How do motor carriers handle a truck crash in Louisiana?

Last week, another crash caused by an 18-wheeler, this time in Plaquemine near Baton Rouge, killed the driver of a Cadillac. According to the WAFB.com report the truck crossed an intersection, disregarding traffic signals, coming into the path of the Cadillac that ended up pinned under the trailer and bursting into flames.

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The tragedy of an accident with a big rig is that the damage and the injuries can be terrible. On top of that, often times in Louisiana the victims of an accident with a commercial vehicle have to fight for compensation against trucking and insurance companies that have become increasingly sophisticated in the defense of their financial interests.

Typically, their investigators and experts are on the scene within hours of a major wreck. They talk to police officers, take pictures and collect statements from witnesses. One of their main objectives is to remove evidence from the truck, concealing blatant breaches of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules that could weaken their defense. A logbook, a vehicle inspection report or Driver Qualification File can be revealing and show that the motor carrier does not abide by the safety rules prescribed by the FMCSA.

An experienced truck accident attorney will counter these tactics by requesting all the documents pertaining to the motor carrier, the truck and the driver involved in the crash, like the inspection, repair and maintenance records or the driver’s medical exams and drug and alcohol testing records. It is also increasingly necessary to investigate the extent of the motor carrier’s insurance coverage, beyond the apparent minimum cover they are ready to show.

If you have been the victim of a serious car or truck accident in Bossier, Lake Charles, Alexandria, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, New Orleans or elsewhere in Louisiana contact immediately the attorneys of the Young Firm for a FREE consultation on your case at (504) 680-4100 (local) or (866) 660-7220 (toll free) or by sending us an e-mail.