Lake Charles Truck Accident Lawyer

Lake Charles Truck Accident Attorney

Many unsuspecting people are severely injured in commercial truck accidents daily. The prevalence of these enormous, heavy vehicles on passenger roads can mean more severe collisions. The immense weight of tractor-trailers can often result in catastrophic injuries for people trying to get to work, return from a vacation, or run a quick errand. If you were in a truck accident, you need the services of a talented Lake Charles truck accident lawyer.

Our team can empathize with the difficulty of your situation and seek the compensation you deserve. When we advocate for members of our community, years of extensive experience never go to waste. We are here for you and can keep you informed throughout the legal process.

What Is a Truck Accident?

Truck accidents involve large commercial trucks and other vehicles, pedestrians, or objects. Large commercial trucks, also known as 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, or semi-trucks, can weigh significantly more than regular passenger vehicles. When these trucks move at high speeds and collide with people or cars, the result can be catastrophic.

Truck Accidents vs. Car Accidents

The main difference between truck accidents and car accidents is that the former has the potential to be much worse. Matters that highlight the contrast between truck and car collisions include:

• Injury severity. The immense size and weight of trucks can cause more severe injuries, a higher likelihood of fatalities, and more serious property damage. The force exerted during a truck accident is significantly greater than most cars can withstand, leading to spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, organ damage, and amputations. All of these injuries can require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, long-term care, and financial issues.
• Accident causes. Some truck accidents happen due to factors not as commonly present in car accidents, such as driver fatigue, overloaded trailers, or brake malfunctions. Understanding the cause of your truck accident can take time, as the reason may not be simple.
• Parties involved. Truck accidents can involve parties not at the accident scene, which is rare for car accidents. Trucking companies, mechanics who serviced the truck, or cargo loaders can play a large part in causing collisions, but many people lack the ability to determine whom a truck driver has connections to. Many parties could take partial or total liability for the accident, requiring an attorney with immense knowledge of the trucking industry.
• Truck drivers and companies are subject to stricter rules than passenger vehicle drivers. These regulations cover drivers’ qualifications, driving hours, vehicle maintenance, and loading procedures. Violations of these rules can become evidence of negligence in a truck accident claim.

How Do Truck Accident Claims Differ From Other Cases?

Many truck accident claims differ from other personal injury cases in matters such as the potential damages, the severity of the injuries, complicated investigations, and federal regulations. Our job is to understand how these elements coincide to grant victims maximum compensation.

Types of Truck Accident Cases

Truck accidents can occur in many ways, and we have experience with all types. While some types of accidents are more common than others, each usually occurs based on driver error or improper weight distribution throughout the vehicle. Common truck accident types are:

Rear-End Collisions

Trucks need a considerable stopping distance to prevent rear-end collisions safely. However, maintaining a safe stopping distance on busy highways or roads can be difficult. We can seek compensation when a rear-end collision is the truck driver’s fault due to following too closely or distracted driving.

Head-on Collisions

Sometimes, factors like driver fatigue, driving under the influence, or malfunctioning equipment can cause devastating head-on collisions. Trucks veering into oncoming traffic rarely result in minor injuries for victims.

Jackknife Accidents

Due to the structure of semi-trucks, when they make a sudden stop, the trailer can swing to a perpendicular angle. This results in a dangerous situation called a jackknife, leading to multi-vehicle collisions.

Underride Accidents

It can be challenging to pinpoint the causes of underride accidents, but the results can be severe when smaller vehicles are lodged under a truck’s trailer.

Rollover Accidents

Shifting cargo or a driver performing aggressive maneuvers can cause a truck to roll over. Many times, rollovers may not impact other vehicles right away, but once the truck’s contents spill out, the rollover creates an unexpected, and sometimes unavoidable, hazard for many vehicles.

Side-Impact Collisions

When trucks fail to yield the right of way, they can cause side-impact or broadside collisions, which can result in severe injuries for victims.

Recovery For Victims Of Truck Accidents

The bad news about a truck accident, as you may have discovered personally, is that injuries are often severe or catastrophic. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries, amputations, and severe back, neck, and shoulder injuries are fairly common outcomes of collisions between cars and semis.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

The human brain is immensely delicate. Minor bumps can cause significant damage. In high-impact truck accidents, the risk of a TBI can be immense. TBIs can manifest in various ways, including:

• Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or remembering
• Dizziness and balance issues
• Seizures
• Comas
• Speech and language problems
• Personality and mood changes

Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal cord is an essential part of the body. Its function is vital to transporting information from your brain to the rest of your body. Even the most minor injury to the spinal cord can be devastating. Often, injuries to this region can lead to partial or complete paralysis.

