Gonzales Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck Accident Attorney, LA

If you have been involved in a scenario where a truck collides with another vehicle, you know that the aftermath of this event can be devastating. The size of a truck increases the danger it poses to victims and their families. A skilled Gonzales truck accident lawyer can hold negligent parties accountable and fight for your rights. They can identify everyone involved in the accident to make sure the right people face the consequences of their actions.

Empowering Clients for Decades

Murphy Law Firm has a strong foundation that’s built on almost three decades of experience in fighting for the rights of our clients. We are a trusted name across Louisiana and are known to travel anywhere in the state to offer personalized attention to the victims of accidents and other personal injuries. Our firm helps you hold negligent trucking companies liable when they put profits over the well-being of others.

We have secured millions in settlements and verdicts for our clients, including a truck accident settlement for $3.8 million. Our goal is to understand your case’s unique challenges to then build a strong argument for the compensation you deserve. We fight for you and what you deserve to be able to move forward after a crash.

Truck Accidents in Gonzales

In Ascension Parish, commercial vehicles were involved in 65 fatal and suspected injury crashes in 2024. These crashes are much more serious than the average motor vehicle collision. Crashes in the parish that involved all vehicle types caused suspected injury in 23.67% of accidents. In comparison, crashes involving commercial vehicles caused suspected injury in 61.17% of accidents.

Similarly, fatal crashes were also more common. All vehicle crashes caused fatalities in 0.48% of accidents in the parish, while commercial vehicle crashes were fatal 1.94% of the time.

Because these accidents are more likely to result in injury and fatality, compensation has to be higher to meet the damages caused. Unfortunately, it is often hard to get fair financial compensation from a trucking company’s insurance company.

Understanding Insurance Policies in Truck Accidents

Most insurance policies for large trucks are quite different from standard policies because these vehicles are much more dangerous to operate. Trucking companies carry commercial insurance that has higher compensation amounts available because the accidents that large trucks go through are typically more severe. Commercial insurance policies can also include certain provisions for damage to cargo and environmental hazards.

Since there are so many insurance policies involved in a truck accident case, it can be tricky to determine which one applies in which situation. Every adjuster for each insurance policy will try to claim that another policy should be used, which can make the claims process more complicated. It can be challenging as a victim to contact so many different adjusters and be told so many different things while trying to make sense of their case.

Dealing with commercial insurers is also difficult because even when a claim is made, these companies have many more resources to try to undermine it. It is much more difficult to deal with commercial insurers compared to most personal vehicle insurance companies. All of these complexities are much easier to deal with when you hire a truck accident lawyer.

Truck Accidents With Multiple Vehicles

I-10, which passes by Gonzales, is a busy road with a lot of traffic and is a key transportation route for commercial trucks. Many trucking accidents result in vehicle pileups, especially on busy roads, highways, and interstates. This can lead to multiple vehicles and drivers being affected. Each driver might bear some level of fault for the accident.

In these situations, accident reconstruction can be quite important in learning who should pay what to whom. When you work with an attorney, they have access to professionals and resources like reconstructionists. Accident reconstruction professionals can analyze how the crash occurred.

Victims might also have to deal with multiple insurance companies for each driver involved. Even if the truck driver caused the accident, it is still possible for the other drivers to have some amount of fault assigned to them for not braking in time or speeding. Each insurance company will try to reduce its clients’ liability and increase other drivers’ liability. This can make claims take longer, as the resulting disputes often lead to delays.

This can be very overwhelming, but it is much easier when you can put your case in the care of a trusted attorney.

Common Defenses From Trucking Companies

In most cases in Gonzales, trucking companies are experienced in defending themselves against accident claims, and they have developed strategies to reduce their liability.

Many will try to separate themselves from their drivers by trying to prove that the driver did something wrong or violated employee policies. If the driver was not using the truck appropriately or not going in the assigned route, the company could attempt to make the driver almost fully at fault.

It is also possible for them to argue that the accident was unavoidable due to external factors, like bad weather, poor road conditions, or the truck malfunctioning in a way that was not caused by negligence. To prove this, they need a substantial amount of evidence from driver logs, maintenance records, and weather and road data.

An experienced attorney can defend against these claims by challenging these ideas so they can’t shift the blame. Understanding Louisiana truck accidents federal regulations can also play a critical role in these cases.

What Steps Should I Take Immediately After Being Involved in a Truck Accident in Gonzales?

Immediately after being involved in a truck accident, you should get to safety and help others get to safety when possible. Then, call 911. Wait for emergency responders and receive medical care.

How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Gonzales, Louisiana?

You have a short window of time to file a truck accident claim in Gonzales, Louisiana. Insurance claims must usually be filed immediately, or it can cause issues in the claims process. While negotiating a settlement with a commercial insurer, it is also important to be aware of the statute of limitations for a civil claim. If you can’t get a fair settlement, you will have to file in court before the statute of limitations runs out in order to secure compensation.

FAQs

Q: What Should You Not Say at the Scene of a Trucking Accident?

A: Do not say certain words or phrases at the scene of a trucking accident, especially ones that admit fault. Don’t apologize for the accident because insurance companies could later claim that as an admission of fault for the incident. Avoid discussing how the accident went down at the scene so that it can be more accurately discovered later in the investigation. Focus on gathering evidence like photographs and the contact information of witnesses instead.

Q: Will Insurance Pay if You Leave the Scene of a Truck Accident?

A: Insurance might not fully compensate you if you leave the scene of a truck accident. It could even result in criminal charges, depending on the circumstances. Most truck accident laws require you to stay at the scene, offer aid when necessary, and wait for law enforcement or emergency medical services. If you do not do this, it might be considered a hit-and-run, which could lead to you getting your license suspended, having to pay fines, or serving time in jail.

Q: How Are Truck Accidents Different From Car Accidents?

A: Truck accidents are different from car accidents because trucks are significantly larger and heavier than other vehicles. This can lead to truck accidents, causing worse injuries and greater amounts of property damage. Additionally, truck accidents are usually more complicated because they might involve the driver of the vehicle, the parent company, the manufacturer of the truck, and even the individuals who load cargo.

Q: Why Should I Hire an Attorney With Truck Accident Experience?

A: You should hire an attorney with truck accident experience because they know more about the complicated nature of these accidents. Trucking companies are quite powerful and have many ways to reduce or deny your compensation. An attorney who is well-versed in truck accident law knows about forms of evidence that another attorney might not, like data from the truck’s black box, as well as logbooks or maintenance records from employees.

Q: What Evidence Is Most Important in Building a Strong Truck Accident Case?

A: There is no one type of evidence that is most important in building a strong truck accident case, as a strong case is supported by many different types of evidence.

An accident report is one of the foundational pieces of evidence, but it needs to be supported by other information. This includes photos and videos during and after the accident, medical documentation, black box data, truck logs, employment information, and other similar evidence secured in a thorough investigation.

Develop an Effective Solution With Our Truck Accident Attorneys Team

With all the difficult details surrounding truck accident claims, it can be tough to understand how to prove negligence or what the most effective way to handle a claim might be. If you are wondering whether you have a legally valid truck accident claim, schedule a consultation with Murphy Law Firm today. We can provide the information and representation you need during the challenges you face after a truck accident.

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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