Truck accidents cause serious injuries and fatalities to other drivers every year in Lafayette, and they can also lead to complex lawsuits. If you were injured or lost a loved one in a truck accident, an attorney can seek a settlement to cover your expenses.
You may be entitled to damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. After an accident, you can take some of the pressure off yourself by hiring a Lafayette truck accident lawyer from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers to file and complete your case.
Can I Sue for a Semi-Truck Accident in Lafayette?
You can sue for damages if you were involved in a collision with a semi-truck if your lawyer can prove that your case meets the criteria for a personal injury case. In seeking to meet these criteria, our team will work to prove that:
- The truck driver, the trucking company, or another liable party had a duty of care toward you
- The liable party breached that duty of care by being negligent and causing the accident
- You suffered damages as a result of the accident
By hiring a personal injury attorney from our firm, you can focus on your recovery while our legal team works on your case.
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 claim due to the seriousness of the injuries and the fact that there may be multiple liable parties.
Lafayette Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me (337) 777-7777
How a Lafayette Truck Accident Attorney Can Protect Your Case
The trucking company’s insurer may do whatever it takes to reduce the amount of compensation it has to pay you. A personal injury lawyer who handles truck accident cases understands how insurance companies work. They can protect you from unsavory tactics by insurance companies or other lawyers.
An attorney from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can protect you from:
- Making any statements that might allow an insurance company or attorney to assign fault to you
- Slow responses from the insurance company which could put you at risk of submitting your case late should you decide to file a lawsuit
Accepting an unfair settlement offer as our team calculates your damages to estimate your case’s value
Should you have any questions, our team is always available to provide guidance and help you navigate the claims and litigation process.
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Do Semi-Truck Accident Cases Go to 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 it may not be enough to cover your future medical needs and other damages.
Approximately 90 percent of personal injury lawsuits will settle without a trial, per Cornell University Law School. While we may settle your case, know that our firm uses all available options when seeking compensation for victims like you. Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers takes our clients’ cases to trial when necessary, without hesitation.
How Long does It Take to Settle a Semi-Truck Accident?
In addition to being more complex, semi-truck accident lawsuits may take longer to settle than other case types. Trucking companies generally 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 an insurer will agree to a fair and adequate settlement.
Other factors may also prolong your case, including:
- Case investigation: It may take time for law enforcement or our investigative team to determine the cause of the accident, which can affect how long we can identify liable parties. For example, if a vehicle malfunction caused the accident, it may take further investigation to determine whether the truck manufacturer, parts manufacturer, or truck maintenance company is liable.
- Data retrieval: Semi-trucks maintain a device referred to as a “black box,” which holds data about the truck’s performance. You have a right to request this information from the trucking company when building your case. However, the trucking company may resist granting you this evidence, which could stall your legal efforts.
- Witnesses: Eyewitnesses play a crucial role in personal injury cases, as they can provide an objective account of the accident. However, contacting witnesses and convincing them to testify for your case may take effort. It may take time to reach out to witnesses and record their statements, which may prolong the legal process.
Our legal team will monitor your case’s progress and take appropriate measures to keep it moving forward. Time is of the essence in Louisiana, which may have a strict deadline for filing your case. You should retain our team as soon as possible.
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Determining Liability for Your Truck Accident Injuries
Suffering an injury in a truck accident does not automatically entitle you to monetary compensation. You must establish that the other party was liable, and our team will work to do so.
You may be able to sue more than one party for your accident-related injuries. However, 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, which may include:
- The truck driver behind the wheel during the accident
- The trucking company the driver works for
- The manufacturer of the truck
- The manufacturer of a specific vehicle part in the truck
- The maintenance company for the truck
- The company that loaded the truck’s cargo
- A municipality that governs road conditions where the accident took place
- A third-party driver who caused you to get into an accident with the truck
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.
After Fatal Truck Accidents
You may want to reach out to a wrongful death attorney if your loved one died in a fatal truck accident. Trying to manage a legal case while grieving a loved one’s death can be emotionally overwhelming, especially because it may require you to relive the accident events. However, you do not have to go through a legal battle on your own, Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers is here to help.
Work with one of our Lafayette wrongful death attorneys, who will organize your case and do the legal work necessary to complete the legal process.
Our team of attorneys, paralegals, and investigators will:
- Complete a full investigation of your truck accident in Lafayette: The investigation will be one of the earliest steps in your case. We’ll pursue any evidence that may be useful to your claim, consult witnesses to your truck accident, and preserve all evidence that we collect.
- Determine the cost of your damages: We will account for both current and future damages related to your truck accident. Along with experts, we’ll assign a monetary value to each damage. The total cost of your damages will show us how much compensation you deserve.
- Do the paperwork necessary to complete your case: As you might expect, lawsuits and insurance claims are not possible without substantial paperwork. Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers take the administrative burden off our clients, as we handle the paperwork and communications for you.
- Dealing with trucking companies and their representatives: The goal of a liable trucking company may be directly opposite to yours. We will deal with these companies for you, whether it is to gather evidence, negotiate a settlement, or achieve other ends.
- Fight tirelessly for your financial recovery: We will maintain a fixed goal throughout your case, and that is to secure the financial recovery you deserve. Whether through an insurance payment, settlement, or verdict, we will never lose sight of this goal.
You cannot put a value on Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers’ experience or legal training. We will allow you to give all of your attention to your recovery. Meanwhile, we will wage our strongest fight for your financial recovery.
