The Difference Between Driving a Big Rig Truck vs. Driving a Car

Cars and big rigs may both be forms of transportation on our roads, but driving them is a completely different experience. With their massive size and weight, big rigs present a unique set of challenges for drivers. These challenges impact everything from how the vehicle handles to how far it takes to stop. Understanding these…

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The Dangers of Louisiana Truck Driver Fatigue

big-truck-accident

The long hours and demanding schedules of the trucking industry can take a toll on drivers’ well-being. Many truck drivers develop chronic sleep deprivation and fatigue, putting themselves and others on the road at risk. A 2023 study on Truck Driver Health found that about 38% of commercial truck drivers reported feeling sleepy or fatigued…

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Top 6 Companies Making Self-Driving Trucks in 2024

Fleet of autonomous hybrid trucks driving on highway. 3D rendering image.

While recent self-driving car offerings from Tesla, GM, Waymo, and the like are getting all the headlines, the autonomous vehicles most likely to be ready for prime time soon are autonomous trucks.  That’s right—within a few years, you could be driving down the highway next to a fully automated tractor-trailer or one that’s part of…

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Tragedy Strikes on I-10: 18-Wheeler Catches Fire Near Vinton

18 wheeler catches fire

In a heart-wrenching incident that unfolded on September 17, 2023, tragedy struck on the I-10 West near Vinton, Louisiana, when an 18-wheeler caught fire, sending shockwaves through the community and leaving us all deeply moved. The Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys team extends our heartfelt sympathy to all those affected by this unfortunate event. Highway Havoc…

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18-Wheeler Fire Forces I-20 Shutdown

18-Wheeler Fire

In a harrowing incident, an 18-wheeler fire has brought Interstate 20 (I-20) to a standstill, leaving commuters and authorities grappling with the aftermath. This unexpected and tragic event has disrupted many lives, reminding us of the unpredictable nature of our daily routines. The Blaze on I-20 According to KTBS, the incident unfolded with a vehicular…

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Questions to Ask A Trucking Accident Lawyer

lady giving an inquisitive look

When consulting with a trucking accident lawyer, there are several essential questions that you should ask to ensure they are the right fit for your case. Here are some important questions to ask a trucking accident lawyer: What Happens When a Truck Driver Has an Accident? What happens after a truck driver has an accident…

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Fiery Amazon Delivery Truck Causes Closure of I-110 in Downtown Baton Rouge

amazon truck fire

In a distressing incident that unfolded today, a blazing Amazon delivery truck brought traffic to a grinding halt on I-110 North in downtown Baton Rouge. The vehicle caught fire, causing a major disruption for commuters and passersby. As news of the incident spread, it became apparent that this was not just a traffic inconvenience but…

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Traffic Issues on I-49 in Lafayette Due to Flipped 18-Wheeler

traffic issues from flipped 18-wheeler in Lafayette

Drivers in Lafayette experienced slowdowns on I-49 Southbound last Thursday afternoon due to a major crash involving three vehicles: a tractor-trailer, an SUV, and a truck. According to reporting by Hot 107.9, the crash happened around 4:30 pm near Pont Des Mouton Road outside of Lafayette. All of the vehicles were significantly damaged, but luckily…

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Driver Arrested After Truck Plows into Crowd Outside Tiger Tavern Daiquiris

truck driver crashes into crowd breaking front door

Friday, the night of June 16th, chaos erupted outside Tiger Tavern Daiquiris on Highway 44 as a driver recklessly backed their truck into a crowd of individuals. Witnesses were left in a state of shock as the front of the bar suffered significant damage. According to the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, the suspect behind the…

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Trucks Ignoring Road Laws and Causing Atchafalaya Basin Bridge Accidents

birds eye view of speeding truck on bridge

The Atchafalaya Basin Bridge has a reputation for being one of the more dangerous bridges in Louisiana and given the amount of traffic that it sees every day, it’s no wonder why. The Atchafalaya Basin Bridge, also called the Louisiana Airborne Memorial Bridge, has been the site of over 1,000 incidents since 2014, and despite…

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Fatal Accident Involving 18-Wheeler Forces Closure of Northbound I-49

I-49 Closure for Fatal Truck Accident

A tragic truck accident unfolded on May 20th as an overturned 18-wheeler brought traffic to a standstill on I-49 Northbound near Pont Des Mouton. According to Lafayette Police, the catastrophic collision occurred when the massive commercial truck, traveling along I-49 N, struck an abandoned vehicle parked on the shoulder near East Butcher Switch Road. The…

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Common Causes of Truck Rollover Accidents

truck rolled over on edge of hill

Truck rollover accidents can be some of the most devastating and dangerous incidents on the road. These accidents can cause significant damage, not only to the truck but also to any other vehicles and people involved. Many individuals who have suffered a truck rollover accident count on our experienced Louisiana truck accident lawyers to help…

