Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Mansfield
Highway 171 and US-84 see heavy commercial vehicle traffic daily, creating elevated risks for everyone on the road. Understanding what causes these devastating collisions helps us prove negligence and hold responsible parties accountable.
Hours-of-Service Violations
Federal regulations limit how long truck drivers can operate without rest, yet some companies pressure drivers to falsify electronic logs to meet unrealistic delivery schedules. We obtain driver records, GPS tracking data, and logbook information to expose violations that lead to driver fatigue and preventable crashes.
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Distracted Behind the Wheel
A trucker glancing at their phone or adjusting navigation systems for even three seconds at highway speed covers the length of a football field blind. Our attorneys subpoena cell phone records, review dashcam footage, and interview witnesses to demonstrate how distracted driving caused your collision.
Mechanical Failures from Neglect
Commercial trucks demand rigorous maintenance schedules to operate safely. When trucking companies skip inspections or ignore worn brakes, bald tires, or faulty steering systems, mechanical failures create catastrophic consequences. We scrutinize maintenance logs and inspection reports to identify corners that were cut.
Cargo Loading Errors
Improperly secured or overweight loads make trucks unstable, leading to rollovers, jackknife accidents, or cargo spills that endanger everyone nearby. We work with industry professionals to analyze weight records and loading procedures, exposing violations that contributed to your crash.
Impaired Operation
Whether from alcohol, illegal drugs, or prescription medications that cause drowsiness, impaired truck drivers pose deadly threats on our roads. We pursue claims against both the driver and their employer for failing to enforce drug testing protocols and safety standards.
Aggressive Maneuvers
Speeding, tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and running red lights become exponentially more dangerous when an 80,000-pound vehicle is involved. We use traffic camera footage, accident reconstruction analysis, and witness testimony to prove how reckless choices caused your injuries.
Injuries We See in Mansfield Truck Accident Cases
The force of a collision between a passenger vehicle and a commercial truck creates trauma that goes far beyond typical car accidents. At Rice & Kendig, we've represented clients suffering from:
- Neck strain and whiplash: Sudden impact causes violent head movement, damaging soft tissues and creating chronic pain that interferes with daily activities.
- Spinal cord injuries: From herniated discs to complete paralysis, damage to the spine can permanently alter your ability to work and live independently.
- Concussions and head trauma: Even seemingly minor head impacts can trigger persistent headaches, dizziness, memory problems, and concentration difficulties.
- Traumatic brain injuries: Severe brain damage often results in cognitive impairment, personality changes, and the need for round-the-clock care.
- Internal bleeding and organ damage: Blunt force trauma can rupture organs like the liver, spleen, or kidneys, requiring emergency surgery.
- Facial trauma and permanent scarring: Broken facial bones, deep lacerations, or burn injuries leave victims with disfigurement and emotional distress.
- Joint damage: Torn ligaments, dislocated shoulders, or shattered knees often require multiple surgeries and months of physical therapy.
- Nerve injuries: Damage to peripheral nerves causes chronic pain, numbness, or permanent loss of sensation and function.
- Compound fractures: Severe bone breaks in the arms, legs, ribs, or pelvis demand complex surgical intervention and extended recovery periods.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder: The psychological impact of a serious truck crash manifests as anxiety, nightmares, depression, and fear of driving.
Our experienced attorneys take a comprehensive approach to documenting how these injuries affect every aspect of your life — from medical expenses and lost wages to the emotional trauma that lingers long after physical wounds heal.
Protecting Your Rights After a Truck Accident in Mansfield
The actions you take immediately following a collision with a commercial truck directly impact both your health and your ability to recover financial compensation. Here's what you need to do:
Get Medical Attention Immediately
Even if you don't feel injured, internal bleeding, concussions, or soft tissue damage may not show symptoms for hours or days. Seeking prompt medical care protects your health while creating documentation that links your injuries to the accident. Follow all treatment recommendations and keep copies of medical records.
Preserve Evidence from the Accident Scene
If your condition allows, document everything you can while still at the location:
- Photograph all vehicles involved, visible injuries, road conditions, and traffic signs.
- Record the truck's company name, DOT number, and license plate.
- Collect contact information from witnesses and other drivers.
- Note weather conditions, time of day, and any visible hazards like skid marks or debris.
This information becomes invaluable when proving liability.
Don't Talk to Insurance Companies
Insurance adjusters, whether from the trucking company or your own carrier, will contact you quickly. Do not provide recorded statements, sign any documents, or accept settlement offers without legal representation. Adjusters work to minimize payouts, and innocent comments can be twisted against you.
Contact Rice & Kendig Immediately
Truck accident cases involve multiple liable parties, federal regulations, and corporations with legal teams ready to fight. Let our Mansfield truck accident attorneys handle the burden while you recover. We will:
- Launch a thorough investigation to collect black box data, driver logs, and maintenance records.
- Negotiate aggressively with insurance companies to pursue fair compensation.
- Take your case to trial if settlement negotiations fail to deliver justice.
You concentrate on healing, and we'll handle the legal process from start to finish.
Financial Compensation Available in Mansfield Truck Accident Claims
Commercial vehicle accidents create both immediate and long-term financial burdens. We fight to recover every dollar you need, including:
- Medical expenses: Emergency room treatment, surgeries, hospital stays, prescription medications, physical therapy, and ongoing rehabilitation.
- Lost income: Compensation for missed work plus reduced earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous occupation.
- Pain and suffering: Physical discomfort and emotional distress that diminish your quality of life.
- Property damage: Repair or replacement costs for your vehicle and personal belongings destroyed in the crash.
- Wrongful death: Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and compensation for the emotional devastation when a loved one dies in a truck accident.
At Rice & Kendig, we don't just calculate what you've lost today — we consider how your injuries will impact your future and fight to secure the maximum compensation available under Louisiana law.
Louisiana Trucking Regulations That Impact Your Case
Federal Safety Standards
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) imposes strict requirements on commercial trucks, including:
- Hours of service limits: Regulations restrict how many hours drivers can operate without mandatory rest breaks to prevent fatigue.
- Weight restrictions: Trucks must comply with maximum weight limits to avoid instability and mechanical failures.
- Maintenance requirements: Companies must regularly inspect and repair vehicles to ensure safe operation.
- Driver qualifications: Operators must hold valid commercial driver's licenses and meet medical fitness standards.
We investigate electronic logging devices, inspection records, and driver qualification files to identify violations that caused your collision.
Modified Fault in Louisiana
Effective January 1, 2026, Louisiana follows a Modified Comparative Fault system under Civil Code Article 2323. This law allows you to recover damages only if you share 50% or less of the responsibility for the accident. If eligible, your compensation is reduced by your fault percentage (e.g., 30% fault means a 30% reduction). If your fault is 51% or greater, you cannot recover. Our legal team works to minimize your liability and present evidence of the truck driver's and trucking company's negligence.
Time Limits for Filing Claims
Louisiana's statute of limitations gives you a specific window to file your truck accident claim:
- Accidents before July 1, 2024: One-year deadline.
- Accidents after July 1, 2024: Two-year deadline.
Acting quickly preserves witness memories, prevents evidence from disappearing, and ensures you meet all filing deadlines.
Insurance Coverage Requirements
Due to the catastrophic damage commercial trucks cause, federal law requires trucking companies to carry substantially higher insurance coverage than standard vehicles — often $750,000 to $1,000,000 or more, depending on the cargo type.
Multiple Liable Parties
Truck accident cases often involve several responsible parties beyond just the driver:
- Trucking companies: For negligent hiring, inadequate training, or failing to enforce safety policies.
- Maintenance contractors: For defective repairs or skipped inspections.
- Cargo loading companies: For improper weight distribution or inadequate load securing.
- Parts manufacturers: For defective brakes, tires, or other components.
Our experienced attorneys investigate every angle to identify all negligent parties and pursue compensation from each one.
Don't Wait to Fight Back
Trucking companies start their defense immediately, so call us now for a free, no-obligation case review to secure critical evidence before it disappears.
or Call Us
(318) 222-2772
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