Truck Accident Attorney in Lafayette

Did you or a loved one suffer personal injuries in a Lafayette truck wreck? If so, you know how overwhelming the aftermath can be. You might feel unsure about your next steps and worried about your financial future. But you don’t have to handle this alone. You have the right to demand fair compensation by filing a truck accident injury claim, and The Thibeaux Firm is here to help.

Attorney Omar Thibeaux, who founded our law practice, is determined to fight for and protect your rights and interests. But as “The 25% Attorney,” Attorney Thibeaux brings a distinct advantage: a combination of strong legal expertise and financial value. By only charging a flat 25% attorney fee on any money he recovers for you — which is much less than the industry standard of 33 to 40% — he keeps more money in your pocket.

Let Attorney Thibeaux pursue maximum compensation for the pain and suffering your truck accident injuries have caused you and your loved ones. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation initial consultation.

Benefits of Hiring a Lafayette Attorney for Your Truck Accident Claim

Dealing with what comes next after a truck collision in Lafayette can be daunting, but a lawyer can simplify this process by handling all the legal details for you. Among the key ways a Lafayette truck accident lawyer from The Thibeaux Firm can benefit your case include:

• Gathering evidence from the accident scene
• Assessing the full extent of your injuries and related expenses
• Consulting with forensic experts to reconstruct the accident
• Securing expert medical opinions to support your injury claim
• Reviewing the truck driver’s driving records and employment history
• Analyzing truck maintenance records and logs
• Interviewing witnesses who were present at the accident scene
• Filing all necessary claim documents within the required deadlines
• Negotiating with the trucking company’s insurance representatives
• Arguing for compensation for your immediate and long-term needs
• Advocating for you in court if your case goes to trial
• Never charging you anything unless they recover compensation in your trucking accident case
• As “The 25% Attorney,” providing an economic advantage to your claim

What to Do After a Truck Accident

The steps you take after a semi-truck accident can significantly impact the outcome of any compensation claims that follow. Here’s what you should do to protect your rights and lay the groundwork for your truck accident claim:

• Exchange contact info with the truck driver and any witnesses. Take photos of the accident scene, all vehicles involved, any visible damage, and road conditions.
• Seek medical attention even if you feel fine, as some injuries might not be immediately apparent. Keep all medical records and receipts related to the accident.
• Contact a caring truck accident attorney to discuss your legal options and next steps. Provide them with all the evidence you have collected so far and listen to their advice.
• Notify your insurance company about the accident, but watch what you say when you contact them. Avoid discussing fault or sharing too many details about the accident.
• Save receipts and documents related to any other expenses resulting from the accident, such as towing or rental car costs. Document any income losses you incur from missed time at work.
• Avoid posting photos or personal information on social media while your claim is pending. Trucking industry insurance companies and attorneys could use anything you share against you.

How We Investigate Lafayette Truck Accident Cases

Attorney Thibeaux and the team at The Thibeaux Firm take a thorough approach to investigating truck accident cases. First, we gather all available evidence from the accident scene, including photos and videos. We also collect police reports and witness statements to understand the sequence of events.

Our lawyers then work closely with accident reconstruction experts to analyze this data and determine what happened and who is at fault. We also review medical records to assess the injuries you sustained and any long-term impacts they will have on your health.

This comprehensive method enables our truck accident law firm to build a strong case and support you effectively throughout the legal process.

Why Trucking Accidents Are More Complicated Than Other Motor Vehicle Crashes

Trucking accidents are typically more complicated than other motor vehicle crashes for several reasons. First, trucks are huge and much heavier than other vehicles, so the damage and injuries they cause are often more severe. Also, truck drivers must follow specific federal and state regulations, such as limits on how long they can drive without rest. Violations of these rules can play a big role in truck accident cases.

Additionally, multiple parties are usually involved in a truck’s operation, including the driver, the trucking company, cargo loaders, and vehicle manufacturers. This makes it harder to figure out who is responsible for the accident.

