According to RS § 32:398, after a truck accident in Lafayette, you should take these important steps:
- Move your vehicle out of the flow of traffic, if possible.
- Call the police and emergency medical help to the scene.
- Give your name, driver’s license, contact information, and vehicle registration information to the police and to the other involved driver.
- Complete and file a crash report.
These steps are required by law if anyone involved in the accident was injured, fatally injured, or sustained more than $500 in damage to their vehicle. You may also want to contact a law firm. An attorney can help you determine what you should do after a truck accident to preserve your ability to seek financial compensation from the at-fault party.
Your Crash Report Is Important Evidence
When you call the police to the scene of your truck accident, they gather important information that your lawyer could use when putting together a compensation claim or lawsuit for you. The case-building information your legal team might pull from your crash report includes:
- Contact information for the truck driver
- Contact information for the driver’s employer
- The truck’s make, model, and manufacturer
- Witness observations and contact information
- Date, time, location, and road information
- Any citations issued to the truck driver
- Any distractions or involvement with alcohol or drugs
Your crash report might be particularly important if your injuries prevent you from recalling all the details of your accident or fully participating in your legal team’s investigation into the collision.
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Involve a Truck Accident Legal Team Immediately
The physical damage created by a collision with a large truck might take significant recovery time. A truck accident may also create significant financial damage due to medical bills, loss of income, and additional expenses. The sooner you contact a Lafayette law firm after the accident, the better.
Early intervention is important because CC Art. 3492 typically gives you one year to file a lawsuit for financial compensation. When a legal team gets involved in your truck accident lawsuit early, they can help to ensure compliance with the statute of limitations.
In addition to meeting the required timeline, early intervention can also allow your legal team to take additional steps on your behalf. For example, early witness interviews could reveal important information. A longer investigation might also help your legal team uncover time-sensitive evidence, including dashcam, smartphone, and residential and commercial surveillance footage.
Identify the At-Fault Party in Your Truck Accident
A collision between a smaller vehicle and a large truck might have various causes, from internal or external pressure to meet unrealistic delivery deadlines to driver inattention due to distractions.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) research, other commonly reported factors that lead to truck accidents include unstable cargo loads, undesirable road and weather conditions, and driver inexperience or inadequate training.
By determining whether the accident was caused by faulty tires, driver error, or a vehicle’s design, uncovering the cause of your accident can help your legal team accurately assign fault. Once negligence and fault are assigned, your lawyer will help you calculate your financial damages.
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Assess Your Recoverable Damages
You may be entitled to specific types and amounts of monetary compensation after a truck accident in Lafayette. According to CC Art. 2315, you may be able to recover the following financial damages:
- Emergency, current, and future medical bills
- Wage, salary, and other accident-related income loss
- Repair or replacement value of your damaged vehicle
- Physical pain and suffering and lasting disfigurement
- Mental distress and emotional trauma
This list is only a guideline. You may have recoverable expenses and losses that are not included here.
When a lawyer works with you to create a list of your financial damages, they may ask you for documents, receipts, and other forms of proof that establish the extent of your financial damage. Your lawyer can use the value of your lawsuit to negotiate a financial settlement with the at-fault party or their insurer.
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Get Legal Help After a Truck Accident
If you or someone you love was injured in a truck accident, Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers could help you seek financial compensation to pay your medical expenses and other damages. You can concentrate on your physical recovery while we focus on building an effective lawsuit on your behalf.
When you are ready to find out what you should do after a truck accident to ensure you are able to seek compensation, our team is here to advocate for you. Contact the client support team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers by calling (337) 777-7777 today.
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