New Orleans Truck Accident Attorneys

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents can arise for various reasons, such as driver error caused by fatigue, stimulants used to combat fatigue, speeding, distracted driving, incorrect cargo loading, or improper vehicle maintenance. When a crash occurs due to negligence, victims may be entitled to recover damages. 

Our attorneys can examine the circumstances of the accident to identify responsible parties, gather time-sensitive evidence, and fight for the compensation you deserve. We leave no stone unturned in our investigations to maximize your recovery and build the strongest case possible.

Who Is Liable for Damages in a Truck Accident Claim?

In a standard car crash, liability usually falls on the other driver. In a truck accident, several different corporate entities may share the blame. We can investigate the trucking company’s supply chain to identify all responsible parties, such as: 

• The truck driver may be liable if they were driving while fatigued, impaired, or distracted by their phone.
• The trucking company or freight carrier can be responsible if they hired drivers with bad safety records or pushed operators to violate hours-of-service rules.
• Third-party cargo loaders may be at fault if a rollover or jackknife accident was caused by improperly secured freight shifts in transit.
• The truck manufacturer may share liability if the crash was caused by a defective auto part, such as failing air brakes or blown tires.

Plaintiffs bear the burden of proof in these claims, meaning you are responsible for proving liability by a preponderance of the evidence. We can gather compelling evidence to help you meet this strict legal standard and build a case that addresses the full chain of negligence behind the collision.

Our Strategic Approach to Truck Accident Claims

Navigating FMCSA Regulations

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates how many hours a commercial driver can be on the road. We can audit the driver’s logs to uncover hours-of-service violations and demonstrate when a trucking company ignored federal laws.

Analyzing Technical Black Box Data

Modern semi-trucks are equipped with event data recorders (EDRs) and electronic logging devices (ELDs). We can subpoena critical telematics data to prove how fast the truck was traveling and whether the driver attempted to hit the brakes before impact.

Investigating Fleet Maintenance Records

Commercial carriers are required to perform regular safety inspections on 18-wheelers. We can review corporate maintenance logs to see if the company ignored worn tires, faulty brakes, or broken lighting to save money.

Preserving Corporate Evidence

Trucking companies often try to quickly repair their vehicles or erase digital data after a crash. Our attorneys can send timely spoliation letters to help prevent the destruction of vital evidence.

Countering Commercial Carrier Defense Strategies

Large freight companies deploy vast legal teams to minimize financial exposure after a wreck. We prepare every claim for trial from the outset to aggressively counter corporate delay tactics.