An 18-wheeler truck accident can leave you with catastrophic injuries. While each accident differs, you may have a right to compensation for your damages, including medical costs, lost wages, and emotional trauma. If you lost a loved one, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim.
No one should pay out of pocket for expenses that result due to an accident beyond their control. If this happened to you, reach out to a Lafayette truck accident lawyer to discuss your situation.
You Could Recover Enough Damages to Pay Your Medical Bills
Victims injured in truck accidents can seek to hold the liable party accountable for the expenses that follow. A lawyer from our firm’s Lafayette office can review an 18-wheeler accident and determine how much compensation could be recovered. They would first have to consider the severity of one’s injuries and property damage before establishing a value for the case. The future costs from the accident can also be included in the value of the case.
Recoverable economic damages can include but are not limited to:
- Medical and treatment costs
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Long-term care
- Lost wages, bonuses
- Reduced earning capacity
- Vehicle repair or replacement
Non-Economic Damages
Recoverable non-economic damages, which do not have a dollar value, include but are not limited to:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Loss of companionship
Because non-economic damages do not have a dollar figure, they can be difficult to prove. Our lawyer can calculate these losses accurately and add that number to the total figure for economic losses. This total would be how much the case is worth and what our attorney will ask the liable party for in a settlement.
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.
ClientFiling a Wrongful Death Claim
While no amount of money can replace your loved one, compensation may help ease your financial burden.
Some expenses for which you may qualify include:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Lingering medical debt
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of inheritance
- Emotional trauma
- Pain and suffering
After a free evaluation of your case, our legal team can determine your losses that qualify for compensation from a liable party. We will handle all communications with all parties in your case and negotiate for a fair settlement from the insurance company. If we don’t reach a settlement on your behalf, we could take your case to court to seek a verdict award. Call a Lafayette personal injury lawyer today to schedule your free consultation.
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 | ClientWe Take 18-Wheeler Accidents Seriously, and Our Results Reflect This
Our 18-wheeler case results show how serious we are about fighting for our injured clients injured in these kinds of accidents. We have more than 350 years of combined experience among our attorneys, and we put that knowledge to work for those we represent, recovering more than $200 million in cash settlements and verdicts for personal injury cases. Consider just some of our results:
- $7 million judgment for an injured 18-wheeler driver
- $2.7 million settlement for an 18-wheeler accident victim
- $1.8 million settlement for an 18-wheeler accident victim
We work to protect the rights of victims while seeking to get them fair compensation that can help them recover from their accident. We offer free consultations to prospective clients who are interested in hiring legal representation for their cases.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientWe Can Start Working on Your Case Now with no Upfront Payment
Concerns about how much it costs to hire a lawyer stop many people from getting the legal help that could help them make their case. Our payment arrangement addresses those concerns. We are a contingency firm, meaning that we receive payment if you win a settlement or court award.
We require no upfront fees to start working on your case. You pay us only if you win. If you do not receive compensation, then you don’t pay us for our services. We can answer your questions or address any concerns you have during a free consultation.
They treated us like no other people would. Whenever we needed something they were there for us. I put my trust in them and I don’t regret it.
ClientYour Case Must Meet the Statute of Limitations Deadlines
If you want to seek legal action, keep an eye on the calendar. The statute of limitations in Louisiana generally allows you to bring a personal injury case two years starting from the date of your accident, per CC 3493.1. To pursue a wrongful death action, you have two years, per CC §2315.2. We ensure your legal action is filed on time. If you miss these deadlines, you may forfeit your chance to recover compensation.
How We Prove Negligence in 18-Wheeler Truck Accident Claims
One of our lawyer’s main responsibilities is to establish who is responsible for your 18-wheeler truck accident and how we can prove that they acted negligently by causing it. Parties that could be held liable in your truck accident include:
- The truck driver who hit you
- The trucking company or the driver’s employer
- The person or company that owns the truck involved in your accident
- The repair shop responsible for maintaining the truck
- The manufacturer of the truck and/or its parts
- The company or workers responsible for packing and securing the truck’s cargo
These are just some of the parties that could be held liable. We will investigate your case and review the evidence available to make your case, including police reports, medical reports, photos, video, and witness statements.
The Four Elements of Negligence We Need to Prove
To successfully pursue your case for negligence, your legal team will need to prove the presence of these four elements:
- Duty of care: Whenever a driver gets behind the wheel, they automatically assume a responsibility to not cause reasonable harm to others.
- Breach of duty of care: By performing negligent behaviors, such as distracted driving, we may show that the driver violated their duty of care.
- Causation: Your legal team must prove that, as a result of the other party’s actions, your otherwise avoidable accident occurred.
- Damages: Finally, we must demonstrate that because of your accident, you suffer a physical, emotional, or financial strain. To prove this, we may use medical receipts, bills from your mechanics, and other relevant documents to show how you have suffered from the collision.
Showcasing these four factors can prove challenging. Having to do all this legwork may take your focus off recovering from your injuries. We can represent you and handle this task for you. We aim to use solid evidence to show how these elements influenced your accident and caused you undue stress.
18-Wheeler Truck Drivers Have More Responsibility Than Your Average Driver
Louisiana law requires all drivers of these types of large trucks to carry a commercial driver’s license (CDL). When the motorist of an 18-wheeler engages in risky driving behaviors, they place everyone around them at risk for serious harm due to the size of their truck.
Dangerous Behaviors You Can Sue for That Lead to 18-wheeler Truck Accidents
Companies sometimes pay truck drivers per mile, meaning that the faster they reach their destination, the sooner they can begin their next delivery. These tight schedules may influence a trucker to take dangerous risks. Dangerous behaviors for 18-wheeler truck drivers include:
- Distracted driving, such as texting, can seriously impair reaction time
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Aggressive driving
- Drowsy driving
- Speeding
- Carrying an excessive cargo load
- Failure to drive defensively
When the truck driver takes their eyes off the road even for a second, the results can be disastrous for not only themselves but for other motorists. Truckers must employ specialized driving skills to ensure safe travel for themselves and other motorists. If a trucking company does not train and certify its drivers, or if it fails to follow the state’s weight restrictions on cargo, it provides the opportunity for accidents to occur on the roads.
When we investigate the cause of your accident, we take all these factors into consideration. A Lafayette 18-wheeler lawyer may investigate the last time the truck underwent maintenance repairs, check the trucker’s logbook, and interview eyewitnesses to build an account of what happened. The last thing you want to do while recovering from your injuries is trying to decide how to investigate your own accident.
How Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Can Work Toward Resolving Your Claim
The impact of a crash from an 18-wheeler truck can leave you not only injured but anxious about your future. Injuries sustained in an accident may result in long-term medical conditions that do not display any symptoms immediately after the accident.
Insurance company representatives may contact you soon after the accident in the hopes of settling the claim quickly. Accepting or signing any paperwork regarding compensation can prevent you from seeking additional funds if other costs arise in the future. Legal representation may help you obtain fair compensation.
Sometimes, we resolve a claim without having to bring it to court, but we understand that negotiations do not always allow for this kind of resolution. If this is the case for your situation, we have no problem going before a judge and jury.
An Attorney From our Firm Will do Everything Possible to Protect Your Best Interests
As your legal team, our 18-wheeler accident attorneys may represent you in negotiations with insurance companies. Knowing that you have someone on your side protecting your interests may help relieve you of the legal burden as you focus on your recovery. We encourage you to get medical help for your injuries and then consider calling us to discuss your case.
If you sustained injuries in a collision involving an 18-wheeler in Lafayette, we want to help. Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers at (337) 777-7777 as soon as possible for a free case evaluation.
