A serious accident involving an 18-wheeler can raise questions that go well beyond the moments before impact. Driver training, company safety policies, vehicle maintenance, and compliance with federal regulations can all play a role in determining responsibility.
Decisions a trucking company makes long before a crash may contribute to the resulting injuries or deaths. Identifying those failures can be an important part of a Louisiana trucking accident investigation.
At Herman, Katz, Gisleson & Cain (HKGC), our attorneys investigate 18-wheeler and commercial trucking accidents in Louisiana, including crashes involving fatigued or distracted drivers, mechanical failures, and improperly parked tractor-trailers.
Common Causes of Serious Trucking Accidents in Louisiana
Commercial trucks travel Louisiana’s highways every day. Their size and weight can make accidents especially dangerous for people in smaller vehicles. While every accident is different, serious commercial truck crashes may involve:
- Driver fatigue: Long hours behind the wheel, inadequate rest, or violations of federal hours-of-service regulations.
- Distracted or impaired driving: Cellphone use, other distractions, or alcohol and drug impairment that affects a driver’s ability to operate a commercial vehicle safely.
- Inadequate training: Drivers who lack the skills or experience to handle large trucks, difficult road conditions, or emergencies.
- Poor vehicle maintenance: Worn tires, faulty brakes, or other mechanical problems that can lead to loss of control.
- Unsafe parking or stopping: Tractor-trailers left on interstate shoulders, entrance ramps, or other hazardous locations without a legitimate emergency.
When a Parked Tractor-Trailer Creates a Deadly Roadside Hazard
One particularly dangerous type of trucking accident involves an 18-wheeler stopped along a high-speed highway for a non-emergency reason. These collisions are commonly called sitting duck truck accidents. They can occur when a passenger vehicle leaves its lane and strikes a stationary commercial truck, sometimes after a tire failure, mechanical problem, or sudden loss of control.
Highway shoulders and adjacent clear zones give motorists space to slow down or regain control after unexpectedly leaving the travel lanes. A large truck parked in one of these areas can eliminate that margin of safety.
According to Louisiana crash data, Louisiana State Police investigated 430 crashes involving parked commercial motor vehicles between 2023 and 2025. More than half resulted in injuries, and 18 were fatal.
Louisiana law restricts unsafe roadside parking. Louisiana Revised Statute 32:296 generally prohibits stopping or parking on state highway shoulders except in emergencies and other legally permitted circumstances. Federal regulations, including 49 CFR § 392.22, also require warning devices for commercial vehicles stopped on highways when those rules apply.
In sitting duck crashes, investigators may also examine whether a trucking company enforced its roadside parking policies or overlooked prior safety violations.
How Trucking Companies May Be Held Responsible
When a commercial truck is involved in a serious accident, investigators often focus on the driver’s actions, but they may look beyond that. Motor carriers must comply with applicable federal safety regulations and maintain safe operating practices.
A trucking company may face liability if its own negligence contributed to a crash. For example, a company might continue employing a driver despite repeated safety violations, fail to address hours-of-service violations, or allow a truck with known mechanical problems to remain in service.
An investigation into a Louisiana trucking accident may involve reviewing:
- Driver qualifications, training, and employment records
- Previous crashes, citations, and safety complaints
- Electronic logging device data, GPS information, and dispatch records
- Company safety policies and supervisory practices
- Drug and alcohol testing records, when relevant
- Vehicle maintenance and inspection records
This evidence can help determine whether the company knew or should have known about dangerous conditions and whether reasonable action could have prevented the accident.
Other parties may also bear responsibility. Depending on the circumstances, an investigation may involve vehicle maintenance contractors, cargo-loading companies, or entities responsible for hazardous roadway conditions.
Louisiana’s comparative fault law also makes determining responsibility particularly important. Under changes effective January 1, 2026, an injured person generally cannot recover damages if they are found 51% or more at fault. Those found less than 51% at fault may recover compensation reduced by their percentage of responsibility.
Helping Louisiana Families After a Trucking Accident
The consequences of an 18-wheeler accident can extend far beyond the crash itself. Injuries may require months of treatment, disrupt a person’s ability to work, or permanently change daily life. For families who have lost someone, the questions about what happened and whether it could have been prevented can be especially difficult.
At Herman, Katz, Gisleson & Cain (HKGC), we’ve represented individuals and families throughout Louisiana whose lives have been affected by devastating trucking accidents. We understand every case is unique, and we take the time to learn how an accident has affected those involved.
If you or someone you love has been affected by a commercial trucking accident, contact HKGC or call 1-844-943-7626. We’re here to listen, answer your questions, and help you understand your legal options. Consultations are free.
Other Truck Accidents News
Sitting duck truck accidents happen when vehicles collide with commercial trucks stopped on the side of a road. These crashes often cause catastrophic injuries. Learn why they occur, how liability is determined, and what victims should know after a parked truck crash.
Last month, a sleep-deprived truck driver crashed into Tracy Morgan's limo van. This tragic incident highlights the issue of fatigued truck driving.
Large commercial trucks pose substantial risks on the road, even without the dangers of hauling hazardous cargo.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently reported an alarming increase in 18-wheeler truck accidents, resulting in numerous personal injuries and fatalities.
A concern in the trucking industry revolves around the existing trucking insurance limits. These limits, set decades ago, are no longer sufficient to cover catastrophic trucking accidents.
Every 16 minutes, a person is either killed or injured in an 18-wheeler trucking accident, demonstrating the severity and frequency of these fatal truck accidents.
