Driving is an inherently risky activity. Every time you get behind the wheel, there’s a chance you could be involved in a motor vehicle accident. While it’s not healthy to worry unnecessarily over this fact, it is helpful to do your research and understand what it means to be in an accident—especially with a larger vehicle. So, what are common injuries in tractor trailer crashes?
Getting in a car accident while driving in Louisiana is always a possibility. Any type of motor vehicle accident can be serious, but some of the more severe crashes typically involve trucks or tractor-trailers.
These types of vehicles not only can cause more severe injuries in an accident, but can also be more prone to getting in accidents in the first place. This is due to their blind spots, larger sizes, limited flexibility, and long stopping distances.
The total number of large truck registrations in the country in 2021 was 13,859,181. In Louisiana, there were a total of 2,382,365 trucks registered in recent years, including 31,015 tractor-trailers. With so many larger vehicles on the road, it is critical to be aware of driving safely around them and how to protect yourself in the case of an accident.
It can be difficult to predict how a person may be injured in an accident with a tractor-trailer. This is because the injuries the victim sustains are so dependent on the details of the crash. The Lucky Law Firm has extensive experience handling personal injury cases after tractor-trailer accidents that involve:
Seek medical attention after an accident, even if you believe you are not seriously injured. Adrenaline can mask the pain from injuries right after a crash, so it is wise to play it safe and have a doctor examine you for hidden injuries.
Plus, it is crucial to establish a paper trail when it comes to your expenses and injuries after an accident. That way, you have records to submit as evidence if you wish to file a claim against the at-fault party.
If you wish to file a personal injury claim, you have a limited period of time to gather evidence and build a solid case with your truck accident attorney. If you have lost a loved one and think you may have grounds to file a wrongful death claim on behalf of the victim, certain family members have the right to do so.
Louisiana is ranked as one of the most dangerous states for fatalities on the highway. In 2022, there were an estimated 20 highway fatalities per 100,000 people in the state. Eight hundred eleven individuals were killed in 2023 in crashes in the state, with 22% due to distracted driving. This demonstrates the critical need to always exercise caution when you are on the road and to be aware of others around you. In 2023, 5,375 large trucks were involved in a fatal crash, an 8.4% decrease from 2022 but a 43% increase in the last 10 years. The involvement rate per 100 million large-truck miles traveled is down 8% from 2022, but up 22% in the last 10 years.
If you are involved in an accident with a tractor-trailer, it is helpful to know what your next steps should be. Instead of trying to navigate the legal system on your own, let an experienced Baton Rouge personal injury lawyer help you build a solid personal injury claim to obtain the maximum compensation you are entitled to.
A: If you’re in a tractor-trailer accident or truck accident in Baton Rouge, you can expect to incur any number of injuries. Accidents with these larger vehicles can often lead to severe—and sometimes catastrophic—injuries. Some of the most common types of injuries we’ve handled claims for in the past include broken bones, contusions, crush injuries, head injuries, internal organ trauma, lacerations, neck and back injuries, and whiplash.
A: Accidents with a tractor-trailer or truck can look very different from case to case. Any number of conditions can impact how an accident occurs on the road. That said, one of the most commonly reported types of crashes in the trucking industry is rear-end collisions. Common causes of these accidents include driver fatigue, limited visibility and larger blind spots, speeding, and tailgating.
A: If you are in an accident with a tractor-trailer or truck in Louisiana, you are not obligated to work with a Baton Rouge personal injury lawyer. However, having a legal professional on your side can only help your case.
Your attorney can gather evidence, negotiate deals, and represent you in court if it enters litigation. Plus, they can answer any questions you have along the way, so you are never left in the dark. Trucking companies will have legal representation of their own, so it is crucial to have a skilled tractor-trailer accident attorney on your side advocating for you.
A: The cost of working with a Baton Rouge personal injury lawyer depends on the complexity of your case as well as the lawyer’s experience level. The length of your case and the types of services you need can impact how much an attorney may charge you. At Lucky Law Firm, you don’t pay legal fees unless we win your case. You never have to worry about upfront fees or affording your legal representation.
When you work with The Lucky Law Firm, you can have peace of mind knowing your claim is in good hands. Our team has years of experience handling complex personal injury cases, including tractor-trailer and truck accidents.
We can thoroughly evaluate your case and develop a solid strategy to secure the maximum compensation you are entitled to, so you can recover and move forward from this event. If you are ready to discuss the details of an accident, contact us to set up an appointment with a tractor-trailer accident lawyer today.