Commercial trucks, commonly referred to as 18-wheelers, serve an important role in the economy of Louisiana. These large vehicles are a regular sight on I-49 and other roadways throughout Alexandria. Unfortunately, despite the importance of these trucks, they are massive vehicles that are more difficult to maneuver than passenger cars or pickup trucks.
If you have been injured in an 18-wheeler accident as a result of someone else’s carelessness or recklessness, Louisiana allows you to use the civil court system to seek compensation for the expenses and impacts of your injury. An experienced Alexandria 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer from Morris Bart can assist you in this process. Our firm consists of more than 100 skilled attorneys in 15 offices located throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas.
Who Is Responsible for an 18-Wheeler Truck Accident?
Due to the size and danger it poses to other roadway users, the trucking industry is federally regulated and drivers are required to follow several regulations aimed at making others safe. Because of these regulations, 18-wheeler truck accidents in Alexandria, LA often result in complex personal injury claims.
There are several potential sources of liability in an Alexandria 18-wheeler truck accident, including:
- The truck driver whose negligence caused the accident. Learn more about pre-trip inspections from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which is the agency responsible for regulating the trucking industry in the U.S.
- Other negligent drivers whose carelessness or recklessness factored into the accident’s cause
- The trucking company responsible for ensuring the driver is properly licensed, insured, and trained to handle the rigors of the job. Additionally, the trucking company (or the owner of the truck) must ensure that the truck is properly maintained and in good operating condition.
- The individual or entity responsible for providing maintenance services on the truck
- The shipper, who is responsible in many cases for properly loading cargo into the trailer, and who also must ensure that the trucking company and the truck driver are adequately insured and in good standing with the FMCSA
One of the services your Morris Bart, LLC truck accident lawyer in Alexandria can provide is a determination of all sources of liability in your case and their associated insurance resources that can be accessed in order to provide your compensation.
For a free legal consultation with a 18-Wheeler Truck Accident lawyer serving Alexandria, call (318) 416-0089
What Is the Process for Obtaining Compensation after a Truck Accident?
Individuals who have been injured in 18-wheeler truck accidents in Alexandria that were a result of someone else’s carelessness or recklessness can seek compensation for the expenses and impacts of their injury through Louisiana’s personal injury claims process.
Personal injury claims generally begin as a demand to the at-fault party’s insurance provider. The provider can either pay the claim, deny the claim, or offer a settlement, which is an offer for a compensatory amount that is less than what was demanded in exchange for resolving the claim out of court. If the demand is denied or the insurance provider fails to make an offer of fair compensation to settle the claim, you and your attorney can file it in court as a personal injury lawsuit.
What Kind of Compensation Can You Receive Through a Truck Accident Claim?
18-wheeler truck accident claimants in Alexandria can seek compensation for the expenses and impacts related to their injury, such as:
- Wage loss for time missed from work as a result of the injury
- Loss of earning capacity if the injury creates permanent disabilities that hinder your ability to earn an income
- All past, current, and future medical expenses associated with the injury and its related complications
- Property damage related to the accident, such as damage to your vehicle
- Physical pain and suffering associated with the injury or the medical treatment of it
- Emotional distress due to the trauma of the accident, the worry over the impacts it has had on your life
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How Long do You Have to File a Claim?
As provided in Louisiana Civil Code 3492, personal injury claimants have one year to file their claim in court, with this time period starting on the day the accident occurred. In cases involving children who have been injured in an 18-wheeler accident, the child’s parents can file the claim on behalf of the child within one year of the date of the accident.
A Truck Accident Attorney Can Help You With Your Claim
One of the most important things that an Alexandria, LA, 18-wheeler truck accident attorney brings to your claim is experience with the process. This experience allows them and their legal team to provide services such as:
- Determining liability and insurance resources
- Valuing your claim based on the severity of your injury and the financial impacts you have suffered as a result
- Gathering evidence and witness testimony to prove your claim in court
- Handling all communication with the insurance provider in order to negotiate a settlement and protect your claim from common tactics insurance companies use to avoid paying for injuries caused by their insured
- Managing the court process, ensuring that your claim is filed within the statute of limitations and all other court requirements are met
- Litigation services
- Assistance collecting your court award or negotiated settlement.
Finding the Best 18-Wheeler Truck Accident Lawyer in Alexandria, LA
18-wheeler truck accident claims are difficult, requiring extensive evidence and knowledge about the regulations that the truck driver and their employer are subject to. The legal team at Morris Bart has over 40 years of experience helping individuals with their claims. For a free case evaluation with our Alexandria, LA 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer, contact us today.
Questions?Call (318) 416-0089
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
