Every year, there are those in Louisiana who are either hurt or killed in accidents with commercial trucks. The damages suffered by victims or their surviving family members can be quite extreme. Here are a few things that those negatively affected by truck accidents need to know.
Truck accidents happen for a number of reasons. If negligence is thought to have contributed to such an event, the truck driver and his or her employer may be held responsible for any losses suffered by the victim and/or his or her family. Examples of truck driver or company negligence include:
- Failure to receive proper training and licensure
- Failing to abide by federal hours of service guidelines
- Loading a truck beyond its max capacity
- Failure to secure cargo properly
- Failure to maintain trucks
- Failure to safely transport hazardous materials
Victims of truck accidents or — in the event of a fatality — their surviving family members may have the right to seek damages for both economic and non-economic losses suffered in a crash. Damages that may be recoverable include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of consortium — among a variety of others. Damages suffered in each case will be different.
Louisiana residents who have suffered injuries or lost loved ones in truck accidents may find it difficult to seek compensation for their losses. Trucking companies will have legal counsel defending them and will likely make every effort to pay out as little as possible in damages. This does not mean that seeking relief is a waste of time. With experienced counsel on one’s side, monetary damages for all recoverable losses may be achieved though litigation or out-of-court negotiations.
Source: FindLaw, “Truck Accident Law: What You Need to Know“, Accessed on May 11, 2018