18-Wheeler Accidents
Battle-Tested Advocacy for the Injured
18-Wheeler Accident Law Firm in Baton Rouge, LA
Accidents involving commercial trucks, vans, 18-wheel haulers, and other large vehicles often result in devastating injuries. Drivers of these hulking trucks have limited sight areas and, coupled with high speeds and/or unsafe loads, can cause an unintentional disaster in the blink of an eye.
Insurance representatives for these truck companies are quick to appear at the scene of an accident in a hasty attempt to minimize their liability. Before speaking to an insurance agent, you should always speak with apersonal injury attorney experienced withindustrial truck accidents first. At Joubert Law Firm, our Baton Rougetruck accident lawyers have the legal knowledge and experience it takes to represent you following a truck crash.
Call (225) 777-8853 for a free consultation to learn more about our legal services.
Causes of 18 Wheeler Accidents
18-wheeler accidents occur all too frequently on the highways of Louisiana. It is the responsibility of the trucking company to ensure that everyone they hire has a commitment to safety and following the rules of the road, as well as the experience it takes to man such a large motor vehicle. Unfortunately, even with several safety regulations in place, accidents are sometimes unavoidable.
There are many causes for commercial truck collisions. Some of the more common causes include:
Driving under the influence of prescriptions or illegal substances
Depending on the cause of the accident, the manufacturer of a defective part on the truck, the commercial truck driver, and the truck driving company may all be held responsible in part for your injuries. At Joubert Law Firm, our Baton Rouge eighteen wheeler accident lawyer will zealously pursue compensation for our clients, and that starts with identifying and proving fault in your case.
18-Wheeler Accident Injuries
Because of the size of large commercial trucks (typically weighing up to 80,000 lbs), injuries for the driver of the opposing vehicle are often significantly more serious than they are for the truck driver. In incidents involving 18-wheeler semi-trucks, drivers and other occupants of passenger vehicles frequently suffer grave and life-altering injuries, such as:
Commercial truck accidents may also lead to fatal injuries. In the event that somebody passes away due to a commercial truck accident, the victim’s family may decide to file wrongful death claims against the negligent truck driver, the corporation that hired him, and/or the truck manufacturer. Our Baton Rouge wrongful death lawyers can help handle your claim if you lost your loved one in an 18-wheeler accident.
What To Do After a Big Truck Accident?
Being in a truck accident is a terrifying experience that might have you unsure as to what to do next. Since these incidents may be complicated and can comprise of several participants, which may include other injured parties as well as the negligent driver, it is generally in your best interests to get legal counsel from a reputable Joubert Law Firm truck accident attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney will walk you through the entire legal process step by step following the accident.
Following these simple guidelines can also help ensure you protect your rights after a collision with a large truck.
1. Stop & Report the Accident
Everybody involved in a semi-truck accident, or any accident for that matter, must stay at the site of the incident. Check that you are safe and, if possible, get your automobile off the road and out of the way of further traffic. Put on your hazard lights, and, if available, place cones around your vehicle to ensure you are visible to other drivers. Further accidents may be avoided by doing so.
You will more than likely need to call the police or state highway patrol and an ambulance during this time. When an officer comes, he or she will examine the scene, complete an accident report, and advise you on what to do next. Request a copy of the accident report for your documentation and to use as proof in court if necessary.
2. Gather Information from the Opposing Party
If serious injuries do not prevent you from doing so, while at the scene of the truck wreck, it is critical to communicate information with the other side. It might be difficult to locate the other person after they leave the accident scene. Even if you know their identity or the corporation that owns the vehicle, getting in touch with them might be tough. If you decide to pursue compensation, having their contact details will make everything much easier.
Make sure to attain the following information:
Driver’s identity, address, phone number, and email address
Insurance company and policy details for the driver
Driver’s license number
The truck driver’s employer and contact information
3. Seek Immediate Medical Assistance
If you are hurt, it is critical to seek medical attention following an accident. It’s possible that your adrenaline will keep you from experiencing pain or discovering an injury initially. If you are injured and not treated at the site of the accident or are not sent to the hospital immediately after, make an appointment with your doctor right away.
Remember, it may be difficult to obtain compensatory damages if you do not receive medical assistance or do not obey your doctor’s medical advice.
4. Look for Eyewitnesses
Always keep an eye out for spectators at or around the crash scene. You can obtain a witness testimony on your own or even just request their contact information in the event that more objective data pertaining to the accident is required. These individuals might be summoned to testify in your lawsuit. You might also review the accident report to determine if other witnesses you might have overlooked were interviewed by the responding officer.
5. Keep a Record of the Incident
Using your phone or a camera, make sure to capture images of the collision while still at the scene. These photographs can be utilized to establish who was culpable for the disaster, the extent of your injuries, the degree of damage to your car, and any other pertinent information. Photographic evidence is difficult to refute, and images may be used to piece together the accident and identify how it occurred.
