Baton Rouge Truck Wreck Attorney

Baton Rouge Truck Accident FAQ

In a vehicle wreck with a truck—and, in particular, a larger truck like a big-rig or tractor-trailer—you can suffer significant injuries to your person and property. If you’ve been in such a wreck, your local truck accident attorneys at the Baton Rouge office of Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys welcome you to call us for a free consultation at (225) 888-8888. In the meantime, this page provides answers to some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) we receive about truck accidents in Baton Rouge.

I Have Piles of Medical Bills From Baton Rouge Truck Accident Injuries. Can I Get Help With Them?

Truck wrecks, especially those with commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) like semi-trucks and tractor-trailers, are some of the most dangerous on the road. CMVs are far heavier and larger than other cars. Collisions with them can lead to especially severe injuries, requiring a great deal of expensive medical treatment and care. Figuring out how to keep up with the piles of medical bills, understandably causes stress and anxiety. Many truck wreck victims can’t work due to their injuries, and the resulting lack of income only compounds the problem.

If you were in a truck wreck in Baton Rouge due to the negligent, reckless, or intentional conduct of another party, there is hope. A party at-fault for the wreck may be held liable (that is, legally responsible) for the injuries and other harm they cause, potentially including all present and future medical expenses you may incur.

Under Louisiana law, an at-fault person or entity who causes a vehicle wreck may be held responsible for paying victims for ensuing expenses and injuries. You may settle out with an at-fault party’s insurance provider or bring a Baton Rouge truck accident lawsuit in civil court to recover compensation for your medical expenses.

What Other Kinds of Expenses Can I be Compensated For After a Baton Rouge Truck Accident?

Medical bills are just one of several kinds of “damages” or compensation you may incur following a Baton Rouge truck wreck.

The law allows injured people to seek damages for

• Medical bills for ambulances, emergency room treatment, diagnostic tests, surgery, hospitalization, doctor’s appointments, prescription medication, assistive devices, and more
• Lost wages for wages lost while one can’t work while in treatment or recovery
• Lost Future earnings for cases where a victim’s injuries render them unable to work at a former occupation, forcing them to take lesser-paying work or leaving them unable to work at all
• Personal property for personal property lost or damaged in the accident, such as a vehicle
• Pain and suffering for mental, physical, mental, or emotional pain and suffering stemming from the injuries and harms caused by the wreck

Who is Liable for a Truck Accident in Baton Rouge?

Any person whose negligent, reckless, or intentional conduct caused the truck wreck may be held liable. Establishing liability for a truck accident, however, is often more complicated than it first may seem. Many parties beyond a CMV driver may be responsible for a wreck, including the truck driver’s employer, maintenance crews, and the truck manufacturer. Each of these actors performs critical functions for the truck’s safe functioning, and their failure to perform them with care may cause an accident.

Consequently, CMV wreck cases often require an investigation into many sources to identify all actors liable in the accident. In accidents with many liable actors, matters can become even more complicated, as a victim may need to deal with multiple insurance companies to receive full compensation.

Potentially responsible parties in a CMV accident, and common reasons why they may bear responsibility, include:

• The truck driver for negligent or reckless driving, failure to obey traffic laws
• The trucking company for failure to inspect, maintain, or repair trucks; improper adherence to driver shift lengths (leading to drowsy driving); or inadequate vetting or training of drivers, including ensuring drivers are properly licensed
• Repair and maintenance subcontractors for faulty maintenance and repair
• Packing and loading subcontractors for failure to pack and load cargo properly
• Truck and component manufacturers for selling defective or unsafe vehicles or components or failing to recall faulty products appropriately

What Should I Do if I’ve Been Involved in a Big Truck Wreck?

Accidents involving a big truck can be complex and require a lawyer with experience handling truck wreck cases. When dealing with an accident case involving a large truck, big rig, or an 18-wheeler there are many more factors to consider. In most cases when you’re involved in an accident with a big truck, the truck is owned or operated by a company which can have a large involvement in your case and potential claim of damages. If you’ve been injured in an accident with a big truck, you should contact an experienced truck wreck attorney to discuss your options.

What Are Common Causes of Big Truck Accidents?

Common causes of big truck accidents include but are not limited to:

• Truck Driver Fatigue
• Falsified Log Books
• Truck Driver Deadlines
• Overweight/Improper Loading
• Truck Maintenance
• Distracted driving
• Failure to obey traffic rules

How Long Do I have to File a Truck Accident Claim?

In Louisiana, the statute of limitations for baton rouge auto accidents is one year from the date of the accident or injury occurring. Your truck accident attorney will need to take several steps including an investigation, so seeking legal help as soon as you can is ideal. Oftentimes insurance companies have more strict time limitations for your accident claim. It is advised that you notify your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident.

Should I Hire a Semi Truck Accident Attorney?

If you’re ever faced with a legal situation and you’re unsure of your rights, you should hire a truck accident attorney. The best way to learn about and understand your legal rights in a truck accident situation is through gaining representation of a lawyer.

When Should I Contact a Baton Rouge Semi Truck Accident Attorney?

It is important that you hire an attorney as soon as possible if you’ve been injured in a truck accident. Obtaining legal advice quickly so that you’re able to gather as much information as possible is ideal. Most lawyers offer a free and confidential consultation where you’re able to explain your accident and in turn receive available options for your case.

What Can Your Baton Rouge Truck Accident Lawyers Do for Me?

Our experienced truck accident lawyer will know all the factors needed to bring a successful claim in Baton Rouge. We can initiate an investigation and hire expert investigators to identify all potentially liable parties and important evidence to support your claim. We can negotiate with insurance companies to obtain a fair settlement. If that doesn’t work, we can navigate the complexities of filing a lawsuit and try to obtain a favorable verdict for you.

But more than that, we live and work in this community. We know the court system. We know the roads. We know the trucking companies and the safety shortcuts they sometimes take. We know the insurance companies, their adjusters, their lawyers, and their strategies. If you call us for your free consultation, we won’t need to get up to speed on these aspects of your Baton Rouge truck accident claim. If you have a case, you can call us now, and we can use our experience and familiarity with Baton Rouge’s trucking industry and laws to start on your case right away.