Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Bossier City
Large trucks travel through Bossier City every day on I-20, Airline Drive, and Benton Road, increasing the danger for drivers in smaller vehicles. Identifying exactly why a wreck happened is one of the first steps in building a strong claim, especially in cases involving commercial carriers and federal safety regulations.
-
Hours-of-Service Violations
Truck drivers are subject to strict federal limits on how long they can stay behind the wheel without rest, but some carriers still pressure drivers to push past those limits or alter electronic logs to stay on schedule. We review driver logs, GPS data, and related records to uncover fatigue-related violations that may have contributed to a crash on I-20 or any other Bossier City corridor.
-
Distracted Driving
When a truck driver looks away from the road to check a phone, adjust navigation, or handle another distraction, the consequences can be severe. A fully loaded truck can cover a significant amount of ground in just a few seconds. We use phone records, onboard footage, and witness statements to show when distraction played a role in a collision.
-
Poor Vehicle Maintenance
Trucking companies must regularly inspect and repair their vehicles. Neglecting maintenance on brakes, tires, or steering puts everyone on the road at risk. We investigate inspection and repair records to determine whether a preventable mechanical failure caused your accident.
-
Cargo Loading Errors
A truck with an overloaded trailer or an improperly secured load can become unstable without warning. That instability may lead to rollovers, jackknife crashes, shifting cargo, or roadway spills. We analyze weight records, loading practices, and shipping documentation to determine whether cargo mistakes contributed to your injuries.
-
Impaired Driving
A truck driver operating under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or medication that causes drowsiness can create a dangerous situation on the road. In these cases, we pursue evidence of impairment and examine whether the employer followed required testing and safety procedures.
-
Aggressive Maneuvers
Speeding, tailgating, and abrupt lane changes are risky behaviors in any vehicle, but they become far more dangerous when an 80,000-pound truck is involved, especially in the heavy freight traffic near the Louisiana Boardwalk and the industrial corridors along I-20. We gather camera footage, witness accounts, and reconstruction evidence to prove how reckless driving led to the collision.
The Harm We Commonly See After a Commercial Truck Crash
A crash involving a commercial truck usually causes far more severe trauma than an ordinary passenger-vehicle collision. Rice & Kendig Injury Lawyers has represented clients dealing with serious injuries such as:
- Whiplash and neck trauma: Sudden impact can strain or tear the muscles, ligaments, and discs in the neck.
- Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the back or spine can affect mobility, work capacity, and day-to-day independence.
- Traumatic brain injuries: A blow to the head can affect memory, concentration, and long-term cognitive function.
- Internal injuries: Organ damage and internal bleeding can become life-threatening within hours of a crash.
- Fractures and crush injuries: Broken bones from a high-impact collision often require surgery and extended rehabilitation.
- Facial injuries and scarring: Broken facial bones and lacerations can leave lasting physical and emotional effects.
- Joint damage: Knees, shoulders, and hips frequently suffer serious injury in high-impact truck wrecks.
- Psychological trauma: Anxiety, flashbacks, and post-traumatic stress can persist long after the physical injuries heal.
We work to show the full impact of these injuries on your daily life, your finances, and your future, so your claim reflects more than just the bills you have today.
What to Do After a Bossier City Truck Accident
Step 1: Get Medical Care Right Away
Your health comes first. Accept treatment at the scene if it's offered, and follow up with a doctor as soon as possible, even if your injuries seem minor. Truck crashes often cause injuries that aren't obvious right away, and prompt medical records become important evidence later.
Step 2: Report the Crash and Gather Information
Call law enforcement to create an official record of the collision. If you're able, collect the truck driver's name, the trucking company's name, the license plate and trailer numbers, and the USDOT number.
Step 3: Document the Scene
Take photos of the vehicles, skid marks, debris, roadway conditions, and any visible injuries. Conditions at a crash scene change quickly, especially along busy corridors like I-20, so the more you capture in the moment, the better.
Step 4: Talk to Witnesses
If anyone saw the crash, get their names and contact information before they leave. Independent witnesses can be valuable in truck accident cases, where the trucking company may move quickly to build its own version of events.
Step 5: Avoid Giving a Recorded Statement Too Soon
The trucking company's insurer may contact you before you fully understand the extent of your injuries. Avoid guessing, speculating, or agreeing to a recorded statement until you understand your rights.
Step 6: Preserve Records and Speak with a Lawyer Early
Keep your discharge papers, medical bills, prescriptions, repair estimates, and photos in one place. Early legal action can help preserve evidence such as electronic logs, inspection reports, and maintenance files that may not be available later.
Damages You May Recover in a Bossier City Truck Accident Claim
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover the measurable financial losses that follow a truck accident, including:
- Ambulance and emergency room charges
- Hospital bills, surgery, and rehabilitation
- Prescription costs and follow-up care
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Vehicle repair or replacement
Louisiana's general fault article states that a person who causes damage to another is obligated to repair it. In cases involving a death, Louisiana also recognizes survival and wrongful death actions for qualifying family members.
Non-Economic Damages
Not every loss comes with a receipt. Non-economic damages address the human cost of a crash, including:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Permanent impairment
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium money damages to your spouse for lack of companionship
Louisiana's wrongful death and survival statutes identify which family members may recover after a death caused by another's fault, and those claims can include non-financial harm suffered by eligible survivors.
Punitive Damages
Exemplary damages are more limited in Louisiana than compensatory damages and are only available when specifically authorized by statute. In cases involving a driver whose intoxication caused the crash, Louisiana Civil Code art. 2315.4 allows exemplary damages when the injuries resulted from a wanton or reckless disregard for the rights and safety of others.
The Trucking Laws and Liability Issues That Can Shape Your Case
Louisiana Deadlines and Fault Rules
Most Bossier City truck accident claims must be filed within two years of the date of injury (La. Civ. Code art. 3493.1), a change from the one-year deadline that applied before July 1, 2024. Survival and wrongful death claims run one year from the date of death or two years from the date of injury, whichever is longer (La. Civ. Code arts. 2315.1, 2315.2).
Louisiana also shifts to a modified comparative fault rule for crashes on or after January 1, 2026: a person 51% or more at fault cannot recover damages, and below that threshold, recovery is reduced by that percentage (La. Civ. Code art. 2323). Earlier crashes remain under the state's prior pure comparative fault standard.
Federal Trucking Rules That Often Supply the Evidence
Commercial truck cases often turn on federal safety rules, including:
- 10 consecutive hours off duty before driving (49 C.F.R. § 395.3(a)(1)).
- No driving after the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty.
- No more than 11 hours of driving in that window.
- Required inspection, repair, and maintenance of vehicles (49 C.F.R. § 396.3(a)).
- Cargo secured to prevent it from leaking, spilling, blowing, or falling (49 C.F.R. § 393.100(b)).
Evidence That Can Strengthen a Claim
The most useful evidence often includes crash-scene photos, the police report, witness information, medical records, the truck's company name and USDOT number, electronic logging data, inspection and maintenance records, cargo records, and driver qualification files.
Multiple Liable Parties
Many truck accident claims involve more than one negligent party. Responsibility may extend beyond the truck driver to the trucking company, a maintenance provider, a cargo loading company, or a manufacturer of a defective part or piece of equipment, depending on the facts of the case. We investigate every possible source of liability so no responsible party is overlooked.
A Serious Truck Crash Calls for a Serious Legal Response
Truck accident claims involve more moving parts than a typical car wreck. Let our team investigate the logs, records, and evidence that can strengthen your case.
or Call Us
(318) 222-2772
