A truck accident is different from a car accident in several ways. Being involved in a commercial vehicle accident can have life-long consequences for you and your family. A New Orleans truck accident lawyer can help you by providing legal counsel, guidance, and support as you seek compensation for the damages caused by a truck crash.
Five Things to Know About a Truck Accident in New Orleans
Five things that you should now about accidents involving commercial trucks are:
1. Truck accidents injure or kill people in other vehicles at high rates.
An accident involving a large truck and a passenger vehicle is more dangerous for the passenger vehicle’s occupants. In 2018, 71 percent of the deaths in large truck crashes were individuals in other vehicles. Similarly, 72 percent of the injuries in large truck crashes that year were occupants of other cars.
One reason could be the size and weight of a commercial truck versus a passenger vehicle. A passenger vehicle is not able to withstand a collision with an 80,000 pound 18-wheeler. The truck crushes the car beneath thousands of pounds of metal.
2. Your injuries may be more severe.
A large truck’s size and weight could also explain why injuries in a truck accident tend to be catastrophic. Common injuries sustained in a wreck involving a large truck include:
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Complete paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Chest injuries and severe organ damage
- Multiple broken bones and fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Comas
- Severe burns, scarring, and disfigurement
An accident victim who sustains a permanent impairment or disability could face a lifetime of 24/7 personal care and medical care. Their quality of life may decrease substantially. In many cases, they may never work again, or their ability to earn an income may be substantially reduced.
3. You face large corporations and aggressive insurance companies.
Large trucking companies and their insurance providers begin aggressive accident investigations. They want to limit their liability for an injury claim because claims involving large trucks can total millions of dollars. These companies have endless resources and are willing to take cases to court.
4. A truck accident investigation involves complicated matters.
Large truck crash investigations are complex. You need to understand how federal and state trucking laws and regulations impact the accident claim. You need a working knowledge of how the truck’s black box collects data.
Immediate action is required to demand that the trucking company preserve all data and information, including logbooks, maintenance records, truck driver information, and other material that could be key evidence in a semi-truck accident claim.
5. You need a New Orleans truck accident lawyer to help you with your claim.
Most individuals do not have the resources, time, or experience to conduct an accident investigation involving a large truck. They also are focused on healing from their injuries and trying to get their lives back on track. For that reason, it is best to hire an attorney familiar with large truck accidents.
Attorney Fred Olinde of The Olinde Firm have extensive experience handling these types of traffic accidents. We have the skills, resources, and experience necessary to conduct a thorough, aggressive investigation to determine how the accident occurred and identify each party who is liable for your injuries and damages.
Call (504) 587-1440 or 1-800-587-1889 now to schedule your free consultation with a New Orleans commercial vehicle accident lawyer.