Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer in Gonzales

Nestled as it is between I-10 and Airline Highway just a few miles south of Baton Rouge, Gonzales is a popular thoroughfare for passenger cars and 18-wheelers alike on their way between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Due to all of the traffic that moves through and near Gonzales yearly, it sees its fair share of traffic accidents: in 2018, 23 people were involved in fatal accidents in the Gonzales area, and of those, 9 tragically died.

Of course, the news isn’t all bad—cars and trucks are getting safer every year, and in fact the total number of fatal wrecks has been steadily decreasing on average. However, due to the sheer size and weight difference between cars and trucks, if you’ve been in a collision with a tractor trailer you could suffer major property damage, personal injury, or worse.

If you or someone you love has suffered a semi truck accident near Gonzales, you need an injury lawyer with the experience and persistence to stand up against the trucking company’s insurance. You need a law firm staffed with committed lawyers who can see your case all the way to court. You need Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys.

Common Big Truck Accident Injuries

According to the National Safety Council, more than 150,000 Americans were injured in a semi-truck crash in 2019. Of these, fully two-thirds of the reported injuries were suffered by the occupants of the passenger vehicle, and they suffered a variety of injuries from scrapes and bruises to those much more severe.

Broken bones

Some of the most common injuries resulting from truck wrecks are broken bones and dislocated joints. Besides being incredibly painful and hindering mobility, broken bones can also lead to more severe complications including internal bleeding and infection. A broken bone can keep you out of work for weeks or even months and generate thousands in medical bills.

Spinal cord injuries

Damage to the spinal cord due to a truck wreck can lead to a number of long-lasting injuries, chief among them disability and paralysis. Spinal cord injury victims often require permanent assistive devices like wheelchairs, and they can lose their ability to work and suffer in pain for months, years, or the rest of their lives.

Head injuries including traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

Some of the most serious injuries that can be caused by a truck collision are head injuries. The worst among these include traumatic brain injuries, which can be caused when the victim’s head hits the hard surfaces inside the vehicle during the collision. According to the Centers for Disease Control, TBIs and other injuries causing damage to the brain are a leading cause of disease and disability, long-term memory loss, loss of consciousness, and even death.

Whiplash and Other Neck Injuries

Due to the sheer size of 18 wheeler tractor trailers, even a low speed collision can cause injury to those in passenger vehicles. Back injuries and neck injuries such as whiplash are all too common for victims of truck wrecks and can cause lifelong complications.

Catastrophic Injuries

Unfortunately, severe, catastrophic injuries are far too common when a passenger vehicle is involved in an accident with a tractor trailer. Injuries such as loss of limb, severe lacerations, and eye injuries can all be tragic, life changing consequences of a semi truck accident.

Causes of Big Truck Accidents

Just like with accidents involving only cars and other passenger vehicles, there can be a huge variety of factors involved when it comes to semi truck wrecks, however, there are some common causes of big truck accidents that are specific to 18 wheelers including:

• Truck driver fatigue resulting from long hours behind the wheel
• Jackknifing due to an improperly loaded or overweight trailer
• Poor visibility of other vehicles due to larger blind spots
• Speeding or other aggressive driving
• Maintenance issues resulting in brake failure or powertrain issues

What to do When You’ve Been Involved in a Truck Crash Near Gonzalez

If you or a loved one has been hit by a semi-truck near Gonzalez, you may not know what to do after your accident. Your first priority should be your safety and that of your passengers. Call 911 to get first responders to the scene, and give your statement to the officer who arrives. Afterward, follow these steps to get started on your healing process:

1. Call Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys immediately for a free consultation about the facts of your case and whether we can help you get the compensation you deserve.
2. Other than notifying your insurance carrier about the accident, don’t accept any preliminary settlements. Your insurance company is only concerned with its bottom line, meaning they’re not interested in helping you get the compensation you deserve.
3. Let our team do what we do best, gathering evidence and building the strongest case we can to hold the trucking company and their insurance accountable. We’re committed to every one of our clients, and we won’t charge you a dime until we win or settle your case, that’s the G Guarantee.

What Compensation to Expect After a Truck Accident

Compensation for big rig accident victims range from awards in the tens of thousands of dollars to those in the low millions. Every case is different and there are many variables that can determine your eligibility. That’s why you need to talk to an experienced injury attorney to help you calculate the total costs of your damages, including

• Hospital and medical bills
• The costs of vehicle repairs or replacement
• Lost wages, in both the past and future
• Your pain and suffering
• Lawyer fees

The injury lawyers at Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys are expert professionals in Louisiana law, and we’ve worked in the court system for years, so we know how to help you get the maximum compensation for your injuries.

Call an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in an 18-wheeler accident near Gonzalez, give Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys a call today at 225.888.8888 or fill out our easy-to-use online form to set up a free consultation. We’re dedicated to helping the members of our South Louisiana community find the compensation they need to heal after a traumatic injury caused by a big rig in Louisiana.

Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys has 679+ years of combined legal experience arguing cases against the trucking industry in Louisiana, so we know what it takes to find you your just compensation after a truck wreck. Call us today for a free consultation and we can get started on your injury case right away.