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Big Rig Truck Accident Lawyer in New Orleans

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Best New Orleans Big Rig Truck Accident Lawyers Near Me

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A loaded 18-wheeler can legally weigh up to 80,000 pounds on the interstate. A family sedan weighs a fraction of that. When those two meet on I-10, the occupants of smaller vehicles can experience significantly greater forces during a collision with a large commercial truck.

We have seen what comes next. Clients reach us after brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, and severe burns. The medical bills start arriving long before anyone has answers about who caused the crash.

At Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys, our big rig accident lawyers in New Orleans represent injured clients in claims involving trucking companies, insurers, and other potentially responsible parties. Our team has recovered approximately $3 Billion for injured people across Louisiana, including 230+ Million dollar verdicts and settlements.

If a semi truck hurts you or someone you love, our Louisiana big rig accident lawyers are ready to fight for you. Our work covers Orleans Parish and reaches across the state.

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Types of Big Rig Truck Accident Injuries Our New Orleans Lawyers Handle

A fully loaded big rig can weigh many times more than a passenger vehicle. When a truck that large crashes into a smaller car, the force of the impact can cause devastating injuries. The size and weight of commercial trucks can turn an otherwise survivable collision into one involving catastrophic or life-changing harm. The crash may last only seconds, but the physical, emotional, and financial consequences can last for years.

Here are some of the injuries we commonly see in big rig truck accidents:

New Orleans Big Rig Truck Accident Statistics

Commercial trucks move the goods that keep this city running. According to the City of New Orleans, Interstate 10 handles more than 131,000 vehicles a day. I-510, I-610, U.S. 11, U.S. 61, and U.S. 90 carry thousands more. That volume comes with a cost.

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209

commercial vehicle crashes in Orleans Parish in 2025

5

fatal commercial vehicle crashes in Orleans Parish in 2025

156

commercial vehicle crashes in Jefferson Parish, which includes Metairie and Kenner, in 2025

Source: LSU Center for Analytics & Research in Transportation Safety, Commercial Vehicle Safety in Louisiana (2025)

Types of Truck Accidents Our New Orleans Lawyers Handle

Truck accidents can happen in many ways, from sudden jackknife crashes to dangerous collisions caused by overloaded trailers or driver fatigue. Because commercial trucks are larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, these crashes can result in serious injuries and extensive property damage.

Our New Orleans truck accident lawyers handle a wide range of commercial truck accident cases, including:

Injured? Call Now at 888.501.7888

Federal Trucking Rules That Can Make or Break Your Claim

A big rig case is not a car wreck case with a bigger vehicle. Interstate carriers answer to federal safety rules, and a violation of those rules often becomes the strongest evidence in your file.

Federal hours-of-service limits cap a property-carrying driver at 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty. That driver cannot drive past the 14th hour of a shift, must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving, and cannot drive after 60 hours on duty in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days.

Most rigs now log that time electronically. Federal regulations require carriers to maintain certain hours-of-service records for limited periods, which makes timely preservation of evidence important. Once that window closes, the proof that a tired driver was behind the wheel can be gone for good.

That is why acting fast matters so much. Our 18 wheeler accident attorneys in New Orleans send preservation demands early to lock down driver logs, engine data, dispatch records, maintenance files, and inspection histories. Hazardous cargo adds another layer of federal rules, and our New Orleans tanker truck accident lawyers handle those claims.

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Big Rig Truck Accident Lawyer in New Orleans 1

Big Rig Truck Accident Lawyer in New Orleans 2

Who Can Be Held Liable for a New Orleans Big Rig Crash?

More than one party usually shares the blame.Louisiana Civil Code Article 2320 addresses employer responsibility for damages caused by employees in the course and scope of employment. That single rule often opens the door to a far larger insurance policy than the driver carries personally.

Federal law backs this up with real coverage. Federal regulations establish minimum insurance requirements for many commercial motor carriers, with required coverage varying based on the type of operation and cargo involved.

Parties who may owe you compensation include:

The truck driver
The motor carrier that employed the driver
The company that owned or leased the tractor or trailer
A maintenance shop or mechanic
The crew or facility that loaded the cargo
A parts or vehicle manufacturer
A freight broker or shipper
A public body responsible for road design or upkeep

Sorting this out takes a genuine investigation, not a phone call. Our commercial truck accident lawyers in New Orleans chase down every source of coverage so no responsible company slips away quietly.

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Compensation Available After a Big Rig Accident

Serious truck crashes create losses that stretch out for years. Our New Orleans personal injury lawyers build claims around what you have already lost and what this injury will cost you down the road.

We pursue damages for:

Emergency care, surgery, and hospital stays
Rehabilitation, therapy, and future medical treatment
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Permanent disability or disfigurement
Vehicle repair or replacement
Funeral and burial costs in a fatal crash

Insurance companies often open with a number that covers the first round of bills and nothing more. We document the full picture, then hold out for what your case is actually worth.

