18-Wheeler Truck Accidents in New Orleans
For an Experienced New Orleans Truck Accident Lawyer, Call (504) 470-3935
Being injured in an 18-wheeler accident can be devastating. A truck of
that size can cause serious injuries to drivers and passengers of both
vehicles. If you have been injured in an 18-wheeler accident, the Womac
Law Firm is ready to hear your case. We are committed to helping injured
clients fight for the fair and just compensation they deserve. You shouldn't
have to pay anything for the injuries caused by another party. Have a
team of aggressive New Orleans 18-wheeler attorneys stand up for your rights.
Schedule a
FREE consultation
to discuss the details of your accident.
Seven Common Causes of Truck Accidents
The trucking industry is highly regulated by the federal government because
of the danger that it poses to other cars and pedestrians on the road.
Everything from the maximum driving time and required truck maintenance
to the weight of a truck is regulated. Parties who fail to abide by these
rules can be held liable for injuries.
Common causes of 18-wheeler truck accidents include:
-
Speeding - Truck drivers are often expected to complete their route in a specific
amount of time, which isn't always possible due to weather, technical
issues, traffic, and a host of other factors. When a driver falls behind
schedule, there is always the temptation to simply pick up the speed.
-
Tire Failure - Things like tire underinflation, tire overinflation, potholes, and debris
are all common causes of tire failure.
-
Brake Failure - "Riding the brakes" is a common cause for brake failure in trucks.
If a driver uses the brakes while going down a long hill, it can cause
the brakes to overheat and fail.
-
Driver Fatigue - Again, because truck drivers are on a tight schedule, the will often push
themselves to drive to the point of fatigue. This behavior is extremely
dangerous as fatigue driving results in micro-sleeping, lose concentration,
and impair motor skills.
-
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs and/or Alcohol - Truck drivers driving under the influence is unfortunately fairly common.
The dangers of drunk driving are amplified in truck accident claims when
you consider the sheer size and weight of semi-trucks.
-
Distracted Driving - Truck drivers are human and fall prey to the boredom and the monotony of
driving, which often results in texting while driving, making phone calls,
perusing social media, changing the radio, and a host of other distractions.
-
Overweight Cargo or Freight - Both state and federal laws regulate the cargo weight a truck is permitted
to haul, and drivers are expected to regularly use weight stations along
their route. An overweight truck is harder to control and stop, which
makes it more likely to be involved in an accident.
Our experienced team can look into your case and investigate the causes
of your accident. Whether it was a careless truck driver, a negligent
trucking company, or a defective trucking part that was to blame, we work
hard to research and prepare each claim.
How Many Accidents Are Caused by Semi-Trucks?
Unfortunately, large truck accidents are much more common than many people
realize. According to the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 4,761 deaths resulting from large truck collisions throughout
the United States in 2017 (the latest year for which data is available).
Of these fatalities, a staggering 72 percent were the occupants of other
vehicles, while 18 percent were occupants of the trucks involved and another
10 percent were not occupants of a vehicle (bicyclists, pedestrians, etc.).
Perhaps most disturbing, however, is the 9 percent increase in truck accident-related
fatalities between 2016 and 2017, as well as the 12 percent increase in
large truck accident fatalities over the 10 year period leading up to
2017. In short: the frequency of truck accident fatalities on a national
scale is increasing.
According to the
Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, there were 103 fatal crashes involving large trucks and buses in Louisiana
alone in 2019, as well as another 2,714 bus and truck accidents resulting
in injury. Buses and trucks were involved in 15.7% of all fatal collisions
and 6.2% of all injury crashes in the state last year.
As these truck accident statistics reveal, motorists are at risk any time
they get on the road with large vehicles, like semi-trucks, 18-wheelers,
and buses. If you or someone you love was involved in a collision with
a large truck or similar commercial vehicle, don’t hesitate to contact
the Womac Law Firm for a free consultation and case evaluation with one
of our skilled and experienced attorneys. Remember: you are not alone;
our firm can help you seek fair financial recovery for your medical bills,
lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Put the Womac On 'Em
Our law office employs some of the most determined injury attorneys New
Orleans has to offer. At our firm, we work aggressively and efficiently
to help our clients get the compensation they deserve. We can work with
you to prepare a thorough claim that takes into account all present and
future costs for medical treatment, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
The Womac Law Firm will work hard for you, so you can concentrate on recovering.
You don't pay us legal fees unless our New Orleans truck accident lawyers
obtain money for you.
Give us a call
at (504) 470-3935 to talk to us about your case.