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Commercial trucks are the backbone of the American economy, transporting billions of tons of freight every year. However, this critical industry also contributes to significant roadway risks. In Louisiana, the numbers are particularly troubling, with large trucks and buses involved in about 14% of all fatal crashes annually since 2014. The major culprit? Driver error.
This encompasses a wide range of mistakes but is often rooted in inadequate driver training and screening. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration points out that driver error is ten times more likely to cause accidents than any other factor, including the critical issues of nonperformance, inattention, poor decision-making, and inadequate vehicle control.
When a semi-truck is involved in an accident, the consequences can be devastating. The enormous weight difference between a commercial truck and a typical passenger car can lead to catastrophic injuries or even fatalities, predominantly to the occupants of the smaller vehicles.
In fact, nationwide statistics show that 72% of those killed in truck-related accidents are in non-truck vehicles. Our law firm frequently handles cases where the victims sustain life-altering injuries requiring extensive, ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation.
If you’ve been seriously injured in an accident with a semi-truck, identifying all liable parties is crucial. Typically, this includes not just the truck driver but also the trucking company and their insurers.
Sometimes, liability may extend to less obvious parties like the owner of the trailer, the goods’ shipper, or the freight broker, depending on the circumstances of the crash. Understandably, the complex interplay of responsibilities and insurance coverage among these parties will significantly impact the compensation available in each case.
Yes, trucking companies are required to have significantly higher insurance coverage limits than typical drivers due to the potential for severe damage and injury caused by their vehicles.
This is important because the costs associated with serious injuries—such as medical care, rehabilitation, and lost income—can quickly exceed standard policy limits.
However, it is important to note that while most reputable carriers have adequate coverage, including umbrella policies, some smaller operators might not, which can complicate the compensation process.
Determining the value of your trucking accident injury case involves calculating all associated costs—current and future medical expenses, lost wages, and potential future earnings loss. These are your special damages. Additionally, you may be entitled to general damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other more subjective impacts of your injuries. If your life has been profoundly changed by your injuries, the compensation aims to reflect the full scope of your losses, both economic and non-economic.
Trucking accidents differ significantly from other types of vehicle accidents due to their complexity, the severity of injuries involved, and the multiple layers of applicable laws and regulations.
Because of this, it is essential to work with an attorney who has ample experience handling trucking accidents, as they are equipped to navigate these complexities, from dealing with large trucking corporations and their insurers to understanding specific state and federal transportation regulations.
Accidents involving commercial vehicles are complex and challenging. They typically involve multiple parties, extensive damages, and substantial insurance policies. An experienced trucking accident attorney is crucial because they understand how to manage these complexities to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the maximum compensation possible for your injuries and losses.
For more information on Filing A Trucking Accident Injury Claim In Louisiana, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (504) 370-2777 today.