Baton Rouge Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck Accident Attorney In Baton Rouge, LA

Accidents that involve commercial trucks like tractor-trailers are less common than other crashes, but the effects are often devastating. It’s important to work with a Baton Rouge truck accident lawyer if you or a loved one was injured in a commercial vehicle crash to recover your financial losses and hold negligent parties accountable.

Hurt in a Big Truck Accident? We Can Help!

The Louisiana DOTD reported 914 crashes and 997 fatalities on highways throughout the state in 2021. Big truck accidents are especially dangerous as they can cause much more damage than other car accidents. If you were injured in a truck accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries. The Baton Rouge truck accident lawyers at Gauthier Amedee can be your legal advocates and fight for the compensation you may be entitled to. Discuss your case today for free!

Your Baton Rouge Truck Accident Lawyers

Did you suffer serious injuries in a truck accident? A collision with an 18-wheeler or big truck can cause debilitating injuries and devastating financial setbacks. If the accident wasn’t your fault, you could be eligible to seek damages.

East Baton Rouge Parish had the highest number of total commercial vehicle crashes in both 2022 and 2023. We’re your Go2Lawyers and are ready to discuss your legal options. If we’re able to take your case, we’ll guide you through every step of the process and fight to get you the maximum compensation available in Baton Rouge.

We Make It Easy

After one call to us, you can sit back and focus on recovering while we handle your case and seek the money you need to move forward.

You Deserve to Be Paid

Truck accidents cause a lot of damage. You deserve to be paid for everything you lost. We will help you seek the maximum settlement amount you’re entitled to.

No Fees Unless We Win

If we don’t recover compensation for you, you won’t owe us a dime. We work on a contingency-fee basis, so there are no upfront costs, ever.

Do You Have a Truck Accident Case?

Truck accidents are seldom classified as minor fender benders. In East Baton Rouge Parish, there were 214 collisions involving commercial motor vehicles in 2024 out of a total of 21,154 crashes in the parish. Four of the 64 fatal crashes in the parish involved commercial motor vehicles.

If you were hit by an 18-wheeler or a big truck, you likely have grounds to file a truck accident lawsuit. Here are some of the circumstances we will need to determine, which will dictate whether you have a case:

• The other party or parties involved had a duty of care
• That duty of care was not fulfilled due to someone’s reckless or negligent behavior
• Their negligence caused the accident
• You suffered serious injuries as a result of the accident
• The statute of limitations to file an injury claim (1 year from the date of injury, but changed to two years for claims filed after July 2024) has not expired

All of these factors must be true to have the grounds for a valid claim. If the statute of limitations has expired, you will be barred from recovering compensation through the court. Typically, insurance claims must be filed much sooner than the civil statute of limitations. During your free case review, we’ll discuss all the details of your accident and injuries to identify whether you can pursue compensation.

Common Injuries in a Truck Accident

Truck collisions are more likely to result in severe damage and significant injuries, including disabling and even fatal injuries. Commercial vehicles like 18-wheelers are much larger and heavier than other vehicles and take longer to slow down. All these factors increase the damage caused by a crash. Commercial truck accidents are also more likely to be pileups involving numerous other vehicles and their occupants.

Some of the most common injuries from commercial vehicle accidents include:

• Lacerations, cuts, and bruises
• Fractured bones, which can become catastrophic when numerous bones are broken
• Whiplash injuries or damage to the neck, spine, and spinal cord
• Spinal cord injuries like nerve damage or severing that lead to full or partial paralysis
• Spine and back injuries, including fractures, sprains, strains, and herniated disks
• Traumatic brain injuries, ranging from concussions to permanent brain damage
• Internal injuries, including internal bleeding or organ damage
• Limb loss, crushing injuries, and amputation
• Burn injuries, including thermal or chemical burns
• Post-traumatic stress disorder

After a truck accident, it is important to first call 911 and report the accident and the injuries you are aware of. Getting medical treatment at the scene and later from your healthcare provider is essential. It is very rare that individuals are uninjured after a commercial truck accident. If you think you are uninjured, you may have internal injuries or be suffering from a traumatic brain injury that has not shown symptoms yet. Medical treatment is essential.

