Some of the most dangerous types of motor vehicle accidents are truck accidents. A passenger vehicle simply doesn’t stand a chance against a tractor trailer. Trucks are too big. They’re very powerful machines.
If you do get into a tractor trailer accident, you’ll suffer terrible injuries. More than likely, you’ll be out of work for weeks or even months. Someone’s going to have to pay for your injuries. The questions is – who should that be?
You’ve had to share the road with commercial vehicles before. You know how big they are. They tend to drive a bit faster than they should. They also don’t always take other drivers into consideration. However, it wouldn’t be fair to say that all truck drivers are careless. Most truck drivers take their jobs very seriously. But, like all other people, they make mistakes.
When a tractor trailer comes barreling toward you at 65 mph, it’s more than a bit intimidating. Most of us try to stay out of the way of big trucks. Some people avoid the highway just so they don’t have to share the road with them.
If you get hit by a tractor trailer, the last thing you’re going to want to do is deal with legal issues. You need to focus on recovering from your injuries. You may need to spend some time in the hospital or in physical therapy. This is why you need an experienced Baton Rouge truck accident lawyer to handle the legal side of things for you.
What Kind of Damages are Involved in a Truck Accident in Baton Rouge?
Almost all truck accident victims suffer life-threatening injuries. The impact of a machine that large can’t be underestimated. When someone dies in a truck accident, it’s usually the driver of the passenger vehicle. Rarely is it the truck driver.
The driver has a lot more metal to protect them. You don’t have that luxury in a car or SUV. This is why truck accidents leave their victims pretty banged up.
With serious injuries come serious damages. Your Baton Rouge truck accident lawyer will demand the following:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
Regardless of how bad your injuries are, your Baton Rouge truck accident lawyer will fight hard to get you the compensation you deserve.
Who Should You Name in Your Lawsuit?
Your Baton Rouge truck accident lawyer is going to have decide who to pursue in your lawsuit. Once they review your case, they should have a good idea of who may be responsible. It’s important that you name all parties in your initial lawsuit. You won’t be able to add them to your suit later.
Some of the people you may name in your lawsuit include:
- The driver – He was the person directly responsible for your accident.
- The company he works for: The driver’s employer carries auto insurance to cover your injuries.
- The company he’s carrying product for – If they overloaded truck or loaded dangerous products that caused extensive injuries, they may be held liable.
- The garage or mechanic who services the truck – If the crash was due to mechanical failure, they may need to be named in the suit.
- Manufacturer or the truck or its parts – If there was a defect in a truck part that caused the accident, they could be liable.
Any or all of these people could be liable for your injuries. Obviously, you need to file suit against the driver. They’re the one primarily responsible for the crash in the first place. You’ll also want to name their employer in the lawsuit. They’ll probably be found vicariously liable for your crash.
The driver’s employer carries insurance for this purpose. They know there’s the chance that their employees may get in an accident. Their insurance policy should cover your damages.
If the truck accident was caused by mechanical failure, you’ll have to pursue third parties. For example, the mechanic who serviced the truck may have been negligent.
Contact a Baton Rouge Truck Accident Lawyer
If you’re been hurt in a truck accident, you need to call an experienced Baton Rouge truck accident lawyer. Your attorney can answer any questions you may have. They can also let you know what your case may be worth.
Call and schedule your free initial consultation today. The defendant is going to have a team of lawyers working for them and you should too.