What If an 18-Wheeler Hit Me at an Interstate Exit?

When the vehicle involved is a tractor-trailer, a bad decision can have devastating consequences.

If an 18-wheeler hit you at an interstate exit in Louisiana, the investigation should determine exactly how the truck approached the exit, whether the driver changed lanes safely, whether the truck was following too closely, and whether speed, distraction, fatigue, or inadequate observation contributed.

The trucking company may claim you cut in front of its driver.

You may say the truck suddenly moved into your lane.

Rather than accepting either version automatically, investigators should look for objective evidence.

Why Are Interstate Exits Dangerous Around 18-Wheelers?

Exit areas often involve several actions happening simultaneously.

Drivers may:

• slow down;
• change lanes;
• merge into exit lanes;
• brake unexpectedly;
• cross lane markings; or
• attempt to avoid missing an exit.

An 18-wheeler has limited maneuverability compared with a passenger vehicle.

A truck driver’s decision must account for the size and length of the tractor-trailer.

What If the Truck Suddenly Moved Into My Exit Lane?

This is a common disputed scenario.

You may already be traveling in the exit lane when an 18-wheeler begins moving toward you.

The trailer can sideswipe your vehicle or force you onto the shoulder.

Investigators may examine:

• dashcam footage;
• side-camera footage;
• witnesses;
• lane markings;
• vehicle damage;
• GPS information; and
• electronic truck information.

What If the Truck Driver Almost Missed the Exit?

A commercial driver who realizes too late that an exit is approaching may make an abrupt maneuver.

The driver might:

• cross multiple lanes;
• brake hard;
• enter a gore area;
• move across solid markings; or
• turn sharply into an exit lane.

The investigation should determine whether navigation, dispatch instructions, unfamiliarity with the route, or distraction contributed.

Could GPS Evidence Help?

Potentially.

Fleet GPS or telematics may provide information about the truck’s location and movement.

Dispatch records may also indicate the truck’s destination or route.

These records can sometimes help investigators understand why a driver attempted a particular maneuver.

What If the Truck Rear-Ended Me While I Was Slowing for the Exit?

Then following distance and speed become important.

Drivers approaching exits should anticipate that traffic may slow.

If you reduced speed normally to enter an exit ramp and an 18-wheeler struck you from behind, investigators should ask:

• How closely was the truck following?
• How fast was it traveling?
• When did the driver brake?
• Was the driver paying attention?
• Were the brakes functioning properly?

Dashcam footage may show how long your vehicle had been slowing before impact.

What If the Truck Cut Across Several Lanes?

Abrupt multi-lane movement can be dangerous.

A tractor-trailer occupies substantial roadway space during a lane change.

The driver needs to account for vehicles beside both the tractor and trailer.

Video can be particularly important in establishing whether the truck moved across lanes without sufficient clearance.

What If the Trailer Hit Me?

The tractor does not need to strike your car.

A trailer can move into your lane after the tractor has already passed.

Damage to the side of your vehicle and trailer may help reconstruct the collision.

Photograph both pieces of truck equipment whenever possible.

Could the Driver Have Been Distracted?

Yes.

Exit accidents can involve drivers looking at GPS or navigation systems.

Other potential distractions include:

• cellphones;
• dispatch messages;
• paperwork;
• food or drinks; and
• other electronic devices.

Federal regulations restrict texting and hand-held mobile-phone use by covered interstate commercial drivers while driving.

Relevant electronic records may be investigated.

Could Driver Fatigue Be Responsible?

Fatigue can contribute to missed exits, delayed reactions, and poor decisions.

A fatigued driver may fail to recognize an exit until the last moment.

Investigators may examine:

• ELD information;
• GPS;
• dispatch records;
• fuel receipts;
• delivery schedules;
• toll information; and
• other time-stamped records.

The purpose is to understand the driver’s activity and rest history before the collision.

What If the Truck Driver Blames Me?

Do not assume fault has been conclusively established because an insurer says you caused the accident.

Evidence may include:

• police reports;
• witnesses;
• photographs;
• dashcams;
• surveillance;
• vehicle damage;
• electronic information; and
• reconstruction.

Louisiana’s comparative-fault rules can make accurate fault analysis particularly important when multiple parties dispute responsibility.

Could the Trucking Company Be Responsible?

Potentially.

The investigation may extend to company conduct involving:

• driver qualification;
• training;
• supervision;
• dispatch;
• scheduling;
• fatigue management; and
• safety policies.

If dispatch instructions or unrealistic scheduling contributed to an unsafe maneuver, company records may become important.

What If Road Construction Changed the Exit?

Construction can complicate exit accidents.

Temporary signs, lane shifts, barriers, or changed exit locations may confuse drivers.

Photographs should document the roadway configuration that existed on the date of the accident because construction zones can change quickly.

If another entity’s conduct contributed to a dangerous condition, its role may require separate investigation.

What Electronic Evidence Should Be Preserved?

Potential sources include:

• truck dashcam footage;
• side cameras;
• driver-facing cameras;
• GPS;
• telematics;
• electronic vehicle information;
• ELD records;
• dispatch messages; and
• cellphone information.

The exact systems vary by truck and fleet.

What If I Was Forced Off the Exit Ramp?

An 18-wheeler does not necessarily need to make physical contact with your car to cause a serious accident.

If the truck entered your space and forced you into a barrier, ditch, or another vehicle, witnesses and video can help prove what caused your evasive maneuver.

What Injuries Can an Interstate Exit Accident Cause?

Exit collisions can involve highway speeds, barriers, rollovers, and multiple impacts.

Potential injuries include:

• traumatic brain injury;
• spinal injury;
• fractures;
• internal injuries;
• shoulder and knee injuries;
• crush injuries;
• nerve damage;
• paralysis; and
• permanent disability.

Some victims require multiple surgeries and extended rehabilitation.

What If I Cannot Work?

Keep documentation of:

• missed days;
• wages;
• overtime;
• employment benefits;
• restrictions;
• disability; and
• changes in job duties.

Permanent injuries may affect future earning capacity as well as immediate wage loss.

What Insurance Could Apply?

A trucking accident may involve commercial liability coverage and potentially additional insurance depending on the motor carrier and other responsible parties.

If the tractor, trailer, driver, or operation involves several companies, more than one policy may require investigation.

Insurance should be verified rather than assumed.

What Should I Do After an Interstate Exit Truck Accident?

Get medical attention.

Call law enforcement.

Photograph the vehicles and roadway if safely possible.

Obtain witness information.

Save dashcam footage.

Document truck identification.

Keep medical and employment records.

If your injuries are severe, early evidence preservation can be particularly important.

Jacqueline Scott & Associates Investigates Interstate 18-Wheeler Wrecks

If an 18-wheeler hit you near an interstate exit, the investigation should determine what the truck driver was doing before impact.

Was the truck changing lanes?

Did the driver almost miss the exit?

Was the driver following too closely?

Was the driver distracted by GPS?

Was fatigue involved?

What does the dashcam show?

What do the trucking company’s records show?

Jacqueline Scott & Associates can investigate the commercial driver, trucking company, electronic evidence, insurance, and other parties potentially connected to a serious Louisiana 18-wheeler accident.

Make ’Em Pay.

Call Jacqueline Scott & Associates at (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 provides 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.