Lastly, dealing with the insurance companies of all parties involved is a challenging process. This is why it’s so important to work with a Lafayette truck accident attorney.

Compensation You Could Recover in a Lafayette Truck Accident Claim

After suffering truck accident injuries, you could be entitled to money to help you recover from the resulting personal and financial losses. Your truck accident compensation could account for:

Parties Who Could Be Held Liable for a Truck Wreck in Lafayette

Many different parties could be liable for a Lafayette truck wreck, depending on the circumstances of the collision. Identifying the liable parties is essential for any legal action, as it determines who should compensate you for your losses.

Liable parties in a truck crash case could include the following:

• Truck Drivers – The person driving the truck could be liable if their actions caused the accident. For instance, the driver could be responsible if they were speeding, not paying attention to the road, or driving while dangerously tired or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Other Drivers – Sometimes, drivers of other vehicles involved in the accident could be at fault. For example, if another driver unexpectedly cut off the truck, causing the truck driver to swerve and crash, that driver could be liable.
• Trucking Companies – The company that owns the truck or employs the driver might be liable, too. This could be true if the company did not follow safety regulations, such as those that require ensuring drivers have proper rest or mandate proper 18-wheeler maintenance.
• Cargo Loading Teams – If a truck’s cargo is improperly loaded or secured, it can cause the truck to become unstable on the road and crash. If this mismanagement leads to an accident, the team or company responsible for loading the truck could be liable.
• Truck Manufacturers – If a truck accident results from a mechanical failure in the truck, such as faulty brakes or steering systems, the manufacturer of the truck or defective part could be liable.
• Government Entities – Local or state government entities responsible for maintaining roads can be liable if poor road conditions like potholes or unclear road signs contribute to a truck wreck.

Could You Recover Compensation If You’re Partly to Blame for a Trucking Accident?

Louisiana uses a “pure comparative fault” rule, which says you can seek compensation from other at-fault parties, even if you are partly to blame for an accident. However, this rule also reduces the amount of money you can receive based on your percentage of fault.

For example, suppose a court finds you 25 percent at fault for the accident. In that case, you could still recover compensation for 75 percent of your total accident-related losses from the other liable parties. An experienced truck accident lawyer in Lafayette can maximize your compensation by building a strong claim on your behalf and working diligently to minimize your degree of fault.

How Long Do You Have to File a Trucking Accident Lawsuit in Louisiana?

In Louisiana, you have just one year to file a truck accident lawsuit. If you wait too long and miss this filing deadline, you will lose the opportunity to recover any money for your losses. Because of this short time frame, it’s important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible after a Lafayette truck accident. They can act quickly to manage your claim by gathering evidence, preparing claim paperwork, and filing everything within the one-year deadline.

Common Types and Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents in Lafayette

Truck accidents are distressingly common and carry severe repercussions for those involved. Some of the most common types of commercial truck accidents include:

Truck accidents are often the result of a complex interplay of human, mechanical, and environmental factors. Most big rig accidents in Lafayette result from driver negligence, such as driving while tired, distracted, or impaired and engaging in reckless or unsafe driving behaviors.

However, numerous other factors can also cause or contribute to these accidents. For example, trucking companies may fail to properly train their drivers or care for their vehicles, mechanics may neglect critical truck maintenance, and manufacturers may design or install defective parts that cause dangerous malfunctions.

Typical Injuries Resulting from a Truck Collision

Truck accidents often result in devastating injuries due to the considerable force these massive vehicles carry upon impact. Here are some examples of common types of truck accident injuries:

Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in Lafayette Today

Are you looking for help after a truck accident in Lafayette, Louisiana? Don’t wait to get the support you need. As Lafayette’s “25% Attorney,” The Thibeaux Firm charges a flat 25 percent fee for all cases where we recover compensation. This means accident victims throughout the Pelican State face no financial risk when they need legal help.

Let us handle your claim with the compassion and dedication you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation. Our team is ready to listen to your story, answer your questions, and help you move forward.