Collisions with large trucks can be catastrophic, especially for the occupants of the other vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released its 2015 data regarding large truck accidents earlier this year. Injuries and deaths from crashes involving large trucks increased in 2015 by only four people.
During 2015, roughly 116,000 people were injured and 4,067 people were killed in crashes with large vehicles. If you break the numbers down to examine who was injured or killed in the accident, occupants of other vehicles sustained 74 percent of the fatalities and 73 percent of the injuries. A passenger vehicle does not offer the same protection as a large, heavy truck.
Even Low-Speed Truck Accidents Can Be Catastrophic
When you consider the weight and size of a commercial truck, it is not hard to see why these collisions result in traumatic injuries and death. Even at a low speed, a large truck can cause an extremely dangerous collision. Drivers and passengers are at a higher risk for injuries and death because the passenger vehicle absorbs the force of the impact with the truck. Common injuries sustained in truck accidents include:
- Fractures, broken bones, and amputations
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Paralysis and other spinal cord injuries
- Severe burns, scarring, and disfigurement
- Internal bleeding and damage to internal organs
- Neck and shoulder injuries
Injuries sustained in a low-speed truck accident can result in substantial financial damages in addition to the stress and physical pain caused by the accident. Victims deserve to receive compensation for these damages; however, truck companies and their insurance companies try to limit liability in truck accidents to avoid paying millions of dollars in damages.
Causes of Large Truck Accidents in New Orleans
Because we must share the road with these over-sized vehicles, the chance of a truck crash is higher than you may realize. Common causes of truck accidents include driver error, impaired driving, improper maintenance, shifting cargo, and road conditions. Depending on the cause of the crash, you may have a claim against one or more parties.
For example, if the truck driver was speeding at the time of the collision, the driver may be liable for your damages. However, if the truck company failed to perform a background check that would have revealed a history of speeding tickets and speeding crashes, you may also have a claim against the truck company.
It is important to identify all parties who may be liable in a large truck accident because you can only recover from the parties responsible for the crash. Furthermore, if multiple parties are liable, you have more insurance coverage available to pay your damages. This can increase your chance of recovering full compensation for your injuries.
Proving Liability in a New Orleans Truck Accident
Truck companies and their insurance providers have teams of investigators that respond to accident scenes to begin gathering evidence. Some evidence, such as the information on the truck’s black box, can be lost if you do not take steps to preserve the evidence. As experienced New Orleans truck accident attorneys, we immediately begin an investigation to identify and preserve evidence needed to prove fault. We also work with experts to determine the exact cause of the crash and how the crash occurred. By doing so, we can prove that you were not at fault and, therefore, are entitled to compensation for 100 percent of your damages.
Call a New Orleans Truck Accident Attorney for a Free Appointment
For a free legal consultation with a New Orleans truck accident lawyer, call Attorney Fred Olinde of The Olinde Firm at (504) 587-1440 or 1-800-587-1889. We accept most cases on a contingency fee basis, so you do not owe attorney fees until we recover money for your claim.