Metairie, Louisiana, sees a steady flow of commercial truck traffic. With that comes an increased risk of serious truck accidents.
When a large truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the difference in size and weight often results in devastating or even fatal injuries. In these situations, a Metairie 18-wheeler accident attorney can help victims seek the compensation they need and deserve.
Injuries from these crashes often require costly medical treatment and long-term therapy—and may leave victims unable to work. At Santana & Blanchard Personal Injury Lawyers, our Metairie 18-wheeler accident attorneys help clients manage the legal process to pursue financial recovery for their medical expenses, lost income, and diminished quality of life. Contact us today at (504) 323-6000 to schedule a free consultation with our Metairie 18-Wheeler Accident lawyers.
How Santana & Blanchard Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After an 18-Wheeler Accident In Metairie, LA
Santana & Blanchard Personal Injury Lawyers was founded with one goal—fighting for injured individuals in Louisiana and holding negligent parties accountable. With 26 years of combined legal experience, our Metairie personal injury attorneys have recovered millions on behalf of our clients.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, our Metairie personal injury lawyers can assist you by:
- Reviewing your case and explaining your legal options
- Building a strategy and gathering key evidence, records, and witness statements
- Filing a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance provider and working toward a fair settlement
- Taking your case to court if a reasonable resolution can’t be reached
Truck accidents often result in serious, life-altering injuries. Contact Santana & Blanchard Personal Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Metairie truck accident lawyer and find out how we can help you move forward.
What Does an 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer Do?
Data from the Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety (CARTS) shows that Metairie Parish experienced 984 commercial vehicle accidents over the last five years—averaging around 197 truck crashes annually. These incidents included 16 fatal collisions and 539 that resulted in injuries.
When a trucking accident causes serious harm or loss of life, an experienced Metairie truck accident attorney can offer critical support, including:
Determining Liability
In most truck accident cases, responsibility falls on the company operating the vehicle. If the driver is an employee, the trucking company is typically vicariously liable for their actions.
When the driver is an independent contractor, their own business entity may bear the legal responsibility. In either scenario, you may be entitled to pursue compensation through the liable party’s resources.
However, recovering damages requires proving negligence. This means showing that the truck driver or company failed to act with reasonable care toward other road users.
Common examples of negligence include:
- Driving recklessly or breaking traffic laws
- Hiring drivers with known accident histories or substance abuse issues
- Failing to perform required drug and alcohol screenings
- Ignoring vehicle maintenance responsibilities
- Scheduling routes in a way that leads to driver fatigue
In some cases, the injured party may share some responsibility. For instance, if a fatigued truck driver runs a stop sign and a speeding driver can’t avoid the crash, both may be partially at fault.
Under Louisiana’s comparative fault rules, any compensation awarded to the injured driver who was partially at fault would be reduced by their percentage of fault.
Filing Claims
Federal regulations require trucking companies to carry substantial insurance coverage, often in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The exact amount depends on the type of cargo—especially if hazardous materials are involved.
A personal injury claim must include documentation of your damages and a clear explanation of how the trucking company is responsible. Your lawyer will coordinate with the insurance adjuster or surety company to negotiate a fair settlement. If disputes arise regarding liability or the value of your claim, a resolution may not be possible outside of court.
Should negotiations fail, your attorney can file a lawsuit and prepare your case for trial. If a jury finds in your favor, you’ll be awarded compensation for the full scope of your losses.
What Damages Are Available to 18-Wheeler Truck Accident Victims?
Victims of truck accidents can seek damages for both financial and non-financial harm. Economic losses may include medical bills, therapy costs, medications, and lost income—both current and future.
Non-economic losses are more difficult to quantify but no less important. These may cover pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and long-term disability. Because these damages are subjective, working with a lawyer can increase your chances of recovering the full amount you’re seeking.
Contact Our Metairie 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Truck accident cases often present complicated legal challenges. Reach out to Santana & Blanchard Personal Injury Lawyers to discuss your case with a Metairie 18-wheeler accident attorney and explore how we can build a strategy to pursue compensation from the at-fault party.