If you’ve been injured in an accident involving a big rig in New Orleans, you have a right to seek compensation for the damages caused by those injuries. Damages can include economic damages, like medical expenses and lost wages, as well as general damages, such as emotional distress and pain and suffering. The most important thing to do after being injured in a New Orleans big truck accident is to get the medical attention you need and take the necessary steps to protect your rights.
But who is liable for these accidents — the drivers or the trucking companies? The best way to protect your rights after an 18 wheeler accident is to hire a New Orleans personal injury attorney to represent you. Your attorney will help determine who can be held liable and ensure you receive the total compensation you are owed for your injuries. One way they do so is by identifying all the parties that share liability for your accident.
Some Situations in Which a Trucking Company May Be Liable for Your Injuries
If the truck driver was the owner/operator of the truck or using the truck for personal business when the accident occurred, the driver will usually be the one held responsible. However, if the driver was working for a trucking company and driving a company rig, the trucking company may share responsibility for the accident as well.
The trucking industry is regulated by a number of federal, state, and local laws. These laws establish the rules trucking companies must follow when it comes to truck maintenance and operation, along with the hiring, training, and supervision of drivers. When they fail to obey these rules, serious accidents can result.
Some of the ways trucking companies can be liable for a truck accident include:
Going after a trucking company can be a daunting challenge. They aren’t going to make it easy to obtain the driver records, maintenance logs, and other evidence you’ll need to establish your case. That’s why you need a New Orleans truck accident lawyer who can cut through the red tape and hold the trucking companies accountable for the role they played in your accident.
Lambert Zainey Smith & Soso is Here to Protect Your Rights After a New Orleans Truck Accident
Have you been injured in a big truck accident in New Orleans? Contact Lambert Zainey Smith & Soso without delay. We have the skills, experience, and resources to investigate your case, identify all the parties involved, help assign a dollar value to your damages, negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company, and represent you in court. We’re dedicated to protecting the rights of our clients and obtaining the total compensation you are owed for your injuries. We’ve successfully represented clients injured in a wide range of accidents, securing hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements for our clients.
Use our online form or call us at (800) 521-1750 to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your accident and how we can be of service. We handle personal injury cases on a contingency basis, which means there are no upfront costs for our clients and we collect our fee after your case has been settled or won in court.