Nearby Hospitals

Hospitals near Baton Rouge include:

• Ochsner Medical Center – Baton Rouge, at 17000 Medical Center Drive
• Baton Rouge General – Bluebonnet, at 8585 Picardy Avenue
• Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, at 5000 Hennessy Boulevard
• Lane Regional Medical Center, at 6300 Main Street in Zachary

Getting treatment helps your personal well-being and provides you with documentation of healthcare professionals’ opinions on your injuries. This documentation helps connect the accident to the injuries you sustained. When dealing with commercial insurance providers, it is essential that you have proof of every element of your claim, as these companies try many tactics to deny compensation, including claiming your injuries were not from the accident.

Types of Compensation You Can Recover After a Truck Accident in Baton Rouge

There are many different types of compensation that injured persons can pursue after an accident. What you are eligible for depends on the extent of the damage you suffered: both bodily and property damage.

Here are some of the various types of damages that you may be eligible for:

• Present and future medical costs, including ongoing treatment
• Lost wages or loss of ability to work
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering

These are compensatory damages that you may be able to claim, which have two types:

Economic Damages

Accident damages can typically be categorized as either economic or non-economic. Economic damages are those that have a calculable monetary value, such as medical expenses and property damage. These damages are more straightforward to calculate, but many people still underestimate them. These damages must also consider the long-term financial losses that impact you in the future, such as long-term medical needs and reduced earning capacity.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are usually more difficult to quantify, as they cover the “unseen” injuries, such as psychological trauma, anxiety, PTSD, etc. These non-economic damages often fall under the umbrella of pain and suffering. These damages are much more complicated to calculate as they are subjective and do not have a set value.

When you work with an attorney, it is much easier to determine full and fair non-economic damages. An attorney has significant experience calculating these losses.

Why Are Truck Accident Claims More Complicated than Other Accident Claims?

There are many reasons that truck accident claims are more complicated than other crashes, including the significance of the damages. Because damages are more significant, compensation must be much higher to cover those damages. Securing high settlements or verdicts can be harder, however.

There are other reasons that commercial truck accidents are more complex, including:

1. Liable parties. Numerous parties could be partially or totally at fault for the accident, and an investigation is important to determine those parties. The truck driver or other drivers on the road may be liable, but they are often not the only ones.A truck driver’s employer may be vicariously or directly liable for the negligence of a truck driver. If the employer or trucking company incentivized unsafe driving to meet deadlines, they could be held accountable for an accident. Other parties in or connected to the trucking company could be liable, such as shipping and loading companies, manufacturers of the vehicles, and truck mechanics.

   The at-fault parties may be out-of-state or even international companies, which adds more complications to the claims process.

2. Federal regulation. Commercial vehicles have set safety regulations to limit the likelihood and severity of accidents. This includes regulations like hours of service for drivers, maintenance and repair schedules for vehicles, safety equipment, cargo weight limits, drug tests for drivers, and data logging requirements.Violations of these regulations can more clearly point to a negligent party acting with misconduct, who could be held liable for the accident. An experienced attorney who understands these accidents and laws will be able to review the crash for evidence of violations of these regulations.
3. Commercial insurers. A truck company will usually have insurance through a commercial insurance provider. These companies have many more resources than most car insurance providers and will use those to aggressively defend their interests. Although these insurance policies have much higher coverage limits, it is not always easy to get those limits.Even if the liable party does not end up being covered by the commercial insurer, they will still be involved in investigations into fault. They will likely try many tactics to avoid liability, including blaming you. After a truck accident, you can’t assume that the truck company and its insurer will operate in good faith. You need to protect your interests and work with an attorney to secure your own significant resources.

