Hundreds of trucks travel the roads in and around Addis every day. Unfortunately, with so many trucks on our streets, there are also many truck accidents here. While truck accidents often result in more serious injuries, many of the same risks apply to all motor vehicle collisions. If you were injured in any type of crash, including a passenger vehicle accident, an Addis car accident lawyer can help you understand your legal options.
A commercial truck’s enormous size and weight compared to a passenger vehicle usually cause devastating injuries when the two collide. Truck accident injury victims need to recover maximum compensation for their damages.
At Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys, our truck accident lawyers in Addis have been protecting the rights of truck accident injury victims and their families for decades and have recovered billions of dollars in compensation for our clients. We want to help you get the justice you deserve.
Schedule a free consultation to discuss your case by visiting our contact page or calling (225) 999-1111.Â
Reasons to Choose Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys
When prospective clients meet with our team, they quickly understand why Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys is the best choice for their truck accident case.
- Our Christian values drive everything we do. We care deeply about our clients and help them when they need it most. We work tirelessly to get them the maximum compensation they deserve so that they can move forward with their lives. We want every client to be the victor, not the victim.Â
- We have a nearly 100% success rate and have recovered over $10 billion for our clients, including numerous multi-million dollar awards and settlements for truck accident injury victims.Â
- We are here for you around the clock. Our clients have 24/7 access to us.
Common Injuries in Addis Truck Accidents
Truck accidents often cause fatal or life-changing injuries.
When not fatal, injuries may include traumatic brain injuries, paralysis, crushed and broken bones, and severe burns.
Other possible injuries include loss of limbs, scarring and disfigurement, internal bleeding, organ damage, and much more.
These injuries may require long-term medical care and result in permanent disabilities, leaving you unable to work and support yourself and your family. You need an aggressive truck accident injury attorney in Addis who will fight to get you every dollar you are entitled to.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Commercial truck accidents can have various causes. At Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys, we carefully investigate each truck accident to determine all possible causes and all potentially liable parties.
Some of the most common causes of big truck accidents include:
- Driver fatigue. Commercial truck drivers are often pressured to meet unrealistic deadlines, which may result in them ignoring the federal guidelines for the number of hours driven without a rest.Â
- Distracted driving. Truckers usually drive long distances and often use their phones for entertainment. Additionally, they may adjust their navigational devices or radios. Any type of distraction makes a collision more likely.
- Speeding. Truck drivers often speed to keep up with their demanding schedules, which can increase the chance of an accident.
- Driving drunk or drugged. When a truck driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they place all other motorists at risk.Â
- Improperly loaded cargo. If cargo is not loaded and secured properly, it may shift during transit, making the truck unstable and causing a crash. Cargo may also spill onto the road, endangering motorists.
- Inadequate training. When trucking companies hire inexperienced drivers and fail to provide adequate training, accidents are more likely.
- Poor road conditions. When roads are not adequately maintained or are defectively designed, they can cause big trucks to become unstable, leading to a crash.Â
- Defective or inadequately maintained equipment. If trucks and their parts are not properly maintained, or if equipment is defective, essential parts and equipment can fail and cause an accident.
In some truck accident cases, there may be multiple causes and multiple liable parties.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
It helps to know in advance what steps to take if you are involved in a truck accident. The following actions may help protect you and your right to recover compensation for your injuries:
- Call 911 to report the accident and request necessary emergency medical help.Â
- If you can safely do so, move your vehicle out of the flow of traffic to a safe, nearby location.
- Exchange information, including your contact, insurance, and registration, with other involved parties.Â
- Collect the contact information of any eyewitnesses.
- Take photographs and video footage of the accident scene. Include any visible injuries, the position of the vehicles, the road condition, any traffic signs or signals, and anything else that seems relevant to your accident.Â
- Do not apologize or admit fault for the accident.
- Write down everything you can recall about the accident while it is still fresh in your mind.Â
- Seek an immediate medical evaluation even if you don’t think your injuries are serious. Many injuries that cause lifelong suffering are not immediately apparent.Â
- Contact an experienced Addis truck accident attorney.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the insurance company. Once you have retained an attorney, allow them to handle all communication with insurance companies.
- Stay off social media and ask your family and friends to refrain from posting comments or photos of you while your claim is pending. Insurance adjusters comb through social media accounts, trying to find anything that can be used against you.
- Follow through with your treatment plan and keep all medical appointments.
- Keep a journal to recall your pain and how the accident and injuries are impacting your daily life.Â
- Carefully follow the instructions of your attorney
Who Is Responsible For Paying My Damages?
Who is responsible for paying your damages is determined by the causes of your injuries. Accidents can have numerous causes. That is why it is essential to investigate the accident to determine all possible causes and liable parties.
In a truck accident injury case, defendants may include the truck driver, trucking company, truck owner, negligent maintenance company, negligent cargo loading party, manufacturer of defective parts and equipment, a government entity, or other parties. Trucking companies and drivers are required to follow strict federal trucking regulations to ensure road safety, and violations of these rules can make them liable for damages.
At Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys, we work tirelessly to determine the at-fault parties and hold them responsible for paying your damages.
How Do I Prove Negligence?
To be successful in a truck accident injury case, you must prove four elements:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care.
- The defendant breached that duty by negligent actions or inactions.
- Their breach of duty caused your accident.
- You suffered actual damage because of the defendant’s breach of duty.
Our attorneys work hard to gather the evidence to prove these elements and build your strongest case.
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim?
Filing deadlines are established by the statute of limitations for a particular civil action. If you miss your filing deadline, you will likely be unable to recover compensation for your damages.
The Louisiana statute of limitations for most personal injury actions was recently extended from one to two years.
If your truck accident happened on or after July 1, 2024, you have two years to file your personal injury claim. If your accident occurred prior to July 1, 2024, you only have one year to file your personal injury claim.
If your loved one died from injuries sustained in a truck accident, you may have the right to file a wrongful death action. A Louisiana wrongful death claim has a one-year statute of limitations, meaning your claim must be filed within one year of the date of death of your loved one.
There are exceptions to the two-year filing deadline. Some filing deadlines are shorter, and in rare cases, you may have additional time to file a claim. It is essential that you promptly consult an experienced Addis personal injury attorney to be sure of your filing deadline.
Additionally, you want to retain an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible so they can identify and recover important evidence to support your case. Evidence can be destroyed, lost, or diminished over time, so your attorney will want to act fast.
What Will a Truck Accident Attorney Do For Me?
An experienced Addis truck accident injury attorney can help you in numerous ways, including:
- Knowing what to look for when investigating your accident to determine all causes and liable parties.
- Combating the unfair tactics insurance companies use to deny or devalue your claim.
- Handling all communications and negotiations with insurance companies.
- Paying all costs of pursuing your claim and only charging you when they win compensation for you,
- You have a greater chance of success when an experienced Addis truck accident lawyer represents you.
Contact An Addis Truck Accident Lawyer Today
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in an Addis truck accident caused by another party, we want to help you recover the compensation you are owed.
Call (225) 999-1111 or complete the short form on our contact page to schedule a free consultation with and experienced Addis truck accident lawyer.