Commercial Trucking Accident Law Firm in Baton Rouge Advocating for Plaintiffs & Families
Our nation’s need for shipping means semi trucks are a common feature of every major highway. Barrelling at 50 to 60 mph and weighing as much as a commuter train car, tractor-trailers are often the biggest potential hazard a motorist will face. The sheer magnitude of commercial trucks makes for catastrophic injuries and deaths when they collide with regular passenger vehicles. Sadly, 18-wheeler crashes are responsible for thousands of fatalities every year; truckers themselves make up hundreds of those deaths.
Ultimately, trucking companies are the ultimate cause of these deadly collisions because their policies incentivize unsafe behavior. Arnold & Itkin knows how to hold big companies accountable, recovering over $20 billion for plaintiffs in total. If you were hurt in a semi truck accident or commercial vehicle crash, call our Louisiana big rig accident law firm to fight for your future and financial security.
Call our Louisiana truck accident lawyers today at (888) 493–1629 for a free consultation.
According to the LSU Center for Analytics & Research in Transportation Safety, in Louisiana there were 800+ fatalities and 60,000+ injuries involving commercial vehicles in 2023. These casualties were the result of 2,123 crashes—which means that, on average, 28 people were injured or killed per crash.
The parishes which saw the most large truck and bus crashes in 2023 were:
East Baton Rouge: 37
Orleans: 30
St. Tammany and Jefferson: 13
Buses and large trucks are often grouped together in federal data because they’re heavy vehicles, difficult to maneuver, and there’s typically a high number of casualties in a collision. What’s worth paying attention to is that most crashes occur in densely populated parishes, where traffic is bound to be highest. The rankings for most commercial vehicle injuries and crashes also have East Baton Rouge and Orleans in the top spots.
Our Track Record for Truck Accident Cases
After surviving a truck accident, our clients might think the worst is over; sadly, insurance companies often prove them wrong. Insurers who represent trucking companies have a single goal: make sure plaintiffs get as little as possible in their claim. Our job is the opposite: we fight to make sure you get as much as you need to rebuild your life and reclaim what you lost. By preparing each case for trial, we protect plaintiffs from insurers who try to box them into a corner.
As a result, we’ve secured over $20 billion with results like:
$117 million verdict for a pregnant mother paralyzed by a careless ambulance driver.
$35.5 million settlement for a family hit by a negligent commercial truck operator.
$12.4 million verdict for a worker hit by a UPS delivery vehicle on his job site.
$12 million settlement for a truck operator crushed by his own cargo who was unjustly blamed for it.
$11.7 million settlement for a man struck by a semi-truck and denied recovery by the carrier.
$10 million settlement for the families of two motorists killed by a big rig running a red light.
Preparing each case for trial is rare in the legal world. Trial preparation is arduous, costly, and time-consuming. What makes it a non-negotiable for us is that our clients’ best chance at getting back on their feet is through thorough and relentless preparation. As a result, we pour everything we've got into making each case as strong as possible.
Causes of Trucking Accidents in Baton Rouge & Nationwide
Trucker fatigue has been increasing the number of deadly truck accidents on the road. Why the increase in exhausted drivers? For decades, the trucking industry has shifted the costs and risks of doing business onto independent contractors and owner-operators. Many truckers' only make money from how many miles they travel in a day, meaning they aren't paid for the vital, non-driving work truckers do.
Pay-by-mile often results in drivers barely receiving minimum wage on some days, despite spending up to 14 hours or more doing actual work. In order to make ends meet, truck drivers will drive for far longer than they're legally allowed to—and companies turn a blind eye to it. This results in sleep deprivation and serious exhaustion.
FMCSA data suggests that 13 percent of truck accidents are directly attributable to tiredness—with untold thousands of accidents likely caused by fatigue without being reported. At least 25 percent of truck crashes occurred when a driver was driving for 17 hours or more in a day. Experts say that moderate tiredness impairs driving to the same degree as being drunk.
Virtually every motorist underestimates the performance impact of sleep deprivation and overestimates how much sleep they get. Sleep researchers have noted that lack of sleep impacts driving performance as much as drinking alcohol. Trucking researchers, meanwhile, found that truckers typically believed that they had gotten 40% more sleep than they actually had. This has disastrous consequences for road safety.
