Driving a truck is a dangerous way to earn an income. Traveling long hours on unfamiliar roads, often through adverse weather is not exactly a safe way to make a living.
It should come as no surprise, then, that semi-truck drivers cause an alarming number of wrecks. Due to the size and weight of 18-wheelers, the occupants of other vehicles tend to suffer the worst of the impact. In 2013, 4,000 people died and 95,000 sustained injuries in truck accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Commercial truckers are some of the most experienced drivers on the road, but they still make mistakes. The most common causes of 18-wheeler wrecks include:
- Speeding – drivers often have financial incentive to reach their destinations as fast as possible;
- Poor training – operating a semi-truck is not the same as driving a passenger vehicle, and inexperienced drivers are prone to accidents; and
- Fatigue – driving long hours through the night can cause drowsiness.
If you were injured or lost a family member due to a negligent trucker in Louisiana, turn to Morris Bart, LLC. An auto accident lawyer in Lafayette will answer your questions, assess the police report and doctors’ records, interview witnesses and help you recover the maximum compensation. Call 800-537-8185 to schedule a free initial consultation.
What Damages Might I Be Able to Claim after a Truck Accident?
Nearly 1 in 3 truckers has a serious accident in their career, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vital Signs Report. For every trucker or passenger who dies in those crashes, six occupants of other vehicles lose their lives.
Victims who are lucky enough to survive often face exorbitant medical bills. Many cannot return to work, which puts their families’ financial security in jeopardy.
If you were injured due to a drunk, distracted or otherwise negligent truck driver in Louisiana, you may be entitled to compensation for past and future medical bills, lost income, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other damages.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-537-8185
Who Can I Sue after a Truck Accident?
There are several parties who might be liable for damages after a truck crash. Usually, the defendants in these cases are:
- The trucking company because it failed to train a driver properly or offered illegal incentives to speed or drive for excessive hours;
- The driver who caused the crash;
- The manufacturer of the truck may be liable for damages if a defective part caused the accident;
- The owner of the truck may be liable if he or she was aware that the vehicle was faulty; or
- The company that loaded the truck improperly.
If you were injured by a commercial truck driver in Louisiana, contact Morris Bart, LLC.
A Lafayette injury attorney will help you fight for the maximum settlement, and if your case goes to trial, our legal team has the litigation experience to represent your interests in court. Call 800-537-8185 to schedule a free consultation.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
