Louisiana Injury Lawyers Blog
Because of the sheer size and weight of the vehicles involved, the aftermath of a truck accident has a high likelihood of leaving you with severe injuries and overwhelming medical bills. Knowing what steps to take after a truck accident and how a New Orleans truck accident lawyer can help make all the difference.
In this article, you’ll learn what to do if you or someone you know is involved in a truck accident. You’ll also learn when to contact a New Orleans personal injury attorney.
What to Do After a Truck Accident
Truck accidents can happen in an instant. One minute, you’re on your regular route, and the next, you’re left with injuries, chaos, and many questions. Knowing what to do after a car accident involving a semi-truck or commercial vehicle can help protect your health and rights. Here’s a brief overview of steps to take:
1. Stay Calm and Stay Safe
If there’s no immediate danger, such as fire or flooding, stay in your vehicle. It is often the safest place until help arrives.
2. Call 911 Immediately
Whether or not you’ve sustained injuries or vehicle damage, always call 911 after a truck collision. The police will file an accident report, which is essential for insurance claims and personal injury protection, and emergency responders can provide immediate medical attention for any injuries while at the accident scene.
3. Seek Medical Attention (Even if You Feel Fine)
Injuries like internal bleeding or whiplash may not show symptoms right away. A medical examination can catch hidden problems early and document injuries for your case. Plus, if you do have a serious injury, seeking medical treatment as soon as possible is essential for a full and speedy recovery.
4. Collect Evidence
If you are able, take photos and videos of the vehicles, road conditions, license plates, and skid marks. Jot down your memory of events and, if possible, get witness statements.
5. Exchange Information
Once police arrive, get the other drivers’ names, license numbers, insurance details, and trucking company contact information. This is necessary for filing claims and pursuing legal action with the help of an experienced attorney.
6. Don’t Leave the Scene Prematurely
Wait for the police to arrive and give your full statement. Leaving early could result in serious legal consequences, such as hit-and-run allegations.
7. Contact a Truck Accident Attorney
Truck companies act fast to defend themselves, often with legal teams on standby, and some may quickly act to destroy evidence. A lawyer experienced in truck accidents can help preserve evidence, handle negotiations, and advocate for whatever compensation you deserve.
Why You Need a Lawyer After a Truck Accident
A truck accident often comes with high stakes and powerful opponents. From life-altering injuries to mounting medical bills, victims often face severe impacts and uncertainty about what to do next. Here’s why you should hire an experienced personal injury lawyer after a truck accident:
Truck Accident Laws Are Complex
Truck drivers and companies must follow strict laws and safety rules. When they cut corners, it can put others at risk. A New Orleans truck accident lawyer understands these laws and can identify violations that strengthen your case.
Evidence Can Disappear Quickly
Key evidence, like logbooks or dashcam footage, can disappear or be destroyed within days. A skilled truck accident lawyer in New Orleans, like the ones at Cardone Law Firm, knows how to preserve and request this evidence before it’s too late.
Multiple Parties Might Be Liable
Unlike typical car accidents, truck crashes often involve several responsible parties. These include the driver, the trucking company, maintenance crews, cargo loaders, and parts manufacturers. A New Orleans personal injury attorney will investigate all angles to ensure every liable party is held accountable.
Insurance Companies Fight Hard
With more insurance money on the line, commercial insurers aggressively defend truck accident claims. They’ll sometimes look for ways to delay, deny, or devalue your case. An attorney can level the playing field, protecting you from manipulative tactics and lowball offers.
Injuries Are Often Catastrophic
Truck accidents frequently lead to serious, life-changing injuries. You may need months of treatment or live with a lasting disability. Lawyers work with medical professionals and financial planners to calculate the full value of your losses and demand proper compensation.
You Deserve to Focus on Healing
Handling paperwork and insurance is tough when you’re trying to recover. An attorney can manage the legal legwork so you can focus on getting better and not fight battles you weren’t trained for.
