Shreveport
Truck Accident Lawyer

Were You Injured in a Truck Wreck?

When a massive 18-wheeler collides with a passenger vehicle, the results can be nothing short of devastating. Victims often suffer catastrophic injuries that change their lives forever, and families are left to pick up the pieces after unthinkable tragedies.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident in Shreveport, you know all too well the toll these crashes can take.

At the Law Office of Heather C. Ford, we’ve seen firsthand the destruction caused by truck accidents on Louisiana roads, and we’re here to help you fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.

Our Shreveport truck accident attorneys take on trucking companies and their insurers, and we’re committed to being your voice during this challenging time.

The Dangers of Truck Accidents on Shreveport Roads

Truck accidents are all too common in Louisiana, and the statistics paint a grim picture. According to a recent study, there were over 3,000 crashes involving commercial vehicles in the state in 2023 alone. These accidents resulted in 98 fatalities and hundreds more serious injuries.

Several factors contribute to the high number of truck accidents in Shreveport and throughout Louisiana.

Some of the most common causes include:

• Driver fatigue: Truckers are often under immense pressure to meet tight deadlines, leading some to drive longer than federal hours-of-service regulations allow. Drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving.
• Distracted driving: Like any other motorist, truck drivers can become distracted by cell phones, GPS devices, or other activities that take their attention off the road.
• Improperly loaded cargo: When cargo isn’t loaded or secured correctly, it can shift during transport, causing the truck to become unbalanced or even tip over.
• Poorly maintained vehicles: Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring their vehicles are safe and roadworthy. Failure to perform regular maintenance can lead to dangerous equipment failures.

The sheer size and weight of 18-wheelers make them capable of causing catastrophic damage in a crash. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds – more than 20 times the weight of an average passenger car.

When that much mass collides with a smaller vehicle, the results can be tragic. Victims often suffer severe injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, crush injuries, and even wrongful death.

Unique Challenges in Truck Accident Cases

While any motor vehicle accident can be complex, truck accident cases present unique challenges that require the skill and experience of a knowledgeable Shreveport truck accident lawyer. Some of the key issues that can arise in these cases include:

Multiple Liable Parties

Unlike a typical car accident case where fault usually lies with one of the drivers, truck accidents often involve multiple parties who may share responsibility. These can include:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company that employs the driver
• The company that loaded the cargo
• The manufacturer of the truck or its parts, if a defect contributed to the crash

Identifying all potentially liable parties is crucial for maximizing your recovery.

Complex Regulations

The trucking industry is heavily regulated at both the federal and state levels. There are strict rules governing everything from how long drivers can be on the road to how often trucks must be inspected and maintained.

Violations of these regulations can provide strong evidence of negligence. But, proving those violations requires a deep understanding of the laws and rules that apply.

An experienced truck accident attorney will know how to uncover evidence of regulatory violations and use that evidence to build a strong case on your behalf.

Dealing with Trucking Company Lawyers and Insurers

Trucking companies and their insurers have one goal after an accident: to minimize their liability and pay out as little as possible. They have teams of lawyers and adjusters who spring into action as soon as a crash occurs, looking for ways to shift blame onto the victim or find loopholes to avoid responsibility.

One common tactic is to pressure victims into giving recorded statements about the accident. These statements can later be used against you to challenge your account of what happened or downplay the severity of your injuries. That’s why it’s so important to have a Shreveport truck accident lawyer on your side who can handle all communication with the trucking company and their representatives. Your attorney can protect your rights and ensure you don’t say anything that could harm your case.

How Our Shreveport Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help

When you hire the Law Office of Heather C. Ford to handle your truck accident claim, you’re getting a team of fierce advocates who will fight tirelessly to get you the compensation you need and deserve.

We’ll handle every aspect of your case, from investigating the accident to negotiating with the insurance companies to taking your case to trial if needed.

Some of the key ways we can help include:

Thoroughly Investigating Your Accident

To build a strong case, we need evidence – and lots of it. Our team will immediately get to work investigating your accident from every angle. We’ll gather crucial evidence such as:

• The truck’s black box data, which can provide valuable information about the driver’s speed, braking, and other actions leading up to the crash
• Driver logs and inspection reports that may reveal violations of federal safety regulations
• Accident scene evidence such as skid marks, debris patterns, and vehicle damage
• Eyewitness statements from those who saw the crash occur
• Testimony from accident reconstruction experts who can help us piece together how the accident happened and who was at fault

We’ll leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of the truth.

