18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer in New Orleans, Louisiana

18 Wheeler Accident Lawyer in New Orleans and Metairie Protecting the Rights of Accident Victims Throughout Louisiana

So you got into a wreck with a big truck and now you’re facing big problems? You’re shaken up — or worse, your vehicle’s wrecked — and now the insurance company is playing hardball. At RUDIN LAW, we get it. We’ve seen the insurance company stall tactics, the lowball offers, and the outrageous refusals to pay valid claims. And we know that when you’re injured and need help following an 18-wheeler accident in Louisiana, you need a lawyer who confronts the insurance giants head-on. At RUDIN LAW, we don’t just talk tough; we fight for the monetary compensation that makes a difference.

Whether you’re in New Orleans, Metairie, or anywhere else throughout Louisiana, RUDIN LAW fights to seek the justice and compensation you need. And when the insurance companies want to tell you how it is or how it should be, we say: It’s time to stop letting the insurance companies push you around; it’s time to stop being polite®… and GET RUDE®.

We offer a free consultation to discuss your situation, the steps you should take next, and how an experienced 18-wheeler crash lawyer at RUDIN LAW can help. Do not let insurance companies push you around. It is time to stop being polite®… and GET RUDE® with RUDIN LAW.

Call (504) 500-5504(504) 500-5504 or fill out our contact form for your free consultation. We will break down your legal options, explain the steps you need to take, and build a strategy to seek the maximum compensation under the law.

Key Takeaways

• A skilled 18-wheeler accident lawyer in Louisiana can handle insurance company negotiations and protect a truck accident victim’s rights and interests while seeking money to support their recovery
• 18-wheeler accidents can involve many parties, and the trucking companies are prepared and ready to minimize your claim — which is why you need strong legal representation that will fight for you
• Comprehension of state regulations and common accident causes is important for handling truck accident cases
• Semi truck accident victims can take immediate action after an accident to protect and strengthen their claim by gathering evidence and contacting an experienced truck accident lawyer
• A skilled New Orleans truck accident lawyer at RUDIN LAW can employ strategic methods such as thorough investigation and fierce negotiation to seek the maximum compensation under the law
• Victims of 18-wheeler truck accidents in New Orleans, Metairie, and throughout Louisiana are encouraged to request a free consultation with RUDIN LAW to evaluate their case and plan their legal strategy

Types of 18-Wheeler Truck Accidents and Common Injuries in Louisiana

Semi truck accident scenarios can often be categorized among the following types of incidents:

• Rear-end collisions
• Jackknife accidents
• Rollover accidents
• Underride collisions
• Sideswipe accidents
• Tire blowouts
• Wide-turn accidents
• Lost cargo or debris-related accidents

Each of these accident types are extremely dangerous and can lead to serious injuries, both for the truck driver and for other road users. Some common and potentially devastating injuries sustained by New Orleans truck accident victims include:

• Traumatic brain injuries and other head injuries
• Spinal cord injuries and other neck injuries
• Broken bones
• Internal organ damage
• Severe lacerations
• Wrongful death

Victims may also endure long-term psychological trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can significantly impact their quality of life.

Proper adherence to safety protocols and regular maintenance of trucks can aid in minimizing these devastating accidents and injuries. Neglecting such protocols can often lead to these tragic accidents. Truck drivers, trucking companies, and other logistics operations need to commit to mitigating the risks and causes behind these dangerous, costly, and often deadly incidents to make Louisiana’s roads safer for drivers of passenger vehicles and tractor trailers alike.

Causes of 18-Wheeler Truck Accident Cases in Louisiana

The trucking industry supports our economy by transporting essential goods across vast distances. However, the prevalence of large, heavy motor vehicles on our streets and highways bring with them a great risk of harm to Americans traveling the same roadways. Truck accidents typically involve large commercial vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of over 10,000 pounds, such as semi-trucks, big rigs, 18-wheelers, and tractor-trailers.

18-wheeler accidents can occur due to several reasons:

• Fatigue
• Improperly Loaded Cargo
• Blind Spots
• Drug or Alcohol Impairment
• Speeding
• Distraction
• Stopping Distance
• Malfunction

Truck accidents are distinct from standard car accidents due to the size, weight, and unique operational characteristics of these large vehicles. Despite efforts by trucking and insurance companies to downplay these incidents, a quick look into safety data reveals the gravity of these risks and the consequences of large truck accidents, such as serious injuries or wrongful death.

Commercial drivers operate various large vehicles, such as trucks and buses, and they are held to higher safety standards than other drivers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) both enforce strict regulations on trucking companies and truck drivers. Additionally, each state implements its own safety standards.

