Lake Charles Truck Accident Lawyers
Have you or a loved one been injured in a truck accident? If so, you know firsthand the devastating consequences that can follow a collision involving a commercial truck and a passenger vehicle. Serious accidents, and even fatalities, are all too common when it comes to truck accidents.
However, with the help of an experienced truck accident lawyer, victims can seek justice and rightful compensation. The Johnson Firm’s Lake Charles truck accident lawyers know that passenger vehicle occupants are rarely at fault for truck accidents. Our firm is committed to holding truck drivers and trucking companies accountable for negligent acts that cause accidents and injuries.
Our experienced and dedicated personal injury attorneys work tirelessly on behalf of our clients. Our team has over 75 combined years of experience navigating complicated insurance claims processes and going to trial to fight for truck accident victims.
Contact our firm today for yourcase evaluation.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Semi-trucks and 18-wheelers can cause severe damage to other vehicles on the road due to their size and weight. Passenger vehicle occupants are in a much more vulnerable position and sadly suffer the brunt of the collision’s consequences.
Many truck drivers comply with state and federal trucking regulations. Unfortunately, there are truckers and trucking companies that break the rules, leading to disastrous accidents that keep Lake Charles truck accident lawyers busy.
Common causes of truck accidents include:
- Driving while intoxicated
- Driving while fatigued
- Distractions from texting or talking on the phone
- Failure to maintain proper braking distance from other vehicles on the road
- Failure to properly maintain and inspect their truck
- Exceeding posted speed limits
- Unsafe passing
- Failure to adjust speed in inclement weather
- Lack of training
- Improperly secured loads or excessive weight
- Defective equipment
What many truck accidents boil down to is negligence. Whatever the cause of the accident, truck accident victims deserve compensation for the negligent actions of others.
Determining Fault in a Truck Accident
It’s crucial to remember that both the truck driver and the trucking company can be held liable for negligence that leads to accidents, injuries, and fatalities.
For example, if a trucking company requires its drivers to take on deliveries that break federal hours-of-service regulations, the company is knowingly forcing its drivers to put themselves and others at risk. These regulations, which limit how many hours truckers can be on the roads, are incredibly important to maintain safety on the roads.
In addition to the trucker and the trucking company, another party could be liable for a truck accident, including:
- Truck parts manufacturer
- Cargo company
- Maintenance company that cleared the truck for inspection
There could be more than one person or company at fault for the truck accident, which could complicate your personal injury claim. The experienced attorneys at the Johnson Firm understand that there could be more to the story when it comes to your truck accident.
Why Should I Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?
Truck accidents are at best, scary and at worst, deadly. No matter the magnitude of your truck accident, schedule a consultation with one of our Lake Charles truck accident lawyers. We can help you explore all of your options.
There are many good reasons for working with a truck accident lawyer. Here are a couple of reasons hiring a Lake Charles attorney is a smart move:
Insurance Companies Don’t Fight Fair
Insurance claims processes are tricky. It’s not uncommon to be put on hold for hours every day waiting for an actual human who will listen to you.
There’s a reason the process is so complicated: insurance companies do everything in their power to avoid paying money for injury claims. Without an experienced truck accident lawyer on your side, an insurance company will attempt to give you the bare minimum. Not only is this unfair to you, but it’s also insulting to you and your loved ones who have suffered greatly in the aftermath of an accident.
Having legal representation on your side shows that you’re serious about your personal injury claim. Our lawyers will go to bat for you to negotiate a fair and just settlement that covers all of your damages.
And if an insurance company still tries to lowball you, we aren’t afraid to take them to trial to fight for what’s yours.
Your Injuries Might Be Worse Than You Think
Even if you walk away seemingly unhurt, don’t be fooled into thinking there’s no long-term damage. No matter how little pain you’re in, we strongly urge you to consult with both medical professionals and a lawyer.
Injuries can worsen over time, and it’s difficult to estimate the full effects until later. Your vehicle could also need more significant repairs than assumed at first. Last but not least, you could suffer from emotional damages over time. These are difficult to quantify but are just as deserving of compensation.
Proving Your Lake Charles Truck Accident Claim
Louisiana Civil Code Section 3492 establishes a statute of limitations of one year from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. It’s crucial that you consult with one of our Lake Charles truck accident lawyers as soon as possible.
Our team will conduct a full investigation of your accident and identify the factors that led to it. We can often prove that the truck driver and their company acted negligently.
As part of our truck accident investigation, our team will:
- Collect and analyze all pieces of evidence
- Examine the accident scene
- Search for video of the crash, if it exists
- Review witness statements and conduct further interviews if necessary
- Seek medical expert consultations for your injuries and damages
- Estimate the costs of current and future medical needs
- Work with accident reconstruction specialists
- Consult with leading trucking industry experts
Truck accidents are difficult because often, evidence and other information are with the trucking company. Our team will send the company a spoliation letter to gain access to much-needed evidence such as:
- Trucker rest logs
- Truck maintenance records
- Black box crash data
- The truck driver’s employment history
- Dashcam video, if it exists
- The truck driver’s post-accident drug and alcohol test results
Recoverable Damages in a Successful Lake Charles Truck Accident Claim
As the victim of a truck accident, your top priority should be your recovery and health. Unfortunately, medical bills and other accident-related expenses add up quickly, causing additional stress and anxiety in an already difficult situation.
If you weren’t at fault for the truck accident, it is well within your right to file a personal injury claim, so the at-fault party’s insurance covers your damages.
Working with Lake Charles truck accident lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve from an insurance company to cover expenses you incur after the accident. Payment for economic damages can include the following:
Medical Bills
- Emergency transportation
- Hospital bills
- Prescription medications
- Rehabilitative care and physical therapy
- Future medical bills
Lost Wages
- Missed work time due to injuries or medical treatment
- Use of paid time off or sick leave following the accident
- Loss of future earning capacity
Property Damage
- Vehicle damage
- Damage to personal property in the vehicle (jewelry, electronics, etc.)
