Right at the hub of I-49 and U.S. Highway 190, Opelousas and the surrounding areas see numerous 18-wheeler accidents each year. 18-wheelers are larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, often weighing upward of 26,000 pounds when fully loaded.
When these large vehicles crash, the results are often dire. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 5,000 people are killed in large truck accidents each year. Those who survive often suffer severe injuries, including lacerations, broken limbs, spinal cord damage, and traumatic brain injury.
If you or a loved one suffered severe injuries in an accident in St. Landry Parish, an Opelousas 18-wheeler accident lawyer with Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can help you pursue financial compensation for your losses.
How You Benefit From Working With an 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney From Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers
Although you can represent yourself after an 18-wheeler accident in Opelousas, you gain many benefits when you work with an attorney. A semi-truck lawyer from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can help you navigate the insurance claims process and begin filing your lawsuit within the statute of limitations.
When you work with our legal team, you can rest easy knowing that we will handle everything relating to your case. You will not have to field phone calls or respond to emails. We will take care of all communications related to your 18-wheeler accident.
As we build your case, we will gather the evidence necessary to prove your claim, including photos, videos, medical bills and records, witness statements, and expert testimony. We will submit this information along with a demand letter to the insurance company. Our skilled injury lawyers will negotiate on your behalf to obtain a reasonable settlement for all your losses.
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Losses You Could Recover After an 18-Wheeler Accident in Opelousas
When we take on an Opelousas 18-wheeler claim, we examine your case to determine all the ways your injuries affect your life. While insurance companies may offer a minimum settlement that covers some medical expenses, we know that the effects of an 18-wheeler crash are much greater.
If your 18-wheeler truck injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence, you should not have to deal with the fallout on your own. Our team will pursue economic and non-economic damages for your semi-truck accident. Depending on the severity of your injuries, such damages may include:
- Medical treatment and in-home nursing care
- Hospitalization and surgical operations
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression related to your 18-wheeler accident
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of limb
- Loss of movement due to full or partial paralysis
- Treatment for nerve damage and spinal cord injuries
- Medication and pain management
- Loss of enjoyment
- Loss of consortium
- Lost work, income, or business
In essence, you can seek compensation if your injury or treatment affects your ability to participate in work, hobbies, or other activities. If you have questions about losses you may include in your claim, speak with an Opelousas 18-wheeler accident attorney at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers to learn more.
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24 hours a day • 7 days a week
We Will Fight for Your Right to Just Compensation Following an Opelousas 18-Wheeler Accident
With more than 250 years of combined experience with Louisiana accident claims, we know exactly how complicated an 18-wheeler case can be. Our 18-wheeler accident attorneys serving Opelousas, LA will leave no stone unturned when it comes to determining fault, establishing case value, and negotiating a settlement.
Since 18-wheeler accidents tend to cause more severe injuries, settlements can be higher to cover extended medical costs and wrongful death. While we cannot guarantee a specific outcome, our team will work tirelessly to obtain the highest possible settlement or verdict for your 18-wheeler collision. Our case results show that our persistent and attentive approach is highly effective, with millions of dollars recovered on behalf of our 18-wheeler clients.
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Determining the Responsible Party After an Opelousas 18-Wheeler Crash Claim
In Louisiana, drivers must contact the local police if they were involved in a crash that caused someone’s injury or death, or over $500 worth of damage to property. The police will investigate the collision and submit a crash report to the Department of Transportation and Development within 48 hours, per Louisiana law.
The attorneys at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can use the crash report, photos of the accident scene, CCTV and dashcam footage, and witness statements to establish who was at fault for your 18-wheeler accident. Responsible parties may include:
- The 18-wheeler operator
- The 18-wheeler owner
- The trucking or shipping company
- The company responsible for the 18-wheeler’s maintenance and repairs
- A manufacturer or distributor responsible for defective 18-wheeler parts
- A third-party driver
Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Opelousas, LA
When establishing fault, our 18-wheeler accident lawyers serving Opelousas, LA look at the full picture. We use expert analysis to reconstruct the accident and establish every cause, including:
- Distracted driving, including texting, looking at phone apps, or talking on the phone while driving
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Fatigued driving, especially when truck drivers do not comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) hours of service regulations
- Speeding or driving too fast for traffic or weather conditions
- Aggressive driving, such as weaving, passing on the right, and passing too closely
- Inadequate licensing or training for commercial truck driving
- Poor road conditions, like potholes, bumps, cracks, and uneven pavement
- Inclement weather, including heavy rain, fog, snow, ice, sleet, and high winds
- Construction or obstructions in the road
Many 18-wheeler accidents can be attributed to more than one at-fault party. When we understand the cause of the accident, we can ensure that all responsible parties are held accountable.
Get The HelpYou Need(337) 777-7777To Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION
24 hours a day • 7 days a week
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Opelousas 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one suffered a severe injury in an Opelousas 18-wheeler collision, the personal injury lawyers at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can help you navigate the claims process to recover a fair settlement. Reach out to our team today for a free consultation. One of our 18-wheeler accident attorneys serving Opelousas will review your case at no cost and advise whether you have grounds to take legal action.
We handle all our 18-wheeler accident cases on a contingency basis, so if we take your case, you will not be responsible for any fees up front. Once we win your case, we will accept a portion of the settlement to cover our legal services and court costs.
Get The HelpYou Need(337) 777-7777To Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION
24 hours a day • 7 days a week