Identifying All Liable Parties and Sources of Compensation

As mentioned earlier, truck accident cases often involve multiple parties who may share responsibility for the crash. Our attorneys will carefully analyze the evidence to identify everyone who played a role in causing your injuries.

We’ll also explore all potential sources of compensation, which may include:

• The trucking company’s liability insurance policy
• The truck driver’s individual insurance coverage
• Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
• Cargo insurance policies
• Manufacturers’ product liability insurance, if a defective truck part contributed to the accident

By casting a wide net, we can maximize the resources available to compensate you for your losses.

Complex Laws and Regulations

The laws and regulations governing the trucking industry are vast and complicated. Thankfully, our attorneys have years of experience handling these types of cases. We know the federal and state rules that apply, and we know how to use them to your advantage.

We’ll investigate whether any federal safety regulations were violated leading up to your accident. Violations of hours-of-service rules, maintenance requirements, or driver training standards can provide compelling evidence of negligence.

Our deep knowledge of the law allows us to build the strongest possible case on your behalf.

Assessing the Full Extent of Your Damages

To get fair compensation, we need an accurate picture of how the accident has impacted your life – not just now, but into the future as well. Our attorneys will work closely with you and your medical team to assess the full scope of your injuries and losses.

We’ll consider factors such as:

• Your current and future medical expenses, including hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing care needs
• Lost wages from time missed at work
• Loss of future earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job
• Physical pain and emotional suffering
• Disability or disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life activities you can no longer participate in due to your injuries

We’ll gather extensive documentation to prove your damages, including medical records and bills, pay stubs and tax returns, and testimony from expert witnesses such as life care planners and economists. Our goal is to ensure you recover every dollar you’re entitled to under the law.

Fighting for a Fair Settlement or Verdict

Armed with strong evidence and a thorough understanding of your damages, our attorneys will negotiate with the insurance companies for a fair settlement. We know the tactics they use to try to minimize payouts, and we won’t be bullied into accepting less than you deserve.

If the insurance company won’t come to the table with a reasonable offer, we won’t hesitate to take your case to court. Our attorneys are skilled litigators who know how to present compelling arguments to a judge and jury. We’ll fight to get you the best possible outcome, whether that’s through a negotiated settlement or a trial verdict.

Damages You May Be Entitled to in a Truck Accident Claim

If you were injured in a truck accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to recover a wide range of damages. These can include:

• Economic damages: These are the direct financial losses you’ve incurred as a result of the accident, such as medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and out-of-pocket expenses.
• Non-economic damages: These are the intangible losses that are harder to quantify but no less real, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In some cases, you may also be able to recover damages for loss of consortium, which compensates you for the loss of companionship and support from a seriously injured or deceased loved one.
• Punitive damages: In rare cases where the defendant’s conduct was particularly egregious or intentional, you may be able to recover punitive damages. These are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar misconduct in the future.

The specific damages available in your case will depend on the unique facts and circumstances of your accident. Our Shreveport truck accident lawyers will carefully evaluate your case and advise you on the full range of compensation you may be entitled to.

What to Do After a Truck Accident in Shreveport

The actions you take in the immediate aftermath of a truck accident can have a significant impact on your health and your legal case. Here are some important steps to take:

1. Seek medical attention right away. Your health and safety should be your top priority. Even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured, it’s important to get checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible.
2. Call the police to report the accident. Louisiana law requires you to report any accident that results in injury, death, or property damage over $500 (La. R.S. § 32:398).
3. Gather evidence at the scene if possible. Take photos of the damage to the vehicles, any visible injuries, skid marks, and the surrounding area. Get contact information for the truck driver and any witnesses who saw what happened.
4. Avoid discussing fault or giving statements to insurance companies. After an accident, the trucking company’s insurance adjusters may contact you seeking a recorded statement about what happened. Decline to give a statement and refer them to your attorney instead.
5. Contact a Shreveport truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner you have an attorney on your side, the better protected your rights will be.

How Our Shreveport Truck Accident Law Firm Can Make a Difference

At the Law Office of Heather C. Ford, we’re committed to being the advocates that truck accident victims in Shreveport need during this difficult time. When you choose us to handle your case, you can expect:

Speak with a Skilled Shreveport Truck Accident Attorney Today

If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident in Shreveport, don’t wait to get the legal help you need. The sooner you have a skilled attorney on your side, the better protected your rights will be.

At the Law Office of Heather C. Ford, we’re here to fight for you. We know the devastating impact a truck accident can have on your life, and we’re committed to doing everything in our power to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.