How Can a Lawyer Help You Fight for Fair Compensation After a Severe Truck Crash?

Driving alongside a massive 18-wheeler on I-10 or I-49 is a daily reality for anyone in the Lafayette area. Everyone expects the drivers of these huge machines to operate safely, but when they don’t, the consequences can be catastrophic. A collision with a commercial truck can leave victims with devastating, life-altering injuries, overwhelming medical debt, and an uncertain future.

In the aftermath, you quickly realize you are not just dealing with another driver but against a large trucking company and its aggressive insurance carrier. They have teams of investigators and lawyers whose job is to protect the company’s profits by paying you as little as possible. This is not a fair fight, and you need the help of experienced truck accident lawyers who can aggressively fight for the full and fair compensation you and your family deserve.

A Truck Crash Isn’t Just a Big Car Accident

The first thing to understand is that a truck crash case is fundamentally different and more complex than a typical car wreck. A commercial truck’s sheer size and weight mean the injuries are often more severe, but the legal complexities also multiply.

• Multiple Liable Parties: In a car crash, you usually deal with one other driver. In a truck wreck, the negligent parties could include the driver, the trucking company that hired them, the company that loaded the cargo, the mechanic who serviced the truck, and even the manufacturer of a faulty part.
• Powerful Corporate Defendants: You are not just seeking compensation from an individual’s insurance policy. You are taking on a major corporation with extensive resources to fight your claim.
• Complex Federal and State Regulations: The trucking industry is governed by a thick book of federal rules called the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) and state laws. Violations of these rules are often a key factor in proving negligence.

Why the Investigation Should Start Immediately

After a severe truck crash, the clock starts ticking. The trucking company and its insurer will often dispatch their rapid-response team to the scene within hours. They aim to collect evidence they can use to defend themselves and minimize their financial exposure. You need a team on your side doing the same for you.

An experienced truck crash lawyer begins an aggressive investigation immediately. They will send a formal spoliation letter to the trucking company, a legal demand that they preserve all critical evidence, including:

• The truck’s “black box” data recorder (ECM).
• The driver’s electronic logs that show their hours of service.
• The driver’s employment and training files.
• All maintenance and inspection records for the truck and trailer.
• The driver’s post-crash drug and alcohol test results.

This evidence is vital, and without a lawyer demanding its preservation, the company can legally destroy it after a certain period.

Identifying All Liable Parties to Maximize Your Compensation

A thorough investigation is designed to uncover every party responsible for the crash. In Louisiana, you can seek compensation from any party whose negligence contributed to your injuries. Identifying all potential defendants is critical because it can provide access to more sources of insurance coverage.

The Truck Driver

Was the driver distracted, fatigued, or under the influence? Were they speeding or driving too fast for conditions? Many crashes are caused by drivers violating federal hours-of-service rules designed to prevent drowsy driving.

The Trucking Company

Often, the company itself is negligent. Under a legal principle called respondeat superior, companies are generally liable for their employees’ actions. We also investigate if the company was negligent in its own right by hiring an unqualified driver, failing to provide proper training, or encouraging drivers to violate safety rules to meet deadlines. Experienced personal injury lawyers know how to dig into a company’s safety history.

Other Third Parties

Sometimes the fault lies elsewhere. A maintenance company could have performed a faulty brake job. A shipping company could have improperly loaded the cargo, causing the truck to become unstable. A defective tire could have blown out, causing the driver to lose control. Dedicated personal injury lawyers will explore every possibility to ensure all potentially liable parties are held accountable.

Calculating the Full Value of Your Claim

The insurance company will try to convince you to accept a quick, lowball settlement that may only cover your initial medical bills. This is a trap. The actual cost of a severe injury unfolds over a lifetime.

Lawyers engage the expertise of medical experts, economists, and life care planners to calculate your claim’s full and fair value. This goes far beyond your current bills and includes:

• All past and future medical expenses, including surgery, rehabilitation, and in-home care.
• Lost wages and income from the time you missed work.
• Loss of future earning capacity if you cannot go back to your previous job.
• Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

An Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help You Beat Louisiana’s One-Year Deadline

In Louisiana, you have only one year from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is known as the “prescriptive period.” If you miss this strict deadline, you lose your right to seek compensation forever. Because truck crash investigations are so complex, contacting a lawyer as soon as possible is vital.The Law Office of Tony Morrow has a dedicated legal team that can help you deal with the aftermath of a truck wreck. We know that this is a painful and confusing time, and you should not have to be a victim twice—once in the crash, and again at the hands of an insurance company. Trust us to fight for the settlement your case is worth. Call us today at 337-201-9222 and let us be your voice.