Truck Accident Lawyers in Lafayette, Louisiana

Were you injured in a truck accident?

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Truck Accident Lawyers in Lafayette, Louisiana

When you have been injured in a car accident with a large truck, you should ensure that an experienced truck accident attorney handles your claim. Accident claims for commercial trucks are more complicated than claims for passenger vehicles alone. Not only does he deal with the truck driver, but he also has to deal with the trucking company and its vast insurance provider.

Insurance companies for trucking companies dispatch large teams of professionals as soon as a truck accident is reported. These teams serve one purpose: to minimize harm to the business and protect the company's best interests. Therefore, you are competing with adjusters, investigators, accident experts, and insurance attorneys who are not interested in paying total compensation for your injury claim.

The Law Offices of Blaine J. Barrilleaux, truck accident attorneys, represent all tractor-trailer accident victims, including drivers, passengers, truckers, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. You can trust that a legal professional with over 20 years of experience representing accident victims will handle your truck accident claim.

Contact our office for a free consultation to discuss how we can help you seek justice and compensation for your injuries and damages. We will not stop fighting for your rights until all avenues of possible redress have been completely exhausted.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

Major truck accidents are dangerous for other vehicles, pedestrians, motorcyclists, and cyclists. However, the risk of serious injury is also higher for these people. A commercial truck's large size and weight protect the driver, which a passenger vehicle cannot offer in a collision with a giant truck. Therefore, common injuries sustained in semi-truck accidents include the following:

• Severe head injury, including traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other serious brain injuries.

• Severe erosions and burns

• Multiple fractures and broken bones, including crushed bones

• Internal bleeding and damage to internal organs.

• Stroke and spinal cord injuries.

• Neck and back injuries.

• Distortion and injury

In many cases, truck accident victims suffer permanent disability and impairment. When a person requires extensive medical treatment and ongoing personal care, medical expenses and loss of income can be substantial. Working with experienced truck accident attorneys in Lafayette and Metairie who routinely handle these complex and expensive accident claims is vital.

If you have been injured after being hit by a large truck, we want you to know that at The Law Offices of Blaine Barrilleaux, you always have someone to call when you need legal help to recover. There is someone. We say, "In pain? Call Blaine! Because our office is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays, we're always accessible to you. If we want, Lafayette must support each other so that this community can thrive. We focus on helping those who have been hurt because they are the ones who need it the most, and that's where we come in. We can make the most significant impact. So please don't be shy about reaching out. That's why we're here!

Truck Accident FAQs

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, you likely have many questions. From the moment an accident occurs, it can be scary and overwhelming to know what to do next.

Our team understands the stress and anxiety you are going through after a sudden accident. For this reason, we have provided a list of frequently asked questions after a truck accident, with answers below.

Should I Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?

No two truck accidents are the same, so we recommend contacting an experienced attorney after an accident. Additionally, trucking accident cases are often complex and involve multiple parties, such as the trucking and insurance companies. This can make it difficult to determine who is legally liable for damages.

After an accident, do not wait to seek legal advice, as this may affect your claim. In some cases, some injured victims wait to receive legal guidance and receive little or no compensation.

What should I do after a truck accident?

Immediately after a truck accident, safety should be your top priority. You should contact emergency services to get medical help and report the accident.

Be sure to collect evidence while you wait for emergency services to arrive. Evidence is essential and can help support your claim against the responsible party. This may include taking pictures of both your injuries and the accident scene, making a video of the accident scene, collecting witness statements, and exchanging contact information.

Finally, contact an attorney for legal guidance. Legal help is the only way to file a potential lawsuit.

What qualifies as a commercial truck?

According to the Federal Register, a commercial motor vehicle is "a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,001 pounds or more; designed to carry more than 15 passengers, including the driver" or transport hazardous materials in quantities that require the vehicle to be placarded.

Contact an attorney if you are still determining whether the truck involved in the accident is a commercial vehicle. Your attorney can investigate the car, select the type of truck, and help you with your claim if applicable.

Should I Call Truck Accident Lawyers If It Doesn't Look Like I'm Injured?

Even if you don't look injured, it's still in your best interest to have it evaluated by a medical professional. Sometimes, you may not feel pain until several days or weeks after the injury.

