A sudden screech of metal and shattered glass can forever change your life. It’s like a scene ripped from a movie, except you’re the one left shaken and injured. Medical bills pile up while everyday tasks become a struggle. Shouldn’t someone be held responsible for your pain?
You may feel helpless, but it’s important to remember that a Covington truck accident lawyer can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Getting on the road to recovery is difficult, but a semi-truck accident lawyer can provide guidance. Read on to learn more about semi-truck accidents and the compensation you are entitled to recover.
Common Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents
Many of us get into our cars daily without considering the danger of commuting alongside the steady stream of semi-trucks on the road. Commercial trucks, when mishandled, can turn a routine commute into a chaotic scene. Understanding the common causes of commercial truck accidents can provide insight into the dangers to look for the next time you get in your car.
- Driver fatigue. Long hauls take a toll. Drowsy drivers react slowly to changing conditions, drift from lanes, or slam on brakes unexpectedly, causing collisions.
- Distracted driving. Texting, talking on the phone, or fiddling with GPS are deadly distractions behind the wheel of a massive truck. Even a momentary lapse can have catastrophic consequences.
- Speeding. Tight deadlines tempt truckers to push past safe limits. Speeding makes it harder to stop or avoid obstacles during sudden traffic slowdowns.
- Improper lane changes. A semi-truck’s size creates enormous blind spots. Regularly misjudging lane changes leads to devastating collisions with unsuspecting drivers in neighboring lanes.
- Impaired driving. Alcohol or drug use severely impairs a trucker’s judgment and coordination, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Overloaded trucks. Weight limits exist to prevent difficult-to-control overloaded trucks. Losing control due to excessive weight can have disastrous results.
- Vehicle maintenance issues. Faulty brakes, worn tires, or malfunctioning equipment contribute to truck accidents. Regular maintenance is vital to safe operation.
An 18-wheeler accident lawyer analyzes the cause of your truck accident, helping you identify key pieces of evidence and the right person responsible for your injuries and other losses.
Common Injuries Suffered by Victims in Semi-Truck Accidents
The force of a semi-truck accident leaves most victims with injuries far beyond a few bumps and bruises. The following list represents the most common injuries victims face after a collision with a big rig:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The sudden jolt of a crash causes many to slam their head against the interior, leading to concussions or even more severe brain damage.
- Spinal cord injuries. The immense weight of a semi-truck can crush the spinal cord, resulting in partial or complete paralysis.
- Whiplash. The violent back-and-forth motion during a crash strains the muscles and ligaments in your neck, causing whiplash and chronic pain.
- Broken bones. The sheer force of the impact can easily fracture bones, especially in the legs, arms, and ribs.
- Internal injuries. Internal bleeding is a severe complication that may not be immediately apparent but requires prompt medical attention.
- Severe lacerations. Broken glass and flying debris cause deep cuts requiring stitches and causing permanent scarring.
- Amputation. In the most devastating cases, the force of the crash causes limb amputation.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The trauma of a semi-truck accident can lead to PTSD, causing anxiety, flashbacks, and nightmares.
The extent of a victim’s injuries is often overwhelming. It’s normal to feel hopeless and anxious about what your future holds. A Covington truck accident lawyer connects you to a qualified medical team to get you the care you need while securing the compensation you deserve.
What Can I Recover?
After a semi-truck accident in Louisiana, you may be entitled to recover compensation for the financial strain and the pain and suffering you’ve endured. Louisiana truck accident lawyers help their clients recover compensatory damages in the form of economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages are concrete financial losses with clear bills and receipts and include the following:
- Medical bills. You can recover past, present, and future medical expenses related to your injuries.
- Lost wages. If you missed work due to your injuries, you can recover compensation for this lost income.
- Property damage. Compensation for repairing or replacing your vehicle or other personal belongings damaged in the accident.
Your Covington truck accident attorney uses tangible evidence to calculate the value of these losses.
Noneconomic damages are intangible losses affecting your quality of life and include:
- Pain and suffering. This compensates you for the physical and emotional pain you experienced due to the accident.
- Emotional distress. Many victims suffer anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues stemming from the accident.
- Loss of consortium. Your injuries may impact your marital relationship, which you may be able to recover compensation for.
- Loss of enjoyment of life. Your injuries may make participating in the activities you once enjoyed impossible. You can recover compensation for the inability to engage in those activities.
It’s important to remember that in Louisiana, you must establish the other driver’s liability to recover damages for your losses. A trucking accident attorney in Covington can help you pursue a claim against the at-fault party to recover additional compensation for your economic and noneconomic damages.
Contact Us
At Bennett Hodgins Devereaux, every client we serve receives personal attention at every stage of their case. If you seek a qualified Covington truck accident lawyer, look no further. We take each case seriously, and defense counsel and insurance companies also take us seriously.
We are committed to representing clients on the Northshore and in the New Orleans metro area with the dedication and financial resources necessary to achieve your desired results. At Bennett Hodgins Devereaux, you have no out-of-pocket costs. We assume all financial risk and only get paid when we recover for you.
You have nothing to lose but so much to gain. Let us handle the legal process while you focus on your recovery. Contact our legal team today by phone or email for a free consultation.
