Bossier City Trucking Accident Attorneys

Holding Truck Drivers Accountable for Negligence

From giant semi-rigs to delivery trucks, commercial truck accidents can lead to severe injuries and fatalities on Louisiana roads. If you sustained a wrongful injury due to a negligent truck driver, seeking sound counsel is imperative to pursue justice and recover fair compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings, and more. 

Fortunately, our Bossier City attorneys have decades of experience representing clients injured in big truck wrecks. In the aftermath of a serious injury, the last thing you need is added stress. That’s why our firm is dedicated to advocating for the maximum compensation you deserve, freeing you to focus on making a swift recovery. 

At Ryan E. Gatti, Attorney At Law, our truck accident lawyers have extensive knowledge of personal injury law to help you navigate the legal intricacies of your case, from filing your claim to gathering evidence to identifying liable parties. We can fight to hold negligent parties accountable for the harm they’ve inflicted while working tirelessly to maximize the value of your claim. 

Don’t forgo your right to experienced representation after a wrongful injury. Call (318) 633-0186 to schedule a free consultation with our skilled attorneys.

Common Types of Truck Accidents

Big truck wrecks can occur without warning, resulting in extensive property damage, catastrophic injuries, and other serious harm. Commercial truck accidents can happen for a variety of causes. Common types of trucking accidents include: 

• Jackknife accidents: These truck accidents can occur when a commercial truck brakes too early, causing the trailer to fold in on itself and block other traffic lanes. 
• Underride accidents: These truck accidents happen when a truck driver brakes too suddenly, causing trailing vehicles to collide with the back of the trailer and get stuck. 
• Blind spot accidents: Commercial truck operators must exercise caution on the road due to significant blind spots. When truck drivers fail to stay alert for other drivers, this can result in trucking accidents.
• Spilled cargo accidents: When a truck’s cargo is improperly loaded, this can lead to accidents due to supplies shifting or falling off the trailer while driving, putting other drivers at risk.
• Wide-turn accidents: These accidents, also known as “squeeze play” accidents, occur when truck drivers fail to check carefully before making a wide right turn. 

Who Is Liable in a Truck Accident?

Depending on the unique circumstances of the trucking accident, various parties may be liable for damages. Common types of liable parties in big truck wrecks include: 

• The truck operator: In many cases, the truck driver is liable for truck accidents, such as due to traffic violations, drowsy driving, texting while driving, reckless driving (such as driving at excessive speeds to meet tight deadlines), or operating the commercial vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 
• The trucking company: If the truck company failed to conduct appropriate safety inspections, provide adequate training for employees, or properly vet their drivers prior to hiring, such as checking for required certifications and experience, the company may be liable for the accident. 
• The truck manufacturer: If the truck accident occurred due to a manufacturing defect, design flaw, or faulty part, the manufacturer of the commercial vehicle may be liable for injuries. 
• Other drivers: If a fellow driver disobeyed traffic regulations and caused a truck accident, such as trying to cut past a commercial truck during a wide turn, they may be liable for resulting damages.   

Do I Have a Truck Accident Claim?

To successfully recover damages in a truck accident lawsuit, the plaintiff is responsible for meeting the standard of proof. This means that the injured party must prove that the defendant’s negligence is the “proximate cause” of their injuries. To establish negligence in a truck accident claim, you must demonstrate four key elements by a preponderance of the evidence (e.g., that it is “more likely than not”). These include: 

1. Duty of Care: First, you must show that the defendant owed you a duty of care. In a truck accident, this may include obeying traffic laws and exercising reasonable caution while operating the commercial vehicle. 
2. Breach of Duty: Next, you must prove that the defendant violated their duty of care by acting negligently, such as failing to check their blind spot before changing lanes. 
3. Causation: Then, you must establish the defendant’s negligence as the primary cause of your injuries. 
4. Damages: Finally, you must show that you suffered compensatory injuries or “damages” as a result of the accident. This extends to both financial injuries (economic damages) and emotional or non-financial injuries (non-economic) injuries.

Recoverable Damages in a Truck Accident Claim

Depending on the accident, various damages may be recoverable in a truck accident claim. Primary types include: 

1. Economic damages: These compensate the victim for financial losses, such as loss of earning capacity, hospital bills, treatment costs, property damage, and lost wages. 
2. Non-economic damages: These compensate the victim for non-financial losses, such as emotional distress, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, and scarring and disfigurement. 
3. Punitive damages: In rare cases, courts may award punitive damages as a means to punish the defendant rather than compensate the victim. These damages are only awarded in claims involving extreme carelessness or malice to deter future behavior. 

With over 20 years of experience representing clients in a wide range of accident claims, our attorneys have a diverse skillset and comprehensive legal knowledge to aggressively protect your rights in a truck accident lawsuit. We can carefully evaluate your claim with a practiced legal eye to ensure you’re compensated fairly while prioritizing your best interests from start to finish. 

What to Do After a Truck Accident

Our Bossier City lawyers understand the devastating and far-reaching impacts of big truck wrecks. After the pain and shock of a serious injury, it can be difficult to think straight. That’s why our firm is dedicated to guiding your legal steps with wisdom and integrity. 

After a truck accident, your next steps are crucial to pursuing justice and fair compensation. Below are 5 steps to take after a trucking accident: 

1. Prioritize your safety. First and foremost, it’s important to assess yourself and other victims for injuries. If you or someone else is injured at the accident site, call 911 immediately.
2. Report the accident. If no one has already done so, call law enforcement to report the truck accident and request assistance. 
3. Document the scene. If it’s safe to do so, do your best to document the scene of the accident. Consider taking photos and videos to document property damage and other details, such as other vehicles, skid marks, road conditions, and traffic signs. You can also inspect the surrounding area for security cameras, traffic cams, and other potential sources of footage that may serve as valuable evidence.   
4. Seek medical care. Even if you don’t notice any obvious injuries, seeking medical treatment is critical to rule out underlying injuries that may not be apparent right away, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and internal bleeding. Be sure to retain all medical records and other documentation, as this can establish a valuable paper trail when it comes time to fortify your claim with evidence.
5. Seek sound counsel from an experienced truck accident attorney: Securing representation from a qualified attorney with an in-depth understanding of personal injury law is paramount to recovering damages in court. Your lawyer can assist with every aspect of your case to ensure compliance with all legal requirements and negotiate effectively for the fair compensation you’re rightfully entitled to.

20+ Years Pursuing Justice for the Wrongfully Injured

At Ryan E. Gatti, Attorney At Law, we know how frustrating and frightening it can be to find yourself involved in an unexpected accident. That’s why our highly skilled advocates provide personalized representation to the wrongfully injured in Bossier City and the surrounding areas. From workplace injuries to wrongful death claims, we go above and beyond to put our clients first. 

Our lawyers are committed to pursuing justice for victims of negligence, empowering them to take back their lives after serious injuries. If you were harmed by someone else’s carelessness in Louisiana, don’t forgo your right to experienced representation. Turn to a firm with a proven track record of results to relentlessly pursue justice. 

Harmed in a truck accident? You don’t have to fight alone. Turn to our attorneys to vigorously protect your rights. Contact us online to discuss your case.