Heavy construction vehicles like dump trucks take longer to stop than passenger cars, which can lead to serious accidents. In the event of a collision, the immense size and weight of a dump truck can lead to devastating property damage and severe injuries. Furthermore, dump truck accidents may involve falling debris.
If you or a loved one was hurt in a dump truck crash, you may be concerned about how to handle mounting medical bills, and insurance companies may be pressuring you to accept an unfair settlement offer. Thankfully, a personal injury attorney could help.
A Lafayette dump truck accident lawyer could fight tirelessly to protect your interests in negotiations with insurance adjusters and even in court, if necessary. Call today to schedule a case review and begin fighting for the compensation you deserve.
Dump Truck Accident Scenarios
Dump truck accidents can result in any of the same injuries as regular car crashes, from soft tissue injuries to paralysis to death. However, due to a dump truck’s extreme mass, these wrecks are often especially severe. Other factors such as the dump truck’s speed and the collision’s location could also significantly affect the outcome.
The cargo inside the dump truck could also impact the case. What a dump truck was carrying and how it was loaded may need to be investigated. For example, if falling debris caused serious injuries, a truck accident attorney may want to investigate whether the materials were properly secured.
A lawyer may also want to see the construction company’s maintenance records to ensure the truck was properly cared for. For example, if the truck needed repairs, its mechanical condition may have put other drivers in danger. This could be valuable evidence during settlement negotiations or in trial.
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When to Call a Dump Truck Accident Lawyer for Help
It can be difficult to know when to contact a dump truck accident lawyer in Lafayette for help. When you are still recuperating from your injuries, pursuing a civil lawsuit or insurance claim may be the furthest thing from your mind.
However, when you are lying in your hospital bed, wondering what your next steps should be, consider asking yourself the following two questions:
- Is someone else responsible for causing my accident or injuries?
- Will the accident or my injuries significantly impact my life?
If the answer to both of these questions is or could be yes, then it may be in your best interest to review the details of your case with an attorney. Consulting with Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers is free. You can find out what legal options are available to you when you contact our office to discuss your damages further.
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Liability for Dump Truck Accidents in Lafayette
One of the most important responsibilities your attorney will have is establishing liability. One of the few ways many injury victims can recover compensation for their injuries is by pursuing an insurance claim or civil action against the liable party in their case.
Although it may seem clear who is responsible for causing your accident, especially if a dump truck struck you, you may be surprised to learn that multiple parties could share liability for your dump truck accident injuries. Some of these parties could include:
- A reckless or negligent dump truck driver
- The owner of the dump truck
- The company employing the dump truck driver
- A dump truck manufacturer
- A dump truck parts designer
- A motor vehicle distributor
- The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LaDOTD)
- A municipality
- Another government agency
- A safety inspectors
- Another dump truck company employee
- A dump truck company maintenance tech
Only an in-depth analysis of the details of your case will reveal the evidence needed to prove liability in your case. Your lawyer will be responsible for proving that the elements of negligence have been met; the liable party owed you a duty of care and breached that duty of care, thereby causing you to suffer damages that have adversely impacted your life.
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How Does Shared Fault Affect Your Lafayette Dump Truck Accident Claim?
Many dump truck accident victims in Lafayette are hesitant to contact a lawyer about pursuing their case. This is partly because they believe sharing fault for their injuries means they are not entitled to compensation. However, under Louisiana CC Art. 2323, the state follows a comparative negligence system.
This means you are not barred from recovering compensation for sharing fault for your injuries. However, your injury settlement will be reduced accordingly. If you were found to be, say, 25% liable for causing your dump truck accident or injuries, your injury settlement will then be reduced by 25%.
Even sharing a small amount of liability can have a dramatic impact on the amount you can collect in your Lafayette dump truck accident claim. Your attorney will be by your side to ensure that liability is fairly evaluated in your case.
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Dump Truck Accident Damages
After a dump truck accident, victims may be eligible to recover compensation for the same types of damages as in other personal injury cases. This includes general damages, such as pain and suffering, scarring, and loss of enjoyment of life. General damages, or non-economic damages, can be difficult to quantify, but a personal injury attorney could help you calculate a fair value.
A claimant may also be entitled to recover hard or special damages, also known as economic damages. These damages consist of easily quantifiable expenses such as past and future lost wages and medical expenses.
Get Help from a Lafayette Dump Truck Accident Attorney
After a dump truck accident, you may be unsure where to turn. You may have extensive property damage, serious injuries, and mounting medical bills. Thankfully, compensation may be available with the help of a personal injury attorney.
Consider seeking help from a Lafayette dump truck accident attorney at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers. Your lawyer could be an ally and advocate at every step of your case, from initial negotiations with insurers to final settlement discussions or even a trial. Call (337) 777-7777 today to receive a free consultation.
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