General Damages
General damages differ from medical bills or property damage in that they’re non-economical. It’s of the utmost importance that you work with an experienced truck accident lawyer who can help prove your pain and suffering and determine how much compensation you deserve.
Physical medical conditions that can cause long-lasting issues past priced medical care include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Dislocated joints
- Nerve damage
- Broken bones
- Internal organ damage
- Paralysis
- Migraines
Other intangible damages can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Diminished quality of life
- Fear
- Humiliation
- Anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Depression
- Insomnia
It can be difficult to quantify the pain and suffering or mental issues that a truck accident victim and their family have gone through. Work with the Johnson Firm’s truck accident lawyers so they can handle the details of your case while you focus on recovery.
Common Types of Truck Accidents in Lake Charles
The legal maximum weight for a semi-truck with a fully loaded trailer is 80,000 pounds. This is massive, especially when compared to your average passenger vehicle. When you get these vehicles on the same road and throw in operator error, it’s a recipe for devastating injuries.
The Lake Charles area sees many truck accidents every year. Some examples of truck accident cases our team has worked on include:
- Head-on and rear-end collisions
- Sideswipes
- Jackknifing
- Rollovers
- Wide-turn collisions
- Blindspot accidents
- Tire blowouts
- Underride accidents
No matter the type of truck accident you’re involved in, you deserve to know who was at fault and explore what you’re entitled to in regards to financial compensation.
Let Us Help You Navigate Your Truck Accident Claim
A serious truck accident can derail your life and leave you with injuries, neverending medical bills, loss of income, and emotional distress. Let the Johnson Firm’s Lake Charles truck accident lawyers focus on the complexities of the case to get you the compensation you deserve.
Since 1980, our firm has been aggressively fighting for our clients’ just compensation. We know that justice isn’t given but won. With us on your side, you can rest assured knowing our team is doing everything in our power to win your case.
We promise to…
- Review your case free of charge
- Thoroughly investigate the cause and circumstances of your truck accident
- Collect evidence to support a strong case
- Contact the insurance company with a demand letter
- Negotiate on your behalf
- File a lawsuit and aggressively litigate your case if you are not offered the settlement you deserve
Contact Us Today
Insurance companies and trucking companies will do everything they can to avoid paying you your rightful compensation. However, you don’t have to do this alone. Take the first step by reaching out to the most trustworthy Lake Charles truck accident lawyers and scheduling a consultation.
We see clients for who they are: people who deserve compensation for their suffering. Call us today at (337) 427-8961. We can help you get started on your road to recovery.
FAQs
Do I need a truck accident lawyer?
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you should schedule a consultation as soon as possible with a truck accident lawyer. Even if your injuries or the damage to your vehicle seems minor, it’s impossible to tell right away the true extent of the damage.
During your consultation, you can provide your lawyer with the facts of your case, ask questions, and get their professional advice on how to proceed. An experienced truck accident lawyer will investigate and let you know if you have a case. If you do, our team will work aggressively on your behalf to get you the compensation you deserve.
Can I trust my insurance to pay my medical bills?
After a truck accident, you might file a claim with your insurance company, which could, in turn, seek reimbursement from the insurance policy of the at-fault party. However, keep in mind that an insurance company’s goal isn’t necessarily to justly compensate you for all of your damages. Rather, they seek to minimize costs and manage risk.
Insurance companies will do everything in their power to settle a claim, even if that means settling for an amount that doesn’t fully cover your damages. Working with a truck accident lawyer is the best way to ensure you are fairly compensated.
How much do lawyers charge for truck accident cases?
If you were the victim of a truck accident caused by another party, you can seek compensation for your personal injury damages. When you think of hiring a lawyer, you may think of costly hourly fees and expensive retainers. However, personal injury lawyers use a different fee structure.
Truck accident lawyers work on contingency, which means that they don’t get paid unless you win money from your case. Your lawyer can win you money through either a settlement or a trial. If you win, your lawyer will take a percentage of your compensation as their fee.
What is the average truck accident settlement?
Every truck accident looks different and depends on a variety of factors. Due to the varied nature of a truck accident, there’s not an average settlement figure.
Although it’s difficult to provide an average settlement for all truck accidents, we can look at the circumstances of your accident to give you an idea of what sort of compensation you might be entitled to.
Some of the details we take into consideration include:
- Determination of fault
- Medical bills and care costs
- The severity of your injuries
- Your estimated recovery timeline
- Lost wages or lost earning capacity
- Property damages
- Pain and suffering damages
When you schedule a consultation with one of our truck accident lawyers, we will analyze each of these factors to give you an estimated valuation of your compensation.
What should I ask Lake Charles truck accident lawyers?
Before meeting with a lawyer, you might feel nervous. However, keep in mind that the goal of your initial meeting is to find out whether you have a good case or not.
Your potential truck accident attorney is there to work on your behalf. You want to work with them as a team, so it’s important that your lawyer is a good fit for you. Consider asking these questions at your consultation.
- How does your fee structure work, and what is your contingency fee?
- Who will be my point person?
- How quickly can I expect a response if I have questions or concerns?
- How many truck accident cases have you worked on?
- How many cases did you see success in?
- Do you have a thorough understanding of trucking law?
- How do you determine the worth of my case?
- What is the likelihood that my case will settle or go to trial?
Get answers to your questions today by scheduling a no-obligation consultation.
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An injury can impact your life tremendously. Every type of injury that happens as a result of someone else’s negligence requires the attention of an experienced attorney.
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