Accidents involving 18-wheelers and semi-trucks are among the most complex personal injury cases because they often involve multiple liable parties — the driver, the trucking company, a cargo loader, or a maintenance contractor. Our attorneys know how to investigate these cases thoroughly, preserve critical evidence, and pursue every responsible party to maximize your recovery.

A jackknife accident occurs when a truck’s trailer swings outward at an angle, sweeping across multiple lanes and leaving other drivers with no time to react. These crashes are often caused by sudden braking, slippery roads, or improperly loaded cargo. Our team investigates the full chain of events to establish liability and document all resulting injuries.

Truck rollovers are often triggered by excessive speed on curves, overloaded or improperly secured cargo, or driver fatigue. When a fully loaded truck rolls over onto a passenger vehicle, the consequences can be catastrophic. We pursue maximum compensation for victims, including damages for long-term medical care, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering.

A rear-end collision with a commercial truck is far more dangerous than a typical fender-bender. The sheer weight of the truck means that even a low-speed impact can cause severe spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and crush injuries. We hold distracted, fatigued, and negligent truck drivers — and their employers — accountable for the harm they cause.

An underride accident occurs when a smaller vehicle slides beneath the trailer of a truck after a collision. These accidents frequently result in catastrophic or fatal injuries. Liability may extend beyond the driver to the trucking company if the trailer lacked proper underride guards or lighting required by federal regulations.

Commercial trucks have large blind spots on all four sides — areas where the driver simply cannot see surrounding vehicles. When a truck driver changes lanes or merges without properly checking these zones, the results can be devastating. Our attorneys gather electronic logging data, dash cam footage, and witness statements to prove fault in these cases.

Federal and state regulations strictly govern how cargo must be loaded and secured on commercial trucks. When a trucking company or cargo loader violates these rules, shifting or falling cargo can cause crashes that injure multiple drivers. We investigate every aspect of the loading and shipping process to identify all liable parties.

Federal Hours of Service regulations limit how long a commercial truck driver can operate a vehicle without rest. When trucking companies pressure drivers to exceed these limits or falsify their logs, fatigued drivers pose a serious danger to everyone on the road. Our attorneys obtain electronic logging device data and driver records to expose these violations.

Commercial truck drivers are held to a stricter standard than regular drivers — the legal blood alcohol limit is 0.04%, half the limit for passenger vehicle drivers. When a truck driver causes an accident while impaired or distracted, victims may be entitled to both compensatory and punitive damages against the driver and the company that employed them.

When a crash is caused by a mechanical failure — such as faulty brakes, defective tires, or steering malfunctions — liability may extend to the truck manufacturer, a parts supplier, or a maintenance company. Our attorneys work with engineering experts to identify equipment failures and pursue all responsible parties.

As of July 1, 2024, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Louisiana. Missing this deadline can permanently bar you from recovering any compensation. Because truck accident cases require gathering time-sensitive evidence — including black box data and driver logs — we strongly recommend contacting an attorney as soon as possible after a crash.

Truck accident cases often involve multiple liable parties beyond just the driver. The trucking company may be liable for negligent hiring, inadequate training, or pressuring drivers to violate Hours of Service rules. Cargo loaders, maintenance contractors, and even truck or parts manufacturers may also share responsibility depending on the cause of the crash. Our attorneys investigate every angle to identify all parties responsible for your injuries.

Call 911 and report the crash. Take photos of the scene, vehicles, road conditions, and your injuries. Get medical attention even if you feel fine — some injuries appear days later. Do not give a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster before speaking with an attorney. Contact Mansfield Melancon as soon as possible so we can begin preserving critical evidence, including the truck’s black box data, right away.

Truck accident cases are significantly more complex. They involve federal regulations governing driver hours, vehicle maintenance, and cargo loading. Multiple parties — the driver, the trucking company, insurers, and potentially manufacturers — may share liability. The evidence required, including electronic logging device data, inspection records, and driver qualification files, must often be obtained quickly before it is altered or destroyed. An experienced truck accident attorney is essential to navigating this complexity.

Louisiana follows pure comparative fault. Even if you were partly responsible for the crash, you can still recover compensation — your total award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. Trucking companies and their insurers routinely try to exaggerate a victim’s share of blame to reduce their payout, which is exactly why having an experienced attorney in your corner matters.

Nothing upfront. Our truck accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront costs, no hourly fees, and no out-of-pocket expenses. If we do not win your case, you owe us nothing.

It depends on the complexity of your case. Some claims settle within several months once liability is clear and medical treatment is complete. Others — particularly those involving catastrophic injuries, multiple defendants, or federal regulation violations — may take longer if litigation is required. Learn more about the timeline of a personal injury case. We keep you informed throughout the process and never pressure you to accept a settlement before you are ready.

Do not sign anything before speaking with an attorney. Trucking company insurers are trained to resolve claims quickly and cheaply, often before you fully understand the severity of your injuries or the true value of your losses. An attorney can evaluate any offer, negotiate aggressively on your behalf, and make sure you do not sign away your rights for less than you deserve.