Your Client-Centric Tammany Parish, LA Personal Injury Lawyer
Taking calculated strategies to help our clients get compensation for their personal injuries and damages.
Commercial vehicle accident claims can be intimidating for the victims because there are many moving parts, and, in some cases, these accidents may involve vehicles from large companies. As a victim, you may feel you don’t stand a chance against the company or their insurer.
Unfortunately, the insurance companies understand this all too well and use it to their advantage, often trying to drag out the case or deny the claim by using strongly worded letters to the victim.
But you don’t have to subject yourself to the pain and humiliation of dealing with these insurance companies. What you need is a personal injury lawyer who specializes in commercial injury cases and will help you handle the case and communicate with the insurance company.
At Whitley-Sebti Law, commercial accident claims are right down our alley. We have helped many people get compensation even when they didn’t think they deserved any, and we can help you get it, too. We have vast experience in personal injury claims, and we use this knowledge and experience to help commercial accident victims like you get justice and compensation to get back on their feet.
Call For A Free Consultation | (504) 370-2777
Liability In Commercial Vehicle Accidents
When pursuing compensation in personal injury cases involving commercial vehicles, it is crucial to determine liability. Expectedly, the process is not as straightforward with commercial vehicles as it is with personal vehicles.
Several entities can be held liable in a commercial accident personal injury claim. These include:
- The Driver: The driver of the truck is the first entity we look into when determining liability in the accident. Driver actions such as speeding, driving under the influence, or distracted driving can contribute to the accident, in which case the driver may be held liable for your injuries and other damages caused.
- The Employer: This refers to the trucking company. There’s a doctrine in commercial accidents called “Respondeat Superior,” which means the employer carries responsibility for the actions of the driver when they are working within the scope of their employment.
If it is determined the driver was not adequately trained, the company’s scheduling practices encouraged fatigue or the vehicle was not properly maintained, the employer may be held liable for damages.
- Vehicle Manufacturer: In cases where mechanical failure or a defect in the vehicle caused the accident, the vehicle manufacturer may be held liable for damages. Common defects such as tires, brakes, and steering systems, among other critical components, can be connected to manufacturer fault and liability.
- Maintenance Providers: Most commercial vehicle companies contract individuals or companies to maintain and repair their fleets. If the contracted entities don’t carry out their tasks diligently, they may be held liable for the damages. Failure to properly inspect, maintain and repair the vehicle are some of the reasons that could lead to maintenance providers being liable for the damages.
- Shippers Or Cargo Loaders: In cases where the vehicle was loaded, and the load contributed to the accident, such as a container tipping over, the shipper or cargo loading company may be liable for the damages caused by the cargo. Issues such as overloading and improperly balanced loads can affect the performance and handling of the vehicle, leading to accidents.
How To Determine Liability In The Commercial Vehicle Accident
The commercial accident lawyer you choose in Tammany Parish, LA, will be instrumental in determining liability in the commercial vehicle accident. Some of the methods that can be used to determine liability include:- Studying Witness Statements And Police Reports: Witness statements and police reports are crucial in proving fault in commercial vehicle accidents. Your personal injury settlement attorney will gather statements and collect witness accounts to help understand the incident. Observations from the documents can help establish liability.
- Physical Examination: Your personal injury compensation attorney can also physically examine the scene. In more complex cases, they can enroll the help of experts to uncover details that are not immediately apparent but are pivotal in proving fault.
- Examination Of Digital Evidence: The attorney can also turn to the digital evidence such as the truck’s electronic logging device (ELD) and other technology on the truck to reveal crucial data such as the speed, braking patterns and hours of service, which can shed light into the condition of the driver and their driving patterns before the accidents.
Call For A Free Consultation | (504) 370-2777
Don’t Take Any Chances, Take The Best Chance!
Let us take on the legal heat of your claim so you can focus on getting better.
Commercial accidents can cause significant damage and injuries, leaving victims in dire financial strain, with some victims having life-long injuries. At Whitley-Sebti Law in Tammany Parish, LA, we empathize with your agony and loss and use the law to try to make you whole again.
In our line of work, we’ve seen first-hand the devastation that commercial accidents can cause. We take it upon ourselves to take every case personally and with the seriousness it requires to help our clients recover compensation to cover their medical care and get back to their lives. For a review of your case and a free consultation, you can reach us at (504) 370-2777.
