Dump trucks are heavy vehicles even when they are not hauling a load in their dump bed. Because of their massive size and weight, these crashes can cause devastating injuries. A Lake Charles truck accident lawyer from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers could seek compensation on your behalf while you focus on recovery.
Proving Liability for Your Dump Truck Accident
Even if it should be obvious that the other driver should pay compensation for the harm you suffered, Louisiana law requires that we prove all four of the following elements before we can hold that person accountable for your losses.
A Lake Charles personal injury lawyer from our team will prove the following elements to establish negligence:
- The at-fault driver must have had a legal duty toward you. Usually, this element is easy to establish because everyone who drives a motor vehicle on public roads must follow traffic laws.
- The defendant must have breached their legal duty. For example, let’s say the dump truck driver was running behind schedule and tried to make up time by speeding. Exceeding the posted speed limit or driving too fast for the conditions is negligence.
- Negligence must get combined with causation to hold the party liable. In other words, mere carelessness is not enough if that negligent conduct did not cause the collision that injured you. On the other hand, if the breach of duty caused the wreck, the driver can be liable. In our scenario, we will assume that the dump truck driver collided with your vehicle because they were speeding.
- Quantifiable losses. After establishing the duty, negligence, and causation issues, you must also have measurable damages before pursuing compensation from the at-fault party. Physical injuries satisfy this element.
When we establish all four of these factors, we can pursue a claim for monetary damages from the defendant. Again, a dump truck accident lawyer in Lake Charles, LA, can explain how these factors would be relevant in your injury case.
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.
ClientCommon Damages Victims Suffer in Dump Truck Accidents
We would have to talk to you and investigate your situation before we can consider the compensation you might receive in settling your dump truck accident injury claim. We have won significant settlements and verdicts for our clients injured in collisions involving large trucks. Here are a few examples:
- $7,000,000.00 – Judgment for an injured 18-wheeler driver
- $2,700,000.00 – Settlement for an 18-wheeler accident victim
- $1,800,000.00 – Settlement for an 18-wheeler accident victim
People who suffer severe injuries in dump truck crashes tend to have one or more of the following categories of losses:
- Medical expenses. You can include the reasonable cost of the healthcare services you needed beginning with the moment of the dump truck crash. The ambulance, emergency room, hospital, doctors, surgery, blood transfusions, imaging studies like x-rays and CAT scans, physical therapy, and pain management fall within this category.
- Rehabilitation facility. People who suffer devastating wounds in dump truck collisions often need extended treatment and therapy at a specialized healthcare facility. They might receive inpatient or outpatient services for weeks or months after the accident.
- Equipment and renovations. If you had to buy equipment, like a wheelchair or adapted vehicle, as a direct result of your injuries, we might be able to include this loss in your injury claim. You may also need to make targeted renovations, like a wheelchair ramp to your home.
- Lost wages. You likely lost some time from work after getting injured. Any income you did not receive because of your recovery could add to your injury claim. This category can include hourly wages, salary, and self-employment income.
- Pain and suffering. People who suffer severe injuries from collisions with dump trucks often experience physical discomfort, inconvenience, and emotional distress in addition to their physical injuries.
A dump truck accident attorney in Lake Charles, LA, could talk with you about the types of monetary damages that might be available in your situation. Also, if your close relative lost their life because of a crash that involved a dump truck, we could pursue additional compensation for your family.
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 | ClientHow an Accident with a Dump Truck Could Impact Your Life
An accident involving a large, heavy vehicle like a dump truck could affect your life in ways far beyond the categories of monetary damages listed above. For example:
- You might have chronic pain, weakness, and decreased range of motion from your injuries long after your injuries heal. Scar tissue can be uncomfortable and restrict your movement. Many people develop arthritis at the location of fractures.
- If the insurance company declares your car a total loss, that does not mean they will give you enough compensation to replace it with a new car. In addition, the payoff amount might not even zero balance your existing auto loan.
- You might have to pay hundreds of dollars out of your pocket for the deductible on your repair bill.
- Some people find that they do not have a job to return to when they recover. So you might have to find new employment.
These are a few examples of how getting injured in a dump truck collision could change your life.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientThe Statute of Limitations for Taking Legal Action in Louisiana
Please do not wait too long to take legal action if you get injured in an accident through no fault of your own. In Louisiana, you can lose the right to compensation if you wait more than one year to file a personal injury lawsuit under CC Art. 3492 or more than one year to file a wrongful death case, according to CC Art. 2315.2.
You should reach out to an attorney for dump truck accidents well in advance of the one-year deadline because it takes time to investigate and prepare a case to file in court. If you’ve suffered injuries due to different kinds of truck accidents such as concrete trucks, our Lake Charles concrete truck accident lawyers can help you through the legal process.
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.
ClientDiscuss Your Claim with a Lake Charles Dump Truck Accident Attorney Today
Our Lake Charles dump truck accident lawyer will be happy to talk to you about your accident. Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers do not charge for initial consultations. We handle these cases on a contingency-fee-basis, which means you only pay legal fees if you receive a favorable outcome in your case.
