Call 911 immediately and stay at the scene until law enforcement arrives. Louisiana law requires you to report any accident involving injury, death, or property damage over $500. A police report is critical in truck accident cases — it documents the commercial vehicle’s involvement, the truck driver’s information, and the responding officer’s observations.

Truck accidents frequently cause serious injuries — spinal damage, traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, and broken bones — that are not always immediately apparent. Seek emergency medical care even if you feel okay at the scene. A medical record created the same day as the accident is one of the most important documents in your case. Gaps in treatment give insurers ammunition to argue your injuries were not serious or were caused by something else.

If you are physically able, document everything before vehicles are moved. Photograph all vehicles from multiple angles, the truck’s DOT number and license plate, company markings on the truck, cargo load if visible, skid marks, road conditions, traffic controls, and all visible injuries. The trucking company will send its own investigators to the scene quickly — your photos may be the only independent record of the crash.

Get the truck driver’s full name, CDL license number, employer or carrier name, truck number, DOT and MC numbers (usually displayed on the cab door), and insurance carrier information. This information identifies who is responsible and which insurance policies apply — there may be multiple.

Collect names and phone numbers from anyone who witnessed the crash. Other drivers, pedestrians, and bystanders can provide independent accounts of what happened. Their testimony can be especially valuable in truck accident cases where fault is disputed or where the truck driver tells a different story.

Do not say anything at the scene that could be interpreted as an admission of fault — not to the truck driver, the trucking company’s representatives, or the police. Louisiana follows pure comparative fault, meaning any admission of partial responsibility can reduce your recovery. Stick to the facts when speaking with law enforcement.

Trucking companies carry large commercial insurance policies and their adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. If anyone from the trucking company or their insurance carrier contacts you, do not give a recorded statement and do not discuss the accident. Politely decline and refer them to your attorney. Anything you say can be used to reduce or deny your claim.

Keep everything related to the accident — medical bills, repair estimates, photos, correspondence from the insurance company, and any records of missed work. Do not repair or dispose of your vehicle until an attorney advises you to do so. Your damaged vehicle is physical evidence.

Time is critical in truck accident cases. Federal regulations require trucking companies to preserve certain records — including driver logs, black box data, maintenance records, and inspection reports — but only for a limited time. Once that window closes, that evidence may be gone. An attorney can send a spoliation letter demanding preservation of all records before they are destroyed or overwritten. Call us as soon as possible after the crash.

In a car accident, liability typically falls on the at-fault driver. In a truck accident, multiple parties may share responsibility — the truck driver, the trucking company, the cargo loader, the truck manufacturer, a maintenance contractor, or a combination of all of them. Identifying every liable party is essential to maximizing your recovery.

Commercial trucking is governed by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations covering hours of service, driver qualifications, vehicle maintenance, cargo securement, and more. Violations of these regulations can establish negligence on the part of the trucking company or driver. Investigating compliance requires specialized knowledge and access to records that disappear quickly.

Modern commercial trucks generate significant electronic data — GPS location history, engine control module data, hard braking events, and electronic logging device (ELD) records. This data can prove the driver was speeding, fatigued, or violating hours-of-service rules. Trucking companies are only required to retain this data for short periods. An attorney must act quickly to preserve it.

Commercial trucking companies are required to carry significantly higher insurance coverage than personal vehicle drivers — often $750,000 to $1,000,000 or more. While this means more compensation may be available, it also means the insurer has far more resources and motivation to fight your claim aggressively.

In Louisiana, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline typically bars your claim entirely. If the accident involved a government-owned vehicle, the deadline may be as short as 90 days. Do not wait to speak with an attorney.

Louisiana follows pure comparative fault, meaning you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Trucking companies and their insurers routinely try to assign more blame to the other driver than is warranted — having an attorney levels the playing field.

Under Louisiana law, a trucking company can be held liable for the negligent acts of its drivers committed in the course of their employment. This doctrine — known as respondeat superior — means you may be able to pursue the trucking company directly, not just the driver who caused the crash.

Louisiana allows accident victims to sue an at-fault party’s insurance company directly. In truck accident cases, this means you can bring a claim directly against the trucking company’s insurer, which can simplify the litigation process and ensure you are dealing with the party that actually controls the money.

Potentially multiple parties — the truck driver, the trucking company, the cargo loading company, the truck manufacturer, or a maintenance contractor. Determining all liable parties requires a thorough investigation. Our attorneys identify every source of liability and pursue compensation from all responsible parties.

Black box (ECM) data, electronic logging device (ELD) records, driver logs, maintenance records, the truck driver’s employment and qualification file, dashcam footage, and any surveillance or traffic camera footage of the crash. Much of this evidence is only preserved for a short time — this is why contacting an attorney immediately is so important.

Generally two years from the date of the accident. If a government entity owns the truck involved, the deadline may be as short as 90 days. Do not wait — critical evidence disappears quickly and deadlines are strictly enforced.

The trucking company may still be liable even if the driver was classified as an independent contractor. Courts look at the level of control the company exercised over the driver and the work. Misclassifying employees as contractors to avoid liability is a known tactic — an attorney can pierce through that defense.

You may be entitled to economic damages — medical bills, future medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and property damage — and non-economic damages including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving gross negligence or willful misconduct, punitive damages may also be available.

Yes — and do not give a recorded statement before you speak with one. The insurer’s adjuster works for the trucking company, not for you. Their goal is to settle your claim for as little as possible. An attorney will handle all communications on your behalf and make sure you do not say anything that undermines your claim.

Nothing upfront. Mansfield Melancon handles truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. If we win your case or reach a settlement, you pay an agreed percentage of the recovery. If we do not win, you owe us nothing.