Large truck accidents are especially dangerous for the occupants of other vehicles. Of the 4,067 people killed in truck accidents during 2015, 84 percent of those deaths were occupants of other vehicles or non-occupants (i.e. bicyclists, pedestrians, etc.). Likewise, 77 percent of the 116,000 people injured in truck accidents during 2015 were non-occupants or occupants of other vehicles. During 2015, the number of injuries and fatalities in large truck accidents increased by four percent.
For someone injured in a commercial truck accident, the aftermath of the accident can be painful, overwhelming, and frightening. For many victims, they are transported to the emergency room with serious injuries. Large truck crashes often result in traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries, complex fractures, and other traumatic injuries. Victims who wake up in a hospital room are often confused and in a great deal of pain. They are not thinking about filing a truck accident claim.
However, the insurance company for the truck driver and truck company is thinking about a claim. These companies often have a team of professionals who begin investigating the collision within hours to determine the cause as they begin to work to minimize the company’s liability. Why? Because commercial truck crashes result in traumatic injuries, the damages for these claims can be very expensive. Some truck accident claims result in multi-million-dollar judgments. Therefore, the insurance company wants to take steps to minimize its liability for the claim.
Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents
While not all truck accidents are the fault of the truck driver, truck company, or another third party, many of these crashes are caused by driver error or other negligent actions. Common causes of truck accidents in Louisiana include:
- Truck Driver Errors, including impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving, reckless driving, and drowsy driving.
- Defective Brakes, Defective Tires, or Other System Failures
- Failure to Perform Maintenance
- Faulty Repairs
- Inexperienced or Improperly Trained Drivers
- Improperly Loaded Cargo
- Weather Conditions or Hazardous Road Conditions
Accident victims in truck crashes who did not contribute to the reason for the collision are entitled to recover compensation from the at-fault party. However, the victim must prove fault before he or she can recover compensation. Commercial truck accidents can be complex and involve many federal rules, regulations, and laws applicable to the trucking industry. Hiring an experienced New Orleans truck accident attorney is one of the important steps you need to take in the aftermath of a truck accident.
Commercial Truck Accident Investigations
The truck company and its insurance provider begin investigating the accident immediately. You need a team of legal professionals working on your behalf to conduct an independent investigation to protect you. Your attorney can request black box information before it can be erased, “lost,” or destroyed. He can also hire experts to help reconstruct the accident to prove another party caused the collision. Your attorney can also work to identify liable parties and preserve crucial evidence that can be used to prove fault and damages for your claim. It is important to work with an experienced NoLA truck accident lawyer as quickly as possible after an accident.
Call for Your Free Consultation
We understand you may feel overwhelmed and you may not be thinking about file a truck accident lawsuit. Allow our attorneys to take care of the investigation while you recover from your injuries.
Contact Attorney Fred Olinde of The Olinde Firm by calling (504) 587-1440 or 1-800-587-1889 to request a free consultation with a New Orleans truck accident attorney.