If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a truck accident in Baton Rouge, you are probably hurt and feeling overwhelmed. Medical bills and car repair expenses can quickly add up, and if you are unable to work because of your injuries, you may be scared and unsure of where to turn for help.
Our truck accident lawyers in Baton Rouge have worked on many cases like yours, and we are proud of the results we achieved for our clients. We also work on a contingency fee basis, which means if you decide to retain our services, you only pay us if you receive a settlement or award with your case.
A car’s windshield was shattered in a truck accident. Our Baton Rouge truck accident attorneys understand how quickly a normal drive can turn disastrous.
Types of Compensation You Can Claim After a Truck Accident
The truck accident that injured you may have caused you to experience financial hardship. Our team of Baton Rouge truck accident lawyers can help you pursue damages for:
- Medical bills
- Future care expenses
- Lost income
- Property damage
Additionally, if your accident caused psychological and emotional trauma, you could qualify for loss of enjoyment of life and mental anguish. A truck accident lawyer in Baton Rouge can explain all potential damages you have a right to claim.
For a free legal consultation with a Truck Accident lawyer serving Baton Rouge, call 800-537-8185
Types of Injuries that Occur in Truck Accidents
Large trucks can weigh 20 to 30 times as much as passenger cars, which is why truck accidents can be disastrous for everyone involved. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that 4,136 people died in large truck accidents in 2018. While 16% of those who were killed were truck drivers, the vast majority—67%—were the occupants in cars or passenger vehicles.
There are a wide variety of injuries that can occur in trucking accidents, although some of the more common include:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) and Other Head Injuries
Head injuries like traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and concussions frequently occur in motor vehicle accidents. Accident victims will often strike their heads on the door, window, steering wheel, or something else upon impact.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), TBIs are a major cause of death and disability. They reported that in 2014, an average of 155 people died each day as a result of injuries that included a TBI. When the victim does survive, they may experience extended periods of unconsciousness or memory loss.
Spinal Cord Injuries
This type of injury is the result of damage directly to a part of the spinal cord. Many victims require wheelchairs or other assistive devices after receiving this type of injury, as they often experience a partial or total loss of mobility below the site of the injury.
Internal Bleeding
This type of injury can be particularly dangerous, as many victims do not know they are bleeding until the injury becomes life-threatening. While some small bleeds can heal themselves naturally, severe injuries like those caused by trauma from truck accidents often cause serious damage to blood vessels, organs, and bones.
Broken Bones
Fractures are a highly common injury in a motor vehicle accident. They can cause extreme pain and require long periods of time to heal. In some cases, they create a risk for other complications.
For example, if a broken bone is severe enough to break through the skin, there are complications associated with resetting the bone, possible blood loss, and risk of infection.
Baton Rouge Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me 800-537-8185
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Numerous factors can result in a catastrophic truck accident. While sometimes external factors like adverse weather conditions lead to an accident, in many cases, it was the negligence of one or more parties that led to an accident. Some examples of that are:
Driver Fatigue
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that their research on drowsy driving shows drivers are more than twice as likely to make a mistake in their performance than a driver who has adequate rest. Because truck drivers can legally be on the road driving for up to 11 hours per day, the likelihood of a driver becoming fatigued is very high.
The CDC reports that commercial drivers like truck drivers are among the types of drivers who are most likely to drive drowsy. Sadly, NHTSA estimates that drowsy driving is responsible for up to 6,000 fatal crashes each year. Because of the enormous size of a tractor-trailer, the likelihood of a fatality is much higher.
Improper Maintenance
IIHS reported that in a 2010 study that examined the role of defective equipment in large truck accidents, almost 55% of the trucks had at least one mechanical violation. Even more shocking, though, was that almost 30% had at least one condition serious enough that the trucks should have been taken out of service immediately.
The study found that, of all the violations, the most common problems were violations in lighting and braking. Because trucks require much longer distances for stopping—even more so on wet or slippery roads—any problem with the braking system can significantly increase the likelihood of a crash.
Distracted Driving
Truck drivers are susceptible to distracted driving the same as drivers of passenger cars. Changing the radio station, eating, or just looking at the scenery around them can all cause distractions that take the driver’s eyes and attention off the road.
Because truck drivers spend up to 11 hours behind the wheel, they may be even more at risk of using devices to pass the time. While truck drivers are prohibited from operating cell phones while driving, studies show that even a hands-free device can slow reaction time.
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Who Is at Fault in a Baton Rouge Truck Accident?
The first step to moving your case forward is to determine the cause of the accident. This is often a difficult task as many parties could potentially be at fault, including:
- The driver of the truck
- The company that employs the driver
- The loading crew or cargo company
- A manufacturer that produced defective parts
- Anyone who performed vehicle maintenance
If you were involved in a collision with a commercial truck belonging to a large trucking company, you can be certain that they have a legal team ready to protect their interests. They will do anything to avoid paying a large settlement. The worse your injuries, the more you stand to benefit from hiring a lawyer of your own.
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How a Baton Rouge Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help Your Case
Pursuing compensation after a truck accident is a complicated process. There are a few specific ways a truck accident lawyer can help your case. We can:
- Answer your questions and offer you legal guidance
- Gather evidence, including police reports, eyewitness statements, fuel and lodging receipts, and maintenance records
- Obtain testimonies from medical experts and accident scene reconstruction experts
- Calculate the total cost of your losses
- Identify the liable party
- Handle communication with the truck carrier’s insurance company and other parties
- Negotiate to the fullest extent of your injuries
- Pursue compensation at trial if we cannot come to a fair agreement out of court
When you work with a reliable truck accident lawyer in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, you know your case is in good hands. You can focus on your recovery while we pursue damages.
Will My Truck Accident Case Go to Trial?
In all likelihood, your case will settle out of court. About 90% of personal injury claims settle without a trial. However, we will not accept a settlement that is too low to meet your needs.
We will negotiate with insurance, and if they refuse to offer you a fair settlement, we will represent you in court. When you work with our team of truck accident lawyers, our top priority is to help you recover your losses.
Your Time to Act Is Limited
It is important not to delay if you plan to pursue legal action after your accident. Under Louisiana Civil Code (CC) Article 3492, the statute of limitations is only one year from the date of the accident to file a claim. Also, memories fade over time, so it can be easiest to collect evidence as soon as possible after an accident.
Let a Baton Rouge Truck Accident Lawyer Protect Your Rights
A Baton Rouge truck accident lawyer from our law firm can help you assess your rights after a truck accident. For a free, no-risk review of your case, contact Morris Bart, LLC today. Let us get started on your case so you can get back to your normal life.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
