Summary
Why Hire HKGC for Your Louisiana Truck Accident Lawsuit
Herman, Katz, Gisleson & Cain (HKGC) is a trusted Louisiana law firm specializing in truck accident lawsuits. Our extensive experience and industry knowledge let us respond quickly to protect clients’ rights, work with experts, and thoroughly assess trucking accident damages. We understand the complexities of the trucking industry and aim to secure maximum compensation for clients, addressing medical costs, lost earnings, and emotional suffering. Choosing HKGC means having dedicated support and effective legal representation for your Louisiana trucking accident case.
Why Truck Accident Cases Are Complex
Injured in a truck accident in Louisiana? Our experienced truck accident attorneys are ready to serve you. 18-wheelers are a common sight on our roads. Due to their size and weight, accidents involving them are particularly devastating, often leading to serious personal injuries such as brain injuries, burn injuries, neck and back injuries, and sometimes wrongful death.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 5,340 people were killed in traffic crashes involving large trucks in 2024. Seventy percent of those who died were occupants of other vehicles. These figures highlight the serious risks large truck accidents pose to motorists and the importance of thoroughly investigating crashes to determine what happened and who may be responsible.
At Herman, Katz, Gisleson & Cain, we work with experts and investigators to preserve and document the available evidence.
Other Types of Commercial Truck Accidents
Not all serious commercial truck accidents involve 18-wheelers or large tractor-trailers. Delivery trucks, box trucks, garbage trucks, and other commercial vehicles travel Louisiana’s highways, city streets, and residential neighborhoods every day. Accidents involving these vehicles can cause serious injuries and raise complex liability questions.
With the growth of online shopping and home delivery services, vehicles operated by or on behalf of Amazon, UPS, FedEx, and other delivery companies are a familiar sight on Louisiana roads. Delivery drivers may face demanding schedules, frequent stops, and pressure to complete routes quickly. These conditions can increase the risk of distracted driving, unsafe parking, and other dangerous situations.
When a commercial vehicle causes an accident, determining responsibility may involve more than the driver. Employers, delivery contractors, vehicle owners, or other parties may share liability.
As with accidents involving 18-wheelers and tractor-trailers, investigating crashes involving smaller commercial vehicles may require reviewing company policies, vehicle maintenance records, driver training, and other evidence to determine what contributed to the crash. Identifying and preserving this information early can be especially important when multiple companies or parties are involved.
Quick Response of Trucking Companies
After an accident, trucking companies and their insurers often respond quickly. In fact, they have accident investigation teams ready to prepare a defense against your trucking accident injury claim. This is why you need a qualified Louisiana truck accident law firm on your side. Our New Orleans 18-wheeler attorneys know what to do after a trucking accident to protect your rights and stand up to the powerful trucking industry.
Damages from a Truck Wreck
An injury can profoundly affect a family. Injury victims often incur expensive medical care. Sometimes, injury victims require such medical care for the remainder of their lives. Personal injuries can be so severe that their victims are left unable to work for long periods of time. Your Louisiana truck accident attorney must hire the experts needed to calculate the extent and cost of medical care you will need. They must also hire the experts needed to calculate the lost earnings you will sustain as a result of the injury.
The physical pain associated with personal injuries, coupled with the emotional pain of the situation, can be overwhelming. Your lawyer must speak to your friends and family to determine who might make a good witness to discuss how this injury has affected you from both a physical and emotional standpoint.
Louisiana law recognizes that personal injury victims are entitled to be made whole following an accident. Below is a list of damages that you could be entitled to recover in your personal injury case:
- Medical Expenses
- Past Lost Wages/Future Loss of Earning Capacity
- Physical Pain and Suffering
- Permanent Disability
- Scarring and Disfigurement
- Emotional Pain and Suffering
If you have been injured in an 18-wheeler trucking accident, learn about your legal rights from an experienced Louisiana truck accident law firm. Contact Herman, Katz, Gisleson & Cain today at 844-943-7626 for a free, no-obligation case review.
Trucking Accident Frequently Asked Questions
Common causes of trucking accidents include distracted driving, impaired driving, truck driver fatigue, speeding, inadequate maintenance of trucks, and adverse weather conditions.
After you ensure your safety, it’s essential to contact the police to report the accident and seek medical attention. Gather information from the truck driver and witnesses, and take photos if possible. It’s best not to make any statements regarding the accident before consulting an attorney.
Louisiana generally allows two years to file a personal injury lawsuit for accidents occurring on or after July 1, 2024. For accidents that occurred before that date, the previous one-year filing deadline applies.
The deadline may vary depending on the accident circumstances and the parties involved. Because missing the applicable deadline can prevent you from pursuing compensation, speak with an experienced Louisiana truck accident attorney as soon as possible.
While it’s not always necessary, consulting with an experienced Louisiana personal injury attorney who handles truck accident cases is highly advisable. Trucking accidents can be complex, involving multiple parties, insurance companies, and intricate legal proceedings. An experienced Louisiana truck accident attorney will help protect your rights and ensure fair compensation.
You can seek various damages, including economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress).
Fault in a Louisiana trucking accident is determined by examining the circumstances of the crash and the actions of everyone involved. Investigators may review police reports, witness statements, vehicle maintenance records, driver logs, and other evidence to determine whether a driver, trucking company, or another party contributed to the accident.
Louisiana follows a comparative fault system, meaning responsibility may be divided among multiple parties. Under changes to Louisiana law that took effect January 1, 2026, an injured person found to be 51% or more at fault generally cannot recover damages. If the person’s fault is less than 51%, their compensation is reduced by their percentage of responsibility.
Different rules may apply to accidents that occurred before the law changed. Because fault can be disputed, particularly in accidents involving multiple vehicles or trucking companies, a thorough investigation is important to identify who may be legally responsible.
Related News
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