You might also use photographs or a notebook to document your recovery from your injuries. Include details surrounding the severity of your injuries and how long it took you to heal. This form of proof can aid in determining the sum of compensation you are entitled to.
6. Use Your Words Wisely
An insurance adjuster will likely reach out to you following the incident. You must be extremely cautious about what you say to the adjuster since they can and will use whatever you say against you. Before speaking with an insurance adjuster, it is important to consult with an attorney. Your lawyer can instruct you on what to say and what not to say. If the adjuster requests a recorded or written statement, say no until you’ve consulted with your lawyer.
7. Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you feel you are owed compensation for injuries or losses sustained as a truck accident victim, it is imperative that you speak with a qualified attorney ASAP. The truck accident lawyers at Joubert Law Firm are committed to aiding truck accident victims in receiving the compensation they deserve.
You already have plenty on your mind, whether you’re recovering from a traumatic injury or struggling with a damaged vehicle. Learn about your choices and put your faith in an experienced truck accident lawyer who is dedicated to helping you recover from your trucking disaster.
The amount of damages you may be able to recover after a semi-truck or tractor-trailer collision depends on several things, including the details of the incident and the severity of your injuries. Nonetheless, our 18-wheeler accident law firm has helped Baton Rouge clients collect millions of dollars through their 18-wheeler accident settlement.
How Much Money Can I Get for an 18-Wheeler Accident Lawsuit?
The amount of payment you could obtain in a big rig accident lawsuit is entirely contingent on the circumstances of the case, your state’s prevailing laws, and the extent of your severe injuries. Additionally, in a personal injury lawsuit following a truck crash, victims of inebriated truck drivers may be granted extra compensation.
What Kinds of Damages Can I Get After an 18-Wheeler Accident?
Large truck accidents can result in both economic and non-economic damages being awarded to the victim.
Economic damages may include:
Medical bills and hospital expenses
Damage to property
Lost wages, whether temporary or permanent
Disability
The following are examples of non-economic damages:
Pain and suffering
Disfigurement
Permanent impairment
Loss of consortium
Mental anguish
Loss of enjoyment in life
Damages of a punitive nature
Choose an experienced truck accident attorney at Joubert Law Firm who will explore all potential economic and non-economic losses following the collision and guarantee you obtain the most money possible.
How Soon Can I Get Paid After an 18-Wheeler Accident?
The amount of time it takes to receive your settlement check also varies significantly. Some trucking accidents can be resolved in a matter of months with the help of skilled truck accident attorneys or personal injury lawyers in Baton Rouge. Other instances might take years to either settle or go to trial from the time of the accident. You should always feel free to inquire about a realistic timeframe with your legal counsel.
It’s worth noting that the entire degree of a victim’s injuries isn’t often obvious until long after the tragedy. Whiplash, brain injury or trauma, and spinal problems are all common accident injuries that can take months or years to fully heal. Accepting a settlement offer before all potential medical complications have been recorded, diagnosed, and addressed is NOT a good idea. Your recovery will be maximized if you choose experienced truck accident lawyers.
Do I Need an 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer?
Accidents involving a trucking company are significantly more complicated — and typically more profitable — than your average car accident in Baton Rouge. This is due to the fact that trucking companies need to comply with numerous federal regulations, as well as complex commercial insurance policies and legal applications. In addition, truck accidents typically result in serious injuries and extensive damage of property, meaning plaintiffs seek significantly larger damages than in other circumstances.
A reasonable settlement offer would consider all of the victim’s treatment, medical expenses, and other costs, both past and future. Because trucking businesses and their insurers might not want to risk losing a lawsuit in court, settlements are common. In fact, the majority of truck accident cases are settled outside of court. Nevertheless, certain cases may not be able to settle through negotiation and must be taken to trial in order to achieve the best possible outcome for the client.
While the truck driver’s negligence could be partially to blame, the employer for which he or she drives or the truck manufacturer could hold some responsibility, as well. That is why having an experienced attorney who knows how to identify and prove fault is crucial in ensuring that all potentially culpable parties are held accountable. If you want to recover compensation that is appropriate for your losses and damages, hiring a truck accident lawyer from Joubert Law Firm is the way to go. We cannot turn back the clock and return your life to normal after an accident with an 18-wheeler, but we will help you focus on your healing and financial recovery. We are absolutely dedicated to obtaining the compensation you deserve, and we will not accept anything less.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Baton Rouge 18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys
At Joubert Law Firm we are committed to excellence. Since 2002, we have helped our clients achieve multimillion-dollar awards and settlements. During a time when you need to concentrate on getting better, the last of your concerns should be managing your legal case.
Do not hesitate to speak with us after a collision with a truck driver. Call (225) 777-8853 or email us for a free consultation today.
**As a thank you to all military members and veterans and to show our appreciation for your sacrifice and service, we would like to offer a discount for your legal cases.
“Johnny went above & beyond to help me in a very difficult time. If you need someone to advocate for you, he’s the one to call! So thankful for him & how he handled a case I thought was impossible to help. Give him a call!”
