If a truck driver gets in an accident, it can cause serious damage, and injured individuals can recover compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance. A truck driver who is to blame for the accident is usually not directly liable. As an employee, their employer is vicariously liable, so insurance claims are filed with the trucking company’s insurance. If another driver is to blame, their insurance is held accountable for damages.
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Metairie Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck Accident Attorney In Metairie, LA
After a catastrophic commercial trucking accident, you need a skilled Metairie truck accident lawyer to protect your interests, navigate complex investigations, and recover the maximum compensation possible from the at-fault party.
At Murphy Law Firm, we have over 150 collective years of legal experience. We want to bring you skilled and experienced legal support after a traumatic accident. We have secured high-value truck accident settlements, including one for $3.8 million. Let us fight for your financial future.
The Dangers of Commercial Vehicle Collisions in Metairie
Truck accidents can cause severe damage, often leading to multi-car pile-ups, rollovers, and other very serious consequences. Semi-trucks are larger and heavier, and take longer to slow down, meaning crashes are typically at higher speeds. All of these factors increase the impact of the collision, worsening the injuries and other damages.
There were 90 vehicle crashes involving commercial vehicles in 2024 in Jefferson Parish, and one of these was sadly fatal. In 2023, there were 187 commercial motor vehicle crashes in the parish, two of which were fatal.
The severity of these accidents can cause catastrophic or fatal injuries, altering a family’s life forever. If you are injured in a truck accident, medical care is essential. The LCMC Lakeside Hospital is located at 4700 South I-10 Service Road W in Metairie.
Severe injuries require more costly medical treatment and can prevent a person from being gainfully employed. All of these costs require a higher settlement in order to recover financially. Unfortunately, recovering these higher settlements is not easy. The significant damages in truck accidents are only one reason these claims are very complicated.
Truck accident cases often involve serious injuries. We also handle various personal injury claims including those involving back injuries and neck injuries, which can result from collisions like these.
Why Are Truck Accident Claims Harder to Navigate?
There are several other reasons that truck accident claims are more complicated compared to other crashes:
Multiple Liable Parties
In the majority of other vehicle accidents, fault is usually attributed to one driver in the accident. In truck accidents, fault is much more complicated. There are numerous parties that need to be investigated for fault, and it is more common that multiple parties are partially liable in these crashes, including:
- The truck driver
- The truck driver’s employer
- The trucking company
- A mechanic or maintenance company
- A truck inspector
- A shipping or loading company
- The owner of the cab or trailer
- Another driver
- The manufacturer of a truck or car part
Any of these parties could be fully or partially liable for the accident due to negligent actions, so a thorough investigation is necessary.
For example, if an accident was caused by a tire blowout on a commercial vehicle, the trucking company may be liable for failing to ensure proper inspections or maintenance. A third-party maintenance company or inspector could be liable for failing to note or fix the issue. A third-party loading company may be liable for overloading the vehicle, causing the tire failure. The manufacturer may also be liable for a defective car part.
When you hire Murphy Law Firm, we can conduct a thorough investigation, determining the reason for the accident and which party or parties are liable.
Federal Regulations
Governmental regulations establish many requirements for commercial trucks and trucking companies in response to the significant danger these vehicles pose. These requirements address several aspects of the trucking industry:
- The service hours of drivers, including required rest and break times
- Motor carrier registration and insurance requirements
- Alcohol and drug testing requirements for drivers
- Inspection, repair, and maintenance requirements for vehicles
- Driver certification and license standards
- Cargo weight limits for vehicles
- Transportation of hazardous materials safety regulations
Violations of these regulations can point to the at-fault party, but it can be complicated to uncover violations if you are not familiar with them. At Murphy Law Firm, we understand state and federal trucking regulations and how they may impact your claim. Knowing how federal regulations affect truck accident cases is an important part of building a strong claim.
Commercial Insurer
Commercial trucking businesses have commercial insurers, typically with higher insurance coverage limits. This can be beneficial for those with serious injuries, but working with these insurers is not easy. They have more resources to protect their interests, which includes minimizing the compensation you recover. Our Metairie, LA based attorney team can help.
Meet Our Attorney
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.
FAQs
Is Louisiana a No-Fault Accident State?
No, Louisiana is not a no-fault accident state. If you are involved in a collision with a commercial truck, then you can recover financial compensation from the insurance company of the at-fault driver or other party. Proving fault requires proof that a party owed you a duty of care, failed to uphold that duty, and this failure caused you injury and other damages. A trucking company may be vicariously liable or directly responsible for actions like failing to train drivers.
How Much Money Are Most Settlements for Truck Accidents?
Most truck accident settlements are higher on average compared to car accidents, but every single accident and settlement is unique. In a successful claim, you could recover damages you sustained, such as:
- Medical bills
- Future medical care
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Mental trauma
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
Generally, the more seriously you are injured, the more significant your settlement will need to be to recover these losses. An attorney can also help maximize your claim.
Do I Need to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer in Louisiana?
While you aren’t required to hire a truck accident lawyer in Louisiana, it is incredibly beneficial to do so. Truck accident cases are much more complicated than other motor vehicle accidents, and an attorney knows important information like federal trucking regulations, how to negotiate with commercial insurers, and other crucial elements of a case. You are more likely to have a successful case with an attorney, may recover more damages, and can reduce your stress.
Contact Murphy Law Firm in Metairie To Discuss Truck Accident Case
When negligent trucking companies put profit over the safety of others, they should be held liable. Contact Murphy Law Firm and learn how we can help. Our knowledge of federal trucking regulations helps us build stronger cases against trucking companies and insurers.
Metairie, LA Truck Accident Resources
For more information and support on truck accident matters, consider these helpful resources:
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Review common causes and legal insights related to big rig accidents in Causes of Big Rig Accidents
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Find out how long truck accident lawsuits typically take and what legal steps are involved by reading Truck Accident Lawsuit Timeline
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Understand typical settlement amounts granted in truck accident cases with Average Truck Accident Settlements
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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