New Orleans Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck Accident Attorney in New Orleans, LA

Commercial truck drivers are crucial to the economy and national supply chains. These vehicles, like 18-wheelers, operate on the road every day, and most get to their destinations safely. Unfortunately, these trucks can be involved in accidents like any other vehicle. When they are in an accident, the damage can be severe. If you or a loved one was involved in a commercial truck accident, an experienced New Orleans truck accident lawyer can help you can recover financially.

Murphy Law Firm: Fighting for Justice for Victims of Truck Accidents

It can be overwhelming to face the aftermath of a truck accident. You could be dealing with injuries that change the rest of your life or the unimaginable loss of a loved one. Financial compensation cannot fix these losses, but it can provide you with the means and the time you need to recover.

At Murphy Law Firm, our legal team have helped individuals and families navigate these claims for more than 30 years. We listen to your situation carefully and guide you through your options for financial recovery. Our team has successfully secured millions in settlements and verdicts for truck accident claims, including one truck accident settlement for $3.8 million.

A claim can recover losses like the cost of your medical bills, the long-term income you have lost, the costs of physical therapy, and the emotional trauma of the accident and your injury. Our skilled personal injury lawyer team help you get the justice you deserve. Contact us today to discuss your case.

Commercial Truck Accidents in New Orleans

The harm caused by a commercial truck accident can be immense. Because of the size, weight, and speed of these vehicles, they often cause multi-car pileups, causing catastrophic injuries and deaths. There were, sadly, two fatal crashes in New Orleans and Orleans Parish in 2024 that involved commercial vehicles. There were 164 suspected injury accidents involving commercial vehicles. Truck accidents can lead to serious injuries, including lifelong disabilities.

In 2023, most commercial vehicle crashes occurred on state roads, but more fatal crashes happened on the interstate than on state roads. I-10 and I-610 are the primary interstates in New Orleans. When you are involved in an accident with a commercial truck, it can affect the rest of your life. Filing a claim can help you financially recover and deal with some of these consequences.

Filing a Claim After a Truck Accident

Truck accidents result in insurance claims like other accidents. However, these claims can get more complicated than other accidents for numerous reasons. One of these reasons is that many different parties could be partially or fully responsible for the accident.

In addition to the drivers in the accident, parties responsible for putting the commercial vehicle on the road could be liable for negligence. Claims may be filed with the trucking company’s insurer or the insurer of another driver.

Who Could Be Liable in a Truck Accident in New Orleans?

A trucking company has many different employees and works with many third-party companies. The negligence of any of these parties could result in a crash, and that party could be held liable. A driver is the most common at-fault party, including both passenger vehicle drivers and commercial truck drivers.

If the commercial truck driver was responsible for the accident, their employer or trucking company is likely to be vicariously liable for the accident. There are many other parties who are involved in or working with trucking companies that may be liable for the accident, such as the following:

• The trucking company. Trucking companies could be vicariously liable for the actions of employees, but can also be directly liable. If a trucking company incentivizes its drivers to ignore federal rest breaks, the company could be liable if the driver’s fatigue causes the accident. A trucking company could also be liable for cutting corners on maintenance, repairs, and inspections, leading to a crash.
• An inspector. Commercial vehicles get a lot of wear and tear on the road, and it is a federal regulation to have them regularly inspected and repaired. If an inspector clears a dangerous truck to go on the road, they could be liable for an accident caused by a truck malfunction.
• A maintenance company. If maintenance was done on a commercial vehicle, but it was insufficient or faulty, the mechanic or their employer could be liable if it causes an accident.
• A shipping or loading company. If a commercial truck is overloaded or loaded improperly, it can lead to many issues. This includes jackknifing, tipping over, or putting too much strain on the vehicle and causing a breakdown. The company could be liable for the accident.

A truck manufacturer could also be liable if the accident was caused by a truck breakdown.

Why Else Are Truck Accidents More Complicated?

In addition to numerous potentially at-fault parties, there are several other factors that make these claims more complex and harder to navigate. This includes:

• High-cost damages. The injuries and other damages in a truck accident are usually more severe. Because of this, the value of full and fair compensation must be significant to cover those losses. Disabling injuries can have significant costs, such as mobility aids, surgeries, modifications to homes and vehicles, long-term at-home care, and more. Despite the provable damages, it is still difficult to secure full and fair compensation for high-value settlements. If you were in a truck accident, it is essential that you get medical care. In addition to emergency medical care at the scene after calling emergency responders, you should get medical treatment at a hospital. This protects your personal health and provides the necessary documentation for your claim. If you were injured in New Orleans, nearby medical centers include New Orleans East Hospital, located at 5620 Read Boulevard, and Ochsner Baptist, located at 2700 Napoleon Avenue.
• Regulations. Commercial trucks are regulated by state and federal guidelines. These guidelines cover truck maintenance and upkeep, the training and hiring of truck drivers, truck weight limits, controlled substances tests for drivers, safety features, and breaks that the truck drivers must take. If the trucking company or other parties broke these regulations, this can help prove liability.
• Commercial insurers. Many truck accident claims are filed with commercial insurance carriers. These insurers are much harder to deal with than most car insurance providers. Commercial carriers have higher insurance coverage limits due to the significant cost of most truck accidents, but securing those limits is not easy. These companies are aggressive in protecting their bottom line and limiting their liability.

Because of these complications, it is especially important that you have the support of an attorney who understands these cases. That way, you know your attorney has experience in managing the investigation of complex damages and serious accidents, and they already know how to negotiate with commercial carriers. This experience helps your case go more smoothly.

