Trucking Accidents

Under Louisiana law, the operator of a heavy vehicle hired to transport cargo over our roads and highways must hold a commercial driver’s license. The law imposes a high standard of care on these commercial truck drivers as a result of the harmful consequences associated with 18-wheeler collisions and other accidents involving heavy vehicles. 

Despite the extra care that should be taken to avoid collisions, commercial trucks and 18-wheelers are frequently at fault for the tragic loss of life, substantial damages, and/or disabling personal injuries. 

Common injuries suffered in trucking accidents or 18-wheeler collisions include:

• death; 
• disability;
• back injuries;
• neck injuries;
• concussion / brain injury;
• internal organ injuries;
• broken bones;
• shoulder injuries;
• burns;
• cuts / lacerations; and
• disfigurement.

When an accident occurs through negligence, the trucking industry and commercial truck drivers who cause such harm are held accountable for their actions. 

Many individuals do not know their rights under Louisiana, nor how to ensure that those rights are protected. That is why it is important to retain the services of a specialized, experienced legal team. 

For the victims of 18-wheeler collisions, Anderson Blanda & Saltzman provides a thorough investigation of the circumstances that contributed to the collision. We are familiar with all special duties the law imposes on commercial truck drivers. These duties include the driver’s duty to maintain a credible time/trip log, to maintain all equipment of the truck/trailer in good working order, and to drive the 18-wheeler (or other heavy vehicle) in a safe manner under all circumstances. 

The attorneys at Anderson Blanda & Saltzman are well versed in the regulations imposed on commercial truck drivers by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, or DOTD. 

Commercial truck drivers or their employers may be at fault for an 18-wheeler collision for a variety of reasons, including: 

• truck driver time/distance violations; 
• lack of rest or sleep; 
• speeding; 
• failure to maintain truck or other equipment in a good working condition; 
• use of drugs/alcohol; 
• abuse of over-the-counter drugs; 
• abuse of prescription drugs; 
• inadequate training; 
• failure to follow safe operations manual; and 
• failure to pay attention to slower traffic.

When our attorneys are retained to represent the victims of an 18-wheeler collision, we act immediately to gather all available evidence and provide the opportunity for the injured to receive necessary medical treatment. We maintain relations with medical professionals throughout Acadiana, and if necessary we will help clients find a specialized physician. 

Upon learning the specifics of a case, will also move to retain the services of industry experts. Such experts may include accident reconstruction experts, doctors, engineers, manufacturers, economists, and trucking industry leaders. Should it be necessary, these experts can give medical testimony, provide detailed insider perspectives, or reconstruct an accident to prove fault. Expert testimony greatly strengthens your case and is invaluable in court. 

If you have been victimized by fault of a commercial truck driver, or otherwise injured due to a collision with an 18-wheeler or other heavy vehicle, please contact us to learn your rights under federal and Louisiana law.