Have you been injured in an 18-wheeler trucking accident?
Working a claim for trucking accidents can be complicated and require professional legal representation. Get with our experienced trucking accident personal injury lawyers in Opelousas, LA.
Some of the most tragic accidents on Louisiana roadways involve the big trucks – 18-wheelers. They can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and they can be 70 feet long. As per the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), about 83,000 people were injured in the United States in large truck crashes in 2015. Another 3,598 people perished in those crashes.
Catastrophic injuries and death
Given the size and weight of gigantic 18-wheelers, there are often catastrophic results. With severe injuries or deaths, come overwhelming expenses and losses. Those injuries commonly include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries including spinal cord damage
- Surgery
- Multiple fractures and joint injuries
- Damage to internal organs
- Severe burns
- Resulting wrongful death
Profits vs. public safety
There’s continual pressure on trucking companies and drivers to move and deliver products faster and cheaper, but the profit motive can override public safety. The FMCSA has concluded that about 87 percent of all large truck crashes were due to truck driver negligence. In descending order, some of the top reasons that truck drivers negligently caused accidents were:
- Brake system issues
- Following too closely
- Prescription drug use
- Traveling too fast for conditions
- Fatigued or drowsy driving
Start your investigation right away
It’s not at all unusual for an insurance company to dispatch a team of investigators to the location of a truck accident before the wreckage is cleaned or removed. Don’t expect the insurance company’s investigation to reveal anything favorable to you. Investigators are there to try to shift all or some of the blame for the crash over onto you. You’ll want to contact a LA trucking accident attorney at Morrow, Gates & Morrow immediately so they can start your investigation the right way. They will look into critical evidence like log books, GPS information and on-board computer records in order to help strengthen your case.
Handling a case on your own is tough. Evidence can vanish into thin air or get damaged. Witnesses can disappear. Preserve and invoke your rights by contacting us for a free consultation right away after any trucking accident.
