New Orleans Truck Accident Lawyer

18-wheeler and commercial vehicle crashes across Louisiana.

TRUCK ACCIDENTS —

Taking On Trucking Companies After a Serious Crash

Several different consequences arise when you are in a collision with a large commercial vehicle. Trucking accidents usually involve serious injuries that need emergency attention, and sadly, many of these collisions involve fatalities. To make sure your rights are fully protected, contact our office as soon as possible after a truck accident.

Because of the I-10 corridor, southern Louisiana sees heavy 18-wheeler traffic, and more truck accidents. Oil field vehicles and trucks from other dangerous industries use this stretch of interstate to reach the Gulf. Add the I-12, I-49, I-55 and US-90 routes, port traffic and construction zones, and the risk to everyday drivers is real.

Why Truck Accident Cases Are Different

A truck crash is not just a bigger car wreck. These cases often involve:

More than one at-fault party. The driver, the trucking company, the company that loaded the cargo, the owner of the trailer and the maintenance shop may all share responsibility.
Federal safety rules. Interstate trucking companies must follow Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules on driver hours, inspections, maintenance and drug and alcohol testing.
Bigger insurance policies. Interstate for-hire carriers hauling general freight must carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage under federal law, and many carry more.
Fast-moving defense teams. Trucking companies and their insurers often send investigators to the scene within hours. You need someone working for you just as fast.

Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents

Driver fatigue. Federal rules generally limit truckers to 11 hours of driving after 10 hours off duty, with no driving past the 14th hour on duty. Drivers under pressure to deliver sometimes break these rules.
Speeding, especially in work zones and on wet roads
Distracted driving, including phones and dispatch devices
Overloaded or poorly secured cargo
Brake, tire and lighting failures from skipped maintenance
Wide turns, blind spots and unsafe lane changes
Inexperienced or poorly trained drivers

Evidence We Move Quickly to Protect

Trucks carry a lot of information that can prove what happened, but it doesn’t last forever. We act fast to request and preserve:

Electronic logging device (ELD) and “black box” data showing speed, braking and hours driven
Driver logs, dispatch records and delivery schedules
Inspection and maintenance records
The driver’s qualification file, training and drug test results
Dash camera and nearby surveillance footage
Cargo and weight records

Louisiana Deadlines and Fault Rules

In Louisiana, most injury claims from accidents on or after July 1, 2024 must be filed within two years. Injuries before that date generally had only one year. Evidence also disappears fast, so don’t wait.

Louisiana changed its fault rule on January 1, 2026. For accidents on or after that date, if you are found 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing. If you are less than 51% at fault, your recovery is reduced by your share. Insurance companies know this, so expect them to try to push more of the blame onto you.

What Your Truck Accident Claim May Include

Medical bills, past and future
Lost wages and lost earning ability
Pain and suffering
Mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life
Property damage and rental car costs
Scarring, disfigurement and permanent disability
Wrongful death damages for families who lost a loved one

Hurt by a truck? Call before you talk to the trucking company’s insurer. The consultation is free. (504) 446-1000.

FAQ —

Truck Accidents: Common Questions

Who can be held responsible for a truck accident?

Depending on the facts, the truck driver, the trucking company, the cargo loader, the owner of the truck or trailer, a maintenance company or a parts manufacturer may share responsibility. Finding every responsible party matters, because each may have its own insurance.

How much insurance do trucking companies carry?

Federal law requires interstate for-hire carriers hauling general freight to carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage. Carriers of oil and hazardous materials must carry more. Many companies carry additional coverage.

What should I do after a crash with an 18-wheeler?

Get medical care first. If you can, take photos of the truck, including the company name and DOT number on the door, and get witness information. Don’t give a statement to the trucking company’s insurer. Then call us so we can move to preserve the evidence.

How long do I have to file a truck accident claim?

For most accidents on or after July 1, 2024, you have two years to file suit in Louisiana. Don’t wait that long, though. Key trucking records can be lost or overwritten.

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