Former Clients Explain Why You Should Hire Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers
It may be most helpful to read the experiences of clients we’ve succeeded for. These client experiences allow you to anticipate how we will treat you as a client:
“They have been nothing but exceptionally professional. They are very good at what they do. The research or gathering of all the records they have needed with my case has been all them. I’ve had to make a couple of phone calls but they have done everything else. I would recommend them to anyone who needed a law firm on their side. They get a 5-star rating from me and my son.” – Brandi Seckman, client.
“This law firm is amazing. I traveled about an hour and thirty minutes to their location. I was nervous because this was my first time having to acquire a lawyer. As soon as I entered I was welcomed with open arms. Very comfortable. Nice southern hospitality.” – Renesha Daggs, client.
Our firm is dedicated to every case we handle. We will handle every step of your truck accident case in Lafayette while treating you with care and respect.
Because we maintain offices in Lafayette, you will receive personalized legal assistance throughout the life of your case. If you need assistance, you can call our team at any time or visit our Lafayette offices. You will always receive the help you need once you hire Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers to lead your case.
Types of Damages You May Qualify for in a Wrongful Death Case
Depending on 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 for a wrongful death. The damages you will be able to claim will depend on the specifics of your case.
Louisiana’s Statute of Limitations May Apply to Your Lafayette Truck Accident Case
Time is generally not on your side due to Louisiana’s statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits. According to CC Art. 3492, you have, barring extenuating circumstances. one year to file a civil action.
Getting help from a truck accident lawyer in Lafayette right away is one way to ensure you do not miss any important deadlines regarding your case. Acting quickly may also ensure that evidence, such as eyewitness accounts and memories of the event, does not get lost.
Filing a Truck Collision Claim Allows You to Pursue Compensation for Damages
A truck accident could result in severe consequences in a variety of contexts. When filing your personal injury claim or lawsuit, we can list all the damages you suffered in a demand letter for compensation. Your damages may fall into two categories:
Economic Damages
Economic damages refer to financial losses you suffered as a result of your injuries or the accident. Both past and present medical bills may pile up as a result of treatment for your injuries and are one type of economic damage you may suffer. Your current and future loss of income may further contribute to your financial hardship.
Other economic damages may include:
- Property damage costs, such as costs to repair or replace your vehicle
- Reduced earning potential
- Costs for medical equipment, such as costs for a wheelchair, crutches, or a neck brace
- Prescription medication costs
- Mileage costs to travel to doctor appointments if the facility is far from your home
Non-Economic Damages
Beyond monetary burdens, a truck accident could result in non-economic damages, which refer to physical and emotional losses. These more intangible damages may include:
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Reduced quality of life
- Permanent disability
- Emotional distress
- Psychological trauma
- Physical disfigurement
A truck accident lawyer from our firm will seek compensation for all of your recoverable damages.
Causes of Truck Accidents
To prove negligence in your truck accident lawsuit, we may use evidence gathered from the scene of your accident, results of our investigation, your medical records, and expert opinions to prove the cause of the wreck. Some possible truck accident 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 may violate their duties of care. Often, they are found to be at least partially at fault when an accident occurs.
Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Has Won Several Multi-Million-Dollar Settlements
Our team has more than 100 years of combined experience that we are ready to put to work for you. Our financial recoveries for clients include:
- A $7,000,000 judgment for an injured 18-wheeler driver
- A $2,700,000 settlement for an 18-wheeler accident victim
- A $1,800,000 settlement for an 18-wheeler accident victim
- A $1,750,000 trial verdict for an 18-wheeler accident victim
- A $1,000,000 settlement for 18-wheeler accident victims
Many personal injury cases 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 a truck accident in Lafayette, we can help.
Various Types of Negligence Can Lead to Truck Accidents
Commercial truck accidents can happen under many different circumstances.
Understanding the nature of these accidents can be helpful when pursuing a compensation case. Once we determine how negligence played a part in your Lafayette truck accident, we will gather evidence for your case. Truck accident types for which we seek compensation are:
- Rear-end collisions: Rear-end collisions happen when a truck strikes the rear-end of the vehicle in front of it. This usually happens when the truck driver follows another vehicle too closely or speeds.
- Wide-turn accidents: Commercial trucks require a much larger turn radius than other vehicles. When these vehicles turn wide, they can strike other vehicles nearby.
- Head-on collisions: These accidents occur when the front end of a truck strikes the front of another vehicle. They may occur on one-way roads, in parking lots, or in dangerous weather conditions with low visibility.
- Jackknife accidents: Jackknife accidents get their name from the shape of a commercial truck when it loses control. These accidents occur when a truck folds in on itself like a folding knife before sliding sideways.
Side-impact accidents: A side-impact accident happens when a commercial truck strikes the side of another vehicle. This can happen at intersections or when a vehicle travels parallel to a commercial vehicle.
Sharing Fault in a Truck Accident
Some jurisdictions bar an injured party from pursuing compensation if they share in the fault for an accident. This is not the case in Lafayette.
You can pursue financial compensation following a truck accident, even if you are partially at fault. Our lawyers can help you better understand your rights when you contact us.
Call Our Team Today to Start Building Your Lafayette Truck Accident Case
Facing the prospect of long-term health consequences following a truck accident is never easy. While financial compensation cannot undo the fact of your accident, it could provide support that makes it easier to cope with your injuries.
If you or a loved one suffered an injury in a truck accident in Lafayette, Louisiana, Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers is ready to assist you. Call us today for a free consultation about hiring a Lafayette truck accident lawyer.
Call or text (337) 777-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