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Step-by-Step Guide to Filing a Truck Insurance Claim

2 white trucks driving down highway

At , we understand that filing a truck insurance claim can be a daunting and stressful process. That’s why a truck accident lawyer from one of our many Louisiana offices is here to help you obtain the compensation you deserve. To help ease your mind, we’ve created a step-by-step guide on how to file a…

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Louisiana’s “Buckle Up in Your Truck” Campaign

putting on seatbelt

Truck accidents can result in devastating consequences, including severe injuries and fatalities. According to recent studies, a significant percentage of pickup truck drivers who died in crashes were not wearing a seatbelt. These statistics highlight the critical importance of wearing a seatbelt in pickup trucks and the need for increased awareness and enforcement of seatbelt…

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Truck Carrying Heavy Equipment Flips Along I-10 West

workers on flipped truck

Around 6 p.m. on April 20th, 2023, a tractor-trailer hauling a bulldozer and other construction equipment flipped on its side off I-10. The crash happened near the LA 415 exit, backing up traffic to the Mississippi River bridge. As of this writing, no injuries have been reported, but the crash caused a major slowdown in…

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5 Delivery Truck Accident Statistics You Should Know

workers unloading boxes off delivery truck

Delivery trucks—those midsize box trucks you’re probably seeing more and more of lately—transport over 70% of the goods in the United States. Because they carry heavy or dangerous cargo and operate large, unwieldy vehicles, truck drivers and trucking companies are generally held to a higher standard of driving than other motorists. However, far too often…

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18-Wheeler Overturned on I-12 Near Hammond, Causing Delays

overturned truck on I-12 near hammond

On April 11, 2023, near Hammond, an 18-wheeler overturned on an exit ramp roundabout on Interstate 12. Cleanup took several hours at the site, on the northern end of U.S. Highway 51, during which time the southbound traffic on that highway was detoured on I-12 to the I-55 interchange to New Orleans. At the time…

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Trucking Regulations in Louisiana

red big rig truck

Louisiana is home to 3 of the top 10 U.S. ports and an extensive amount of interstates and highways, so it sees a lot of commercial truck activity. Since these types of trucks are way bigger than the average car, truck, and SUV, regulations must be in place to help ensure everyone’s safety on the…

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Jack-Knifed 18-Wheeler Closes I-610 East for 6+ Hours

blurred image of a big rig driving on the highway

On Thursday, February 9th, an 18-wheeler jack-knifed on I-610 – closing a significant section of the interstate for 6+ hours, according to NOLA.com. The 18-wheeler truck crashed into the guardrail near the interstate merge with I-10. Unfortunately, this crash happened around 2:00 AM during inclement weather, so no injuries or causes of the crash were…

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How is Louisiana Law Different from Other States?

downtown New Orleans Louisiana Mardi Gras Decoration

There are a lot of things Louisiana is known for: its delicious food, the party atmosphere, its French influence, and oddly enough, its legal system. While every other state uses Common Law, derived from English law, Louisiana uses French Civil Law, which is derived from the Napoleonic Code. Legal theory and the role of legal…

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Top 10 Most Dangerous Trucking Companies in The U.S.

A tractor trailer crash on highway with a skid mark of the swerve

Commercial trucks are the backbone of the American economy, transporting over 70% of all shipped goods. This vital role necessitates strong trucking industry standards. These standards ensure not only fair treatment for truck drivers but also the safety of everyone on the road. Semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and other big rigs are much larger than passenger cars,…

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Louisiana Right of Way Rules: Explained

High risk of collision. A road sign with an exclamation point and two cars that crashed into each other

Whether you’re driving to work, taking a day trip to one of Louisiana’s beautiful parks, or walking in one of our bustling towns, you are subject to Louisiana’s right of way laws. A right of way rule defines who must yield to whom at a given intersection, and applies to everyone using the road, whether…

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I-10 East Closed Following a Big Truck Wreck

i-10 truck accident

Between Lake Charles and Sulphur, on December 1, 2022, an accident involving two semi trucks and a truck towing a boat trailer occurred as reported by 107 JAMZ. Responding to the accident, Louisiana State Police closed down I-10 eastbound and diverted traffic to I-210 while cleaning up the mess. Luckily, no injuries were reported in…

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18-Wheeler Driving on I-10 Around Ascension-St. James Dives Into the Bayou Below

A tractor trailer crash on highway with a skid mark of the swerve

On Tuesday afternoon, traveling along I-10, an 18-wheeler was involved in an accident after veering off the road and being completely submerged underwater in the bayou near the Ascension-St. James Parish line. As reported by WBRZ, the incident temporarily shut down the westbound lane of the interstate, and authorities directed traffic into one lane on…

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Injuries Reported in a Big Truck Wreck on I-12

truck crash

Early Friday morning on October 21, multiple people were injured in an I-12 eastbound tractor-trailer crash, as reported by WWLTV. During the crash, one vehicle was overturned, which could have resulted in further injury and property damage. According to a Facebook post by the Tammany Parish Fire District, one person had to be airlifted to…

