Ascension Parish Truck Accident Lawyer

An accident involving big trucks can be particularly devastating. Catastrophic damages can result both physically and emotionally, and insurance companies can make the process of recovering compensation much harder. A skilled Ascension Parish truck accident lawyer can give accurate answers to your questions after an accident and take over communications with insurance companies so you receive all that you are entitled to.

Exceptional Results With a Skilled Ascension Parish Truck Accident Law Firm

Our seasoned attorneys at Gauthier Amedee have a total of over 40 years of experience in personal injury law. We have won several multi-million-dollar personal injury settlements for our clients. Multiple verdicts have reached over $1 million, and some as high as $5 million. Our extraordinary results come from listening to our clients and advocating fiercely for them.

Who Might Be Liable

According to LA R.S. 9:2800.68, Louisiana follows comparative fault. Truck accidents often involve more than one party. The truck driver might have caused the crash by speeding, distracted driving, or being fatigued. However, that’s just one part of the picture.

The company that owns the truck could be liable, too. They may have skipped inspections or pushed the driver past safe limits. The company that loaded the trailer might also be at fault if the cargo wasn’t secured safely.

Sometimes, the fault lies with a company that made a faulty part for the truck. Common parts that contribute to accidents are brakes and tires. An Ascension Parish truck accident lawyer will examine every link in the chain and thoroughly investigate who should be held responsible.

According to the Center for Analytics & Research in Transportation Safety, 27.75% of commercial vehicle accidents in 2023 that led to injury were due to inattention or carelessness from the commercial vehicle driver.

Even if you were partially at fault, comparative fault means you can still receive some compensation. The settlement amount in an Ascension Parish truck accident case might be reduced by how much you are deemed to be at fault.

What You Can Recover With the Help of a Skilled Ascension Parish Truck Accident Lawyer

In 2023, there were 104 crashes involving commercial vehicles in Ascension Parish. Victims of these accidents can seek compensation through a legal claim. These are some of the most common types of damage:

• Medical expenses. This includes hospital stays and follow-up care. Future medical needs can also be part of the claim. Even with insurance, these costs can be extraordinary.
• Lost income. If the injury kept you from working, you may be compensated for those lost wages, including time you may miss later. If the injury affects your ability to do your job and limits your options, that loss may contribute to the settlement, too.
• Pain and suffering. This covers the physical pain and emotional strain caused by the crash. The quality of your life before the accident can be compared to what it’s like now.
• Property damage. You can request payment for damage to your car or anything else lost in the crash. Receipts and photos help support this part of the claim.
• Punitive damages. In rare cases, the court can order the company to pay more if its actions were reckless. These damages punish bad conduct and try to prevent it from happening again.

What you recover depends on everything you have lost, the bills accrued, and how much you are responsible for the accident, if at all.

Why Truck Accidents Are Legally Different

Truck crash cases do not follow the same path as regular car accidents. There are rules that commercial trucks have to follow, both from the state and federal governments. The Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development has regulations that address factors such as driving hours and truck maintenance.

When a commercial truck crashes, the stakes are higher. Injuries and property damage are often much more severe. Trucking companies carry high-value insurance, but they will have legal representation fighting to pay out minimally.

Truck crashes also involve more technical evidence. Commercial vehicles usually have black boxes that record driving data. GPS logs and driver records can help prove what went wrong, but this kind of evidence can vanish unless it’s preserved early.

Why Do I Need an Ascension Parish Truck Accident Attorney?

Truck crash cases take time and effort. A seasoned truck accident lawyer can handle speaking to witnesses and collecting records. They can examine logs, reports, photos, or black box data for evidence to build a solid case. They may also work with accident reconstructionists to explain what caused the crash.

Trucking companies have teams of lawyers whose job it is to limit how much they pay. A skilled lawyer representing the victim evens the playing field to obtain fair payment and hold the right people accountable.

FAQs

Q: What Should I Do After a Truck Accident in Ascension Parish?

A: After a truck accident in Ascension Parish, get medical attention. Even if you feel okay, some injuries may take a while to show up. A doctor’s exam will also provide evidence for your claim. Contact the police, who will file a crash report that will also become part of your evidence. If you can, take photos and get the names and information of witnesses.

Q: Who Can Be Held Responsible in a Commercial Truck Crash?

A: There are several parties who can be held responsible in a commercial truck crash, depending on the situation. More than one person or company might be held liable. The driver may have made a mistake, but the trucking company could share the blame, too, if they hired someone unqualified or forced long hours. Sometimes, the company that loaded the trailer may be to blame for causing the accident or even the maker of a truck part.

Q: How Are Truck Accidents Different From Car Wrecks?

A: Truck accidents are different from car wrecks because they are governed by different laws. Truck crash cases involve commercial laws, as truckers and their companies have to follow federal rules. These dictate how long people can drive and how much the vehicle can weigh. These rules don’t apply to drivers of cars or smaller vehicles. Trucking companies also carry larger insurance policies and have legal teams ready to fight back.

Q: What if the Trucking Company Denies Fault?

A: If the trucking company denies fault, that doesn’t mean you don’t have a case. It is common for them to try and shift the blame. They might say their driver did nothing wrong, or they may blame another vehicle or even the victim. An experienced truck accident lawyer can thoroughly investigate and determine what actually occurred.

Seek Compensation With Ascension Parish Truck Accident Lawyers – Free Consultation

There were a total of 3,801 commercial vehicle crashes in Louisiana in 2023. A legal case crafted by an experienced truck accident legal team can help you rebuild and speak for you when you cannot. Don’t let a trucking company avoid accountability. Schedule a consultation with Gauthier Amedee, and they can fight to obtain the maximum compensation you are entitled to.