Wrongful Death Claims After Truck Accidents

Unfortunately, many truck accidents result in fatalities or severe injuries that can lead to death. When these tragedies occur, surviving close family members can file claims on their loved one’s behalf against the at-fault party. This could include a wrongful death claim or a survival action. An attorney can help families navigate this difficult time and provide advice and compassion.

How Can a Baton Rouge Truck Accident Lawyer Help You?

When you are facing serious injuries, the last thing you need on your plate is the stress of navigating the complex legal waters of an injury claim. Working with a Baton Rouge truck accident lawyer allows you to focus on your recovery, while we focus on your case.

Here are some things an attorney can do for your case:

• Investigate the accident and determine who was at fault. The truck driver is not always the guilty party. There can be a number of parties responsible for your injuries and consequent compensation. Having one of our lawyers help you determine who was at fault for your accident can ensure you are able to seek the maximum settlement amount possible.
• Seek compensation you may not even have known you deserved. Insurance companies will do anything they can to keep from paying for your losses. If you try to seek what you’re owed on your own, you will likely miss out on crucial funds the insurance company hides from you or denies you.
• Compile evidence and documents relating to your claim to put together a strong case on your behalf.
• Handle any calls and negotiations with the insurance company. Insurance adjusters can sometimes revert to bullying to get claimants to back down from the compensation they deserve. We won’t let them take advantage of you. We’ll help you fight for your rights and the settlement you’re entitled to.

Choosing the Right Lawyer

When looking for a truck accident attorney in Baton Rouge, you want someone with demonstrated experience winning cases like yours. Case results, client testimonials, and attorney accreditations are all signs of an experienced, credible attorney.

At Gauthier Amedee, we pride ourselves on our reputation in Baton Rouge and throughout Louisiana. We’ve won millions of dollars in compensation for our clients, and we want to do the same for you.

Do You Have a Truck Accident Case?

Truck accidents are seldom classified as minor fender benders. In East Baton Rouge Parish, there were 214 collisions involving commercial motor vehicles in 2024 out of a total of 21,154 crashes in the parish. Four of the 64 fatal crashes in the parish involved commercial motor vehicles.

If you were hit by an 18-wheeler or a big truck, you likely have grounds to file a truck accident lawsuit. Here are some of the circumstances we will need to determine, which will dictate whether you have a case:

• The other party or parties involved had a duty of care
• That duty of care was not fulfilled due to someone’s reckless or negligent behavior
• Their negligence caused the accident
• You suffered serious injuries as a result of the accident
• The statute of limitations to file an injury claim (1 year from the date of injury, but changed to two years for claims filed after July 2024) has not expired

All of these factors must be true to have the grounds for a valid claim. If the statute of limitations has expired, you will be barred from recovering compensation through the court. Typically, insurance claims must be filed much sooner than the civil statute of limitations. During your free case review, we’ll discuss all the details of your accident and injuries to identify whether you can pursue compensation.

Common Injuries in a Truck Accident

Truck collisions are more likely to result in severe damage and significant injuries, including disabling and even fatal injuries. Commercial vehicles like 18-wheelers are much larger and heavier than other vehicles and take longer to slow down. All these factors increase the damage caused by a crash. Commercial truck accidents are also more likely to be pileups involving numerous other vehicles and their occupants.

Some of the most common injuries from commercial vehicle accidents include:

• Lacerations, cuts, and bruises
• Fractured bones, which can become catastrophic when numerous bones are broken
• Whiplash injuries or damage to the neck, spine, and spinal cord
• Spinal cord injuries like nerve damage or severing that lead to full or partial paralysis
• Spine and back injuries, including fractures, sprains, strains, and herniated disks
• Traumatic brain injuries, ranging from concussions to permanent brain damage
• Internal injuries, including internal bleeding or organ damage
• Limb loss, crushing injuries, and amputation
• Burn injuries, including thermal or chemical burns
• Post-traumatic stress disorder

After a truck accident, it is important to first call 911 and report the accident and the injuries you are aware of. Getting medical treatment at the scene and later from your healthcare provider is essential. It is very rare that individuals are uninjured after a commercial truck accident. If you think you are uninjured, you may have internal injuries or be suffering from a traumatic brain injury that has not shown symptoms yet. Medical treatment is essential.

