Louisiana Commercial Vehicle Accident FAQs

What should I do if a company vehicle hit me in Louisiana?

If a company vehicle hit you in Louisiana, seek medical attention, report the accident to law enforcement, document the scene, and avoid giving a recorded statement or signing documents before understanding your rights. Take photos of the vehicles, company logos, license plates, injuries, and accident scene when possible.

Commercial vehicle accidents can be different from ordinary car accidents because the driver may have been working for a business at the time of the crash. Depending on the circumstances, the driver, employer, vehicle owner, contractor, or other parties may potentially be responsible.

An attorney can investigate who owned and operated the vehicle, whether the driver was working at the time, and what insurance coverage may apply.

Who pays when a company driver causes an accident in Louisiana?

When a company driver causes an accident in Louisiana, more than one person or business may potentially be responsible for the resulting damages. Depending on the facts, this could include the driver, the driver’s employer, the company that owns the vehicle, another business involved in its operation, and applicable insurance carriers.

Commercial accidents should be investigated carefully because determining who employed the driver, who controlled the work, who owned the vehicle, and what the driver was doing when the crash occurred may affect liability and available insurance coverage.

Can I sue the company if its employee hit me?

Potentially. If an employee caused an accident while acting within the course and scope of employment, the employer may potentially be legally responsible for damages caused by its employee.

Other claims may also arise depending on the circumstances, including allegations involving negligent hiring, training, supervision, vehicle maintenance, or company safety practices.

Whether a company can be held responsible depends on the specific facts of the accident. A commercial vehicle accident attorney can investigate the driver’s employment, the purpose of the trip, ownership of the vehicle, and the relationship between the driver and company.

What happens if an 18-wheeler hits me and I wasn’t at fault?

If you were hit by an 18-wheeler in Louisiana and were not at fault, you may have a claim against one or more parties responsible for the crash.

An 18-wheeler accident can involve the truck driver, trucking company, vehicle owner, maintenance providers, contractors, or other potentially responsible parties. These cases can also involve important evidence such as electronic logging information, vehicle data, maintenance records, driver qualification information, dispatch records, photographs, video, and other company records.

Because some evidence may not remain available indefinitely, investigating a serious trucking accident as early as possible can be important.

Who is responsible when a work truck causes an accident?

Responsibility for a Louisiana work-truck accident depends on who caused the crash and the relationship between the driver, vehicle, and business.

If the driver was performing work-related duties when the collision occurred, the driver’s employer or another company may potentially share responsibility. Liability may also involve the vehicle’s owner or another party whose conduct contributed to the accident.

Determining responsibility requires looking beyond the driver’s name. The investigation may include who owned the truck, who employed or contracted with the driver, where the driver was going, what work was being performed, and what insurance policies apply.

Does a company vehicle have commercial insurance?

Many company vehicles are insured under commercial automobile policies, although the type and amount of coverage vary by business, vehicle, policy, and circumstances.

A commercial vehicle accident may also involve additional insurance policies or potentially responsible entities. The injured person may not know what coverage exists simply from looking at an insurance card provided at the accident scene.

Identifying all potentially applicable insurance coverage can therefore be an important part of investigating a serious commercial vehicle accident.

What insurance covers me if a commercial truck hits me?

If a commercial truck hits you in Louisiana, the truck’s applicable liability insurance may provide coverage when the commercial driver or another insured party is legally responsible for the accident.

Depending on the circumstances, additional policies or sources of coverage may also need to be investigated. Your own automobile insurance could potentially provide certain benefits as well, depending on your policy and the circumstances of the collision.

A commercial truck accident investigation should identify the driver, employer, vehicle owner, other potentially responsible businesses, and applicable insurance policies rather than assuming there is only one source of coverage.

Can the trucking company be responsible for my accident?

Yes, a trucking company may potentially be responsible for an accident depending on the circumstances.

A company’s potential responsibility can involve the actions of its driver as well as issues involving hiring, training, supervision, maintenance, safety practices, or other conduct. The specific legal theories available depend on the facts of the case and the relationships between the parties.

A trucking accident investigation may examine driver records, employment information, maintenance documents, electronic data, dispatch information, company policies, and other evidence to determine which parties may be legally responsible.

What if a delivery driver hit my car?

If a delivery driver hit your car while making deliveries or performing work for a business, you may have a claim involving the driver and potentially one or more companies connected to the delivery.

The key question is not simply whose name appears on the vehicle. The driver’s employment or contractor status, who controlled the work, who owned the vehicle, what the driver was doing at the time, and applicable insurance coverage may all matter.

If you were injured, document the delivery vehicle and company information when possible, obtain the accident report, seek appropriate medical treatment, and preserve photographs, video, witness information, and other evidence from the crash.

What if I was seriously injured by a company truck?

If you suffered serious injuries because a company truck caused an accident in Louisiana, the claim may involve significant medical expenses, lost income, future medical needs, pain and suffering, disability, and other legally recoverable damages depending on the circumstances.

Serious commercial vehicle accidents warrant a thorough investigation of both liability and available insurance coverage. This may include determining who employed the driver, who owned or controlled the vehicle, whether other businesses were involved, what caused the collision, and which insurance policies may apply.

Cases involving traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, fractures, surgeries, permanent impairment, catastrophic injuries, or wrongful death can have substantial long-term consequences. The full impact of the injury should be considered before resolving a claim.

Hit by a Commercial Vehicle in Louisiana?

If you were injured in a wreck involving an 18-wheeler, company truck, work vehicle, delivery vehicle, fleet vehicle, commercial van, tractor-trailer, or other business vehicle, Jacqueline Scott & Associates can investigate the accident and determine which parties and insurance policies may be involved.

Were you seriously injured in a wreck that wasn’t your fault? Contact Jacqueline Scott & Associates to discuss your case.

Make ’Em Pay.

Every case is different. Results depend on the specific facts and circumstances of each matter. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

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.