If a commercial truck struck you or your loved one on the highway, you may have suffered devastating injuries and property loss. These trucks dwarf the typical motor vehicle on the road, which means any mistake a truck driver makes on the road will be potentially catastrophic for the victim.
Our Shreveport truck accident lawyer can protect your ability to seek compensation for your medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering. With legal representation, your rights against insurance companies can be defended.
The Role a Shreveport Truck Accident Lawyer Plays in Your Case
An accident involving a commercial truck can result in a complex case. Truckers need to meet specific age and license requirements to to legally operate large, hauling vehicles in Louisiana. The trucking company may be negligent if these conditions aren’t met.
Should our Shreveport personal injury lawyer find that the truck driver who struck your car drove illegally, your case becomes easier to prove. Additionally, if their employer did not follow state rules to ensure the driver was operating legally, the employer could also be liable for your injuries.
Finding the Facts
Your Shreveport truck accident lawyer will need to build a case on your behalf. A lawyer will study a variety of items related to your situation, including:
- Police reports
- Evidence collected at the scene, including photos and videos
- Any testing information for the driver regarding alcohol and drug use
- Information from the truck driver’s logs
- Records of the driver’s training
- Records of the licenses and certifications the driver holds
- Interviews with witnesses
If necessary, we can consult with experts who know how to study or recreate an accident scene involving a truck to determine exactly what happened. We will explore every possible avenue in your truck accident case.
For a free legal consultation with a Truck Accident lawyer serving Shreveport, call 800-537-8185
Proving Negligence Via a Shreveport Truck Accident Lawyer
When you file a lawsuit against the individual who caused the truck accident, your legal team will attempt to prove negligence on their part. Negligence implies that someone could have prevented the crash. Regardless of who the negligent party is, we will attempt to show that the person’s action or inaction played a role in the crash that resulted in your injuries.
Identifying those Responsible for Your Injuries
If your Shreveport truck accident lawyer can prove that others acted negligently, playing a role in the crash, they can be added to the lawsuit to help pay for your losses. Beyond the driver, other individuals who may be responsible for your accident include:
- The company that employs the driver
- The owner of the truck
- The manufacturer of the truck
- Anyone who made parts for the truck
- Those who loaded the truck
- A mechanic who repaired the truck
Negligent Behaviors that Can Lead to an Accident
A driver, mechanic, or truck owner needs to follow state regulations for driving on the roads or for maintaining the truck. Without following the rules, the chances of a serious accident increase. Negligence can involve:
- A driver who does not obtain the proper certificates
- A driver who does not receive proper training
- Driving while fatigued
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Driving while distracted
- Not following traffic laws, such as speeding
- Traveling too fast for the weather or road conditions
- Improperly loading the trailer, causing a dangerous shift in the cargo
Another situation that could be considered negligence is when the driver’s employer gives them a schedule that is impossible to complete without speeding or driving recklessly.
Understanding Your Injuries After a Shreveport Truck Collision
Accidents between commercial trucks and motor vehicles are often extremely serious, resulting in significant injury or death.
If your loved one passed away due to a commercial truck accident, you have the right to seek compensation via a wrongful death case. If your injuries caused you to miss work or lose the ability to work, you can receive compensation for these losses. Estimates for future medical costs should also be calculated in your compensation amount.
Common Truck Crash Injuries
The victim in a truck accident may end up in an ambulance because of their severe injuries. Other times, the effects of the injuries may not show up until adrenaline wears off several hours after the accident. Some injuries you may see in a truck accident include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Facial trauma
- Spinal cord injuries
- Damages to internal organs
- Broken bones
- Loss of limbs or digits
- Muscle damage
- Ligament damage
- Bruises and cuts
- Loss of one or more senses
- Disfigurement
- Skin burns
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Emotional trauma
Click to contact our Shreveport Personal Injury Attorneys today
Truck Accident-Related Damages
You have the right to pursue compensation for the damages you suffered because of your truck accident. Some accident-related damages in truck accidents include:
- Past, present, and future medical bills
- Ongoing rehabilitation and medical treatment
- Lost income
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
These damages have the potential to be extremely costly. Truck accidents can cost victims their financial security and future. A lawyer can help you navigate the aftermath of your accident and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
How Much Time You Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit
According to Louisiana’s statute of limitations, La. Civ. Code § 3492, truck and car accident victims have one year to file a lawsuit. However, certain exceptions to the statute of limitations could give you even less time to file.
Sometimes, insurance companies have more strict time limitations for accident claims. It is advised that you notify your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident so your personal injury lawyer can get started on an investigation.
What to Do After Your Truck Accident in Shreveport
Truck accident victims can take certain actions to protect their case after a collision. If you were involved in a trucking accident, you may want to:
- Stay off social media: Insurance companies can use anything you say against you after an accident, including what you post on social media. Even if your intention is to let your friends and family know you are doing okay, an insurer could twist your words to make it seem like you are not injured. They use tricky tactics to try to offer you a lower settlement than you deserve.
- Hold on to any evidence you may have gathered: You are not required to collect any evidence on your own to build a case. Your personal injury attorney can handle this task for you. However, if you took any photos or videos at the scene of the accident, bring them to your lawyer. Any accident-related bills or receipts you have may be useful as well.
- Reach out to a personal injury law firm: While you can handle your case alone, you don’t have to. By reaching out to a lawyer, you can pass off daunting legal tasks to someone who has experience handling them. You do not need to cause yourself more stress after a crash. Our team can take on the liable party and their insurers for you.
We don’t Get Paid Unless You Do
At the Morris Bart law firm, we work on a contingency fee basis. This contingency means we do not accept any payment until your case reaches a satisfactory settlement. Reach out to us to begin the process of seeking financial compensation after a truck accident.
Count on our Shreveport truck accident lawyer to determine which parties are responsible for your injuries. We will negotiate with the trucking carrier’s insurance company on your behalf and defend your right to receive fair compensation in court, if necessary. Call us today to get started.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
