New Orleans, Louisiana, experiences heavy truck traffic, and with that comes a higher risk of serious collisions.
When a large commercial truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the results can be devastating due to the sheer size and weight difference. Victims often face severe or even fatal injuries, leading to costly medical treatments and an inability to work.
If you’ve been injured, a New Orleans 18-wheeler accident attorney can help you seek fair compensation. At Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers, our team helps victims through the legal process and pursues financial recovery for medical expenses, lost income, and reduced quality of life. Contact our New Orleans office today at (504) 294-3804.
How Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After an 18-Wheeler Accident In New Orleans, LA
Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers is committed to helping injury victims in New Orleans, Louisiana, seek justice from those responsible for their harm. With 50 years of combined legal experience, our New Orleans personal injury attorneys have recovered millions on behalf of our clients.
If you’ve been hurt in an accident, our New Orleans personal injury lawyers can support you by:
- Reviewing your case and explaining your legal options
- Developing a tailored legal strategy and collecting relevant records, documents, and witness testimony
- Filing a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance provider and working toward a fair settlement
- Taking your case to court if a reasonable agreement can’t be reached
Truck accidents often result in serious, life-altering injuries. An experienced New Orleans truck accident attorney can help you pursue the compensation you deserve. To explore your legal options, contact us for a free consultation with an experienced New Orleans truck accident lawyer.
Who May Be Liable for a Truck Accident?
When a truck accident leads to serious injury or death, working with a truck accident attorney can be crucial. One of the key roles your lawyer plays is determining who is legally responsible.
In most cases, the trucking company operating the vehicle is liable. If the driver is an employee, the company is typically held vicariously responsible for their negligence. If the driver is an independent contractor, their own business entity may carry the legal burden. Either way, there should be insurance or resources available to compensate for your losses.
However, to access that compensation, your attorney must establish that negligence occurred. In legal terms, negligence refers to a failure to use reasonable care to ensure the safety of others.
Trucking companies may be held liable under several common negligence scenarios:
- Driving dangerously or violating traffic laws
- Employing drivers with histories of accidents or substance abuse
- Skipping mandatory drug and alcohol screenings
- Ignoring necessary vehicle maintenance
- Creating schedules that contribute to driver fatigue
In some cases, injured parties may share part of the blame. For example, if a fatigued truck driver runs a stop sign, but the other driver was speeding and unable to stop in time, both parties may be found partially responsible. Under Louisiana’s comparative fault system, compensation is reduced based on the percentage of fault assigned to the victim.
What Compensation Can I Recover After an 18-Wheeler Accident?
After a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for both financial and non-financial losses. This includes reimbursement for medical care—both past and future—as well as expenses for therapy, medications, and rehabilitation. You can also recover damages for lost wages and diminished earning potential moving forward.
In addition to economic damages, you may pursue compensation for non-economic harm. These types of losses reflect how your quality of life has been impacted, such as ongoing pain, emotional distress, or permanent disability. Because these damages are more subjective, it can be difficult to assess their full value without experienced legal guidance.
Filing a Claim
Federal regulations require trucking companies to maintain substantial insurance coverage and surety bonds to cover injuries and property damage resulting from collisions. The specific coverage amount depends on factors like the type of cargo, especially if hazardous materials are involved.
Filing a personal injury claim involves presenting evidence of your damages along with a clear explanation of the trucking company’s liability. Your attorney will work directly with the insurance adjuster or surety to try to reach a fair settlement. However, disputes over who was at fault or the value of your claim can sometimes stall the process.
If a settlement isn’t possible, your lawyer can file a lawsuit and take your case to trial. They will collect all necessary evidence and present your case to a jury. If the jury finds in your favor, you may be awarded compensation to help cover the full extent of your losses.
Contact Our New Orleans 18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation
Truck accident cases can be legally complex. For help with the process and building a strong claim, contact Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers.
Schedule a free consultation with a New Orleans 18-wheeler accident lawyer to discuss your case and the legal strategy that could help you recover compensation from the responsible party.