Why Do I Need to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer in New Orleans?

You need to hire a truck accident lawyer in New Orleans because working with a legal professional gives you the support and resources you need to file a claim successfully and secure the most financial recovery possible.

Working with an attorney can make a significant difference in the outcome. The trucking company’s insurer doesn’t want you to hire an attorney because it is easier for them to get you to accept a lowball settlement when you don’t have legal representation.

An insurance company’s goal is to limit its financial liability as much as possible, such as by understating how serious your injuries are or even claiming you were to blame for the crash. Truck accident attorneys understand these tactics and know how to combat them, fighting for your rights and the full amount of compensation you are owed. An attorney helps you manage your truck accident case in numerous ways, including:

• Providing you with emotional and legal support during this stressful situation
• Helping you meet important deadlines like the deadline for an insurance claim or the statute of limitations for a civil claim
• Assessing the damages you suffered, both economic and non-economic damages
• Reviewing the cause of the accident using evidence such as black box information, maintenance logs, CCTV footage, driver work hour logs, and much more
• Determining which party or parties were to blame for the accident, such as those in the trucking company, third-party companies, others on the road, and many other potentially at-fault parties
• Assessing the accident to determine if there were any violations of state or federal trucking safety regulations
• Working with professionals like accident reconstructionists or medical providers
• Fighting against false accusations of fault, or working to limit the amount you are found at fault, so you can still recover partial compensation
• Negotiating with the commercial insurance company to recover the maximum compensation possible
• Taking your claim to trial if needed to secure full and fair compensation

Because an attorney handles the many complicated aspects of your case, you are able to take the time to rest. This time to heal is especially necessary after a truck accident, considering the often-catastrophic injuries. With the right attorney, you can feel confident that your case is in good hands, and your attorney will frequently communicate with you to ensure you are aware of the status of your case.

What Damages Can You Recover in a New Orleans Truck Accident Claim?

In a successful truck accident claim, you could recover the entirety of the damages you sustained in the crash, including both economic and non-economic compensatory damages. An attorney is useful in calculating these, as many injured individuals underestimate the value of their damages, especially the long-term and intangible costs.

Economic damages are financial losses with tangible values. They include:

• Medical expenses, including your current bills for hospital stays and prescription medications, and the cost of long-term care, future medical needs, and expected complications
• Lost income if you had to take time off from work to heal or go to doctors’ appointments
• Reduced earning capacity when your injuries affect your income long-term, such as requiring you to enter a new area of employment or limiting the hours you can work
• Property damage repair and replacement costs

Non-economic damages are intangible, covering the psychological, emotional, and physical losses associated with injuries and the crash. These damages include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Disability, disfigurement, and scarring
• Loss of enjoyment or quality of life
• Loss of consortium

When your injuries are more severe, these damages tend to be much more significant. Catastrophic injuries have higher medical bills, affect your employment, and cause more pain and trauma.

In rare cases, your claim may also include punitive damages, called exemplary damages in Louisiana. These damages are awarded when there is reckless behavior, such as driving under the influence with disregard for the health and safety of others. An attorney can help you determine if your case would include exemplary damages and if it is beneficial to take your case to court.

What Causes Truck Accidents in New Orleans?

Truck accidents occur due to the same reasons that other accidents occur, with many additional risks. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:

• Distracted driving, such as eating or texting behind the wheel
• Fatigued driving, which is especially common if truck drivers don’t follow the hours of service regulations
• Reckless driving, including speeding or failing to yield the right-of-way
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, which also includes prescription drugs
• Aggressive driving, like dangerous lane changes or tailgating
• Inexperienced drivers, such as new commercial truck drivers or those without the proper training
• Vehicle breakdowns, such as brake failures, tire blowouts, and other malfunctions
• Improperly loaded cargo, which can lead to cargo spills or tipovers from the cargo shifting during transport
• Poor weather conditions, such as slippery roads or low visibility
• Poor road conditions, such as debris on the road, unmarked construction sites, or other unsafe conditions

Determining the cause of your unique truck accident is an essential step in determining the party at fault.

If the cause of a truck collision was a brake failure, your attorney can look into elements such as maintenance logs, manufacturer specifications, and the truck’s cargo. The brake failure may have been an unreasonably dangerous product sold by a negligent manufacturer, or it could have been caused because the truck was overloaded by a shipping company. The truck may also have been insufficiently maintained and repaired.

FAQs

Working With a Dedicated and Compassionate Truck Accident Attorney in New Orleans

A truck accident claim needs to be investigated and filed quickly after a crash happens. Unfortunately, this is very difficult for many injured individuals. The most effective way to get legal support during this time and promptly investigate the accident is to work with a dedicated attorney. That way, you don’t have to navigate a claim alone. You can take time to physically recover, trusting your claim is in good hands.

At Murphy Law Firm, we understand the complexities of truck accident claims and know the frustrations of dealing with the aftermath of the accident. Contact our team today and see how we can help you get essential financial recovery.

New Orleans, Louisiana Truck Accident Resources

• Average Truck Accident Settlement in Louisiana
• How Federal Regulations Affect Truck Accident Lawsuits

Your Path to Legal Resolution Starts with Murphy Law Firm.

When you choose Murphy Law Firm, you gain access to a team of experienced attorneys with a proven track record of success. We understand the importance of trust, and we strive to build lasting relationships with our clients by delivering exceptional results.

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