Nearby Hospitals

Hospitals near Baton Rouge include:

• Ochsner Medical Center – Baton Rouge, at 17000 Medical Center Drive
• Baton Rouge General – Bluebonnet, at 8585 Picardy Avenue
• Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, at 5000 Hennessy Boulevard
• Lane Regional Medical Center, at 6300 Main Street in Zachary

Getting treatment helps your personal well-being and provides you with documentation of healthcare professionals’ opinions on your injuries. This documentation helps connect the accident to the injuries you sustained. When dealing with commercial insurance providers, it is essential that you have proof of every element of your claim, as these companies try many tactics to deny compensation, including claiming your injuries were not from the accident.

Types of Compensation You Can Recover After a Truck Accident in Baton Rouge

There are many different types of compensation that injured persons can pursue after an accident. What you are eligible for depends on the extent of the damage you suffered: both bodily and property damage.

Here are some of the various types of damages that you may be eligible for:

• Present and future medical costs, including ongoing treatment
• Lost wages or loss of ability to work
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering

These are compensatory damages that you may be able to claim, which have two types:

Economic Damages

Accident damages can typically be categorized as either economic or non-economic. Economic damages are those that have a calculable monetary value, such as medical expenses and property damage. These damages are more straightforward to calculate, but many people still underestimate them. These damages must also consider the long-term financial losses that impact you in the future, such as long-term medical needs and reduced earning capacity.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are usually more difficult to quantify, as they cover the “unseen” injuries, such as psychological trauma, anxiety, PTSD, etc. These non-economic damages often fall under the umbrella of pain and suffering. These damages are much more complicated to calculate as they are subjective and do not have a set value.

When you work with an attorney, it is much easier to determine full and fair non-economic damages. An attorney has significant experience calculating these losses.

Why Are Truck Accident Claims More Complicated than Other Accident Claims?

There are many reasons that truck accident claims are more complicated than other crashes, including the significance of the damages. Because damages are more significant, compensation must be much higher to cover those damages. Securing high settlements or verdicts can be harder, however.

There are other reasons that commercial truck accidents are more complex, including:

1. Liable parties. Numerous parties could be partially or totally at fault for the accident, and an investigation is important to determine those parties. The truck driver or other drivers on the road may be liable, but they are often not the only ones.A truck driver’s employer may be vicariously or directly liable for the negligence of a truck driver. If the employer or trucking company incentivized unsafe driving to meet deadlines, they could be held accountable for an accident. Other parties in or connected to the trucking company could be liable, such as shipping and loading companies, manufacturers of the vehicles, and truck mechanics.

   The at-fault parties may be out-of-state or even international companies, which adds more complications to the claims process.

2. Federal regulation. Commercial vehicles have set safety regulations to limit the likelihood and severity of accidents. This includes regulations like hours of service for drivers, maintenance and repair schedules for vehicles, safety equipment, cargo weight limits, drug tests for drivers, and data logging requirements.Violations of these regulations can more clearly point to a negligent party acting with misconduct, who could be held liable for the accident. An experienced attorney who understands these accidents and laws will be able to review the crash for evidence of violations of these regulations.
3. Commercial insurers. A truck company will usually have insurance through a commercial insurance provider. These companies have many more resources than most car insurance providers and will use those to aggressively defend their interests. Although these insurance policies have much higher coverage limits, it is not always easy to get those limits.Even if the liable party does not end up being covered by the commercial insurer, they will still be involved in investigations into fault. They will likely try many tactics to avoid liability, including blaming you. After a truck accident, you can’t assume that the truck company and its insurer will operate in good faith. You need to protect your interests and work with an attorney to secure your own significant resources.