After a doctor evaluates you, our team can determine if you are entitled to compensation for damages. Truck accident cases are complex and often involve multiple parties, making filing a claim for damages difficult.

Injuries after an accident can result in high medical bills and lost wages, especially if you cannot work because of your injury. Our goal is to help injured victims get the compensation they deserve for their medical bills, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses so they can get on with their lives.

How long do I have to file a truck accident claim?

Whether you can file a truck accident lawsuit depends on your state's statute of limitations. These laws determine how long an injured person has to file a lawsuit against the party responsible for damages.

In Louisiana, an injured victim has one year from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Failure to apply within one year may result in little or no compensation.

How many truck accidents happen each year?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), "4,761 people died in crashes involving large trucks in 2017." Truck accidents are more common than people realize.

Due to their large size and weight, truck accidents can cause significant damage to those involved. This can lead to severe and life-altering injuries, property damage, and even emotional damage, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Because truck accidents can cause severe damage, more financial compensation may be available.

Who is responsible for the truck accident? Several potential parties could be responsible for this type of accident. People who can be held accountable for a truck accident include:

Truck Driver - A truck driver can be held liable for violations of laws, such as distracted driving, running a red light, or failing to yield the right of way.

Manufacturing Company: The manufacturing company that makes the truck may be liable if a collision results in a defective part.

Cargo Magazines: Sometimes, cargo magazines do not hold the contents securely on the cargo platform. If the material comes loose, it can cause a severe accident.

Trucking Company: A trucking company can be liable if it fails to follow procedures or safety inspections.

Can I sue the truck driver's transportation company for my injuries?

It depends. After a truck accident, determining who is responsible for the property damage and your injuries can be difficult. In some cases, trucking companies hire contractors who are not directly employed by the company. In this case, you will not be able to file a lawsuit against the company and will have to file a claim against the driver.

Filing a lawsuit takes time, and navigating the legal system without proper representation can make obtaining compensation more difficult. For this reason, it would be in your best interest to hire a truck accident attorney.

How Much Do Truck Accident Lawyers Cost?

People often need clarification about seeking legal guidance because of the cost. The cost of hiring a lawyer usually depends on various factors, such as research, time, and court fees. But you don't have to worry because, at the Law Offices of Blaine Barilloux, we only work on a contingency fee basis.

This means there is no upfront cost to you, and your payment for our representation will depend on the overall success of your case. Please note that every point is unique, and your case's outcome will depend on various factors.

Do you have more questions?

If you want more information about your legal options and whether you are entitled to compensation for damages, don't hesitate to contact our team. We are dedicated to helping truck accident victims injured due to someone else's negligence. Feel free to contact our team and let us review your case today.

Major truck accidents on the road are dangerous for others.

Whether you call the vehicle a large truck, commercial truck, semi-truck, 18-wheeler, large truck, or tractor-trailer, the reality remains the same for truck accident victims. Most commercial truck accident victims were not in the commercial truck at the time of the accident.

NHTSA released 2016 primary truck crash data in February 2018. From 2015 to 2016, truck crash deaths increased by slightly more than five percent. In 2016, 4,317 people died in significant truck accidents. Eighty-three percent (83%) of people killed in truck crashes were occupants of other vehicles or non-passengers (i.e., bicyclists, pedestrians, etc.). Eighty-nine (89) people were killed in tractor-trailer accidents in Louisiana in 2016. In addition, more than 100,000 people are injured yearly in accidents involving large trucks.

What should I do after a truck accident?

Occasionally, accident victims with serious injuries are transported directly to the emergency room. However, if you did not go to the emergency room, you should see your doctor immediately after the accident. The insurance company will try to use delays in treatment or failure to follow your doctor's treatment plan to deny or reduce your claim.

After your medical needs are met, contact the Law Offices of Blaine J. Barrilleaux to hire one of our truck accident attorneys to handle your case. Our legal professionals will begin investigating the cause of the truck accident to identify the responsible parties, preserve vital evidence to prove liability and recover maximum compensation for damages. It will be necessary.

Evidence, such as evidence from the accident scene or information in the truck's black box, can be lost or destroyed in a truck accident case. Our attorneys must act quickly to ensure that this valuable evidence is recovered.