Spinal cord injuries can impact certain abilities, such as mobility, bladder and bowel control, and respiratory and sexual functions.

Back, Neck, and Shoulder Injuries

The force exerted during truck accidents can cause intense damage to your back, neck, and shoulders. Ailments can range from whiplash to muscle tears to severe nerve damage. People who sustain injuries in these regions can live with pain for the rest of their lives.

Amputations

Sometimes, a truck’s weight and force can result in the loss of limbs. These life-changing events can require expensive medical procedures, prosthetics, and rehabilitation. It can take years to adjust to a new reality after an amputation.

What Causes Truck Accidents?

No matter the type of injury you sustain from a truck accident, you may need serious medical help. While you recover, having a legal team look into your case can be wise. Our skilled team has experience identifying the intricate details of our clients’ cases and revealing the true cause of their accidents. If we represent you after a truck accident, we will begin by investigating the cause of the crash, such as:

• Overloading of cargo. Federal regulations dictate how much commercial vehicles can weigh. These rules exist to keep drivers and every other individual safe. Trucks that exceed weight limits or have improperly secured cargo can endanger everyone. When these large vehicles become unbalanced, they can roll over or jackknife, leading to devastating truck accidents.
• Driver negligence or recklessness. Many truck drivers may operate their vehicles safely, but like any other vehicle operators, some drivers use less caution than necessary. These drivers can cause accidents after making reckless decisions, such as texting while driving, speeding, driving under the influence, or maneuvering unsafely.
• Truck driver fatigue or other human factors. The federal government regulates the number of hours truck drivers can operate their vehicles before they need to rest or do something else. These regulations serve to protect truck drivers themselves and others on the road. When drivers ignore these regulations and operate their large vehicles, they can become fatigued and lose their alertness. This lack of control can cause a life-altering crash.
• Defective truck components such as brakes, transmission, tires or lights. Mechanical failures happen, but truck drivers and companies can prevent them by staying up-to-date on inspections or checkups. These malfunctions can play a large role in causing accidents. A truck accident can often occur because of a missed maintenance check, a potentially unheeded recall, or an unchecked defective part.

One hopeful element after a truck accident is often the ample insurance that most commercial vehicles carry. However, beware insurance companies that send representatives to your bedside right away and ask you to accept quick compensation in exchange for a signed waiver. Your injuries and losses may be much more serious and expensive than you imagine in a truck accident case. Know your rights and assert those rights. Get legal advice and representation promptly.

By investigating your truck accident, The Roach Law Firm gains a solid understanding of your case. Our team can hold all applicable parties accountable, whether they be the truck driver or trucking, maintenance, staffing, or cargo-loading companies. We want those responsible for your accident to pay for the full cost of your damages.

Why You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck accidents can change your life forever. While you’re recovering or fighting for your life in a hospital room, an insurance company may be quick to present you with a low settlement offer, claiming to care about your recovery. Accepting this initial offer can set you back and provide inadequate compensation for your physical injuries, emotional distress, and financial strain. You should be able to receive the total funds you rightfully deserve. Our team can help you:

• Work through the complex legal landscape. Truck accident cases can involve federal, state, and local laws governing truck drivers, companies, and procedures. Our truck accident attorneys comprehend the intricate regulations throughout Louisiana and know how they apply to your case. Our knowledge can ensure we effectively overcome any hurdles and achieve your goals.
• Identify liable parties. Truck accidents can be complex and typically involve multiple parties. Entities involved could include the truck driver, the company employing them, a third-party maintenance company, or someone who loaded the cargo. The Roach Law Firm’s team can investigate the accident to uncover each liable party so that you can hold them all accountable for their role in your accident.
• Obtain maximum compensation. When you have severe injuries, you deserve significant compensation. Your medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and medication purchases should not burden your life financially. Our skilled attorney can document all of your damages, including future costs, and ensure the insurance companies offer fair settlements to reflect the full scope of your case.

Let Us Fight For Your Best Possible Recovery

Our personal injury attorneys are available to evaluate your truck accident. To schedule a free consultation after a commercial vehicle accident, call or email us. We are here to be your advocates in recovery.

Injury lawyers at The Roach Law Firm represent people injured in car and truck accidents in Calcasieu Parish, Jefferson Davis Parish and surrounding areas. Our law firm’s reputation dates back to 1959 in the Lake Charles area. Our truck accident lawyers are available to evaluate your Louisiana accident without charge. Call 337-433-8504 or 3374338504 to reach our offices, or send us a message online.