Wrongful Death Claims After Truck Accidents

Unfortunately, many truck accidents result in fatalities or severe injuries that can lead to death. When these tragedies occur, surviving close family members can file claims on their loved one’s behalf against the at-fault party. This could include a wrongful death claim or a survival action. An attorney can help families navigate this difficult time and provide advice and compassion.

How Can a Baton Rouge Truck Accident Lawyer Help You?

When you are facing serious injuries, the last thing you need on your plate is the stress of navigating the complex legal waters of an injury claim. Working with a Baton Rouge truck accident lawyer allows you to focus on your recovery, while we focus on your case.

Here are some things an attorney can do for your case:

• Investigate the accident and determine who was at fault. The truck driver is not always the guilty party. There can be a number of parties responsible for your injuries and consequent compensation. Having one of our lawyers help you determine who was at fault for your accident can ensure you are able to seek the maximum settlement amount possible.
• Seek compensation you may not even have known you deserved. Insurance companies will do anything they can to keep from paying for your losses. If you try to seek what you’re owed on your own, you will likely miss out on crucial funds the insurance company hides from you or denies you.
• Compile evidence and documents relating to your claim to put together a strong case on your behalf.
• Handle any calls and negotiations with the insurance company. Insurance adjusters can sometimes revert to bullying to get claimants to back down from the compensation they deserve. We won’t let them take advantage of you. We’ll help you fight for your rights and the settlement you’re entitled to.

Choosing the Right Lawyer

When looking for a truck accident attorney in Baton Rouge, you want someone with demonstrated experience winning cases like yours. Case results, client testimonials, and attorney accreditations are all signs of an experienced, credible attorney.

At Gauthier Amedee, we pride ourselves on our reputation in Baton Rouge and throughout Louisiana. We’ve won millions of dollars in compensation for our clients, and we want to do the same for you.

What Comes Next?

Ready to work with Baton Rouge’s Go2Lawyers? Here’s what you can expect to happen after you call us:

Baton Rouge Truck Accident FAQs

How do truck accidents happen?

There are many causes of big truck accidents. Here are some of the most common:

• Truck Driver Error: Driver error can include serious offenses such as distracted driving, or driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Unfortunately, many truck drivers are also faced with extreme and unrealistic deadlines for their shipments, which can cause them to stay up for hours and even days on end to make up time. As a result, driver fatigue, or falling asleep at the wheel, is another major factor that results in truck accidents.
• Improper Loading: Semi-trucks regularly carry as much as 80,000 lbs of weight when out on the road. If the cargo is not properly secured, or if the weight is not evenly distributed, the trailer can slide out of alignment with the cab and jackknife, causing serious damage. It is the responsibility of a truck driver and their company to ensure that all trucks are safe to drive and that the loading requirements are met.
• Equipment Failure: If a driver or trucking company fails to perform regular maintenance and safety checks on all of their equipment, including vehicles, it can cause malfunctions that can lead to parts of the truck failing while on the road.

How much does a truck accident lawyer cost?

At Gauthier Amedee, you never have to pay any attorney fees upfront. In fact, we only get paid after you do. If there is no settlement, there is no attorney fee. It’s that simple.

What if my case goes to court?

Although it is in the best interests of all parties to settle out of court, there are times when going to trial gives you the best chance to obtain maximum compensation. In these rare cases, our attorneys are well-equipped to handle litigations and negotiate before a judge on your behalf.

Don’t Delay! Contact Gauthier Amedee

After an injury from a truck accident, let a skilled truck accident lawyer in Baton Rouge handle the claims process for you. Call 225-647-1700 today or contact us online to discuss your case with a member of our team.