Baton Rouge Truck Accident Attorneys

When you’ve been injured in a crash with a commercial vehicle, you need a Baton Rouge truck accident attorney who knows what you’re going through. At Dudley DeBosier, we get injured people the compensation they deserve.

Millions of big trucks share our nation’s roadways with passenger vehicles and motorcycles, often driving great distances for hours at a time which can increase the likelihood of truck accidents. Although 18-wheeler companies are expected to follow safety regulations, factors such as vehicle wear and tear and strict transport deadlines can increase the risk of serious accidents. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, trucks frequently weigh 20 to 30 times more than passenger vehicles.

Serious accidents come with significant costs—medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. When you need help after an accident, our truck accident lawyers are committed to providing unparalleled client service and legal representation so you can concentrate on getting better.

You can count on the experienced legal team at Dudley DeBosier to build a strong case on your behalf.

What Causes Truck Accidents?

We thoroughly investigate the details of your accident to prove if:

  • Trucking industry regulations were broken. Trucking companies are required to keep extensive driving logs and records. If the driver who caused the accident was not following procedure, they could be held accountable for causing the accident.
  • The truck was not maintained properly. In the event that the driver or trucking company failed to make necessary repairs to the truck that led to the accident, one or both parties may be held responsible for the accident.
  • The truck driver failed to obey traffic laws. A truck driver can be held responsible if they were speeding, failed to obey posted signs, or were driving carelessly at the time of the accident.

A thorough understanding of your accident provides our truck accident lawyers with the knowledge and resources it takes to stand up to insurance companies and get you the compensation you’re owed. We help people who have been injured in Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Lafayette, Houma, Denham Springs, or New Orleans truck accidents. Contact our team today for a free consultation.

The Importance of the Right Injury Attorney

If you were injured in a truck accident or lost someone you love due to another party’s negligence, the right attorney can help you recoup your losses. However, in many claims, the guilty party denies responsibility, leaving you in a frustrating stalemate. As such, an accident attorney with experience in the laws regarding 18-wheelers can be a significant asset, working with you to build a claim demonstrating the culpability of the party at fault in the wreck.

Building Your Personal Injury Case

As the victim in a trucking accident, demonstrating the guilt of the responsible party will be one of your lawyer’s most significant tasks. Even when the evidence is clear, the responsible party – be it the truck driver, truck owner, employer, or truck manufacturer – may still deny your personal injury claims. When this happens, your Baton Rouge truck accident attorney will get to work collecting support that can be used to irrefutably demonstrate your position, including:

  • Available camera footage
  • Witness interviews
  • Police and accident reports
  • Medical reports and doctor testimonies
  • Expert consultants

With a combination of evidence and legal knowledge, your truck accident attorney will build a case in your favor, arguing that your accident was not your fault to get you the best possible settlement.

Truck Accident Lawsuits

When you are in a wreck involving a big truck, it can feel like your entire world has changed forever. Many victims suffer serious injuries, both permanent and life threatening, like head trauma, spinal damage, broken bones, burns, and even paralysis. With a lawsuit prepared by our qualified truck accident attorneys, you can seek restitution for your injuries, recouping the necessary expenses for medical care, lost wages, and more. Depending on your circumstances, there are three major forms of lawsuits your attorney will consider: negligence, product liability, and wrongful death.

Negligence

If your accident was caused by a truck driver’s behavior, your lawyer may sue for negligence. In order to make this kind of suit successful, your lawyer will have to demonstrate that through negligent actions, the driver in question failed to act appropriately on the road, leading to injury. Common cases of negligence include:

  • Lack of experience
  • Overloaded or oversize trucks
  • Reckless driving
  • Distracted driving
  • Ignorance of traffic laws

Product Liability

If the driving habits of the driver of the 18-wheeler were in line with industry expectations, the truck itself may be at fault. If the truck or one of its components was found to be a contributing factor in your accident, your attorney may choose to file a product liability suit. In these kinds of cases, your attorney will need to demonstrate evidence, including:

  • A defective part deemed unreasonably dangerous, with no change in performance since the truck’s initial purchase
  • No operational deficiencies on behalf of the driver

Wrongful Death

Due to the severity of truck accidents, many victims sadly do not survive. When this happens, some families may attempt to file claims on behalf of their loved ones in order to recover compensation. In order for a wrongful death suit to be viable, a family must demonstrate appropriate evidence related to negligence or product failure, similar to a victim who survived an accident. A Baton Rouge truck accident attorney at Dudley DeBosier can make this process easier, working with families to recover compensation and, in some claims, punitive damages.

Compensation for Accidents

In virtually all cases, compensation is the driving force in truck accident lawsuits, both economic and non-economic.

Economic damages are intended to compensate victims and their families for monetary losses related to the accident, including:

  • Medical expenses, both current and future
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of earning ability

Non-economic damages are less clear-cut, attempting to win additional funds for non-financial, intangible losses, including:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of consortium
  • Mental anguish

Although less common, punitive damages may be applicable if the driver of the truck was found to be acting maliciously or willfully. This may involve a fine paid by the guilty party, probation, or a jail sentence.

Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accident Cases

When should you contact a lawyer after a truck accident?

The sooner after a crash that you contact a truck accident lawyer, the better they’ll be able to help you maximize the value of your claim. An attorney can get to work immediately by collecting evidence and corresponding with the trucking company or their insurer. However, it’s never too late to contact an attorney for legal help.

Regardless of how far along you are in the process, contact the Baton Rouge, Louisiana truck accident lawyers at Dudley DeBosier to schedule your free consultation with our team.

Can I sue for being hit by a semi-truck?

Yes, you can sue if you’re hit by a semi-truck. However, the success of your lawsuit will depend on many factors, including the severity and costs of your damages and the liability of the truck driver or other parties. Consult an experienced truck accident lawyer and speak to them about the potential of your claim.

Who is liable in a truck accident?

That depends on many factors. Liability is typically determined by fault or negligence. The driver whose actions caused the crash is generally considered liable. However, in truck accident cases, establishing liability can be complex. It’s possible that the trucking company who hired the truck driver might share liability for a crash. Other parties, such as truck manufacturers or truck-part manufacturers might also be at fault for a crash.

This is just another reason why it’s helpful to speak with an experienced truck accident lawyer. Determining fault or liability is one of the most important parts of filing a truck accident claim. Your attorney can collect evidence and help you determine who should be held liable for the damages you’re facing.

What do you do if you’re hit by an 18-wheeler?

First, call 911 and request that a police officer respond to the scene. If you’re injured, request an ambulance. If you’re unsure whether you’re injured, even if it’s just a possibility, you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible.

At the scene of the crash, gather the contact and insurance information of the other driver but avoid talking at length with them about anything else. If possible, take pictures of the crash scene and gather the contact information of witnesses.

In the hours, days, and weeks that follow, you might be contacted by the representative of the other driver’s or the trucking company’s insurance company to talk about the crash. You should not speak to them or give them a recorded statement. Tell them to speak to your lawyer instead.

Keep track of all the expenses you face because of your crash. Consider contacting a Baton Rouge truck accident lawyer to make sure you’re doing everything possible to maximize the value of your claim.

Contact Dudley DeBosier today for a free consultation.