In many situations, truck accidents can be more serious than other vehicular accidents. Trucks and freight trailers are often much larger than the average passenger car, resulting in potentially more damaging injuries and property damage.
Anyone involved in such an accident in Louisiana may benefit from contacting a Marksville truck accident lawyer. Skilled attorneys could review your personal injury case to see if you could collect damages from your accident. If so, they could outline your best possible legal options and help you decide how best to proceed.
How Truck Accidents Happen in Marksville
Accidents involving commercial trucks or trailers often arise in different situations than those involving ordinary passenger vehicles. Commercial trucks are usually larger and heavier than passenger cars and may cause accidents in any of the following situations:
- Side-impact crashes, especially in passing lanes
- Rear-end crashes, especially in highway on-ramps and off-ramps
- Crashes due to disabled trucks or trailers
Side-impact crashes may occur when a passenger car attempts to pass a commercial truck. Many such trucks have blind spots along the side or rear of the vehicle, raising the potential for accidents.
Additionally, commercial trucks may rear-end passenger vehicles on highway or freeway ramps. Since these trucks are longer and larger than the average car, they often have an increased stopping distance. In many crashes, commercial trucks do not stop in time for the passenger car ahead of them, causing a potentially deadly crash.
Finally, truck accidents may stem from broken or disabled trucks that may be blocking roadways. In these situations, the disabled truck is both a visual and physical hazard, increasing the potential for additional incidents to occur.
For a free legal consultation with a truck accident lawyer serving Marksville, call (318) 777-7777
Collecting Damages for Truck Accident Injuries
Someone injured in any of the aforementioned situations may be able to collect damages for injuries or property damage caused by the accident in question. For example, victims may be able to recover compensation for any of their out-of-pocket medical expenses, such as doctor’s visits. Additionally, they could recover compensation for the repair costs to their vehicle.
In some instances, due to the large size and weight of commercial trucks, an individual’s car is totaled beyond repair. In these cases, a plaintiff may be able to receive the fair market value of their car. A Marksville truck accident lawyer could provide additional guidance on the types of damages that an accident victim could collect in any given case.
Multiple Defendants
Truck accident victims may be able to file a lawsuit against multiple defendants, including the driver of the truck, the company that employed that driver, and the company responsible for truck maintenance. All these parties may be partially responsible for a truck accident, especially in accidents that result from more than one cause.
For example, a truck accident victim may be able to sue the truck driver if they were disobeying traffic rules or speeding. The accident may also have been caused or made worse by overloading and improper maintenance of the truck. In these situations, the accident victim may be able to sue the company that owns the truck, as well as the company responsible for maintaining the truck.
Marksville Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me (318) 777-7777
Avoyelles Parish Truck Accident Lawyer
Responsible Parties in an Avoyelles Parish Truck Collision
There is no formula to determine who is responsible for a truck accident. In fact, in many cases, a series of mistakes or defects might be responsible for a collision with an 18-wheeler. No matter how many parties are potentially responsible, an Avoyelles Parish truck accident attorney has the power to file a lawsuit and seek compensation against all of them.
The Driver
In many cases, a truck accident will occur due to the negligence of the truck driver. A truck driver owes a duty to obey traffic laws, and a failure to do so may constitute negligence. Traveling at high speeds, failing to signal lane changes, and refusing to yield to oncoming traffic are all common negligent acts that can lead to a collision.
The Trucking Company
As the employer of the driver, the trucking company may also be at fault for an accident in some cases. If employees of the trucking company negligently loaded the trailer or failed to properly maintain the vehicle, for example, the company could be held responsible.
State or Local Governments
Some trucking accidents are due to problems with the highway itself. These errors can come from the design, construction, or maintenance of the highways. For example, road defects can include turns that are too tight or too steep. Damaged highways that were not repaired in a timely manner could also lead to accidents.
Out of Court Settlements
Many truck accident claims conclude through a negotiated settlement between an injury victim and the insurance company for the responsible driver. These settlements can occur at any point in the case. While some cases settle long before a lawsuit is ever filed, others are not resolved until the day of trial.
When a case does not settle, it will ultimately be decided at trial. In most cases, that means a jury will determine who is responsible for the accident and if any compensation is necessary. An Avoyelles tractor-trailer accident attorney could provide valuable insight into whether a settlement offer is fair or if the case should proceed to court.
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A Marksville Truck Accident Attorney Is Available to Assist
Truck accidents are often different from the average vehicular accident involving passenger cars. They typically involve more serious injuries and higher amounts of property damage, including totaled vehicles.
In many situations, however, truck accident victims may be able to recover damages to help pay any medical expenses or car repair costs. If you need additional information on your legal options, contact a Marksville truck accident lawyer today to schedule a consultation. An attorney who is familiar with truck accident situations could advise you on the best possible legal options for your specific case.
Call or text (318) 777-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
