New Orleans Truck Accident Lawyers
18-Wheeler Accident Claims
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
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.
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Put the Womac on 'em! Schedule a FREE consultation to discuss the details of your accident with an experienced lawyer by calling (504) 470-3935 today.
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.
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 of 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, they will often
push themselves to drive to the point of fatigue. This behavior is extremely
dangerous as fatigue driving results in micro-sleeping, loss of concentration,
and impaired 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.
Liability in 18-Wheeler Accidents
Knowing the cause of an 18-wheeler accident is only part of the claims
process. We also need to use that cause to determine liability or fault.
In Louisiana, the pure comparative negligence rule will reduce the compensation
amount that you can receive based on your percentage of liability. Our
attorneys can work to keep your liability as low as possible, hopefully
down to 0%, so you can get the most compensation possible.
Liable parties in an 18-wheeler accident might include:
- Truck driver who caused the crash
- Trucking company that employed the trucker
- Truck part manufacturer
- Third-party like a load or maintenance crew
When there are multiple liable parties in a trucking accident claim, we
can file against multiple insurance policies in pursuit of the compensation
owed to you. While this can add complications to the case, the
Womac Law Firm is always ready to
put the Womac On ‘em, no matter how many parties we have to go up against for our clients.
Common Injuries Suffered in Truck Accidents
We dial up the intensity in our representation for truck accident clients
because we know the stakes are so high. The average truck accident has
the potential to cause life-changing injuries. The costs and losses associated
with such injuries can be life-changing, too. Let us fight for you to
ensure that you are compensated fully based on the severity of your injuries
and how they will impact your day-to-day life for years to come.
Severe injuries that can happen in an 18-wheeler accident include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Paralysis
- Whiplash
- Broken bones
- Third-degree burns
- Permanent disfigurement
How Our Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help
Truck accidents can spark a complicated legal process, which is why it
is vital you enlist the help of the legal team at The Womac Law Firm.
When you rely on the help of our trucking accident attorneys, you will
be the recipient of top-rated, trusted, and thorough legal services. We
will do everything in our power to ensure your rights are protected and
your needs are met.
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 our trucking accident attorneys in New Orleans a call at (504) 470-3935 to get started on your case. Put the Womac on ‘em!