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Baton Rouge Traffic Ranked Fourth Worst in US

Baton Rouge pin drop

If you’ve been frustrated at the sometimes glacial pace of your morning commute in Baton Rouge, you’re not alone. A study performed by TomTom, the GPS and travel company, has found that Baton Rouge has the fourth-worst traffic congestion in the country, behind only New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. In 2021, Baton Rouge drivers…

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I-55 shut down for nearly 12 hours after a chemical spill near Kentwood

Chemical Truck on Highway

Last Wednesday, September 7th, a commercial truck hauling hospital supplies was involved in a crash on I-55 between Kentwood and Osyka, Mississippi. Among the supplies on board, the truck was hauling 6,000 gallons of chemical cleaner that spilled onto the road after the truck collided with the back of a tanker. After the incident, two…

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United States Commercial Trucking Accident Statistics

truck and car accident on highway with front of car crushed

The United States economy depends on trucking to move its freight around. In fact, about 70% of everything you buy has reached the store where you bought it in a commercial truck. Trucking as an industry is not only foundational to American capitalism; it also provides thousands of well-paying jobs to American men and women…

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Is Louisiana a No-Fault State?

car accident argument, Louisiana Car Traffic Deaths Up in 2021

It’s essential to know the answer to the following question if you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident in Louisiana: Is Louisiana a no-fault state? At , we’re here to help, and want to be your source for information! So, first things first—Louisiana is NOT a no-fault state when it…

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Celebrate National Traffic Awareness Month With Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys

Traffic signs, one way and no return sign

August is National Traffic Awareness Month and brings our focus to, you guessed it, traffic safety! Each day, both drivers and pedestrians become victims when they experience a car wreck that could have been avoided by the other party involved. Unfortunate events like this can turn out to be detrimental, physically and emotionally. It can…

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Train crashes into salt water truck and closes Highway 1

Train crashes into salt water truck and closes Highway 1

Last Friday, a KCS train heading south on Highway 1 crashed into the cab of a big rig traveling west, temporarily closing a section of Highway 1. The tank of the salt water truck ruptured at the moment of impact, and Life Air Rescue, North Caddo Medical, Caddo Fire District, and SWEPCO were then called…

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Plywood falls off of 18-wheeler on I-10 and crushes 2 cars

Plywood falls off of 18-wheeler on I-10 and crushes 2 cars

On Monday, a piece of plywood fell off an 18-wheeler crushing two cars on I-10 East. One person was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, while the truck driver was ticketed for recklessly operating his vehicle.  Common causes of 18-wheeler accidents vary from distracted driving, improper cargo handling, and poor maintenance. No company was…

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Overturned 18-wheeler on Twin Span Bridge shuts down I-10

Overturned 18-wheeler on Twin Span Bridge shuts down I-10

On Sunday morning, July 10th, an overturned 18-wheeler closed I-10 West as it was coming from Slidell towards New Orleans. The cause of the initial crash remains unknown, but reports state that the trailer of a tanker truck detached and slid 20 feet down the bridge. While the cab went down into the lake, thankfully,…

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FedEx Driver Crashes Into Pickup, Leaving 1 Dead in Lake Charles

FedEx Driver Crashes Into Pickup, Leaving 1 Dead in Lake Charles

At 5:00 pm on June 5, a tragic accident involving a FedEx truck and a pickup occurred on Highway 12 in Beauregard Parish. A 21-year-old operating a Fed Ex truck side swiped the Chevy Silverado when attempting to pass it illegally on the eastbound lane. While the FedEx worker and driver of the Chevy truck…

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Who is Liable for My Louisiana Truck Accident?

close up of a big rig mirror

If you’ve been in a big truck wreck, you could be dealing with serious injuries, property damage, and worse. You might be facing months, years, or even a lifetime of pain, mental anguish, an inability to work, or other problems. If you weren’t at-fault for the wreck, you deserve compensation to help pay for your…

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18-Wheeler Crash Slows Traffic on I-20 in West Monroe

Semi tractor trailer truck hauling a load of freight on a divided highway.

On Wednesday, an 18-wheeler traveling eastbound on Interstate 20 crashed, causing high traffic in West Monroe.  Truck accidents like these on I-20 are not uncommon. In fact, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration ranks I-20 as number 4 out of the most dangerous interstates in the country. As they drive through the bustling city of…

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18-wheeler Carrying Hazardous Materials Overturns on I-10 in Iberville Parish

An 18-wheeler carrying the hazardous substance acrylic acid overturned in the median of I-10 in Iberville Parish around 6:30 am Wednesday morning.  By 11:00 am, police had shut down all traffic heading east from I-49 in Lafayette to LA 77 near Grand Tete, to facilitate what they referred to as “an extended recovery process.” It…

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