Big Trucks and Big Numbers: A Glimpse into Truck Accident Statistics

These immense figures highlight the serious impact of truck accidents on public safety, underscoring the need for effective legal representation when facing the aftermath of such incidents.

Louisiana Truck Accident Statistics

In Louisiana, the data tells a troubling story:

• In 2022, there were 3,918 Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) crashes, with 34.44% occurring on interstates, 30.69% on state highways, and 16.19% on U.S. highways. In 2023, CMV crashes on interstates decreased to 32.44%, while CMV crashes on state highways rose to 30.99 and 18.04% of CMV crashes occurred on U.S. highways,
• In 2021, Louisiana experienced a 16.4% increase in fatal truck accidents, with 887 reported cases.
• According to the LSU Center for Analytics & Research in Transportation Safety (CARTS), 98 fatalities and over 2,045 injuries occurred due to large truck and bus accidents in 2023.

Texas Truck Accident Statistics

In Texas, the numbers are even more staggering:

• In 2023, Texas reported 38,928 CMV crashes, reflecting the state’s vast transportation network.
• According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Texas had the highest number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes in 2021, with 832 fatal incidents — accounting for 12.8% of all fatal crashes statewide.
• That same year, 170 truck occupants and 549 occupants of other vehicles lost their lives in large-truck crashes.

The Hard Numbers Support the Need for Committed Legal Representation in Truck Accident Cases

These statistics are not just numbers — they represent lives changed forever. They underscore the need for aggressive legal representation when facing the aftermath of an 18-wheeler accident.

Whether you need a truck accidents lawyer in Louisiana, an 18-wheeler accidents lawyer in Louisiana, or an experienced 18-wheeler crash lawyer in Louisiana, RUDIN LAW is here to fight for your rights and pursue the justice you need.

An Overview of 18-Wheeler Accident Laws in Louisiana and Texas

Louisiana and Texas have specific regulations governing commercial trucks that operate within their borders. These regulations cover aspects such as vehicle weight limits, driver qualification requirements, and mandatory rest periods for truckers. Whether or not truck drivers and trucking companies comply with these state-specific rules is central to determining liability in 18-wheeler accident cases.

Both Louisiana and Texas also enforce federal regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These include rules on vehicle maintenance, cargo securement, and electronic logging devices. Familiarity with these regulations helps accident victims and their lawyers identify potential violations that may have contributed to the crash.

Know Your Legal Rights After an 18-Wheeler Accident

After an 18-wheeler accident in Louisiana or Texas, you need to know and understand your legal rights. A New Orleans truck accident lawyer at RUDIN LAW can guide you and protect your rights each step of the way following a commercial truck accident. Victims have the right to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.

Truck accident victims can often also file a personal injury claim against responsible parties, which may include the truck driver, the trucking company, or other entities involved in the accident. Whether you need a truck accident lawyer in Louisiana or an advocate in Texas, RUDIN LAW is here to protect your interests.

Hiring an experienced 18-wheeler accidents lawyer in Louisiana can make a significant difference in your case. At RUDIN LAW, we investigate the auto accident, gather powerful evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent victims in court if necessary. We help you throughout the complex legal process, pursuing compensation to cover the present and future costs related to your commercial truck accident, including medical expenses due to the accident.

As a New Orleans truck accident victim, you have important rights, including:

• The right to seek compensation for damages
• The right to file a personal injury claim
• The right to legal representation
• The right to a thorough accident investigation
• The right to negotiate with insurance companies
• The right to pursue legal action in court, if needed

Comparative Fault: How Louisiana and Texas Handle Shared Responsibility

When it comes to determining fault in an accident, Louisiana and Texas operate under different systems of comparative fault (also known as comparative negligence), which can impact the compensation you may be eligible to claim.

Pure Comparative Negligence in Louisiana

In Louisiana, the pure comparative negligence rule applies. This means you can still claim compensation even if you are partially at fault for the accident.

For example, if your claim is worth $15,000 but you are found to be 30% responsible, you could still be eligible to collect $10,500. A skilled 18-wheeler crash lawyer in Louisiana from RUDIN LAW will help to fairly and accurately assess fault so you can pursue the maximum compensation under the law.

Modified Comparative Negligence in Texas

In Texas, the system operates under modified comparative fault. Here, you can only recover damages if you are 50% at fault or less.

If you are found to be more than 50% responsible, you lose the right to any compensation. If you are 25% at fault, your recovery would be reduced by that percentage. This makes having an experienced legal team central to protecting your claim.

