SEMI TRUCK ACCIDENT
PRACTICE AREAS
SHREVEPORT TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER
Experienced Semi-Truck Accident Law Firm in Shreveport-Bossier City, LA
The almost two million semi trucks in use in the United States are vital links in the distribution network, contributing to the economy by distributing consumer goods. Because of their size and the time it takes to come to a complete stop, however, it’s easy to see how a passenger vehicle driver could be severely injured by a tractor-trailer accident.
Unfortunately, poor visibility and slow braking abilities, along with the sheer size and weight of the average semi-truck, mean accidents are more likely to end in disastrous outcomes than other types of automobile accidents. For those involved in a wreck with commercial vehicles like semi-trucks and 18-wheelers, seeking the help of an experienced personal injury attorney can be necessary to ensure justice is served and appropriate compensation is recovered.
As a reliable Shreveport truck accident lawyer serving Northwest Louisiana, Michael J. Vergis can guide you through the legal process following your commercial vehicle accident and fight for your right to maximum compensation from all responsible parties. To schedule a free consultation with Attorney Vergis regarding your case, simply call our Shreveport-Bossier law firm at (318) 698-3724 or fill out our convenient online intake form today.
What are Common Causes of Semi Truck Accidents?
Just as there are a number of potential causes of auto accidents in general, there are several different scenarios that might lead to a semi-truck or 18-wheeler accident. However, the most common causes of traffic accidents involving commercial trucks typically include fatigued drivers and mechanical failures, such as brake defects and tire blowouts.
Truck drivers often drive faster and for longer hours due to the way they are paid. Hours of Service standards limit the number of hours a truck driver may spend behind the wheel in one stretch. However, many continue to work long hours and travel great distances despite these regulations. As a result of the lack of sleep and weariness, the risk of errors and crashes increases when a truck driver operates under unsafe conditions to meet a deadline.
Meanwhile, things like inadequate inspection, lack of maintenance, moisture, or overheating can all lead to mechanical failure, such as the failure of brakes. Trucking businesses and drivers are required by the federal government to keep track of the condition of their brakes at all times. As a result, multiple parties may be accountable for brake failure, including manufacturers and designers. Additionally, tire blowouts can be caused by design flaws, poor maintenance, and a lack of thorough inspection, all of which can result in significant damage.
Other potential causes of 18-wheeler accidents include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Blind spots
- Impaired driving (driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol)
- Overloaded or improperly secured cargo
- Poor weather or road conditions
- Lack of driving training/driver inexperience
Common Injuries Suffered By Truck Accident Victims
Motor vehicle accidents of any kind can be devastating, but it is not uncommon for large truck crashes to result in extreme, often debilitating injuries compared to the average passenger vehicle car wreck. This, of course, is due to the sheer size and force of commercial vehicles.
Here are some of the most common injuries that we see in the many 18-wheeler accident claims we handle:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can range from concussions to severe brain damage.
- Spinal cord injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, significantly impacting mobility and independence.
- Whiplash and neck injuries are often caused by the sudden movement of the head, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion.
- Broken bones are common due to the force of impact and can occur in various parts of the body such as arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis.
- Internal injuries to the liver, spleen, kidneys, and lungs, which may require surgery and intensive medical care.
- Cuts and lacerations often stem from broken glass, metal, and debris and can lead to significant blood loss in some cases.
- Burn injuries might occur as a result of a fire or explosion during truck collisions and can result in long-term scarring and extensive medical treatment.
- Amputations can occur at the scene of the accident or may be required after the fact due to severe, incurable damage.
- Soft tissue injuries include any damage to muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
- Facial injuries, including fractures, lacerations, and dental injuries, can occur from impact with the steering wheel, dashboard, seatbelt, or airbag deployment.
Aside from the physical injuries suffered, victims of large trucking accidents also often experience serious psychological injuries following the crash. This includes both emotional and psychological trauma such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. A Shreveport truck accident lawyer can help ensure that every injury, both physical and mental, is accounted for and appropriately compensated.
What To Do After a Semi Truck Accident
If you are involved in a commercial truck wreck, you’ll likely be dazed and not thinking clearly in the aftermath. However, this is a critical time and it’s important to keep a few things in mind that can help keep you safe and also assist you with a future personal injury claim.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you are not in any immediate pain, anyone involved in an 18-wheeler accident should seek medical assistance as soon as possible, as many injuries may not be readily apparent and pain can be masked by the adrenaline surging through your body after the crash.
