Shreveport Truck Accident Attorneys

Large Truck & Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Louisiana

Due to their immense size and weight, not to mention the speed at which they travel, large commercial trucks often cause extensive damage when they are involved in accidents with smaller passenger vehicles.

Victims often sustain catastrophic injuries, which may lead to life-altering disabilities, serious limitations, or even death. Getting back on your feet after a truck accident can be extremely difficult—but The Hall Law Firm can help.

Since 1975, The Hall Law Firm has been representing the rights of severely injured accident victims, as well as the families of those wrongfully killed due to the negligence of others. Our Shreveport truck accident attorneys have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of their clients.

We know how to navigate the complexities involved in these types of claims, and we are here to provide you with the compassionate, personalized representation you need.

Like most car accidents, collisions with large trucks and commercial vehicles are often the result of negligence. Sometimes, the truck driver is careless or violates traffic laws. In other instances, trucking companies, carriers, manufacturers, and other parties engage in negligent practices or fail to follow state and/or federal regulations.

Specifically, some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:

• Truck driver error, negligence, or wrongful conduct, including speeding, distracted driving, drunk driving, aggressive driving, and fatigued driving
• State and/or federal hours-of-service rule violations, leading to fatigued driving-related errors and collisions
• Negligent trucking company/carrier practices, such as failure to conduct background checks or failure to discipline drivers who violate company policies
• Overloaded trucks or improper weight distribution, leading to shifting cargo during transit and subsequent loss of vehicle control
• Poor truck maintenance or failure to conduct truck maintenance, including failure to report issues requiring repairs and failure to conduct adequate repairs
• Defective truck design and/or defective truck parts, including engine components, braking systems, tires, and reflective strips

In some cases, third-party factors may contribute to or cause a truck crash. Some examples include poor visibility, inclement weather, improper road maintenance, defective road design, and negligent drivers of passenger vehicles.

One of the things that makes truck accident claims so much more complex than standard car accident claims is the issue of liability. Determining who is liable for a truck accident can be challenging due to the many underlying factors involved, as well as the fact that the actual person who caused the accident (usually the truck driver) may not be legally liable for damages.

In fact, under what are known as “respondeat superior” rules, employers (including trucking companies) are often liable for the conduct of their employees (e.g., truck drivers) when those employees are carrying out activities or duties related to their employment.

In other words, the trucking company could be liable for your damages even if the truck driver was the one actually responsible for the crash.

Depending on the specific details of your case, any of the following parties could be partly or entirely liable for the truck accident that caused your injuries:

• The Truck Driver: In Louisiana, truck drivers are held to a higher standard when it comes to their duty to act safely and prevent foreseeable accidents and injuries. Commercial vehicle operators are required to attend special schools and undergo specific training to learn the mechanics and hazards involved in operating large trucks and rigs. They must complete this education to obtain special licenses allowing them to operate these vehicles. As such, they have a higher responsibility to others on the road than regular automobile drivers and may be considered liable for accidents resulting in serious injury and/or death.
• The Trucking Company: When truck drivers are classified as employees, rather than independent contractors, their employers—the trucking companies—may be liable for any accidents, injuries, or damages they cause while “on the clock.” Trucking companies could also be liable for accidents when those accidents are directly or indirectly caused by negligent company practices, including unsafe policies that encourage drivers to violate hours-of-service regulations, meet unrealistic quotas, or abide by strict delivery deadlines.
• The Entity Responsible for Safe Cargo Transit: In Louisiana, it is generally the duty of the carrier to ensure that all cargo loads are safely and properly loaded, distributed, and secured. Furthermore, the carrier is responsible for ensuring that cargo does not shift or fall during transit. Sometimes, the shipper assumes responsibility for overseeing the proper loading and securing of cargo, in which case the shipper could be liable for accidents resulting from overloaded or improperly loaded cargo. However, if the improper or unsafe loading of cargo is considered obvious or apparent, the carrier is typically liable.
• The Party Responsible for Truck Maintenance: Most often, truck drivers and/or trucking companies are responsible for ensuring the proper maintenance and servicing of their vehicles. Carriers should conduct routine vehicle inspections and properly report issues requiring repairs. Failure to do so could constitute negligence, and the carrier (or another liable party) could be held legally responsible for any resulting accidents, injuries, or damages.
• The Manufacturer of a Defective Vehicle or Vehicle Part: If a defectively designed vehicle or faulty part is found to have caused or contributed to an accident, the manufacturer or distributor responsible for allowing the defect could be liable for the victim’s damages. When this is the case, the injured victim or their family members could have a product liability claim against the liable party. These types of claims generally fall under the legal theory of strict liability, meaning the plaintiff (the person bringing the claim) does not necessarily need to prove that the manufacturer, distributor, or other liable party was negligent.

This is not an exhaustive list; there are several other parties—including third-party motorists—who could be partly or wholly liable for your damages. At The Hall Law Firm, our Shreveport truck accident attorneys leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of maximum compensation for our clients.

The exact types of damages you can recover, as well as the potential value of your claim, will depend on various specific factors involved in your case.

That being said, many truck accident victims recover compensation for the following:

• All medical expenses related to the accident
• Future medical treatment and care costs
• Lost income, wages, and employment benefits
• Pain and suffering, including emotional distress
• Future pain and suffering and lost enjoyment of life
• Disfigurement
• Lost earning ability

When someone tragically passes away due to a large truck accident, eligible surviving family members may be able to recover wrongful death damages, such as funeral/burial expenses, loss of support, and loss of love, counsel, comfort, and guidance.

The Hall Law Firm can review the details of your case during a complimentary consultation and provide personalized information regarding the types of damages you may be entitled to receive. We encourage you to reach out to us today to learn more.

In Louisiana, you have only one year from the date of the accident to file a truck accident lawsuit. Known as the "statute of limitations," this deadline prohibits you from suing for damages after one year has passed.

Note that the statute of limitations only applies to lawsuits; you may have even less time to file an insurance claim.

We strongly advise you to act quickly, as evidence can be lost over time. The sooner you reach out to our Shreveport truck accident attorneys, the sooner we can begin preparing your case, communicating with the insurance company, and advocating for the maximum compensation you are owed.