Slidell Truck Accident Lawyer

If a negligent truck driver crashes their vehicle into yours, hold this individual or their employer accountable. Partner with a Slidell truck accident lawyer. Together, you and your attorney can request compensation through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. 

Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers has more than three decades of combined legal experience. Let a Slidell personal injury lawyer from our team help you with your truck accident case. Contact us today to get started. 

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Truck Accident

Do not assume you are liable for a truck accident. In many instances, a truck driver gets distracted or makes other mistakes behind the wheel that lead to a crash and can be held accountable. In addition to a trucker, other parties that can be liable for a trucking crash include:

• Truck company
• Truck maintenance company
• Truck mechanic
• Cargo loader
• Government entity

Meet with a Slidell truck accident attorney from Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers as soon as you can following your trucking collision. We can explain how commercial truck accident lawsuits work and if you have grounds to file one. Schedule a free case consultation with us. 

How Much Time You Have to File a Slidell Truck Accident Lawsuit

Per Louisiana Civil Code (CC) Article 3493.1, there is a two-year statute of limitations for injury claims. A truck accident lawyer in Slidell can submit your compensation request in accordance with state law. They can represent you throughout your case proceedings. 

You could get compensation through an insurance claim. For example, you notify your auto insurer about your truck accident. Your insurance company works with a truck driver’s insurer to help you recover fair compensation for your collision-related losses. 

The insurance claims process can be tricky, and a liable party’s insurer can dispute your claim. Your attorney can help you negotiate an insurance settlement or move forward with an injury lawsuit. They can provide insights into how long a truck accident lawsuit takes to settle. 

How a Truck Accident Lawsuit Works

You wonder how a truck accident lawyer will help you win or settle your lawsuit. Ultimately, your attorney gets you ready for your trial. At the same time, they keep the lines of communication open with you and let you know if the defendant proposes a settlement. 

If the defendant offers to settle, you can review their proposal with your attorney. You are not legally obligated to approve a settlement. If an offer falls short of what you want, you can decline it without incurring any penalties. 

As far as why you should hire a truck accident lawyer, it helps to have an attorney on your side who knows the ins and outs of the legal system. Your attorney advocates for you and protects your legal rights. They also put you in a position to secure maximum damages.

How Much Your Truck Crash Case Is Worth

A truck accident attorney in Slidell can calculate your economic and non-economic damages. They can determine how much your case is worth and what you need to do to get the compensation you want. Reasons why you could receive damages include:

• Costs of replacing or repairing your car
• Pain and suffering
• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Your attorney builds an argument designed to show the court that you deserve the compensation you are requesting. They gather evidence on your behalf. If you have plenty of proof, it becomes difficult for the defendant to contest your case. 

Proof that Can Help You Win or Settle Your Truck Accident Case

Evidence can have a significant impact on your case result. If you have a wealth of proof, the defendant could have concerns about your argument, and these could prompt them to offer a reasonable settlement. Proof that could help you in your truck collision case includes:

• Accident scene photos and videos
• Witness statements
• Medical records
• Truck black box data
• Truck maintenance records
• Truck driver records
• Traffic camera footage
• Pay stubs

In the same way, you collect proof, the defendant will look for evidence to use against you. The defendant may attempt to show that you are in some way to blame for your crash. If they succeed, you could receive partial damages and have to cover some or most of your accident-related losses by yourself. 

The Potential Role of Pure Comparative Negligence in Your Case

Louisiana has a pure comparative negligence rule that allows two parties to share the blame for a truck accident. If you are found to be partly liable for your crash, what you receive in damages can be reduced by your percentage of fault. To understand how this rule can impact your case outcome, consider an example. 

A judge or jury says you are 20% at fault for your trucking crash. This means the defendant is 80% to blame. As such, the defendant may be ordered to pay 80% of your damages, and you are responsible for the rest. 

With pure comparative negligence, you can recover damages even if you are 99% responsible for your truck collision. Your attorney can discuss the role of negligent hiring practices in commercial truck accidents and other factors relating to your case. They can provide tips to help you throughout your litigation. 

Tips to Help You with Your Truck Accident Case

Get legal help within days of your trucking crash. A truck collision lawyer can help you deal with your accident’s aftermath. They can share information about your legal options and how you can request compensation from any liable parties. 

Be careful about what you publish online about your crash. Anything you post on the internet about your accident has the potential to strengthen the defendant’s case. If you want to keep family and friends updated about your case, do so through phone and video calls, emails, and text messages. 

Allow your attorney to handle your case communications. Tell your lawyer if an at-fault party contacts you about your case. Your lawyer can discuss your case on your behalf and collaborate with you at each stage of your litigation. 

Receive Personalized Legal Support with Your Truck Crash Case

Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers takes a bespoke approach to your truck collision case. We make sure you get the legal representation you need to achieve your desired case result. Request a free case consultation with us.