Louisiana Truck Accident Lawyers

Commercial trucks operate within a network of drivers, motor carriers, owners, dispatchers, maintenance providers, cargo companies, insurers, and federal and state safety requirements.

That means a serious truck accident can involve evidence that would never exist in an ordinary car wreck.

If an 18-wheeler or commercial vehicle caused your accident in Louisiana, the investigation may need to begin before important electronic and company evidence disappears.

At Jacqueline Scott & Associates, we investigate serious truck accidents in Shreveport and throughout Louisiana.

Why Are Truck Accidents Different?

The truck driver may not be the only person or business whose conduct matters.

Potential parties can include:

• commercial driver;
• motor carrier;
• driver’s employer;
• tractor owner;
• trailer owner;
• maintenance contractor;
• cargo loader; and
• another company whose conduct contributed to the collision.

The role of each entity must be established through evidence.

Federal Trucking Regulations

Interstate commercial trucking operations may be subject to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations addressing matters such as:

• driver qualifications;
• hours of service;
• electronic logging;
• vehicle inspection;
• maintenance;
• distracted driving; and
• other safety requirements.

Which rules apply depends on the particular operation.

Driver Fatigue

Commercial drivers can spend long periods on the road.

When fatigue is suspected, evidence may include:

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

These records can help reconstruct the driver’s work and rest history.

Distracted Truck Driving

Potential distractions include:

• cellphones;
• texting;
• dispatch systems;
• GPS;
• paperwork;
• eating; and
• other in-cab activities.

Truck-camera footage, cellphone information, and company communications may become important.

What Is the Truck’s Black Box?

The phrase "black box" can oversimplify commercial-truck technology.

Different electronic systems may record different information.

Potential evidence can come from:

• electronic vehicle systems;
• GPS;
• telematics;
• ELDs;
• dashcams;
• side cameras; and
• driver-facing cameras.

Not every truck has the same technology.

Truck Maintenance

Mechanical condition may become important when a crash involves:

• brake failure;
• tire failure;
• steering problems;
• lighting problems;
• suspension problems; or
• other equipment issues.

Maintenance and inspection records may help identify who was responsible for servicing the equipment.

Cargo-Related Accidents

Cargo can contribute to a crash when it is improperly loaded, overloaded, inadequately secured, or allowed to shift.

Evidence may include:

• bills of lading;
• weight tickets;
• loading records;
• photographs; and
• securement information.

What If the Driver Is an Independent Contractor?

The label does not automatically resolve every responsibility question.

The actual business relationships may need to be examined through contracts, ownership records, operating arrangements, dispatch practices, and other evidence.

What If Several Companies Are Involved?

That is not unusual in commercial transportation.

One company might own the tractor.

Another may own the trailer.

Another may operate the truck.

Another may have loaded the cargo.

Each company’s role must be separately evaluated.

Truck Accident Injuries

The difference in size and weight between an 18-wheeler and a passenger vehicle can produce catastrophic injuries.

These can include:

• traumatic brain injury;
• spinal cord injury;
• paralysis;
• fractures;
• internal injuries;
• crush injuries;
• amputations;
• severe burns; and
• permanent disability.

Commercial Insurance

Commercial trucking operations can involve insurance arrangements different from ordinary personal automobile coverage.

Potential sources may include primary commercial liability insurance and, depending on the circumstances, additional coverage associated with other responsible parties.

Coverage should be verified rather than assumed.

Why Evidence Preservation Matters

Truck-company records and electronic evidence may not remain available forever.

Potential evidence should be identified promptly.

That can include:

• video;
• GPS;
• electronic data;
• driver records;
• dispatch records;
• maintenance documents; and
• cargo records.

What Should I Do After an 18-Wheeler Accident?

Get medical care.

Call law enforcement.

Photograph the tractor and trailer when safely possible.

Capture:

• company name;
• USDOT number;
• vehicle numbers;
• license plates;
• damage; and
• roadway conditions.

Identify witnesses and save your own video.

Talk to Jacqueline Scott & Associates

The question after a serious truck accident is not simply whether the truck driver received a ticket.

The investigation should ask:

Why did the crash happen?

Was the driver fatigued?

Was the driver distracted?

Was the truck properly maintained?

What electronic evidence exists?

Which companies were involved?

What commercial insurance applies?

Jacqueline Scott & Associates investigates serious Louisiana 18-wheeler and commercial-truck accidents.

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 page provides general 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.