Because both federal and state laws govern the trucking industry, accidents involving 18-wheelers and other commercial vehicles are often far more complex than ordinary car accident claims. If you were injured in a truck accident in Lake Charles, Calcasieu Parish, or anywhere in Southwest Louisiana, it is important to work with a law firm that understands the regulations, evidence, and liability issues unique to these cases.

Trucking companies and their insurers often respond quickly after a serious crash. In many cases, they have investigators and defense attorneys working immediately to protect their interests and limit what they pay. You deserve a legal team that knows how to investigate a commercial truck accident, identify the responsible parties, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

At Lundy LLP, we represent individuals and families in Lake Charles and across Louisiana who have been harmed in crashes involving semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, delivery trucks, and other commercial vehicles.

How does a commercial truck accident case differ from an auto accident case?

Truck accident cases are generally much more complicated than other types of auto accident cases. Below are just some of the issues unique to truck accidents:

• Catastrophic Injuries

  The size and weight of a commercial truck usually result in devastating injury and damage when it strikes a passenger car. Often, these accidents end in a fatality or catastrophic injury.  ​

• Governed by Federal Regulations

  FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) creates the rules and regulations carriers and drivers must act in accordance with. When carriers or truck drivers disregard these regulations, it endangers drivers with whom they share the road.  When commercial vehicles cause accidents, they can and should be held liable for the injuries and damage they inflict.  Your attorney should be knowledgeable in state and federal motor carrier law.

• Regularly Disputed Cases

  ​Because big rig accident cases so frequently result in significant injury, their insurance companies often challenge, dispute, or try to discredit their victims’ claims to avoid large settlements or awards.  Their team of attorneys’ sole purpose is to dispute accident cases and limit their liability; a victim can rarely recover the compensation they deserve without the assistance of an experienced 18-wheeler truck accident attorney.

• Establishing Liability Can Be Challenging

  Establishing fault in a truck accident is not as clear as the truck crossed into your lane, or the driver lost its load.  Attorneys for the defendant can and will argue that the truck manufacturer or parts used on the commercial vehicle were defective, trying to establish liability on a third party.  A defendant’s attorney will regularly argue the accident was due to improper loading and securing by the manufacturer they were contracted by to deliver.  Investigating these facts and determining the party or parties responsible can prove challenging to a layperson.

Do I have a legitimate 18-wheeler accident case?

When a trucking company or driver causes or contributes to an accident, the victims and their families have legal grounds to pursue compensation for their injuries, damages, or loss.  Your 18-wheel or commercial truck accident attorney must prove the following:

• The commercial trucking company or their driver was negligent.
• The trucking company or driver’s negligence caused the accident and injuries.
• Your injuries were the result of the big rig accident.

Establishing negligence can happen in many ways. A driver was not adhering to FMCSA hours of service regulations, the driver distraction (using a cellphone, GPS, or CB radio), or the truck driver was speeding at the time of the accident.

In addition to establishing liability, you should be aware that victims who are determined to be partly at fault in the accident can still recover compensation. Louisiana’s pure comparative fault rule provides that your degree of responsibility can reduce your award by that amount, not exempt you from an award.   You may still be able to obtain compensation for catastrophic injury and damages.

Contact a Lake Charles Truck Accident Lawyer at Lundy LLP

Truck accident cases often depend on a detailed understanding of the trucking industry and the rules that govern it. Whether the crash involved driver negligence, poor maintenance, overloaded cargo, or violations of federal safety regulations, Lundy LLP has the experience and resources to investigate what happened and build a strong case.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an 18-wheeler or commercial truck accident in Lake Charles or Southwest Louisiana, contact Lundy LLP today at (337) 439-0707 to speak with an attorney.