18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer Representing Injury Victims for Metairie Truck Crashes
Have you or a loved one been injured in a truck crash in Metairie? If you are searching for a Metairie semi-truck accident attorney, you are in the right place. Louisiana truck accident lawyer Loyd J. Bourgeois and his team have represented victims of Metairie collisions for over 15 years.
Those traveling through Metairie know sharing the road with large trucks along I-10 is dangerous. With growth and construction in the area, roads are also shared with dump trucks, work trucks and trailers, and delivery trucks. These tractor-trailers and other commercial vehicles pose a danger to others when not driven safely.
Being along the transportation corridor for Louisiana’s oil and gas industry and chemicals industries, Metairie sees significant vehicular traffic, mostly on Interstate 10, Veterans Boulevard, and Airline Highway.
If you want an experienced and knowledgeable Metairie personal injury attorney, you should call Loyd J. Bourgeois.
What Information To Get Right After A Metairie Truck Crash
- The Police Report
Stay at the scene of the accident. Police or other authorities will make a report that details when and where the crash happened. You will typically be provided an information card with a report number and told you can request the report in 10-14 days (longer if a fatality occurs). You will need this to get started. Once available, request a copy of the report (or we can obtain it once retained) to keep for your records. Also get the police officer’s name and badge number at the scene of the accident. - The Other Driver’s Information
Get the other driver’s information, including their full name, phone number, driver’s license number, license plate number, insurance carrier and name of agent, and insurance policy number. The name of the company on the truck and it’s location information (a picture of the door with this information would be great). - Witness Statements
Get the names, phone numbers, and other contact information of any witnesses who saw the accident. Write down the statements they make regarding what happened, as these are sometimes crucial pieces of evidence when it comes to telling your side of the story. - Photographs of the Accident
Photographs preserve physical evidence of the crash, which can often indicate how the accident happened and who was at fault. Use your phone to take photos and videos of the crash scene, damage to your property, and any physical injuries to your person. Visual evidence like this is hard to argue with — which the truck driver’s insurance company will probably try to do — so be thorough when documenting these details.
Frequently Asked Questions After a Metairie Trucking Accident
18-wheeler crashes are extremely stressful events. Following a collision with a semi in Metairie, many people are unsure of what to do, especially if they or their loved one suffered injuries. Injuries from a big rig crash are often severe and sometimes require extensive medical care, keep you from working, and have long-lasting effects.
Some frequently asked questions semi-crash victims often have regarding recovery for their losses are:
Question: The truck driver did not work for a big company, will they still be able to pay for my damages?
Answer: Federal and state law requires independent truck drivers to carry minimum liability coverage, and some drivers who own their trucks carry significantly more than the minimum coverage. Leasing companies that provide trucks to drivers also carry insurance. Depending on the cause of a crash and who owned the vehicle, crash injury victims may receive compensation under the driver’s insurance, the leasing company’s insurance, or both.
Question: If the truck crash kills another motorist, can the family sue the trucker?
Answer: Maybe; maybe not. In Louisiana, certain family members would have a survival action and a wrongful death action. A survival action is where you are seeking damages for the pain and suffering of the deceased motorist (like if they were alive and able to sue for their own injuries). A wrongful death action is where you – the family member – are seeking damages for the lost life. The Louisiana statute is very specific on who can bring these claims and it starts with spouse and children, and progresses to other family members only if no spouse and children.
Wrongful death and survival actions can be extremely complicated due to the loss of life, defining the human losses associated with the loss, and the laws applicable to trucking and death cases. A skilled and experienced legal team can help you navigate the process and find just compensation for the losses caused.
Loyd J. Bourgeois Injury & Accident Lawyer is a law firm located in Metairie who handles semi-truck crash claims throughout Louisiana.
