Need an Injury Lawyer for a Louisiana Truck Accident?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) records information on truck accidents in Louisiana every year to compile what types of truck accidents are most prevalent and how many people have lost their lives in these accidents. Here are some facts that you need to know about truck accidents in Louisiana: Trucks that were pulling a trailer accounted for 64% of fatal accidents. Between 1990-2011, there were over 50,000 fatal crashes involving trucks.
Every year, people lose their lives in these accidents and much more walk away with serious injuries that could leave a lasting impact on an individual. There are many unique dangers in truck accidents, which is why you should always be prepared if one of these catastrophic and horrifying accidents happens to you and has an effect on your life. We are here to help you if you have been involved in a Louisiana truck accident, to guide you into the filing process, to name the defendants in your case, to compensate for damages you deserve most. Let us help you every step of the way.
Why These Accidents Occur
Sometimes, it all boils down to negligence in truck accident cases. What many people fail to realize is that there is a huge difference when it comes to comparing commercial trucks and passenger vehicles. Your average motor vehicle is somewhere around 4,000 pounds, while a truck can reach 80,000 pounds or more. Catastrophic results occur when you combine a truck and passenger vehicle coming at each other at high speeds. It is nearly impossible for a driver to walk away with a few injuries.
Many of the accidents that occur every year happen due to very common reasons. For instance, some truck drivers do not abide by the hours of service regulations put in place for them, which means that they skip out on resting time and attempt to drive more hours than the law allows them to. This could result in drowsy driving, and a driver could very easily fall asleep at the wheel or lose control in a moment of sleepiness. In other cases, truck drivers drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, especially sleep-suppressing drugs that help them stay awake, some of which are illegal. There are many driver errors that occur every year in these accidents, such as driving aggressively, merging in front of other vehicles, speeding, or making wide turns that the truck can’t handle. In other cases, a driver may not have been adequately trained for the job.
Who is Liable for Truck Accidents?
Perhaps the first assumption you made after your truck accident is that the driver is always responsible for your injuries. However, this is not always the case. Though a truck driver’s negligence could lead to liability, there are a variety of other parties who could be named in one of these cases. Some of the most common defendants include the person who loaded the truck, the trucking company that failed to adequately hire truck drivers, a manufacturer of truck parts, mechanics who played a role in working on the truck, and more. You should always name every party involved in your accident, which could lead to an investigation in your case. Information is stored within data in many trucks, as well as kept on file – but you have to receive this data as quickly as possible before it disappears forever.
When you hold certain parties liable, you could be entitled to damages under the law. It is not uncommon for drivers involved in these accidents to sustain physical and emotional suffering, disfigurement and scarring, loss of enjoyment of life, lost income from missed work, and medical bills that seem to go through the roof. You don’t want to miss out on the compensation you deserve, so act quickly to receive every bit of compensation that is owed to you. Let us help you every step of the way in your truck accident case.