Did you sustain injuries in a trucking accident near Leesville, LA? You may be entitled to significant financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and more. An experienced Leesville truck accident lawyer at MAXOUT Injury Lawyers can help you fight to secure the maximum compensation you deserve.
Our team has years of experience handling complex personal injury cases. We’ve recovered millions of dollars in life-changing settlements and verdicts for our injured clients.
If you were injured, legal advice is only a phone call away. Call our law offices in Leesville, Louisiana, to schedule your free consultation today.
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How MAXOUT Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Truck Accident in Leesville
A serious injury is challenging enough. It’s understandable to feel angry and frustrated when the insurance company gives you the runaround or tries to blame you for the crash.
Large trucking companies and their insurance companies handle accident claims all the time. They have the resources to investigate. They know all of the tricks that might convince you to settle for less than you deserve.
Our experienced Leesville personal injury lawyers at MAXOUT Injury Lawyers can help you fight back. We have years of experience–both in the insurance industry and handling personal injury cases.
When you hire us, you’ll have an advocate to:
- Conduct a full investigation into the crash
- Help you understand the insurance claims process
- Calculate the fair value of your case
- Hire top-rated experts to provide guidance and testimony
- Identify all responsible parties
- Negotiate with the insurance companies and defense lawyers on your behalf
It’s not easy to get hurt. Unfortunately, the personal injury laws in Louisiana can make it tough for accident victims to recover fair compensation.
Call to create an attorney client relationship today to learn more about how our Leesville personal injury attorneys can help you get the money you deserve.
How Common Are Truck Accidents in Leesville, LA?
Large commercial vehicles and semis account for only about 4% of the vehicles on the U.S. roadways. Unfortunately, because these vehicles are so large and heavy, they’re likely to cause serious injuries and fatalities when they’re involved in an accident.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) research shows that about 119,000 large trucks were involved in injury-producing car accidents in 2019. Nationwide, 5,005 fatal truck accidents were reported.
According to a report prepared by Louisiana State University, 3,667 commercial truck accidents were reported in the state of Louisiana in 2020. 1,261 of those truck crashes caused injuries. Another 95 people were killed in fatal truck accidents.
Unfortunately, FMCSA research shows that 72% of the fatalities in truck accidents involve occupants of smaller passenger vehicles.
What is My Leesville Truck Accident Case Worth?
Before we estimate your case value, we’ll review the facts and conduct an investigation. Otherwise, we’d only be guessing–because every case is unique.
However, some factors are relevant in every case. The most important factors that will influence how much your personal injury claim is worth include:
- The type and severity of the injuries you’ve sustained
- The cost of your medical treatment and other expenses
- Your lost wages and income
- Whether you’ve suffered damage to your quality of life and ability to work in the future
- Whether your acts contributed to the accident
Calculating your future losses can be challenging, especially if your injuries were permanent or catastrophic. Our lawyers serving Leesville have years of experience handling complex cases like yours, so we’re up to the challenge.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Truck Accident Victims?
After an auto accident, personal injury laws provide for two primary types of damages: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Your financial losses are called “economic damages”, and might include:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Nursing care
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
You’re also entitled to damages for the non-financial losses you’ve suffered, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Diminished quality of life
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
- Anxiety or depression
- PTSD
- Loss of consortium
In rare cases, courts may award punitive damages to punish the responsible parties. These damages don’t account for a specific loss. They’re usually only available in cases where the at-fault party’s actions were intentional or malicious.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for a Truck Accident in Louisiana?
Louisiana follows a pure comparative negligence rule. Under Louisiana law, you can still recover damages if you’re partly to blame for your injuries. However, your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your share of fault.
Trucking accident cases often involve multiple parties. Allocating blame between responsible parties can be a difficult task–and the insurance company will try to shift as much blame to you as possible. Our experienced lawyers can fight to minimize your role in the crash. If shared fault is an issue, call our legal team for a free initial consultation today.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Truck Accident Injuries
Accidents involving semi-trucks and big rigs can have serious long-term consequences. In the short term, you may be unable to work or enjoy your usual activities. Long term, you could face ongoing complications and financial stress.
Our Leesville truck accident attorneys at MAXOUT Injury Lawyers can help you fight for the compensation you deserve. We often represent clients who have sustained:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Nerve injuries
- Whiplash injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Other head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Severe burns
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
We can help you show the insurance adjusters how your injuries have impacted your life. To get started, call our law firm for a free case evaluation today.
What Causes Most Truck Accidents in Leesville, Louisiana?
Like car accidents, truck accidents can have many underlying causes. Unfortunately, most truck crashes are caused by negligence. The FMCSA’s Large Truck Crash Causation Study examined the reasons that semi-truck accidents happen.
According to the FMCSA study, these events were most likely to cause a truck accident:
- Running into another lane or off the road
- Losing control of the vehicle, whether because of speeding, poor road conditions, or problems with the truck cargo
- Rear-ending another motor vehicle
Driver error is also a leading cause of truck accidents in Louisiana. According to an LSU report, a truck driver was cited as the responsible party in 47.2% of all commercial vehicle wrecks statewide.
Some of the most common causes of truck accidents involving driver error include:
- Violation of FMCSA hours-of-service regulations
- Other traffic violations
- Distracted driving
- Inexperienced drivers
- Fatigued drivers
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Making dangerous turns
- Tailgating
- Excessive speeds
- Aggressive driving
- Unsafe passing
- Dangerous lane changes
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Drunk driving
Of course, many truck accidents also happen because the truck isn’t properly maintained. Faulty brakes, bald tires, and defective steering mechanisms can all lead to an accident.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Truck Accident in Louisiana?
Truck accident cases can be complex because multiple parties often share fault. While the truck driver may have caused the accident, the trucking company could be liable for damages.
Additionally, the following parties could also share liability:
- Truck maintenance companies
- Companies responsible for loading the truck’s cargo
- Companies hired to inspect the truck
- Government agencies
- Manufacturers of defective truck components
- Third-party drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians
Our attorneys in Leesville will gather evidence to determine who was responsible. Once we have that evidence, we’ll be able to establish negligence. Negligence is a failure to exercise reasonable caution under the circumstances.
Evidence that can be used to prove negligence in a truck crash case might include:
- The truck driver’s hours-of-service log
- Maintenance and inspection logs
- Evidence from the vehicle’s black box recording device
- Police and accident reports
- Reports prepared by the NTSB, if available
- Drug and alcohol test reports
- Video surveillance footage
- Eyewitness statements
- Evidence from the crash scene
- The driver’s CDL and other qualifications
We may also work with accident reconstruction specialists to gain expert insight into the cause of the crash.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Truck Accident in Louisiana?
The statute of limitations in Louisiana is only one year. The clock starts ticking on the date of the accident. If you don’t file a personal injury lawsuit before the one-year deadline, you forfeit your right to compensation.
A detailed truck accident investigation can take time. The insurance adjusters will start investigating immediately after the crash. You deserve a lawyer who will do the same for you. Our lawyers in Leesville are ready to get started, so call for a free case review today.
Contact a Leesville Truck Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Proving liability after a truck accident can be extremely difficult. Fortunately, you don’t have to let the insurance company pressure you into accepting a lowball settlement. An experienced Leesville truck accident lawyer at MAXOUT Injury Lawyers can help, so give us a quick call to schedule a free initial consultation today.