Call Police
It’s critical to make contact with the police as soon as possible after a catastrophic truck accident. This will ensure that help is provided to you, your passengers, and anybody else who may require assistance following the accident. You will also need to file a police report, which is a crucial aspect of your future claim.
Gather Evidence
If you are physically able, take photos of the accident scene, including all vehicles involved in the wreck and from all angles. Accident scene photos should also be taken by the officers dispatched to the scene.
Collect Contact Information
Be sure to gather important info such as the truck driver’s name, driver’s license number, and insurance information. Also, get the contact details from any eyewitnesses, if possible.
Reach Out to an Attorney
Next, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your local area. This is one of the most important things you can do following a wreck with a semi-truck, whether you believe the other driver is at fault or not. Commercial truck accidents entail a variety of legal issues and you will need the assistance of an experienced commercial vehicle accident attorney to help sort through these.
Inform Your Insurance Provider
You’ll also need to let your insurance company know about the wreck. If the trucking company’s insurance carrier reaches out to you, however, remember that you don’t have to and shouldn’t speak with them. Instead, tell them to contact your own insurance carrier or your attorney.
Who Is Responsible for a Semi Truck Accident?
The reason commercial vehicle accident cases can be so difficult to handle is due to the issue of determining fault. Multiple parties could be (and often are) to blame in these types of cases; that includes the driver, the trucking company, the truck manufacturer, and the manufacturers of defective truck parts, among other potentially liable parties.
There are also those accidents that are caused by outside forces such as poorly maintained roads and highways or a combination of bad roads, bad weather, and vehicle malfunctions. Accidents can also be caused by other passenger vehicles driving in an unsafe or negligent manner around semi-trucks.
Truck Drivers
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), truck drivers are responsible for nearly 88% of truck-related crashes. Truck drivers can make a variety of errors, ranging from careless driving to distracted driving to substance use and driver fatigue.
Trucking Company
Commercial trucking companies can also be held liable for various reasons. For instance, if the company fails to maintain the truck properly, violates federal regulations by encouraging drivers to exceed hours-of-service limits, provides inadequate training, or hires unqualified drivers, it may be liable for any resulting accidents and personal injuries.
Truck Manufacturers or Maintenance Providers
If a truck manufacturer produced a vehicle with defective parts, such as faulty brakes or steering components, they could be held responsible for accidents caused by these failures. Similarly, if a vehicle maintenance provider performed substandard repairs or neglected to identify and fix critical issues during routine maintenance checks, they could hold partial or even full responsibility.
Shipping or Cargo Loaders
Overloading a truck or failing to secure cargo properly can lead to shifts in weight distribution, making the truck unstable and difficult to control. If cargo falls off the truck or causes the vehicle to tip over and this causes an accident, the loaders may be held responsible.
Other Drivers
Other drivers on the road might hold liability in a semi truck crash if their actions directly contributed to the collision. Reckless driving behaviors, such as cutting off a truck, abrupt lane changes, or sudden stops, can cause the truck driver to react in ways that lead to an accident. Additionally, drivers of passenger vehicles who are distracted, impaired, or speeding may create hazardous situations that result in a potentially catastrophic commercial truck accident.
Government Entities
In some truck accident cases, government entities might even hold some liability. For example, if a local government agency fails to maintain roads properly, leading to hazards such as potholes, uneven surfaces, or lack of proper signage, they could be held responsible for accidents that occur as a result.
How Long Does it Take to Settle a Semi Truck Accident Claim?
We know that those dealing with personal injury cases often wish to see their case closed and paid out as soon as possible, but it’s never a good idea to rush through this process, as settling too early could result in a settlement offer that’s lower than you deserve.
The truth is, each trucking accident claim is unique, which means there is no predetermined time frame in which it will settle. The severity of your injuries is one of the many factors that can impact the length of time it takes to obtain a settlement. The process of gathering evidence, determining liability, demonstrating negligence on the part of the truck driver, and the availability of the court are additional factors that have an influence on the settlement time frame. Not only that, but because more than one at-fault party may be found during the investigation, achieving compensation can take a long time.
