If you have been involved in a semi-truck accident and looking for a Truck Accident Lawyer in Baton Rouge? This article is for you. it is important to contact a skilled lawyer in Baton Rouge who specializes in truck crashes. This attorney can assist you in obtaining the appropriate compensation you are entitled to, relieving you of any shock or confusion. With their expertise and access to necessary tools, they will ensure that you are treated fairly and receive the justice that you rightfully deserve.
Trucks are among the dangerous vehicles commonly found on the interstate highways. It is crucial to have knowledge about the potential dangers and the role of a truck accident attorney in Baton Rouge if you or someone you are acquainted with has experienced a truck accident.
Guide: Baton Rouge Truck Accident Lawyers
Trucks are frequently seen on the streets of Baton Rouge and its surrounding areas, carrying merchandise to various locations within Louisiana and the United States. They have a crucial function in delivering essential items like food and household goods. However, it’s important to be cautious when dealing with trucks as they can pose a danger to other vehicles on the road. Nevertheless, their potential to cause harm doesn’t diminish their usefulness.
For victims of truck-related traffic accidents, Louisiana has a fault-based compensation system that enables them to get monetary compensation for their losses and injuries. Sadly, these crashes occur regularly, resulting in significant harm and suffering for all parties concerned. After a truck accident, there are a lot of factors to consider, and understanding the legal system can be challenging. It can be difficult to identify the guilty parties and obtain the money you are entitled to for your injuries.
What Are the Main Reasons for Truck Accidents?
A huge truck is characterized as any vehicle with a gross weight capacity of greater than 10,000 pounds. Buses and motor homes are not included in this, however semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and tractor trailers are. Sadly, Injury Facts reports that there were 5,005 fatal heavy truck crashes in the United States in 2019. Truck crash rates have been steadily rising over the last ten years, as seen by a 2% increase from 2018 and a 43% increase since 2010. For every 100 million miles driven by heavy vehicles, the engagement rate has climbed by 37% since 2010 and by 5% from 2018.
- A sizable percentage of truck collisions in the US in 2010 involved huge vehicles. The numbers for these kinds of incidents are as follows:
- 10% of all automobiles in deadly collisions
- 4 percent of all cars that are registered
- 7% of the total miles driven by a vehicle
Driving While Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs
Drugs are frequently used by truck drivers to help them stay awake during long drives. Although this may be advantageous, if not handled well, it may also impair their mental ability and result in mishaps. Driving while intoxicated is a severe crime, particularly for commercial truck drivers who transport potentially dangerous goods. The BAC limit in Baton Rouge is merely 0.04%, which makes sure that all drivers maintain control while driving and helps to avert any regrettable collisions. It should be mentioned that a truck driver who consumes alcohol may still be charged with a crime. Thus, it is important to never take drunk driving lightly because it might have dangerous consequences.
Speeding
The same goes for cars and motorcycles: speeding is a big factor in truck accidents. Operating a car capable of supporting up to 80,000 pounds at high speeds can be lethal; these collisions are exceedingly risky and can be fatal. To protect their safety and the safety of other drivers, truck drivers must obey the speed limit when driving on interstate highways.
Fatigue
Truck driving frequently results in fatigue, especially when FMCSA requirements are broken. Weariness carries some danger and may result in an accident. For this reason, truck drivers must get enough sleep before setting out on a trip. Truck drivers have several responsibilities, including getting enough sleep, adhering to legal work schedules, and never operating a vehicle when exhausted.
Driving While Distracted
Distractions can be exceedingly dangerous, particularly if they result in collisions involving trucks. The R-L Law reports that over 4,000 Americans lost their lives and an additional 400,000 were injured as a result of distracted driving in 2023. Several ways driving while distracted can occur, including cognitive, visual, and manual. For a safe commute, truck drivers must maintain constant attention on the road due to the size of their vehicles.
Numerous things can lead to truck collisions, including:
- Careless driving
- blind areas
- Insufficient instruction Poor truck upkeep
- blowout of the wheels
- Jackknifing
- Various Truck Accident Types
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Which injuries are typically seen in truck accidents?
Individuals who are engaged in collisions involving trucks can experience a variety of harms, varying in severity, including:
- Back and Neck Injuries
- Broken Bones
- Head Injuries
- Internal Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
What Should You Do After a Truck Accident?
If you have suffered injuries in a truck collision, it is crucial to follow the correct procedures after the event to increase your likelihood of obtaining a just settlement. To ensure this, make sure to carry out the subsequent actions:
Report Authority: If you are involved in an accident, it is crucial to remain at the scene until you have reported the incident to the appropriate authorities. This will ensure that your rights are safeguarded and that authorities thoroughly investigate any potential wrongdoing. Moreover, filing a report can assist in submitting any possible insurance claims.
Medical: Receiving proper medical attention is crucial for your injuries, even if you do not feel severely impacted by the accident. These medical records can serve as evidence to support your personal injury case in court. Do not take any risks and seek immediate medical treatment.
Collect Information: Establish contact with the other parties involved and exchange relevant information, including their contact details, insurance company name, policy number, car registration details, and driver’s license. This will facilitate the prompt and accurate settlement of any claims.
Ready Claim Insurance: It is advisable to try to determine who witnessed the incident and speak with them. Ensure that they are willing to provide their contact details in case you need them as witnesses for an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
Collect CCTV Footages: Remember to take detailed photographs of the accident scene and the damaged parts of the vehicle. Additionally, consider requesting traffic footage from any CCTV cameras that may have captured the incident.
Find a Lawyer: If you have been in an accident and believe you have a personal injury claim, it is essential to consult with an experienced Baton Rouge personal injury attorney. They can assess your case, determine the best approach to pursue compensation, offer legal guidance throughout the process, and safeguard your rights.
Who Can You Sue in a Baton Rouge Truck Accident?
Truck accidents are frequently the consequence of careless driving, although this isn’t always the case. Other parties may be held liable in certain situations, including traffic control officials, truck maintenance personnel, and truck manufacturers.
The Truck Driver: When operating a vehicle, truck drivers must give other drivers space. If an accident is determined to have been caused by their negligence, they may be held financially responsible for covering the victim’s losses.
The Trucking Company: Vicarious responsibility holds trucking businesses accountable for the driving misbehavior of their drivers. If they were aware of the hazards ahead of time, they might still be held accountable even if they inadvertently hire a driver with a history of reckless driving. For this reason, extensive background checks are necessary to guarantee that the company hires only trustworthy and safe drivers.
Cargo loaders: If their cargo was improperly secured and caused a truck accident, they would be liable for damages. They would be responsible for paying the impacted victim’s recoverable damages.
Truck Manufacturer: The manufacturer of the truck would be liable if a defective part in the truck caused the accident.
Third-Parties: If another motorist fails to exercise reasonable caution on the road and causes an accident, they will be held accountable. You would still get payment from a third party even if the truck driver makes contact with your car.
What Kind of Recompense May You Receive for a Truck Accident?
Victims of truck accidents may be entitled to both non-economic and economic damages. This compensation is intended to cover any property damage in addition to the physical and psychological pain the incident caused. These damages include, for instance: The price of medical treatment
- Loss of income
- Loss of enjoyment
- Vehicle repair
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Survivors can get compensation for funeral and burial expenses by filing wrongful death claims. A victim may be able to obtain punitive damages by filing a personal injury lawsuit if they can demonstrate the other party’s willful misconduct.