Bossier City Truck Accident Lawyer
If you regularly drive on I-20, you have no doubt passed a number of commercial trucks or “big rigs” transporting cargo. These trucks dwarf the average passenger vehicle in both length and weight. Which means that if the driver or the 18-wheeler is not careful, they may cause an accident in which you are at a much greater risk of serious injury or death.
The Bossier City truck accident lawyers at Rice & Kendig, LLC, can help you seek compensation, not only from a negligent driver but also the companies that employ them or own the trucks. Truck accidents usually present much more complex legal questions than a simple fender bender between two cars. So it is imperative you seek out qualified legal representation from personal injury lawyers who understand the laws governing the trucking industry.
How Federal Law May Affect Your Truck Accident Lawsuit
Personal injury cases are governed by state law. But when a tractor-trailer transports cargo across state lines, it is subject to special rules governing “common carriers,” specifically regulations adopted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). For example, the FMCSA requires commercial truck drivers to hold special license endorsements from their respective states. Drivers carrying property may also not drive more than 11 hours after spending at least 10 consecutive hours off-duty.
If a truck driver fails to follow FMCSA regulations and gets into an accident, they can be held legally responsible for any damages sustained by the victims. The truck owners may also be liable if they failed to properly maintain their vehicles in a safe condition. In some cases, a defect in the truck itself may present a potential claim against the manufacturer of the vehicle or a specific part.
The bottom line is that a truck accident may have many causes. It is therefore crucial to work with an attorney who can assist you in conducting a proper investigation before seeking to negotiate a settlement or filing a lawsuit. Unfortunately, this needs to happen quickly, as Louisiana law imposes a strict, one-year statute of limitations in personal injury cases. It is therefore imperative that you contact a lawyer as soon as possible following a truck accident.
What Damages Can You Recover Following a Truck Accident?
Under Louisiana law, an accident victim is entitled to seek both economic and non-economic damages from a negligent defendant. Economic damages are basically your out-of-pocket losses due to an accident, such as medical bills or lost wages. Non-economic damages are meant to compensate you for “pain and suffering” and other losses that are quite real yet difficult to quantify. Unlike many other states, Louisiana generally does not limit or cap non-economic damages in truck accident cases, unless the vehicle was owned by a government agency.
So if you have been involved in a truck accident and need legal advice on what steps to take next, contact Rice & Kendig, LLC, today to schedule a free consultation.
