Trucking accidents can cause serious damages and severe injuries to those in smaller passenger cars. If you or a loved one was hurt in an accident involving a large truck, someone else could be liable for your losses, including the truck driver’s employer. You can sue a trucking company for a truck accident if their negligence contributed to your crash.
Trucking Company Liability
Large trucks can cause serious harm in the event of an accident. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), large trucks can weigh up to 30 times more than passenger cars, and a fully loaded tractor-trailer may need as much as 40 percent further distance to come to a stop.
Because of this, trucking companies need to do everything in their power to ensure that their trucks are well-maintained, their drivers drive responsibly, and their cargo is safely loaded. Failure to do so could constitute negligence.
You can sue a trucking company for a truck accident if:
- The company did not properly vet its drivers before hiring
- The company failed to properly train its drivers after hiring
- The company failed to ensure its drivers are alcohol and drug-free while driving
- The company pressured its drivers into violating the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Hours of Service Regulations
- The company violated the FMCSA’s rules regarding truck size and weight limits
Other Potentially Liable Parties
More than one party can be liable in a trucking accident. You may also have a case against the truck driver, the owner of the truck (if it is not the driver or trucking company), the entity responsible for the truck’s cargo, or even the truck’s manufacturer.
An attorney familiar with truck accident cases can help you determine all of the parties that may be financially responsible for your crash. We can make sure you pursue every avenue of compensation possible.
Our attorneys can also help you prove negligence. Let us worry about obtaining medical records, crash reports, the trucking company’s records, and other evidence. You worry about recovering from your accident.
For a free legal consultation, call 337-221-9907
If the Trucking Company Is at Fault, It Should Pay for Your Medical Treatment
Faster deliveries mean higher profits. But when trucking companies cut corners to improve their bottom line, people can get hurt. When this happens, the company should pay for your injuries.
You could be entitled to compensation for your past and future accident-related medical treatment. Severe injuries can lead to expensive medical bills and ongoing care needs. This may include:
- Diagnostic testing, such as MRIs, X-rays, and CT scans
- Surgical procedures
- Prosthetics, mobility aids, and other medical equipment
- Hospitalizations or in-patient rehabilitation
- Physical therapy
- Nursing services
- Medications
You Can Seek to Recover Your Wages and Pain and Suffering
Medical bills are only one part of the financial burden a crash can cause. Large truck accidents often leave smaller vehicles totaled. You can seek awards to pay for a replacement vehicle and compensation for any other damaged personal property.
Another significant loss may be your income. If severe injuries caused you to miss work, you can seek your back pay. You can also fight for the loss of your future earnings if you suffered an injury that leaves you unable to work.
Pain and suffering damages compensate victims for the physical, emotional, and mental anguish an accident and serious injuries can cause. You could be entitled to these awards if you suffer from chronic pain, paralysis, loss of limb, depression, stress, anxiety, or loss of enjoyment of life.
If a trucking accident resulted in your family member’s death, you can seek compensation for their final medical care. You can also pursue awards for their property damages, funeral and burial expenses, and pain and suffering. You could be eligible for compensation for the loss of their financial support and services.
Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Can Help You Fight for the Money You Need
Our trucking accident lawyers can help you fight for a settlement or verdict. We can assist you with an insurance claim against the trucking company and other liable parties. If we cannot settle your case outside of court, we can help you sue the trucking company for your truck accident. We can:
- File your claim or lawsuit
- Handle communications with all involved parties
- Gather evidence and prove fault
- Negotiate on your behalf
- Update you every step of the way
You have one year to file a personal injury lawsuit, according to CC Art. 3492. The statute of limitations is also one year for filing a wrongful death lawsuit, according to CC Art. 2315.2.
Contact Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today at (337) 777-7777. A member of our team is available to discuss your case and provide you with a free consultation.
Call or text 337-221-9907 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
