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New Orleans Dump Truck Accident Attorney

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Dump Truck Accident Lawyer in New Orleans, LA

If you are involved in an accident with a dump truck or are involved in this accident as a construction worker, it is essential that you get the help of a skilled New Orleans dump truck accident attorney to protect your interests against insurers and defend your financial future.

The attorneys at Murphy Law Firm have served injured individuals in New Orleans for 30 years, helping secure settlements and verdicts to cover devastating losses. One of our successful settlements was a $3.8 million truck accident case. We know how to navigate complex cases with commercial insurers and can fight to defend you and your financial needs. Whether you were a commercial driver or another party injured in a collision, an experienced New Orleans truck accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation.

new orleans dump truck accident lawyer

The Hazards of Dump Trucks

Dump trucks are heavy vehicles often carrying hazardous materials, metal, concrete, and other debris that can be dangerous to employees and bystanders. From 2011 to 2020, dump truck injuries led to 809 deaths of construction and extraction employees, according to the Centers for Disease Control, as well as many injuries.

Dump truck injuries can be caused by vehicle collisions, machinery accidents, or even poor road conditions. When a dump truck is involved in a vehicle accident, it can hurt many others. Understanding how federal regulations shape these claims can be pivotal when multiple companies are involved and evidence spans maintenance, hours-of-service, and loading records.

In 2020, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reported thousands of accidents involving dump trucks, including 4,419 injury crashes and 405 fatal accidents. In Orleans Parish, there were 19 vehicle accidents involving construction equipment, including five suspected injury crashes.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Dump Truck Accident?

When you are involved in an accident with a dump truck, it’s important to determine which driver was liable. If a driver in a non-commercial vehicle was liable, then claims are filed with their private insurance policy. If the driver of the dump truck were to blame, then their employer would be held vicariously liable in most cases. This means a claim would be filed with the dump truck company’s commercial insurance.

Most often, one of the drivers is to blame, but there are situations where the dump truck company is directly liable for the accident. This may be the case if the company:

  • Hired a driver with driving under the influence convictions or other poor driving history, and was negligent in the hiring process
  • Failed to provide sufficient training for dump truck drivers, or did not check the qualifications of their drivers
  • Did not ensure regular inspection, maintenance, and repairs to the dump trucks
  • Failed to ensure commercial vehicle regulations were met, such as failing to provide drug and alcohol tests to drivers or having unsafe vehicles

Claims are also filed with the company’s commercial insurance policy in these situations.

When you hire a dump truck accident attorney, they can help you assess the accident, determine its cause, and hold the correct party liable. Working with an attorney is also essential when your claim is against a commercial insurer, because these companies are much harder to deal with. They have more resources and use their leverage to avoid paying fair compensation.

What Are Common Causes of New Orleans Dump Truck Accidents?

Some of the most common reasons that dump truck accidents happen in New Orleans include:

  • Driver error, including fatigue, distracted driving, improper lane changes, speeding, tailgating, and other negligent actions
  • Failing to check blind spots when turning, changing lanes, or taking other actions
  • Vehicle malfunctions, such as failing brakes or tire blowouts
  • Loading issues, such as overloaded dump trucks or unevenly loaded dump trucks, causing a failure or an overturn accident
  • Inexperienced or untrained operators of dump trucks
  • Dangerous road conditions, such as construction or debris
  • Inclement weather that limits visibility or leads to slick roads

After an accident, you should first call 911. Once the on-site officer says you can leave the scene, it is crucial to get medical treatment, even if you were looked over by emergency medical providers at the scene. These accidents can lead to serious injuries, including those that may not be immediately obvious, such as traumatic brain injuries or internal organ damage.

Meet Our Attorney

Peyton Murphy

Peyton Murphy

Peyton Murphy, a Louisiana lawyer with 30+ years of experience, specializes in personal injury cases. He founded Murphy Law Firm in Baton Rouge in 1993 and fights for his clients’ compensation.
Contact Peyton

FAQs

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Dump Truck Accident Attorney in New Orleans?

A dump truck accident lawyer generally charges a contingency fee, or a percentage of the compensation you receive. If a successful settlement or verdict isn’t reached, you don’t owe attorney’s fees. The exact value of the contingency fee varies depending on the attorney’s experience, location, and policies. It also depends on how complex your case is and whether it goes to court. When you hire an injury attorney, discuss their fees with them.

How Much Are Most Dump Truck Accident Settlements in New Orleans?

In Louisiana, the value of most dump truck accident settlements will be higher than most other vehicle collision settlements, because these accidents are more serious on average. However, the value of your specific settlement will depend on factors like your injuries, the severity of your other damages, and who was at fault for the accident. Your compensation may also be limited by insurance coverage limits. An attorney could help you secure a higher settlement.

What Kind of Lawyer Do I Need to File a Claim Against a Dump Truck Company in New Orleans?

You need a personal injury lawyer to file a claim against a dump truck company, and ideally a lawyer with experience in commercial vehicle accidents and construction vehicle accidents. That way, the attorney will have experience calculating high-value damages, investigating commercial vehicle accidents, and dealing with commercial insurance companies. They will have the experience and resources needed to better support your claim. Always check the experience and resources of a potential attorney.

What Should You Not Say to an Injury Lawyer in New Orleans?

When hiring an injury lawyer, you should be open and honest about your case, what caused it, and how your injuries are affecting your life. If you have been injured in a dump truck accident, it is important to be honest so that an attorney can give you an accurate assessment of whether you have the grounds for a claim and the compensation you could recover.

Find a Skilled New Orleans Dump Truck Accident Lawyer

You don’t have to navigate the aftermath of a dump truck accident by yourself. If you have been injured in a dump truck accident on the I-10 or elsewhere in New Orleans, the Murphy Law Firm can help you secure damages such as medical expenses and lost income. Contact us today and schedule a consultation.

 

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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