Baton Rouge Truck Accident Attorney

Truck accidents can be life-changing. Truck drivers are expected to operate their vehicles safely and are held to a higher standard than other drivers. Despite this, they sometimes get into accidents that can cause serious injuries. If you’ve been in a truck accident, you can work with personal injury lawyers in Baton Rouge, LA, for help. 

Truck accident lawyers can help you obtain the compensation you deserve for truck-related accidents. Call Murray and Murray, LLC. now for a free consultation. 

How Do Lawyers Help?

Truck accident lawyers are great assets in helping you pursue compensation. Personal injury claims can be complicated to navigate on your own. Injury attorneys can help you by: 

Negotiating On Your Behalf

Your truck accident lawyer can communicate on your behalf. They can reach out to other parties involved to deliver your settlement demands. Your attorney can speak to the other driver, their insurance company, witnesses, and third-party companies that may be involved. Negotiations can take weeks or months before you receive a settlement. 

Regardless, your lawyer will continue to contact the other party until they agree to compensate you for your damages. If the parties cannot reach an agreement, a lawyer can file a lawsuit for you.

Investigating Your Accident

Personal injury lawyers can review your case to see who is at fault and launch an investigation to reveal who is at fault. Lawyers are intelligent investigators who know what it takes to obtain verifiable proof that shows who is responsible for the truck accident.

What to Do After a Truck Accident

Truck accidents can be confusing and overwhelming. However, there are actions you should take to protect your well-being and begin the groundwork for your injury claim.

Dial 911

Call local authorities and let them know you were in an accident. They’ll dispatch an ambulance and other first responders if necessary. When the police show up, they will file a police report. Your attorney will need this report as it holds information about how the truck accident occurred. 

Your account of what happened as well as the other party’s opinion will be included in the police report. Police may also issue citations to the responsible party. Your attorney can use the police report as proof that you were not at fault.

Get Medical Attention

You should get medical help as soon as possible. Nothing is more important than your health. Get checked out by a doctor or EMTs at the site of the accident to ensure you are okay. If necessary, go to the hospital for further testing. Keep records of any bills you receive. Your lawyer can use these when it comes time to file a claim or lawsuit.

Take Photographs

Photographic evidence is more important than video evidence and can be analyzed in great detail by your attorney and the responsible parties. Take pictures of the scene of the crash, the damage to your car, debris on the ground, tire marks, and any visible injuries you have. 

Get Contact Information

Collect the contact information of the truck driver, their company, and their insurance company. The truck driver may not have the insurance information, however, your attorney can reach out to the other party and obtain it from their employer. Get contact information from eyewitnesses as well. Their testimonies will be included as proof of your personal injury. 

Contact Your Insurer

You should always let your insurance company know that you’ve been in an accident. After your truck accident, you can explain what happened and what damages you sustained. They can help cover some of your car’s repairs and medical bills. 

Speak to a Truck Accident Lawyer

You should contact a lawyer after a truck accident. They can begin preparing your personal injury claim. After you’ve paid medical bills and taken some time off from work, they can start the process of estimating your damages. They can negotiate your settlement after performing an investigation to fight for maximum compensation. 

Types of Compensation You Can Claim After a Truck Accident

Your settlement can include items such as economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are based on real, tangible losses. These include your medical bills, property damage, and lost wages. You can also recover damages for reduced earning capacity.

Non-economic damages are based on the pain and suffering you endured. You can speak with your truck accident attorney to explore what this may be worth. Pain and suffering can include loss of enjoyment of life, permanent disfigurement, and PTSD.

In the event of wrongful death, you can receive compensation for the deceased’s medical bills, loss of benefits, and loss of consortium, among other things. A personal injury lawyer can help determine what you may be owed.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Many factors can go into truck accidents, from poor road conditions to faulty vehicle parts.Some of the common causes of truck accidents include:

Drowsy Driving

According to the FMCSA, truck drivers must take frequent breaks to reduce fatigue. In Louisiana, truck drivers are required to take a 30-minute break after the first 8 hours of their shift. They are also not allowed to drive over 11 hours while off-duty. In addition to this, 18-wheeler drivers can’t drive after being on duty for 14 hours. This remains true until they have ten consecutive off-duty hours. 

Drivers who don’t get enough sleep are prone to causing truck accidents because they are too tired to focus on what is happening on the road around them.

Poorly Maintained Vehicles

A truck driver must perform regular inspections on their commercial vehicle. However, sometimes inspectors don’t catch every issue. In some cases, a mechanic may make an error that leaves the vehicle unfit for the road. When there is a manufacturing issue or malfunctioning equipment, the company responsible may be held liable. 

Speeding

In Louisiana, trucks have to drive at a speed limit of 75 mph on rural interstate roads. This goes down to 70 on urban interstate and limited access roads. Truckers who speed put themselves at greater risk of a crash because they take longer to slow down compared to a car due to their weight. 

Breaking Traffic Laws

Truck drivers can break the rules by driving in lanes that bar trucks, making improper lane changes, and not properly yielding. There are additional traffic infractions caused by careless truck drivers that can be used to prove that the trucker is at fault for your injuries.

Bad Weather 

When there is rain, fog, or ice, the chances of an accident occurring increase. Truck drivers may cause an accident because of these weather hazards. Slippery and wet conditions make it more difficult for the truck driver to slow down. 

Intoxicated Truck Drivers

Trucking companies typically test truck drivers for the presence of drugs to make sure they are driving sober. However, some truck drivers break the rules and abuse drugs, alcohol, or other substances while transporting goods.

What Can I Do to Get Started on My Truck Accident Settlement Claim

If you’ve been in an accident, speak to a lawyer who can direct you on how to get started. They can offer advice to help you avoid common errors that many settlement claimants make. You can also let your attorney handle your case so you can focus on getting better. Personal injuries can be a significant distraction from your normal life. You may be struggling with financial damages in addition to emotional ones. 

An attorney can advise you on what to do after a truck accident, such as seeking medical treatments, taking pictures of your personal injuries, and getting a letter from your boss. Any evidence you collect will help your attorney prove your case. Choose a lawyer with experience with truck accident settlements so you know you have the best shot at winning the compensation you deserve. 

You can call Murray and Murray, LLC. today for a free consultation.