Cargo Truck Accident Lawyer in Slidell

Cargo trucks travel across the miles carrying products for delivery. These trucks are heavy, and sometimes the products they transport are hazardous. The size and contents of cargo trucks put you at risk for serious consequences if you are involved in an accident with one.

A Slidell truck accident lawyer for Scott Vicknair will fight to get you justice for those consequences with the same energy and skill used to secure results, generating more than 2,400 5-star reviews from our previous clients. You can trust our cargo truck accident lawyer in Slidell to fight for the win.

When to Connect With a Cargo Truck Accident Attorney in Slidell

Connecting with a Slidell personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your accident is the best course of action. Two years is how long you have to file a Louisiana truck accident lawsuit, in most situations. That deadline could be shorter if your claim is against a government entity. By forming a legal partnership right away, you can meet whatever filing date applies.

Evidence is more accessible in the time close after an accident, and strong cases are built on strong evidence. Witnesses’ memories are sharper. Physical evidence from the scene and vehicles involved is more likely to be intact. Your attorney can also request data from the truck’s electronic data recorder (the “black box”) and footage from traffic or security cameras before it is erased or lost.

There is variation in how long it takes for truck accident lawsuits to settle. Still, the sooner you start the process, the sooner you can see a resolution. Investigations are a major part of the process and run more smoothly in the early days since evidence is easier to obtain. You can count on your Slidell cargo truck accident lawyer to move your claim along as efficiently as possible.

Determining Culpability in a Cargo Truck Accident

Scott Vicknair knows how liability is determined in 18-wheeler accidents, and will work diligently to find the culpable party in your situation. Sometimes, a truck driver makes an error or commits a violation. Driving while fatigued or intoxicated, speeding, or driving while distracted can all lead to disaster. In some cases, a truck company’s negligence contributes to the crash.

Truck companies must train their drivers, complete background checks before hiring them, and remove unsafe drivers from behind the wheel. If companies “encourage” drivers to stay on duty longer than federal regulations permit to stay ahead of the competition, they could bear liability for accidents resulting from driver fatigue.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has additional cargo securement rules for how materials must be loaded and tied down. Failures in compliance can cause loads to shift mid-ride, leading to truck imbalances and rollover or jackknife accidents. Materials could also fly off open truck beds and hit other vehicles or create road hazards.

Compensation You Can Expect from a Truck Accident

You may be eligible to collect economic and non-economic damages after a truck accident. Economic damages cover the financial losses sustained in the crash. To determine their value, your attorney will review your bills, your earning capacity, and speak to your medical team and other relevant experts. Economic damages typically include:

• Medical costs, including future care needs for serious or catastrophic injuries
• The repair or replacement of property damaged or destroyed by the crash
• Wages lost during recovery, and future income loss if you cannot return to employment
• Any other related costs

Physical pain and disfigurement, lost enjoyment of life, and emotional suffering deserve acknowledgment, and non-economic damages acknowledge those losses. Your Slidell cargo truck accident attorney will determine the worth of these damages and gather testimony from you, your caregivers, and loved ones.

Factors Affecting the Amount of Compensation You Receive

The specific elements of your accident affect the amount of compensation you receive. The extent and effects of your injury and related costs are major factors, as is the depth of your suffering and the ways your injuries have and will affect your life.

The amount of negligence each party holds also matters. Louisiana operates under a comparative fault system that allows accident victims to sue for damages no matter how much fault they may hold for the incident, but also reduces their compensation by the percentage of culpability they bear. If you hold 25% of the blame, you can only collect 75% of the calculated compensation amount.

These variables make it impossible to put an average value on most truck accident settlements in Louisiana, but you can expect your cargo truck accident attorney in Slidell to battle for the highest available amount.

Why Some Claims Settle and Others Go to Trial

Often, truck accident claims resolve through a settlement agreement. Your attorney and the at-fault party’s representatives come to an agreement regarding compensation. After assessing the worth of your claim, your lawyer will send a demand for compensation to the other side. Usually, they respond with a lower offer, prompting negotiations.

Our team includes skilled negotiators, but these discussions only work if both sides engage productively. Sometimes, the at-fault party’s representatives intentionally slow-talk or refuse to offer what your claim deserves. We fight relentlessly for clients, always keeping their interests first. This means we will be trial-ready should the other side choose not to cooperate out of court.

Your lawyer will discuss your options with you so you know what to expect from settling vs. going to trial. If you opt for a court fight, we will keep you updated on every proceeding so you feel empowered and in the loop at all times.

You Deserve Justice, and We Will Fight for It

Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers offer personalized legal support for your unique situation. We are not a cookie-cutter law firm.

You can trust your Slidell truck accident attorney to custom-design a strategy specifically suited to your needs. Connect with us for a free case review. Do not settle for less than the individual attention and fight-to-win advocacy you deserve.