Not All Lawyers Are Equal
Truck accident cases aren’t like regular personal injury cases. You need someone with proven experience, the resources to go the distance, and a track record of results. A qualified truck accident lawyer knows what it takes to win and isn’t afraid to take your case to trial if needed.
Factors That Increase the Likelihood You’ll Need to File a Lawsuit
Not all truck accidents lead to lawsuits, but serious injuries and high damages often require legal action. Keep in mind that, even if legal action isn’t necessary, it’s still a good idea to get help from a lawyer to make sure you take the right steps. Here are key factors that increase the likelihood you’ll need to sue:
Serious or Life-Threatening Injuries
If your injuries involve long-term recovery, permanent disability, or require expensive treatments, you’re more likely to need a lawsuit to recover full compensation.
Head-On Collisions
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), roughly a third of all truck accident fatalities are the result of head-on collisions. These crashes are often severe, with disputed faults and major damages that call for legal action.
Negligent Driving Behaviors
If the truck driver ran a red light, failed to yield, was tailgating, or made an improper turn or lane change, these acts of negligence can lead to strong grounds for a lawsuit, especially if the company failed to train or supervise the driver properly.
Dangerous Road or Weather Conditions
Truck accidents involving curved roads, bad weather, or high-speed zones (like areas over 55 mph) are more complex. Trucking companies may use these conditions to deny liability, so legal support is often necessary here.
Driver Impairment or Fatigue
If the truck driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or was simply fatigued from driving too long, this reckless behavior could increase the chances of a lawsuit.
Improper Braking or Vehicle Control
Mechanical issues, poor maintenance, or driver inexperience, such as losing control or failing to brake properly, can shift liability onto the trucking company. These issues often surface only after legal review.
Overloaded or Oversized Trucks
Longer or heavier trucks carry a higher risk of rolling over. If the cargo weight or trailer length contributed to the crash, the lawsuit may involve multiple parties, including loaders and manufacturers.
Lack of Proper Documentation
Missing logs or records often indicate deeper compliance issues or systemic negligence that a lawsuit can expose.
How Long Do You Have to File a Lawsuit After a Truck Accident?
If you’re hurt in a Louisiana truck accident, you usually have two years to file a lawsuit. Missing the deadline could cost you your right to compensation. Some cases, like those involving minors, delayed injuries, or absent defendants, may have extended timelines. To learn exactly how long you have to file, your best option is to contact a capable attorney.
How a Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help You After an Accident
After a truck accident, you’re often left picking up the pieces physically, emotionally, and financially. The legal process is complex, and insurance companies often focus on their profits over your recovery. With the right legal support, you can prioritize healing while your attorney fights for the compensation you may deserve.
Here’s how a truck accident lawyer can help your case:
- Investigate the Accident – Your attorney will investigate how the accident happened, who’s responsible, and how the accident caused your injuries.
- Collect Strong Evidence – From photos and police reports to witness statements and medical records, your lawyer gathers the proof needed to build your case.
- Handle Legal Deadlines— Your attorney will manage all the paperwork, file your claim, and ensure that nothing slips through the cracks.
- Determine Who’s at Fault – Truck accidents often involve multiple parties. Your lawyer will reveal who should be held accountable.
- Calculate a Fair Settlement – Your lawyer will also consider the cost of your medical care, lost wages, and future expenses to fight for a full and fair payout.
- Negotiate with Insurance Companies – Your lawyer steps in to protect your rights and prevent you from being pressured into an unfair deal.
- Represent You in Court – If the insurance company won’t settle, your lawyer will take your case to trial and fight for fair results.
Get Trusted Legal Representation From Cardone Law Firm
You don’t have to face the aftermath of a truck accident alone. At Cardone Law Firm, we’re committed to helping truck accident victims protect their rights, gather key evidence, and pursue whatever compensation they need to move forward.
If you’re unsure about what to do next, reach out for trusted legal support. Let our New Orleans personal injury attorney guide you through the legal process while you focus on healing and getting your life back on track.