Driving after being awake for 24 hours is equivalent to getting behind the wheel with a BAC of 0.10%.
It’s why our firm investigates trucking accidents so frequently—this is just a small sample of our current trucking accident cases:
Lack of sleep is not something any trucker does by choice. Trucking companies put contractors in a position where they're unable to turn down deliveries that have low or no profit. As a result, these drivers end up losing money when they take their time, abide by safety regulations, or get adequate rest. When truckers make costly mistakes on the road that put lives in danger, the law should recognize that it’s the trucking company who’s ultimately responsible.
Louisiana UPS Accident Lawyers
UPS is one of the largest freight delivery companies in the United States, employing more than 119,000 motorists and holding an aggressive 27 percent market share. That sort of dominance makes UPS a powerful voice in the trucking industry. Unfortunately, the voice is not using its power to improve public safety. From 2015 to 2017, UPS drivers were involved in 2,003 crashes—resulting in 689 injuries and 49 deaths. Crashes, injuries, and deaths are all happening at a faster rate than they were in 2012, sometimes by up to 25 percent.
Baton Rouge FedEx Accident Attorneys
FedEx is another market leader in the freight delivery industry, holding a 23 percent market share and employing more than 90,000 vehicles in its fleet. Another statistic that might be of interest to the public: FedEx employed 51 lobbyists in Washington as of the 2013-2014 session—37 of which were once federal government employees. FedEx, despite being slightly smaller than UPS, has a far faster rate of 'growth' when it comes to public carnage. FedEx drivers were involved in 1,762 crashes from 2015 to 2017, resulting in 575 injuries and 41 deaths. While that's comparable to UPS, these numbers are more than double (in every category) than what they were in 2012.
See for yourself—find out how often trucking companies get into accidents on the FMCSA website.
Parties That May Be Liable for a Trucking Accident
The first thing our legal team will do in representing a truck accident victim is begin an investigation into who may be responsible. This is crucial in building a case in favor of compensation. We begin with investigation by examining both the scene of the accident and the truck itself. We can obtain access to logbooks and work to verify or dispute their validity and we can confer with the vehicle’s electronic on-board recorders, which is something of a black box for trucks. Once we have compiled enough evidence, we can determine the party at fault.
Barring other complications or circumstances of the accident, the party at fault will likely be:
Driver of the Truck Many accidents can be linked to negligent or reckless driving. He or she may be driving under the influence, traveling at an unsafe speed, distracted by a cell phone, have overlooked a malfunctioning part, or be driving at a dangerous level of fatigue.
Trucking Company The accident may be the fault of the trucking company if they have conducted their business in an irresponsible manner. This could include improper maintenance, hiring drivers with questionable records, or encouraging drivers to work unreasonable hours.
Truck Manufacturer Manufacturers can be held liable if they have withheld information from their consumers of parts about their functionality. Often manufacturers fail to perform the proper tests on parts such as brakes or tires that play a large role in vehicle safety.
Louisiana Truck Accident Statistics
According to data provided by the NHTSA (2014):
There were 80 fatalities from truck crashes.
Lafourche Parish had the most fatal truck accidents.
Louisiana State Information
Overview
Population: 4,670,724
Capital: Baton Rouge
Most Populous City: New Orleans
Top 10 Cities
New Orleans
Baton Rouge
Shreveport
Lafayette
Lake Charles
Kenner
Bossier City
Monroe
Alexandria
New Iberia
Top 5 Parishes
Acadia Parish
Allen Parish
Ascension Parish
Assumption Parish
Avoyelles Parish
About Louisiana Highways
There are 10 highly-used highways running through Louisiana. Interstate 10 runs east-west through New Orleans and Interstate 20 runs east-west through Monroe and Rustin. Interstates 49 and 55 run north-south through the state, while Interstate 12 runs east-west through Hammond. Highways 90, 190, and 167 are also well-traveled.
About Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge’s history has been a turbulent one, with the French first laying claim to the land when they built a fort in the area in 1719. After the French and Indian War, the land was ceded to Britain and then claimed by the Spanish during the American Revolution in 1779. Spain ceded Louisiana (including Baton Rouge) to the French in 1800, but, in 1803, Spain again claimed the territory. The people of Baton Rouge and the surrounding areas rebelled against Spain in 1810 and established the West Florida Republic. Just three months later, the United States annexed the area. Baton Rouge was incorporated in 1817 and became the capital of Louisiana in 1849. Today, Baton Rouge has an estimated population of more than 222,000 and encompasses a total land area of 86.32 square miles.
Baton Rouge is a port city, home to the Port of Greater Baton Rouge, which is one of the largest inland ports in the United States by tonnage shipped. The city is known for its strong, industrialized economy, supported by petrochemical manufacturing and refining, the film industry, medical research, technology, and education. Its centralized location between New Orleans and Lafayette has made Baton Rouge a transportation hub for the area. Baton Rouge experiences hot, humid summers and relatively mild winters. It is one of the wettest cities in the United States, with an average of more than 55 inches of rainfall every year.
Commuters in the Baton Rouge area travel using the main interstate and US highways: I-10, I-10, I-12 (Republic of West Florida Parkway), I-110 (Martin Luther King Jr. Expressway), US 61 (Airline Highway), and US 190. The Capital Area Transit System (CATS) provides transportation by bus throughout the city, and Greyhound Bus Lines has a terminal on Florida Boulevard in downtown Baton Rouge. There are also three major railways that offer freight service to Baton Rouge: Union Pacific, Canadian National, and Kansas City Southern.
Nationally Recognized Truck Accident Attorneys in Baton Rouge
No matter the circumstances surrounding your case, you can count on knowledgeable help and professionalism at our firm. We offer a free consultation to talk about your case and address your unanswered questions. It is important you don't waste time in calling our firm to schedule your consultation because your evidence may be lost. We are prepared to stand up to trucking companies to secure a fair settlement for your claim, so call now!
Call us today at (888) 493-1629 to begin your fight!
CommonQuestions
What Steps Should I Take Right After a Truck Accident?
After a truck accident, prioritize seeking medical attention; directly head to the emergency room for serious injuries or a doctor for minor ones, and inform them of the accident. In Louisiana, it's mandatory to exchange contact and insurance details with the other driver, unless critically injured. Document the scene with photos and notes, and avoid admitting fault as a full investigation will determine responsibility. Finally, consult an experienced attorney to handle the aftermath, ensuring your health and rights are protected for a successful claim.
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, you have one year to file a personal injury claim after a truck accident. If you wait longer than a year, you run the risk of losing your right to sue. This is called a statute of limitations. There are some exceptions, such as a case filed on behalf of a victim who was a minor at the time of the accident. Our attorneys can answer your questions about time constraints and other issues you need to consider.
What Are Some of the Leading Causes of Louisiana Trucking Accidents?
The most common cause of truck accidents in Louisiana is driver behavior. This refers to some act or failure to act on the part of a truck driver or other motorist. Running a red light, drunk driving, driving while tired, texting while driving, following too closely, and unsafe lane changes are all examples of driver behavior that may cause a truck accident. Truck accidents may also be caused by improperly loaded cargo, negligently maintained trucks, defective truck or auto parts, dangerous roads, and improperly secured truck loads. Investigating the cause of your accident will help our team determine who should be held responsible for your medical bills and so much more.
Is an Accident My Fault If I’m Hurt in a Blind Spot Trucking Accident?
Trucking blind spots are dangerous, and obviously drivers ought to avoid being there for too long. However, it’s more important that truckers train themselves to check their blind spots before making a lane change—particularly if they’re approaching the rightmost or leftmost lane. The insurer may try to convince you that you’re at fault, but remember—it’s their job to do that. Your job is calling a truck accident lawyer to speak up for you against the insurer and the trucking company.
What Happens If I Can’t Afford Medical Treatment After a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Louisiana?
You’re not alone. Most people can’t afford the enormous medical bills that come with a serious truck accident injury. This is another important reason to reach out to a Louisiana personal injury lawyer who handles trucking cases: law firms sometimes cover medical costs against any future verdicts or settlements. This is another way that plaintiffs’ lawyers shoulder all the risk for their clients—clients can focus on getting better, while your lawyer focuses on fighting for your future care.