Regardless of whether you are in New Orleans, Metairie, or anywhere else in Louisiana or Texas, when you hire RUDIN LAW, we fight to hold the responsible parties accountable. Our team is dedicated to pursuing the justice and compensation you need.

How an 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer at RUDIN LAW Can Help You Pursue Maximum Compensation Under The Law in Louisiana

When an 18-wheeler accident turns your life upside down, you need more than just legal advice — you need a truck accident attorney team that fights relentlessly for every dollar in compensation. At RUDIN LAW, we do not play nice with insurance companies or trucking corporations trying to dodge responsibility. We put your case in the fast lane to pursue justice by:

• Thoroughly investigating your 18-wheeler accident
• Handling the insurance companies on your behalf
• Identifying the value of each harm or loss you suffered and may continue to suffer
• Representing your aggressively to pursue the money you need for your recovery and your future

Relentless Investigation to Prove Liability

Truck accidents are not just “big car accidents” — they are complex cases involving multiple parties, layers of regulations, and corporate cover-ups. Our 18-wheeler accident lawyers dive deep into each detail to uncover the truth by:

• Analyzing police reports, accident scene photos, and surveillance footage
• Interviewing witnesses to lock down key testimonies
• Scrutinizing trucking company records, driver logs, and maintenance histories
• Reviewing data for violations of federal and state trucking regulations

But we do not stop there. We work with accident reconstruction experts to recreate the crash and consult with specialists to assess factors like cargo loading errors, brake failures, and hours-of-service violations. This thorough, no-stone-unturned approach helps us pinpoint exactly who is at fault for a commercial truck accident — whether it is the driver, the trucking company, or even a parts manufacturer.

Taking on Insurance Companies — So You Don’t Have To

Are you trying to deal with insurance adjusters after a truck accident? Don’t. That is our job. Insurance companies have one goal: to pay you as little as possible. At RUDIN LAW, we flip the script. Our New Orleans truck accident lawyers:

• Handle the communications and negotiations with insurance companies
• Shut down shady tactics designed to trick you into settling for less
• Build ironclad cases with evidence that cannot be ignored
• Fight for settlements to cover each of your losses, not just what the insurer feels like paying

If the insurance company refuses to play fair… No problem. We are fully prepared to take them to court to pursue the actual amount you need to support your physical, financial, and emotional recovery following the crash.

Calculating Each Dollar For Maximum Compensation

An 18-wheeler accident does not just leave physical scars — it wrecks finances, careers, and families. That is why we fight for more than just your medical bills. Our New Orleans truck accident lawyers calculate the full scope of your losses, including:

• Medical expenses (immediate and long-term)
• Lost wages and future earning potential
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of quality of life
• Rehabilitation costs and long-term care
• Property damage

We partner with medical experts, economists, and life care planners to put real numbers on your future needs, helping to prevent the other side from shortchanging you when it comes to the recovery you need.

Aggressive Legal Representation in Court

When negotiations hit a wall, we do not back down — we gear up for trial. Our 18-wheeler accident lawyers are battle-tested in the courtroom, armed with:

• Compelling evidence and airtight legal strategies
• Expert testimony from specialists who support your claims
• Strong cross-examinations to dismantle the defense’s case
• Powerful presentations, including visuals that show exactly how the accident affected your life

We know the law, we know trucking regulations, and we know how to win.

Why Choose RUDIN LAW?

Despite strict federal and state safety regulations, truck accidents still happen — often with devastating consequences. That is where we come in. At RUDIN LAW, we are not afraid to stand up to trucking companies, insurance giants, or anyone else trying to deny you maximum compensation under the law. We know their tactics — stalling claims, lowball offers, and outright refusals — and we are ready to hit back.

When you work with us, you are not just hiring a lawyer; you are gaining a team that fights relentlessly for justice. From minor injuries to wrongful death cases, we approach every situation with the same level of commitment and determination.

What to Expect During Your Free Consultation

Your path to justice starts with a simple call. Contact us at (504) 500-5504(504) 500-5504, or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free case review. During your free consultation, our team will:

• Review the details of your case, including accident circumstances, injuries, and evidence like police reports and medical records
• Explain the legal process and what to expect at every stage
• Discuss your options for pursuing compensation, whether through negotiation or in court
• Answer your questions to help you make informed decisions about your case

We take the time to understand your unique situation and tailor our approach to maximize your compensation.

Get Serious. Get Justice. GET RUDE®.

It is time to stop letting insurance companies tell you how it is. It is time to stop being polite® when they push you around. It is time to GET RUDE® with RUDIN LAW.

Let us fight for your compensation. Your case matters, and your injuries matter. We are ready to help.