Even though many of us do it every day, driving is not a task to take lightly. Auto accidents can be stressful, costly, and cause major injuries. Truck accidents are even more dangerous because trucks are much heavier and more dangerous than passenger cars. Many people wonder, “Should I Hire a Big Truck Accident Attorney?”
Yes, if you’ve been in a Louisiana truck accident, you should talk to a lawyer today. The trucking company and their insurance will fight hard to keep you from getting the compensation you deserve. You need someone on your side who can help you get the money you need so you can get back on your feet.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that in 2015, nearly 70% of truck accident deaths were people in the smaller car. If your loved one was killed by a large truck, call Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys for a free consultation about a wrongful death claim.
What Causes Louisiana Truck Wrecks?
A number of factors can be involved when a truck crashes on the highway. Though truckers form an important part of our economy, they’re people too. And all too often, they’re asked to make impossible deadlines or work too many hours. There are federal regulations for truck safety requiring drivers to take breaks. Dangerous crashes can happen when these laws are ignored.
Some of the most common mistakes we’ve seen truck drivers make that lead to a crash include
- Speeding
- Driving recklessly
- Driving drowsy
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Bad weather
- Unmaintained roads and highways
- and others
Laws to minimize truck wrecks
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration oversees the commercial trucking business in the U.S. This agency sets the guidelines that all truckers and trucking companies must follow. Some of those regulations include the following:
- Drivers can spend at most 11 consecutive hours on the road each day.
- Truckers cannot work longer than 14 hours in a 24-hour period.
- A driver must have 10 consecutive hours “off duty” before starting a shift.
- For every 8 consecutive hours of driving, the driver must take a 30-minute break.
- A driver cannot be “on duty” for more than 60 hours over a week, and no more than 70 hours over 8 days. These hours can reset after 34 consecutive hours “off duty”.
- The maximum weight for a single-axle truck is 20,000 pounds.
- The maximum weight for a tandem axle truck is 34,000 pounds.
- Other restrictions also apply.
Even though the trucking industry is one of the most regulated in the country, truck accidents cause over 4,000 deaths a year. Training and skill level are a large part of this figure, and it’s important that companies properly train their drivers.
However, even an expert driver can fall victim to bad weather, bad roads, poorly loaded cargo, and other issues. The fact is that truck accidents are usually caused by many different problems.
Why Should I Hire a Big Truck Accident Attorney?
There are a lot of reasons why hiring a truck accident injury lawyer is a good idea. Every accident is different, and truck accidents are some of the most complex to litigate. Here are just a few of the reasons you should call an experienced lawyer after your truck accident.
Trucking regulations are complicated
The laws given above are only a few of those truck drivers must follow every day. Even with all the state and federal regulations, truckers still feel pressured to follow strict schedules and meet tight deadlines. Even the truckers that follow the law can cause accidents for other reasons.
To recover the most possible from your injuries, you need a lawyer who knows trucking law inside and out. Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys have been helping Louisianans recover compensation from truck wreck injuries for over thirty years. We can help you too.
More than one party may be at fault
In car accidents, there are usually one or maybe two parties to blame. In trucking accidents, many more parties can be involved. These include
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The company or person performing maintenance on the trucks
- Another driver
- Government entities
- The cargo loading company
- The owner of the cargo
- Someone else
A truck accident lawyer will know what to look for to determine fault in your case. We’ll investigate the cause of your accident and go after the responsible parties.
Damages are very serious
Due to a truck’s weight and size, they can cause much more damage than passenger cars in a crash. If the truck is loaded with flammable or hazardous cargo, the injuries and property damages can be even more serious. If you’ve been hit by a truck, you could be facing
- huge medical bills
- missed work
- emotional trauma
- wrongful death
- and more
Because of the severity of your damages, you may not be able to think clearly about your next steps. A personal injury lawyer can help you get back on your feet. When you work with Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys, we’ll take care of the legal side of your injury so you can focus on healing.
Free consultation and risk-free hiring
When you call Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys, we’ll offer a free legal consultation to discuss your case. We’ll help you determine what a fair settlement is, and we’ll work on preparing your claim.
Even if you’re not sure whether you have a case, give us a call. We’ll listen to you and give you our reasoned opinion.
Plus, when you hire Gordon McKernan, you get the G Guarantee®. I’ll win your case, or you don’t owe me a dime. No cost, no expenses, no fee. Nothing.
Call us today.
Get Gordon if you’re in a truck accident
If you’ve been in a truck accident, you can’t afford to wait. Call Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys today for a free legal consultation. We’re here to help you get the money you need to heal.
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