Truck Accident Attorneys Deliver Justice in Lafayette, LA

Highly professional legal representation for injured plaintiffs

Commercial trucks are essential to our national economy, but negligent handling of tractor-trailers, especially at highway speed, can be enormously destructive. In a collision with a semi-truck, a passenger car rarely stands a chance, and the car’s occupants can suffer catastrophic injuries. But, in the wake of the destruction, it’s important to act quickly to protect your right to the compensation you deserve. Large trucking companies and their insurers are huge corporations with the resources and determination to fight any claims brought against them. Trying to negotiate a settlement on your own can only lead to frustration. But when you retain Goforth & Lilley, we provide the high-quality legal representation necessary to challenge these large companies and hold them accountable for the harm they’ve caused.

Common causes of commercial truck accidents in Louisiana

To recover compensation for a truck accident, you must prove what caused the accident and identify the responsible party. Common causes of truck accidents include:

• Truck driver error — Great skill is required to operate an 18-wheeler, but unfortunately, some drivers are not properly trained or supervised, and companies often allow drivers to spend too many hours behind the wheel in violation of federal regulations. Drivers who are drowsy, distracted or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are very likely to cause an accident. Drivers who are under pressure can become overly aggressive, causing accidents with unsafe maneuvers at too great a speed. Trucking companies are liable for the mistakes of their drivers while they are on the job.
• Mechanical failure — Commercial trucks must pass inspection to be on the road legally. Unfortunately, many companies put a truck in service even after it’s failed a brake inspection or other key diagnostic. Equipment problems that cause truck accidents include tire blowouts, brake failures and steering failures. The trucking company, a maintenance subcontractor or the equipment manufacturer could be liable for this kind of crash.
• Overloaded or poorly loaded trucks — When a truck is too heavy or top-heavy or has loose cargo rattling around, it becomes unstable. Rear-end collisions, jackknife crashes and rollovers are common results. A cargo loading company could be liable for the accident.
• Poor road conditions — When a design defect, a construction defect or poor road maintenance causes a crash, the public entity that controls the road can be liable for injuries.
• Passenger car interference — Too many motorists don’t know how to drive safely around huge commercial vehicles. They get nervous and often make an unsafe maneuver to get clear of the truck. In many cases of jackknife crashes, a passenger car had cut off the truck, forcing the driver to hit the brakes with disastrous results.

Our firm consults with qualified experts in auto accident reconstruction to pinpoint the cause of your truck accident and identify the proper defendants. Then we pursue your case vigorously to deliver the results you need.

Damages available to victims of commercial truck accidents

A high-speed truck accident on a dangerous route such as I-10 or U.S. 90 can cause catastrophic injury, such as the loss of limbs, crushed bones, spinal trauma and traumatic brain injury, as well as wrongful death. Victims of a truck accident are entitled to recover for all their losses, including:

• Present and future medical bills
• Lost wages, present and future
• Rehabilitation costs
• Reconstructive surgery costs
• Physical pain
• Mental suffering
• Loss of quality of life
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium

When the costs start to pile up for a life-changing injury, the truck company and its insurer become even more determined to fight the claim. To get the full, fair compensation you deserve, it pays to retain a personal injury lawyer with the experience and skill to fight for your rights.

Contact our established Lafayette law firm for your trucking accident claim

Goforth & Lilley is a reputable Lafayette law firm with a substantial record of success in vehicle accident claims, including commercial truck crash cases. To learn how we can assist with your claim, schedule a free consultation and case evaluation. Call us today at 337-446-4239 or contact our office online.