What Does a Truck Accident Lawyer Do?
A truck accident lawyer investigates collisions, determines liability, adheres to regulations, negotiates with insurance companies, and pursues fair compensation for victims. If you were involved in a collision, a Lafayette truck accident lawyer can help.
Truck accidents are among the more devastating types of motor vehicle collisions because they often cause physical injuries, emotional turmoil, and property damage. In some cases, they even result in fatalities.
When accidents like these occur, victims and their families often face overwhelming medical bills, lost wages, and cognitive distress. If this sounds like a situation you’re currently facing, don’t hesitate to contact an attorney as soon as possible.
The Unique Challenges of Truck Accident Cases
Truck accidents differ significantly from standard car accidents. The sheer size and weight of commercial trucks alone can lead to more catastrophic damage than other types of collisions. Plus, there are often multiple parties who were involved, which complicates liability.
However, a truck accident lawyer with experience is equipped to handle these challenges. That way, they can ensure that victims like you are not left to deal with the aftermath alone.
What Do Truck Accident Lawyers Do?
Here’s what a truck accident lawyer can do for you:
- Investigate the accident
- Gather reliable evidence
- Analyze the crash scene
- Review the truck’s black box data
- Obtain maintenance records
- Request driver logs
- Identify liability and prove fault
- Communicate with insurance companies
- Negotiate settlements
- Avoid lowball offers
- File claims against multiple policies
- Recover damages and compensation
- File a lawsuit on your behalf
- Build a compelling case
- Advocate for you
- Provide you with support and guidance
- Answer all of your questions
- Offer emotional support for you and your loved ones
Do You Need a Lawyer After Getting Into a Truck Accident?
You do not legally need to hire a Lafayette truck accident attorney, but if you are interested in successfully pursuing compensation, a lawyer is the way to go. After all, truck accidents often involve many local considerations that you might not think of on your own.
A lawyer who is familiar with the area offers a few specific advantages:
- Adherence to and knowledge of local laws
- Familiarity with comparative fault rules and other state-specific regulations
- Thorough understanding of local courts
- Pre-existing relationships with judges and court staff
- Community connections and access to professionals
Statute of Limitations for Truck Accident Cases
The statute of limitations for truck accident cases in Louisiana is now two years for incidents that took place after July 1, 2024. For collisions before this date, the statute of limitations is one year.
Either way, the statute of limitations begins on the date you sustained your injuries. This means that if you were involved in a truck accident, you have 12 months or 24 months to file a lawsuit against the responsible party, depending on the day the collision occurred.
If you miss this deadline, you could lose your right to seek compensation for your injuries or damages entirely. You must be aware of this time limit because the clock starts ticking immediately after the incident, regardless of when you realize the extent of your injuries.
What Type of Compensation Can a Lafayette Truck Accident Attorney Recover for You?
We have mentioned that a lawyer can help you recover compensation for your injuries and the damages you sustained after the collision. But what form does this type of compensation take? For starters, victims may be entitled to recover compensation for two types of damages:
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover tangible financial losses, such as medical expenses for immediate and ongoing treatment, rehabilitation costs, property damage, and lost income due to missed work. Victims might also be able to claim reduced earning capacity.
This is reserved for those whose injuries prevent them from returning to their previous place of employment or earning at the same level. These damages aim to alleviate the financial burden caused by the accident and restore stability to the victim’s life.
Non-Economic Damages
On the other hand, non-economic damages address the emotional and psychological toll of the accident. They provide compensation for things like pain and suffering, emotional distress, or loss of enjoyment of life.
Contact a Lafayette Truck Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, don’t try to deal with the aftermath all by yourself. Instead, contact our Lafayette truck accident law firm to set up a consultation. Let us handle the legal side of your case so that you can focus on healing and rebuilding your life.
At the law firm of Laborde Earles, we have over 350 years of combined experience. With that, we’ve recovered over $1 billion for our clients in 30+ years of business, and we want to do the same for you. Reach out to us today to see how we can help you.