly eat up time.
Getting help from a truck accident lawyer in Lafayette right away is the best way to make sure you do not miss any important deadlines regarding your claim. Additionally, when you act quickly, this can ensure that evidence such as eyewitness accounts and memories of the event do not fade away.
Filing a Truck Collision Claim
A truck accident could result in severe consequences in a variety of contexts. Both past and present medical bills may pile up as a result of treatment for your injuries. The potential loss of income now and in the future may further contribute to financial hardship.
Beyond these physical and monetary burdens, a truck accident could result in psychological and emotional trauma. These more intangible damages may include:
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Reduced quality of life.
A truck accident lawyer could help in recovering any potential damages the injured party has a right to claim.
How Your Truck Accident Lawyer Will Prove Negligence
To prove negligence in your truck accident lawsuit, your attorney will use evidence gathered from the scene of the crash, the results of the investigation, your medical records, and expert opinions to prove the cause of the wreck. Some common causes include:
- Distracted driving (such as texting or using a dispatch device)
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or fatigue
- Error or lapse in judgment
- Failure to perform defensive driving
- Carrying excessive loads
- Improper maintenance of the truck
- Not exercising caution in adverse weather conditions
- Improper maintenance of vehicles
- Failure to properly train workers
- Ignoring regulations that limit the loading of cargo
Trucking companies who fail to invest in their drivers or trucks push the limits on their duty of care. Often, they are found to be at least partially at fault when an accident occurs.
Let Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Protect Your Best Interests
The legal team at Laborde Earles has more than 100 years of combined experience that we are ready to put to work for you. We are not afraid to take the necessary precautions to fight for your right to fair compensation. Take a look at some of the results we have secured for our clients:
- $7,000,000.00 judgment for injured 18 wheeler driver
- $2,700,000.00 settlement for 18 wheeler accident victim
- $1,800,000.00 settlement for 18 wheeler accident victim
- $1,750,000.00 trial verdict for 18 wheeler accident victim
- $1,000,000.00 settlement for 18 wheeler accident victims
Many personal injury claims settle out of court. If we cannot come to an agreement with the other party, we are ready to take your case to trial. No one should pay out of pocket for expenses due to the negligent actions of another person. If your life was interrupted by disaster, we can help.
Call or text (337) 777-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
