It’s easier to identify who’s responsible for a truck accident and hold them liable when you know how the crash occurred. Additionally, recovering compensation for a truck crash requires you to demonstrate who caused it and how.
Attorney Omar Thibeaux and the legal team at The Thibeaux Firm understand the common causes of truck accidents and how to hold whoever caused your injuries responsible. We’ll handle all the legal work so you can focus on healing. You don’t owe us any fees unless you recover compensation, so call now or complete our contact form for a free case review.
How Attorney Omar Thibeaux Can Help with Your Truck Accident Case in Lafayette
Attorney Thibeaux and his team know how devastating accidents involving large trucks
are and what it takes to rebuild your life. That’s why we charge a 25 percent flat fee for personal injury claims, including truck accident cases, so you keep more money from your settlement or trial award.
We’re also local Lafayette residents, so we know the local courts and understand the communities we serve. We pride ourselves on being respectful and determined for every client. We take care of all the legal details and accident investigations, giving you the time and space you need to heal and rebuild your life.
While we’re proud of the millions we’ve recovered for our clients, we also believe it’s important for you to know and trust your Lafayette truck accident lawyer. Here’s what one client said about her experience with our firm:
“I had gotten in an accident. I was at the red light on Louisiana Avenue, turning, and there was a truck that had sideswiped me while I was turning into the turning lane. I hired The Thibeaux Firm because I needed a lawyer and it’s a Black business, so why not support Black law firms? The settlement amount of my case was $40,000. I was beyond happy with my settlement. I would definitely recommend The Thibeaux Firm to everyone who gets in an accident, or anyone who needs a lawyer in general. The Thibeaux Firm is your firm to go to.” — Brook H.
If you choose The Thibeaux Firm for your case, our Lafayette personal injury lawyers can help by:
- Investigating the accident and preserving all available evidence
- Explaining the legal process and key terms in plain language
- Documenting your physical injuries, financial losses, and emotional pain
- Filing an insurance claim against the liable parties and negotiating on your behalf for a fair settlement
- Pushing back against unfair offers or attempts to reduce your compensation
- Preparing your case for trial and representing you in court if a fair settlement isn’t possible
Our legal team is knowledgeable about various truck accident causes. Call us today for a free consultation to discuss your legal options.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents in Lafayette?
Some common causes of Lafayette truck crashes include:
- Truck Driver fatigue: Truck drivers spend long hours behind the wheel, and exhaustion slows their reaction times. Fatigue also reduces drivers’ focus and makes it harder for them to respond to sudden changes in traffic. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has passed federal regulations regarding hours of service to prevent such accidents, but many drivers and trucking companies ignore these rules to meet tight deadlines and increase profitability.
- Truck Distracted driving: Not paying attention is a leading cause of big rig accidents. Truck drivers may check their phones, adjust navigation devices, or eat while driving. Even a short distraction can prevent them from stopping in time, and the size of a truck makes the results especially dangerous.
- Truck Speeding or driving too fast for conditions: Trucks need more space than smaller vehicles to stop safely. When a driver exceeds the speed limit or ignores weather conditions like heavy rain, they increase the chances of a serious crash.
- Truck Improper loading: Overloaded trucks or unsecured cargo create substantial safety hazards. Shifting cargo can cause rollovers, jackknifes, or spills that block the roadway and endanger other drivers. Likewise, an overloaded truck can become unbalanced and take even longer to stop. In accidents involving improperly loaded cargo, the cargo loading company may be to blame.
- Truck Driving under the influence: Alcohol, illegal drugs, or some prescription medications can impair truckers’ judgment and slow their reaction times. Impaired drivers behind the wheel of large trucks pose a significant threat to everyone on the road in the form of potentially life-changing accidents.
- Truck Equipment failures: Poor maintenance often leads to brake failure, worn tires, or broken lights. When trucking companies skip inspections or delay repairs, mechanical failures can cause accidents and serious injuries.
- Inexperienced or poorly trained truck drivers: Poor hiring practices can result in unqualified drivers causing accidents. Large trucks require specific skills to handle wide turns, long stopping distances, and heavy traffic. Drivers with inadequate training may make mistakes that smaller vehicles cannot safely avoid. Trucking companies can be held liable for negligent hiring.
- Aggressive truck driving: Some truck drivers tailgate, cut off cars, or make aggressive lane changes. These aggressive behaviors limit the ability of other drivers to react and often result in crashes.
- Truck Weather-related issues: Rain, fog, and icy roads reduce drivers’ visibility and increase stopping distances. Accidents can easily happen when truck drivers fail to adjust their speed or driving behaviors in bad weather.
- Truck Blind spots: Large trucks have wide blind spots along both sides of the trailer, directly behind them, and in front of the cab. Drivers who fail to check these areas before changing lanes or turning can collide with smaller vehicles hidden from view.
- Failure to follow traffic laws: Driver error is another leading cause of truck crashes. Ignoring traffic signals, skipping stop signs, or not yielding the right of way often causes dangerous situations. When truck drivers disregard these basic rules, the size and weight of their vehicles can cause severe injuries and accidents.
More than one party can be responsible for accidents involving a semi-truck. Truck accident victims should seek qualified legal assistance so all the potentially liable parties can be identified and an experienced truck accident lawyer can pursue full and fair compensation from them.
Why You Can’t Wait to Seek Legal Counsel
A Lafayette truck accident attorney can step in quickly to protect your interests after a crash. Your lawyer can gather evidence, such as police reports, dashcam footage, and electronic logging data. They can also send preservation letters to the trucking companies and others involved in the crash to make sure they preserve key evidence.
Your lawyer can also identify every potentially responsible party, including the driver, their employer, or maintenance contractors. They’ll handle all talks with insurers, calculate your losses, and file your claim within the required deadlines, including Louisiana’s statute of limitations. If settlement talks stall, your attorney can prepare your truck accident claim for court and make your case to the judge or jury.
Contact a Lafayette, Louisiana Truck Accident Attorney Today
Here at The Thibeaux Firm, we know how truck drivers and trucking companies skirt safety regulations and put other drivers in danger. We’re fully prepared to defend your rights and take your case to trial if necessary. Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation.