What If an 18-Wheeler Hit Me at an Interstate Entrance Ramp?

When a tractor-trailer and passenger vehicle collide in an entrance-ramp area, determining responsibility can become complicated quickly.

If an 18-wheeler hit you at an interstate entrance ramp in Louisiana, do not assume that being the merging vehicle automatically makes you responsible. The investigation should examine the exact roadway configuration, the movements of both vehicles, speed, lane position, signals, visibility, and whether the truck driver was distracted or otherwise driving unsafely.

Why Are Entrance Ramps Dangerous Around 18-Wheelers?

Large trucks have operational limitations that passenger vehicles do not.

FMCSA emphasizes that large trucks have significant blind spots and longer stopping distances and that commercial drivers need to monitor surrounding traffic carefully.

At an entrance ramp, a truck driver may need to account for:

• vehicles entering from the right;
• vehicles beside the trailer;
• traffic ahead;
• traffic in the left lane;
• changing speeds; and
• the length of the tractor-trailer.

A poor decision can result in a sideswipe, rear-end collision, or a passenger vehicle being forced from the roadway.

What If I Was Already Merging When the Truck Hit Me?

The sequence matters.

Investigators should determine:

• where your vehicle entered the acceleration lane;
• where the truck was located;
• how fast each vehicle was traveling;
• whether either driver changed lanes;
• whether signals were used; and
• where the initial impact occurred.

Vehicle damage can help reconstruct the collision.

Video can be even more valuable.

What If the Truck Changed Lanes Into Me?

A truck driver may move toward an entrance lane while another vehicle is attempting to merge.

The driver must account for the entire tractor-trailer before making a lateral movement.

Potential evidence includes:

• truck dashcam footage;
• side-camera footage;
• your dashcam;
• witnesses;
• roadway cameras;
• GPS information; and
• physical damage.

What If the Truck Driver Says I Cut Them Off?

That allegation should be investigated rather than automatically accepted.

The truck driver’s perception may differ from what video or electronic evidence shows.

Questions include:

• How much space existed?
• Was the truck accelerating?
• Was the truck following another vehicle?
• Did the truck driver attempt to prevent the merge?
• Did either vehicle change lanes?
• Was traffic congested?

Objective evidence can help resolve those questions.

Could the Truck Driver Have Been Distracted?

Yes.

Entrance ramps require drivers to monitor several areas simultaneously.

FMCSA identifies cellphones, texting, dispatch devices, eating, reading, and other activities as potential commercial-driver distractions.

If distraction is suspected, potentially relevant evidence may include cellphone records, dispatch messages, in-cab video, and company communications.

What If the Driver Was Looking at GPS?

Commercial drivers frequently rely on navigation and fleet-routing systems.

Navigation itself is not necessarily improper, but interacting with a device while driving can become distracting.

FMCSA currently advises commercial drivers to set GPS and routes before beginning to drive rather than manipulating navigation while moving.

Electronic evidence may help determine what the driver was doing immediately before the collision.

Could Speed Matter?

Absolutely.

A truck traveling too fast may have difficulty adjusting when vehicles enter the interstate.

FMCSA emphasizes that large trucks need significantly more stopping distance than passenger vehicles and that commercial drivers should adjust speed for traffic and roadway conditions.

Investigators may examine GPS, telematics, video, physical evidence, and other available information.

What If the Truck Forced Me Onto the Shoulder?

A collision can be caused by a truck even when the truck never physically touches the passenger vehicle.

If an 18-wheeler entered your lane and forced you onto the shoulder, you might strike:

• a guardrail;
• barrier;
• ditch;
• sign;
• another vehicle; or
• roadside object.

Dashcam footage and witnesses can become particularly important in a no-contact collision.

Could the Trucking Company Be Responsible?

Potentially.

An investigation may examine:

• driver qualification;
• training;
• supervision;
• safety history;
• dispatch practices;
• driver fatigue; and
• company policies.

The relationship between the driver and motor carrier should also be identified.

What Evidence Should Be Preserved?

Potential evidence includes:

• dashcam video;
• side-camera video;
• driver-facing footage;
• GPS;
• telematics;
• electronic truck information;
• ELD information where relevant;
• dispatch communications;
• cellphone information;
• witness statements;
• police reports; and
• photographs.

The entrance ramp itself should also be documented.

What Injuries Can Occur?

Entrance-ramp accidents can happen at interstate speeds.

Victims may suffer:

• traumatic brain injuries;
• spinal injuries;
• fractures;
• neck and back injuries;
• internal injuries;
• nerve damage;
• paralysis; and
• permanent disability.

Some victims may require surgery and long-term rehabilitation.

What Damages May Be Involved?

Depending on the facts and applicable law, a serious claim may involve medical expenses, future medical treatment, lost wages, reduced earning ability, permanent impairment, pain, and other legally recoverable losses.

Catastrophic injuries should be evaluated for their long-term effects.

What Insurance May Apply?

Commercial trucking operations may involve primary commercial liability insurance and potentially other coverage depending on the operation and responsible entities.

Actual coverage should be investigated rather than assumed.

What Should I Do?

Seek medical care.

Preserve photographs.

Save dashcam footage.

Get witness information.

Photograph truck identification.

Keep medical and employment records.

And do not assume the trucking company’s initial description of the merge establishes responsibility.

Talk With Jacqueline Scott & Associates

If an 18-wheeler hit you at an interstate entrance ramp, the entire merge should be reconstructed.

Who changed lanes?

Who was already occupying the space?

How fast was the truck traveling?

Was the driver distracted?

What does the video show?

Jacqueline Scott & Associates can investigate serious Louisiana 18-wheeler accidents involving commercial drivers, trucking companies, electronic evidence, and commercial insurance.

Make ’Em Pay.

Call (318) 746-5997.

Every case is different. Results depend on the specific facts and circumstances of each individual matter. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This article is general educational information and is not legal advice.

This article is general information about Louisiana law and is not legal advice. Laws and deadlines can change, and every case depends on its own facts. Past results do not guarantee or predict future outcomes. Reading this page or contacting the firm does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship.