Opelousas Truck Accident Attorneys
Large Commercial Truck Accidents in Louisiana
While any type of car accident can be devastating, collisions with large commercial trucks tend to be particularly catastrophic. Due to their immense size and weight, semi-trucks, big rigs, 18-wheelers, and other massive trucks tend to cause widespread damage, severe bodily injury, and death when they collide with smaller passenger vehicles.
At Doran & Cawthorne, P.L.L.C., we understand just how serious truck accidents are. If you or someone you love was involved in a crash with a tractor-trailer, delivery truck, or semi, we can help.
Our Trucking Accident Law Firm
Our Opelousas truck accident lawyers have nearly 30 years of experience handling these types of claims. We have secured millions of dollars in compensation for their clients. We have what it takes to go up against large, powerful trucking companies and their insurance providers—and we know how to win.
Learn how our team of Louisiana trucking lawyers can help you and your family after a devastating truck accident; call (337) 222-3526 or contact us online for a FREE consultation.
What Are the Common Types of Truck Accidents
A truck accident refers to any collision involving a commercial truck, such as a tractor-trailer, semi-truck, or any other large freight vehicle, that results in property damage, injuries, or fatalities. These accidents can occur for various reasons and often have severe consequences due to the size and weight of commercial trucks.
Common types of truck accidents include:
- Rear-end collisions: These occur when a truck strikes the vehicle in front of it from behind. Rear-end collisions can happen due to factors like tailgating, distracted driving, or sudden braking.
- Jackknife accidents: A jackknife accident happens when the trailer of a truck swings out to form a 90-degree angle with the cab, resembling the shape of a folding jackknife. This can occur when the truck's wheels lock up during braking, causing the trailer to swing out of control.
- Rollover accidents: Rollover accidents involve the truck tipping over onto its side or roof. Factors contributing to rollovers include speeding, taking sharp turns too quickly, uneven road surfaces, and improper loading of cargo.
- Underride accidents: Underride accidents occur when a smaller vehicle collides with the rear or side of a truck and becomes wedged underneath it. These accidents often result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities for occupants of the smaller vehicle due to the lack of protection.
- Wide-turn accidents: Large trucks require significant space to make turns safely. A wide-turn accident happens when a truck swings out too far while turning, colliding with nearby vehicles or objects.
- Blind spot accidents: Commercial trucks have substantial blind spots, especially on the right side and rear of the vehicle. Accidents occur when other vehicles linger in these blind spots, leading to collisions during lane changes or merging.
- Tire blowouts: Blowouts of the truck's tires can cause the driver to lose control, leading to accidents. Poor maintenance, overloading, or road hazards can contribute to tire blowouts.
- Brake failure accidents: Brake failure can occur due to mechanical issues, improper maintenance, or overheating during prolonged downhill descents. This can lead to the truck being unable to stop in time, resulting in collisions.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Large Truck Accidents?
Although most truck drivers are highly skilled, trained professionals, they are still susceptible to making mistakes. Like any other motorist on the road, truck drivers can cause devastating accidents when they are distracted, careless, or otherwise negligent.
However, truck driver error is not the sole cause of truck accidents. In fact, some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:
- Distracted driving, including texting or using a GPS while driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or illicit substances
- Speeding, running red lights, and other traffic law violations
- Fatigued driving, often as a result of hours-of-service violations
- Overloaded or improperly loaded cargo, leading to loss of vehicle control
- Inadequate truck maintenance or failure to perform regular inspections
- Improper truck repairs or defective trucks/truck parts
- Unsafe conditions, including defective roadways and inclement weather
- Negligent trucking company practices, such as lack of adequate training
At Doran & Cawthorne, P.L.L.C., we evaluate all of the immediate and underlying factors that may have caused or contributed to the crash. Our big rig accident attorneys leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of full and fair compensation for our clients, even if that means taking their cases to trial.
Who Is Liable for a Truck Accident?
One of the things that makes truck accident cases so much more complicated than other motor vehicle accident claims is the issue of liability. After a typical car accident, the person who caused the crash is usually the one who is liable for the other person’s damages. However, after a truck accident, there could be numerous liable parties.
Some potentially liable parties following a truck accident include the:
- Truck driver
- Trucking company
- Truck driver’s employer
- Entity that owns or leases the truck
- Party responsible for truck maintenance or repairs
- Manufacturer or distributor of a defective truck or truck part
- Person or party responsible for loading or supervising the loading of cargo
Sometimes, another third party could even share some of the blame. For example, another driver on the road might contribute to or negligently cause an accident involving a large commercial truck and one or more other vehicles. In other cases, a poorly maintained or defectively designed roadway could lead to a deadly truck accident.
Why Should You Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?
Navigating the aftermath of any motor vehicle accident is incredibly difficult, but this is especially true after a large truck crash.
You are likely dealing with catastrophic injuries and everything that comes with them—from exorbitant medical bills to extensive rehabilitative care to weeks, months, or even years of physical and emotional recovery. The last thing you should have to worry about is dealing with the trucking company’s insurance provider.
Put Nearly 30 Years of Experience on Your Side With Doran & Cawthorne, P.L.L.C.
When you work with a truck accident lawyer, like ours at Doran & Cawthorne, P.L.L.C., you can focus on your physical recovery while your attorney handles the legal details of your case.
Studies have shown that people who hire lawyers nearly always recover better settlements than those who try to resolve their personal injury claims on their own. This is especially true when it comes to complex and challenging cases, like truck accident claims and lawsuits.
Our Opelousas truck accident attorneys work with accident reconstructionists, medical professionals, economists, and other industry experts to evaluate:
- How the accident occurred
- How your injuries have affected your life
- And the impact of your losses on your life
We use all of this evidence to build powerful, innovative legal strategies aimed at maximizing your financial recovery. When you trust your case to our team, you can trust us to do everything possible to hold the liable party accountable for the harm they have caused you and your family.
As your legal team, we will be there to guide you throughout the entire legal process. Our 18-wheeler accident lawyers respond quickly to all calls and emails, and we are always happy to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have. There are no upfront or out-of-pocket costs for you when you hire our firm; instead, we only collect attorney fees if/when we recover compensation for you.
Injured in a truck accident? Our Opelousas truck accident attorneys are here to help you fight for fair compensation, call (337) 222-3526 or contact us online today to get started.
The Doran & Cawthorne Difference
WHAT OUR TEAM BRINGS TO THE TABLE-
Relief
An injury is a devastating thing to have to deal with and a legal case on top of it can seem impossible. Our firm’s personal injury attorneys are able to offer peace of mind when you know that someone with experience and commitment is handling the situation.
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Litigation
When a case can’t be worked out through negotiation, Doran & Cawthorne has no qualms about taking the matter to court. Whether before a judge, or jury, we will gather the evidence necessary to present your case before the fact-finder in the best light.
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Negotiations
It is all too common for insurance companies to offer less than what they know to be fair. Our lawyers will negotiate on your behalf, and won’t compromise for anything less than the amount they know you should be receiving.
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Results
Our lawyers don’t just talk it…we strive to deliver. You can rest assured you’ll have experienced personal injury counsel with Doran & Cawthorne on your side.
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Experience
Having handled hundreds, if not thousands of injury cases in Louisiana, Texas and elsewhere, we can assess the best options for each case.
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Advice
Our firm’s attorneys will guide you in the right direction to make sure your case is developed effectively to your advantage.
