After being affected by a life-altering truck accident, you may be contemplating your next steps. Truck collision cases present unique challenges due to the severe injuries and complex liability issues they cause. Victims of these devastating crashes are strongly advised to seek legal advice.
If you or a family member has been injured in a collision with a large truck, a New Iberia truck accident lawyer from Laborde Earles could help you pursue financial compensation. If you believe someone else was responsible for the crash, we can evaluate your case and advise you on your next steps.
Contact our personal injury team for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Some of the Truck Accidents We Handle
Truck collisions can be devastating and lead to serious injuries or even death. There are many types of commercial trucks, and each variety has its own unique set of risks and potential for harm.
Our truck accident attorneys in New Iberia handle all types of commercial vehicle accidents.
Truck collision cases we represent regularly include the following:
- Eighteen-wheeler accidents: Large commercial trucks, also known as semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and 18-wheelers, can cause significant damage due to their size and weight. A collision with a large truck often devastates the occupants of small passenger vehicles.
- Dump truck accidents: Trucks transporting large amounts of loose material, such as dirt, gravel, and sand, can be difficult to maneuver and cause serious damage in a crash. Spills from dump trucks can be disastrous for others in the vicinity.
- Tow truck accidents: Trucks used to transport disabled vehicles are much smaller than semis but can still be dangerous when not operated correctly. Tow truck drivers must adhere to strict regulations to ensure the safety of other motorists.
- Delivery truck accidents: Commercial trucks of all shapes and sizes transport goods and materials from one place to another. Unstable cargo loads can make these delivery trucks difficult to maneuver, leading to accidents.
- Fatal truck accidents: Sadly, many truck accident victims do not survive. You may be eligible for a wrongful death claim or lawsuit if you recently lost a loved one in a fatal truck accident.
If you were injured or a loved one passed away, contact our law firm for a free case evaluation.
For a free legal consultation with a truck accident lawyer serving New Iberia, call (337)-547-2777
Recovering Damages After a Truck Wreck
When you or someone you love suffers an injury in a truck collision, an experienced truck accident attorney in New Iberia can help you recover compensation for your losses.
Medical Costs
Your healthcare costs will continue to accumulate until your recovery is complete. When we assign a value to your lawsuit, we include every compensable medical expense, including:
- Ambulance fees
- Emergency room fees
- Hospital stays
- Prescription medications
- Assistive medical devices
- Travel expenses
- Various out-of-pocket costs
Other Losses
In addition to your existing and anticipated medical expenses, the at-fault driver should compensate you for your current and future income loss. In addition, we could fight for the recovery of:
- Vehicle damage.
- Physical pain and suffering.
- Physical disfigurement.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
A truck accident attorney in New Iberia could help you pursue the above damages and possibly others, depending on the severity of your injuries and the circumstances of the crash.
New Iberia Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me (337)-547-2777
Proving What Caused Your Truck Accident
While filing a crash report is not always mandatory, it is always a good idea. RS Art. 32:398 requires reporting a truck collision that caused injuries, fatal injuries, or property damage exceeding $500. If someone called 911 and an officer showed up, they likely filed a report.
When our team gets a copy of your crash report, we will review it to:
- Find key contact details.
- Comply with the statute of limitations.
- Define accident causes and contributing factors.
If the collision was caused by impaired or distracted driving, driver fatigue, or mechanical failure, we might find proof of these details in the accident report. Once we determine what caused the crash, we can identify the liable party or parties.
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Determining Liability in a Truck Collision
When an auto accident involves a commercial truck, it is important to identify all liable parties to ensure that the victims receive maximum compensation. Multiple parties may be held responsible for a collision and its resulting damages. These may include:
The driver: The first party we look at is the truck driver. The driver may have been negligent in operating the vehicle, such as driving while distracted or tired.
The trucking company: The driver’s employer may be liable for your damages if they failed to maintain the truck properly or did not provide adequate training to its drivers. Vicarious liability may also come into play, meaning the company could be held responsible for an employee’s actions while they were on the clock.
A third party: Sometimes, a third party is to blame. This party could be a manufacturer of defective parts or a company that improperly loaded cargo onto the truck.
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we understand the complexities of truck accident cases and are dedicated to helping victims recover the compensation they are owed.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Compiling and Organizing Your Evidence
Our investigative team and the team representing the other driver rely on the evidence to understand the cause of a car-versus-truck collision. To support your right to financial recovery, the evidence we ask for may include the following:
- Medical records and bills
- Written prognosis reports
- Proof of lost income
- Physical evidence from the scene
- Crash report
- Witness statements
- Photos and video footage
A complete evidence file tells the story of your entire ordeal. We may request some of these items from you and others from their respective sources.
If your injuries prevent you from participating in your case, or if you need assistance obtaining any of the evidence or documents we request from you, we can help. Do not hesitate to ask for assistance from our client-focused, responsive team members.
Telling the Story of Your Accident
Photos and videos enhance your evidence file and prove your accident’s severity. To create an accurate depiction of what happened, take or obtain the following pictures, where possible:
- Pictures of your injuries at various stages of recovery.
- Photos of your vehicle from various angles.
- Pictures of the accident scene and the truck.
Please provide photos of your vehicle before the collision to prove its pre-accident condition. If you can take pictures, get some indicating vehicle paint transfer and impact points.
If we get involved in your case early and conduct our own investigation, we could also locate residential, commercial, and dashcam video footage. We are committed to helping our clients prove their cases and will leave no stone unturned.
Negotiating With the Insurance Company
We want you to understand your legal rights and options after being injured in a truck wreck in Louisiana. You can negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement, or you may need to file a lawsuit against the responsible party.
When dealing with an insurance adjuster, it is best to let an experienced attorney do the talking. Our team has the knowledge and resources to negotiate a fair settlement for you or bring a lawsuit.
Keeping up with a personal injury claim can be overwhelming and confusing, and we’re here to help. Contact our law office today to find out how one of our personal injury attorneys can help with your truck accident case.
Filing a Lawsuit within Louisiana’s Statute of Limitations
Your personal injury lawsuit has a statute of limitations, or deadline, for filing. You might lose your right to compensation if you wait until the statute of limitations expires. Depending on the consequences of your accident, you may need to comply with one of the following deadlines:
- The personal injury statute of limitations is generally one year from the date of the accident, according to CC Art. 3492.
- The wrongful death statute of limitations is generally one year from the date of your loved one’s death, according to CC Art. 2315.2.
Other circumstances surrounding your accident might mean additional deadlines apply to your case. For example, if the truck that hit you was a municipal vehicle, you might be required to make specific notifications to the appropriate governmental body.
Our legal team can help you meet every relevant deadline, so you don’t jeopardize your rights.
Have Your Case Reviewed by a New Iberia, LA, Truck Accident Attorney
If you or someone you love was injured in a collision with a large truck, the physical and mental recovery process should be your primary focus. If your injuries are extensive, they may prevent you from seeking compensation on your own and within the statute of limitations.
Eliminate these worries and leave your case to us. When you reach out to Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, our New Iberia, LA, truck accident lawyers are ready to fight by your side. Call now or contact us online to schedule a free legal consultation.
Call or text (337)-547-2777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
