According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), truck driver fatigue causes about 13% of all large truck accidents. LSU’s “Large Truck and Buses in Fatal and Suspected Injury Crashes 2023” table shows 145 truck and bus crashes resulting in injury or death in Lafayette, LA. Using the FMCSA’s number, fatigue might have caused 20 of them.
Fatigued driving often signifies that the truck driver or trucking company acted negligently. The legal team at Kenny Habetz Injury Law uses their knowledge of how tired truck drivers cause accidents to help victims fight for compensation.
If you need legal assistance, contact our Lafayette truck accident lawyer at (337) 399-9000 for a free case evaluation.
How Kenny Habetz Injury Law Can Help You After a Truck Accident in Lafayette, LA
Kenny Habetz Injury Law represents accident victims in Lafayette, Louisiana, in their fight to secure fair compensation. We have over a decade of experience representing injured clients against at-fault parties and their insurers. We’ve used that experience to recover millions of dollars for people like you.
Our firm can provide the following legal assistance if someone else’s negligent or wrongful actions injured you:
- Listening to your story and explaining your legal options
- Assembling evidence, including medical records and police reports, for your case
- Filing an insurance claim and fighting for a fair resolution
- Taking your case to court if the opposing parties refuse to settle
A truck accident can cause severe injuries simply because of the size and weight of a fully loaded semi-truck. Contact our law office for a free consultation with a Lafayette personal injury attorney. We’ll discuss the claims you and your family can bring against a negligent trucking company.
How Does Fatigue Cause Truck Accidents in Lafayette, LA?
The FMCSA sets limits on the hours truck drivers can work. Fatigue can occur when trucking companies pressure drivers to violate these regulations and travel for longer than permitted. Fatigue can also happen even when drivers follow the rules.
Illness, over-the-counter drug use, and stress can cause a driver to tire during their shift, leading to:
- Highway hypnosis
- Loss of focus
- Dulled senses and reflexes
- Poor judgment
- Dozing off
In many cases, these effects contribute to other driving errors. For example, a driver might be responsible for a speeding crash when trying to reach their destination so they can sleep. Similarly, they could cause a rear-end collision if they drift off and hit the vehicle in front of them.
What Is the Value of My Truck Accident Claim?
The value of a truck accident case depends on the injuries you suffered. More serious injuries will justify greater compensation. Fortunately, trucking companies are required to carry large insurance policies and surety bonds to cover losses incurred by road users in a crash.
Other factors that can affect how much your case is worth include the extent of your pain and suffering and whether you share fault for the crash. It’s important to consult a Lafayette personal injury lawyer to ensure that you accurately value your damages.
What Losses Can Be Compensated in a Truck Crash Claim?
You can seek compensation for your economic damages, including the following:
- Past and future medical costs
- Lost income due to missed work
- Diminished earning capacity due to long-term or permanent disabilities
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
You can also pursue compensation for non-economic damages, like pain, suffering, disfigurement, and disability.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer in Lafayette?
Louisiana truck accident lawyers charge a contingency fee equal to a percentage of the compensation recovered. You only pay this fee if your lawyer wins or settles your case. Additionally, your lawyer will start working on your case without any upfront payments.
Can I Recover Compensation If I Contributed To a Louisiana Truck Accident?
Louisiana law allows injured victims to recover compensation even if their actions contributed to the accident. For example, suppose that a fatigued driver ran a stop light, but you were distracted and failed to see them. In that case, you might share the blame for the crash. Even so, you can still recover compensation, but it will be reduced by your percentage of the fault.
What Are Some Common Truck Accident Injuries?
Truck accidents can cause massive trauma due to the forces generated by their enormous weight. These forces can fracture bones, tear soft tissues, and rupture organs.
Some common injuries in truck accidents include:
- Broken bones
- Whiplash
- Herniated discs
- Crushing injuries
- Brain injuries
The injuries you suffer will depend on the nature of the crash. A rear-end or sideswipe collision will often produce less severe injuries than a head-on or side-impact crash.
How Much Time Does Louisiana Give Me To File a Lawsuit After a Truck Accident?
Louisiana’s legislature passed a bill in 2024 to increase the state’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases to two years. Thus, you typically have two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit.
However, there may be exceptions. Consult an attorney as soon as possible to ensure that you don’t miss an important deadline.
Contact Our Lafayette Truck Accident Attorney For a Free Initial Consultation
You may be entitled to seek compensation from the trucking company after a crash caused by a fatigued driver. Contact Kenny Habetz Injury Law for a free consultation to discuss how we can help you pursue an accident claim under Louisiana law.
