Louisiana Truck Accident Law Firm

Truck accidents are not like car wrecks, and your trucking accident lawyer should not be like any other personal injury attorney.  Big rigs, 18-wheelers, and other commercial vehicles are much larger than the average passenger car, and these crashes often leave victims with serious injuries, costly medical bills, lost wages due to missed time at work, pain and suffering, and other damages that impact their lives and financial future.  If you have been injured in a car accident, don’t hesitate to seek legal representation from an experienced personal injury lawyer.

Hiring the Right Attorney After Truck Accidents

It takes a skilled trucking attorney to handle the complex process of litigating a truck accident case, including working with experts to reconstruct the accident, collecting medical records, securing expert medical testimony, and uncovering all the existing evidence.  Insurance companies aggressively defend against trucking injury claims and will often do whatever it takes to pay out as little as possible to the injured victim.  Be sure to hire a dedicated to attorney before going up against the big insurance companies.

Investigation

Federal regulations require that every trucking company maintain a driver qualification file (DQF) for each driver.  This information is critical in investigating any trucking accident.  The file contains driving records, including accident history for both the driver and truck; road test results; drug and alcohol test results; records for service hours; training certificates; vehicle maintenance records; copies of licenses; records of annual reviews; any medical certifications; personnel records, including the driver’s employment history and employment applications.

Breach of Duty

Truck drivers have a duty to drive responsibly and within the law, while the trucking company must maintain safe loading and maintenance practices.  If the truck driver or company fails to uphold those duties responsibly, they may be found liable.   This is known as breach of duty.

Common Causes

• Operator error
• Speeding, reckless driving, or failure to abide by other traffic laws 
• Driver fatigue or impairment
• Ignoring bad weather or poor road conditions
• Poor vehicle maintenance
• Improper or overloading of cargo     
• Equipment failure
• Distracted driving

Common Injuries

• Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
• Neck and back injuries, including soft tissue and spinal injuries
• Paralysis
• Broken bones
• Amputations
• Burns
• Lacerations
• Organ damage
• Emotional distress
• Wrongful death
• Property damage

New Orleans Truck Accident Attorneys

Bowes, Petkovich & Palmer, LLC is a Gretna law firm that has served the New Orleans area since 1980.  Our experienced personal injury lawyers are well versed at handling all types of injury claims including truck accidents throughout Louisiana.  We take pride in offering a personal and trusted experience.  Call us today for a free consultation and find out why so many of our clients come back to us.