Injured? Call Now at 888.501.7888

Understanding Louisiana Big Rig Accident Laws

Two Louisiana rules shape your case more than any others. Both changed recently, and the date of your crash decides which version applies to you.

How Long You Have to File

Two years from the date of injury for crashes on or after July 1, 2024, under Louisiana Civil Code Article 3493.1
One year for injuries that happened before July 1, 2024

How Shared Fault Works

For years, Louisiana simply reduced your recovery by your share of fault. That ended on January 1, 2026. Under the amended Louisiana Civil Code Article 2323, a person found 51% or more at fault recovers nothing at all. Below that line, damages are reduced in proportion to fault.

Trucking insurers know this rule cold, and they will work hard to push your fault number past 50%. Pinning fault down accurately is now the whole ballgame, which is just as true in New Orleans car accident claims.

If You Lost a Family Member

Wrongful death and survival claims have specific Louisiana deadlines that depend on the date of injury, date of death, and applicable law.

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How Our New Orleans Big Rig Accident Lawyers Handle Your Case

Your first call to a New Orleans big rig truck accident attorney costs nothing. We listen, explain your options, and give you a straight read on your claim.

If you hire us, we go to work immediately:

Sending evidence preservation letters to the carrier and its insurer
Pulling the crash report, camera footage, and witness statements
Downloading electronic control module and electronic logging device data
Reviewing driver qualification files, drug tests, and inspection records
Consulting reconstruction engineers and medical experts
Handling every call from the adjusters
Filing suit and preparing for trial when the offer is not fair

With 679+ years of combined legal experience and over 180 employees, including 130+ staff and 47 attorneys, we have the people and the resources to go the distance against a national carrier. You focus on healing. We handle the fight.

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Contact a Big Rig Truck Accident Attorney Near Metairie Today

Injured in an Accident? Find Legal Help Near You

The trucking company had a lawyer on the phone within hours of your crash. You deserve the same. Talking to a big rig injury lawyer in New Orleans early gives your claim its best shot.

Our New Orleans office serves Orleans Parish, Metairie, Kenner, and the surrounding communities, backed by a firm with locations across Louisiana. We investigate hard, name every liable party, and pursue compensation available under the circumstances of your claim.

Call 888.501.7888 today for your free consultation.

With our No Fee Unless We Win promise, you pay nothing unless we recover money for you. That is the G Guarantee.

When you need results, Get Gordon, Get It Done.

Injured? Call Now at 888.501.7888

Common Causes of Big Rig Truck Accidents in New Orleans

Finding the cause is the first step in proving who owes you money. Our New Orleans truck accident lawyers work with investigators and reconstruction experts to trace a crash back to its source.

State crash data points to driver behavior far more often than mechanical trouble. Careless driving and inattentive operation was the violation cited most frequently against commercial drivers in Louisiana injury crashes in 2025. Rear-end collisions accounted for roughly a quarter of all commercial vehicle crashes in the state that year.

Causes we see most often in New Orleans include:

Why New Orleans Families Choose Gordon McKernan

Commercial truck cases demand resources most firms simply do not have. The defense shows up with engineers, reconstruction specialists, and adjusters who handle these claims every single week.

Our trucking accident attorneys in New Orleans bring:

Deep knowledge of Louisiana trucking law and federal carrier rules
A proven record of large verdicts and settlements for crash victims
Fast investigation while the evidence still exists
Honest answers about your case instead of sales talk
No upfront costs and no fee unless we win

You have seen us on the billboards for a reason. We show up, and we do not back down. We provide dedicated representation and help clients navigate complex trucking injury claims.

Mistakes to Avoid After a Big Rig Crash in New Orleans

Small choices in the first days can shrink a large claim. Try to avoid these:

Saying the crash was your fault at the scene
Waiting to see a doctor
Giving a recorded statement to the trucking company’s adjuster
Posting about the wreck or your injuries on social media
Signing a medical release you have not read
Accepting the first settlement offer
Letting the six-month record retention window run out

If you have already done one of these, call us anyway. We can often still protect your claim.

Don’t Wait — Talk to a New Orleans Big Rig Truck Accident Lawyer Today

At Gordon Mckernan Injury Attorneys, we understand that emotional and physical recovery come hand and hand after an injury or accident. We also know that you may not have the energy or time to fight with an insurance company and the complexities of your personal injury claim.

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How It Works

Filing a claim with Gordon Mckernan Injury Attorneys is easy!
Simply follow the steps below.

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Fill out our quick and easy form to find out if your case qualifies. Our consultations are free and confidential, and we are here to help whether you hire us or not!

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Our team will evaluate your case and decide on the best course of action. One of our lawyers will get back to you promptly and begin the process of winning your case!

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Once your case has been evaluated and deemed a good fit for our firm, our team will go to work immediately on gathering evidence, building your case, and getting you the compensation that you deserve.

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