Baton Rouge
Trucking Accident Attorneys
Over $1 Billion Won by 18-Wheeler Crash Lawyers in Baton Rouge
Commercial vehicle crashes injure more than 2,000 people every year in Louisiana. Because large trucks and buses weigh up to 10,000 pounds, they’re typically involved in the most devastating of these accidents. The most common commercial vehicle accidents are rear-end collisions, but don’t be fooled—even at a relatively low speed, an 18-wheeler or big rig crash has a devastating effect on the body.
Common truck accident injuries include:
- Head and neck injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Blunt force trauma or crush injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
Each of these injuries has the potential to derail a person’s life. Costly medical care, long recovery times, and loss of work are just a few of the typical ways a truck accident can rob a family of health and financial security. The Baton Rouge truck accident lawyers at Clayton, Frugé & Ward help plaintiffs get what they need to rebuild their lives, fighting for those at fault to cover medical costs, lost wages, and more. With more than $1 billion in recovery, let us fight for you.
Call (225) 209-9943 or schedule a free consultation online to discuss your legal options with a big rig crash attorney in Baton Rouge.
The Difference Between Car & Big Rig Accidents
The size difference between a commercial truck and a passenger vehicle makes truck accidents far, far worse on average. Due to the business interests involved in big rig accidents, victims and their families have to contend with commercial insurers whose job is to minimize losses for the truck owner.
Those two factors lead to major differences between car and truck accident claims:
- Worse losses: Commercial trucks unleash enormous forces in collisions compared to typical passenger vehicles, generating catastrophic or fatal injuries at a higher rate. This means a far higher likelihood that victims suffer severe or long-term damages.
- More complex liability: Commercial vehicle accidents potentially involve several parties, such as the truck operator, employer, commercial insurance companies, truck maintenance providers, and third-party logistics providers. Determining liability between all these parties can be difficult for people unfamiliar with truck accident claims.
- Longer investigative process: Commercial truck operations are subject to strict federal and state regulations, which impact how collisions are investigated and claims are processed.
All these elements mean you can’t handle a truck accident claim the same way you’d handle a typical car accident. Any collision with a commercial vehicle demands the professional experience and legal knowledge our truck accident lawyers bring. We navigate the various parties, investigators, and liability issues on a client’s behalf, allowing them to focus on receiving medical care and emotional support.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Baton Rouge
Louisiana trucking statistics have remained largely unchanged over the past decade, meaning roads haven’t gotten safer. Then and now, a leading cause of trucking accidents has been fatigue. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports that over 1 in 8 truck accidents are directly caused by tired drivers despite strict regulations limiting driving time and requiring rest. That’s a problem: 1 in 4 accidents occur when a driver is on the road for over 17 hours. Recent studies show that lack of sleep affects driving performance nearly as much as alcohol.
Other causes of big rig accidents include:
- Brake or tire failure due to lack of regular maintenance
- Poorly distributed weight due to improper or rushed loading
- Distracted driving due to phone usage or eating behind the wheel
- Unsafe road conditions due to bad weather
- Inexperience due to insufficient training to handle common hazards
Trucking companies know about these risks but haven’t invested in making their practices safer. Instead of hiring more drivers to allow more rest time per driver, companies incentivize getting behind the wheel as long as possible. Truck contractor arrangements like pay-by-mile or pay-per-delivery make owner-operators are less inclined to conduct thorough self-inspections or ensure necessary maintenance.
All of this ultimately contributes to a higher accident rate.
Why You Need a Baton Rouge Trucking Accident Attorney
Truck accidents are potentially life-ruining. They’re also complex, involve numerous potential legal issues, and involve large entities who are solely dedicated to making sure accident victims get as little as possible in recovery. Clayton, Frugé & Ward helps plaintiffs even the odds, maximizing their odds of getting what they need to get back on their feet. Every case begins with a free legal consultation, where a lawyer from our team can lay out your legal options.
Contact our Baton Rouge truck accident attorneys today for your free consultation: (225) 209-9943.