Severe Trucking And Commercial Vehicle Accidents In Louisiana

In This Article, You Will Learn About:

• What to do if you have been in a severe accident with a commercial vehicle in Louisiana.
• The injuries that are common to commercial vehicle accidents.
• The damages available to victims of severe accidents in Louisiana.

What Are Some Of The Most Common Causes That You See For Trucking Or Commercial Vehicle Or Semi-truck Accidents Across Louisiana?

There can be many causes of truck accidents. Everything from simple carelessness to the conditions on the roadway can make driving more difficult.

We know truck drivers have a difficult job and that most commercial drivers are doing their best to drive safely. Unfortunately, though, commercial drivers are often bound to strict deadlines, and many try to work extra hours.

These factors can put drivers in far more dangerous situations than they realize. As a result, many accidents happen because commercial drivers are tired, distracted, or unfamiliar with the traffic patterns in the area.

While it’s possible to have empathy for these situations, there is simply no excuse for causing an accident. Like everyone, commercial drivers need to be held responsible for the injuries and damages they cause in accidents.

What Are Some Of The Most Common Types Of Serious Injuries That You See As A Result Of Semi-truck Accidents Around New Orleans?

When compared to semi-trucks, smaller vehicles – and even large SUVs – do not have anywhere near the mass and weight required to inflict substantial damage in these accidents.

Because of this, when a semi-truck is involved in a collision, it is nearly always the other vehicle that bears the majority of the damage.

Because the two weights and masses are so different, the passenger vehicle will experience the worst of the damages. Unfortunately, this also means that the driver and passengers inside the smaller car will experience greater force, higher impact, more severe injuries.

Some of the most common injuries related to commercial vehicle accidents include:

• Severe Bruising
• Contusions
• Lacerations
• Spinal Injuries
• Damage to Disk Alignment
• Nerve Damage
• Head Trauma
• Brain Injury
• And more . . .

With these serious health concerns at play, it is easy to understand the vital importance of receiving a complete medical evaluation after one of these severe accidents. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for some of these injuries to remain unobvious until months later, when treatment and recovery become even more challenging.

Our office emphasizes the need for our clients’ treatment as soon as possible after an accident. By doing so, you can take preventative action that will ensure you don’t miss the signs of what could be a very serious injury to the head, the brain, the neck, the back, or any other joints or nerves in the body.

Who Could All Potentially Be Liable For My Serious Injuries As A Result Of A Louisiana Trucking Accident?

Under Louisiana law, all drivers, their insurers, and working commercial driver’s employers could be responsible for an accident.

Who is responsible and what percentage of their liability depends on the facts of what happened – facts that need to be supported with testimony and evidence.

This is why it’s so crucial to document what happened in an accident by calling the police, and by being clear and honest when being interviewed about the accident both by the police or any insurance

What Are The Potential Damages Someone Who Has Been Injured In A Severe Trucking Accident Might Recover?

There’s a myriad of damages that a person is entitled to after any type of automobile accident – and especially in serious trucking accidents.

The compensation for damages that are available to accident victims may include, but are not limited to:

• Medical Care
• Pain and Suffering
• Mental or Emotional Anguish
• Lost Wages
• Changes in Earning Capacity
• Future Loss of Earnings (Such as compensation for changes in how a person may be able to make a living in their future.)
• Future pain and suffering (In cases of long-lasting or permanent injury, or for disability.)

Additionally, in certain circumstances, spouses or dependents may be able to recover Loss of Consortium. Loss of Consortium is compensation for the effects of accident both on the victim directly and on their spouse or dependents indirectly.

Do Commercial Vehicles And Semi-truck Companies Tend To Have Significantly Larger Insurance Policy Limits Than Individual Motorists?

Generally speaking, commercial companies tend to have larger policy limits than your average driver, but it depends on the company involved.

Under Louisiana law, delivery vehicles and taxicabs are required to have somewhat larger policies than individual drivers – but only slightly larger.

Other companies may choose to have larger policies, but these are voluntary decisions. Therefore, there are no exact requirements on how large those policies may be.

It’s important to keep in mind:

Even though a large policy may be present or applicable to an accident, the amount in compensation that will ultimately be awarded depends on the facts of the accident and the types of injuries and damages suffered by the victim.

In summary, the size of a policy is not tied to the amount in damages owed. This is just another reason why it is so important to have your case evaluated by an experienced and skilled commercial vehicle accident attorney.

For more information on Trucking Accidents Law in Louisiana, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (504) 384-7770 today.