Serious injuries are not a prerequisite for filing a claim for compensation. However, this type of injury may require long-term care or recovery time and necessitate considerable damages. As a result, the presence of severe injuries can significantly lengthen the amount of time it takes to obtain a settlement. Keeping track of all your accident-related medical expenses plus projected medical bills for future care can help speed the process along.
How Much Can You Get From a Semi Truck Accident Settlement?
Due to the frequency and severity of truck accidents, the law requires trucking companies to carry much more insurance than those driving smaller, private automobiles. In addition, various entities may be at fault. Due to this, a commercial truck accident can be worth a lot more than your standard car accident claim.
Having said that, no personal injury case is alike. The amount of compensation for each individual personal injury case varies on the associated medical treatment and resulting expenses, lost wages, lost income potential, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and other expenses.
It’s also important to note that in Louisiana, a policy of comparative negligence comes into play in any accident claim. This means that whatever damages you receive can be reduced if you share fault in the accident.
This, along with the many other challenges that often arise in claims involving truck accidents, makes the counsel of an experienced Shreveport personal injury attorney like Michael J. Vergis imperative to ensure you receive a fair settlement or court award.
Wrongful Death Truck Accident Claims
In the unfortunate cases of fatal injuries resulting from a motor vehicle accident, family members of the deceased victim may also seek significant compensation from the responsible party or parties through a wrongful death claim. These claims can help compensate grieving loved ones for things like:
- Any medical treatment obtained before passing
- Funeral/burial expenses
- Loss of income
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of services
- Loss of companionship
- And more
If you have lost a member of your family due to the negligence of a truck driver, trucking company, or other party or entity, our Shreveport wrongful death attorneys at The Law Office of Michael J. Vergis are here to help you ease the financial burden unfairly placed on you. Call right away for compassionate representation for your Louisiana wrongful death case.
Why Do I Need a Semi Truck Accident Attorney?
One of the most critical aspects of any truck accident case is determining fault or liability. This is where having an experienced attorney on your side is absolutely crucial. Truck accident lawyers can work on behalf of their clients to gather essential evidence and assist you in determining who is responsible for the losses you’ve suffered.
Remember, multiple cars may be involved in an 18-wheeler accident, which can result in multiple fatalities or significant injuries. In addition, there are many potential causes behind the wreck. Every possible responsible party must be identified.
In addition to establishing liability, your semi-truck accident attorney can negotiate with the driver’s insurance company to recover a fair settlement on your behalf or take your case to court and fight for proper compensation there, all while protecting your legal rights and guiding you through the legal process from start to finish.
Get Help Filing Your Shreveport Truck Accident Claim
We understand that you may be ready to settle your claim quickly to help with the financial hardships associated with a semi truck accident. However, this is what the negligent party’s insurance adjusters want you to do in order to avoid paying you what you actually deserve.
As such, it is almost always a bad idea to settle your claim before hiring an experienced truck accident lawyer who can obtain fair compensation for you. Otherwise, you may settle quicker, but for far less compensation than you would with a skilled legal counsel at your side.
If you or someone you love has been seriously or fatally injured in an 18-wheeler or tractor trailer accident, Shreveport-Bossier auto accident attorney Michael Vergis is here to help. He will make sure that every avenue for compensation is explored, all liable parties are identified and held accountable, and all technical aspects of your case are properly handled.
Statute of Limitations for Truck Accident Cases in Louisiana
According to Louisiana’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases, accident victims and/or their families only have one year from the date of the accident to file a claim and obtain compensation for their injuries. So don’t wait – the sooner you reach out to The Law Office of Michael J. Vergis, the better. Call for a free consultation today.
Call the Bossier City-Shreveport Truck Accident Lawyers at The Law Office of Michael J. Vergis Today
Experienced Shreveport-Bossier City personal injury attorney Michael J. Vergis is dedicated to ensuring that you receive the maximum amount of compensation possible for your semi-truck accident claim. With years of experience handling truck accident cases and other motor vehicle accidents across Northwest Louisiana, he understands the challenges involved in these cases and fights tirelessly on behalf of his clients.
Attorney Vergis proudly operates on a contingency basis, meaning he won’t charge you until you’ve successfully obtained compensation in your case.
If you’ve suffered injuries from commercial truck accidents in Bossier City, Shreveport, or the surrounding areas, call The Law Office of Michael J. Vergis today at (318) 698-3724 or reach out online today for a free legal consultation.
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