Port Vincent Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck Accident Attorney In Port Vincent, LA

It can be traumatic and devastating to be involved in a collision with a large commercial vehicle, like a semi-truck. Even worse, these accidents often cause life-altering injuries. Holding a driver or company liable for your injuries is much easier with a Port Vincent truck accident lawyer. As you recover from your injuries, you can rest assured that your case is being investigated, assessed, and negotiated by your skilled legal representative.

Work With a Port Vincent Personal Injury Lawyer at Gauthier Amedee

It is essential to hire a Port Vincent personal injury attorney who can provide the support and guidance you need. The team at Gauthier Amedee knows how frustrating and difficult it is to file an insurance claim, particularly when you are recovering from an injury.

With more than 40 years of legal experience in cases like these, we are the team you need to fight for what you deserve. We have secured several seven-figure results in complex auto and car accident cases, both in settlements and trial verdicts. We can be your Go2Lawyers after a severe and damaging truck accident.

The Dangers of Truck Accidents in Port Vincent and Livingston Parish

In 2024, there were 105 total crashes involving commercial motor vehicles in Livingston Parish, including three fatal crashes and 46 suspected injury crashes. The three fatal crashes led to three fatalities, all of whom were drivers. Of the 42 suspected injuries, 31 were to drivers, 10 to passengers, and one to a non-motorist.

Truck collisions generally happen on busier roads, like I-10 and I-12, which do not pass through Port Vincent. Drivers in the area should still be cautious, however, as these accidents can be devastating if they occur. Injuries tend to be catastrophic or even fatal because commercial trucks, like 18-wheelers, are so much heavier, larger, and slower to stop compared to other vehicles.

The severity of damage is also one of the reasons truck accidents are uniquely complicated when compared to other crashes. While it may seem like it should be easier to get a fair payout when your injuries are so obviously serious, this isn’t often the case. Insurance companies fight harder against paying out big claims.

How Do You Prove Liability in a Truck Accident?

Many parties might be liable in a truck accident. While one of the involved drivers is usually the most common, there are other parties to consider. The trucking company may have overworked its drivers, or an inspection company may have put a dangerous truck on the road. To hold a driver or any other party liable, you must typically prove the following:

1. They owed you a duty of care.
2. They breached their duty of care to you.
3. This breach of care was a contributing factor to the collision.
4. The resulting crash led to you suffering damages.

It takes a robust investigation after an accident to assess the at-fault party or parties. Most often, a party is liable under negligence, meaning they acted carelessly, and this caused them to breach their duty of care. Drivers can be negligent by driving distracted, speeding, or even being impaired. If you were partially to blame for the crash, this can affect how much compensation you can recover. However, it doesn’t always bar you from getting any financial recovery.

Why Is It Important to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?

Hiring a truck accident lawyer is essential after a collision with a commercial truck, as trucking companies are represented by insurers with significant resources. Insurance adjusters use their resources to avoid paying you what you are owed by undermining your case and downplaying your injuries. With the support of a Port Vincent truck accident attorney, it is easier to deal with these tactics and recover fair compensation.

FAQs

How Long After a Truck Accident Can You Still Make a Claim?

After a truck accident, you have a two-year period where you can file a civil personal injury claim with the at-fault party, but this can vary based on the jurisdiction. This is the time limit for a civil claim, not the time limit for an insurance claim. Insurance claims usually have a very short window of time in which to file them. If you can’t secure a fair settlement, you can then file a civil claim.

What Happens If a Truck Driver Gets in an Accident?

If a truck driver gets into an accident, other drivers or passengers involved in the accident may have the grounds to file a truck accident claim with the truck driver’s employer. If the driver is not at fault, there may be other parties within or working with the trucking company who are, such as a truck inspector, a mechanic, or a loading company. Non-truck drivers in the crash could also be liable.

How Much Are Most Truck Accident Settlements?

Most truck accident settlements should be higher than the average vehicle accident settlement, but each is unique and dependent on the specific damages sustained in the crash.

While a settlement should recover all your damages from the at-fault party, this isn’t always what happens in practice. Insurance companies fight to limit the payout you receive. It’s essential to hire a truck accident lawyer who can fight for the full compensation you need to cover medical bills and other damages.

Is Louisiana a No-Fault Accident State?

No, Louisiana is not a no-fault accident state. In a truck accident, the at-fault driver can be held liable for the damages caused by the crash, and claims are made with their insurance company. If the at-fault party is the truck driver or another party in the trucking company, claims are filed with the company’s commercial insurance. If multiple parties are to blame, each has a percentage of the fault and is liable for the same percentage of the damages.

Reach Out to Gauthier Amedee After a Port Vincent Truck Collision

You shouldn’t have to deal with these cases alone. It’s essential that you report the accident and get medical treatment, including going to a hospital, like the Rise Community Hospital in Prairieville. At Gauthier Amedee, we understand truck accident laws and can assess your claim. Our team can fight for you in negotiation or litigation. Contact our firm today.