Abbeville Truck Accident Lawyer

Abbeville Truck Accident Attorney

Being in any kind of vehicular accident can be a lot to handle, both physically and psychologically. The toll can be considerably higher when you are hit by a truck. Trucks, particularly commercial vehicles, have the potential to cause devastating accidents that can affect every vehicle on the road. The size is enough to cause catastrophic damage and rampant injuries. If it happens to you, you should reach out to an Abbeville truck accident lawyer quickly.

The legal team at Sanchez Burke, LLC can assist you throughout your truck accident case. You don’t want to end up being taken advantage of by a trucking company or its insurance carrier because you failed to hire an Abbeville truck accident attorney to help with your case. A lawyer can help you understand Louisiana’s truck accident laws, provide consistent guidance, and protect your interests during settlement talks or in court if it comes to it.

Dealing with the Aftermath of a Truck Accident

Truck accidents tend to result in severe, often life-threatening injuries. If you are seriously injured in a truck accident in Abbeville, EMTs will most likely take you to Abbeville General Hospital for immediate emergency care.

If your injuries are critical and you require higher-level trauma care, you may be transported to a trauma center in Lafayette or Baton Rouge. There were only 11 commercial truck injury crashes in Vermilion Parish in 2024, but those injuries were substantial.

It’s important to have a plan in place in the event that you end up in a vehicular accident, particularly an accident with a truck. According to the Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety (CARTS), there were over 146,000 vehicular crashes throughout Louisiana in 2024 alone. That’s a lot of opportunities to get hurt.

You may not know how to handle yourself after an accident. Here are some general actions you can take to protect yourself.

• First, don’t panic. Being in an accident with a truck can be frightening, confusing, and painful. You may be feeling a lot of conflicting emotions all at once. Don’t try to guess what happened. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents in Louisiana, causing 22% of vehicular fatalities. That doesn’t necessarily mean it was the cause of your accident. Let the police figure that out.
• Next, you should check your body for any visible injuries. You may be in a state of shock, and that shock might make it hard to feel your injuries. Feel around your body for blood, lacerations, bruises, and possible broken bones. When the EMTs arrive, tell them everything you’ve found. Leave nothing out. If you’re in pain but can’t find an injury, tell them that first, as that might mean the injury is internal.
• Call 911 as soon as possible. When the police arrive, they’ll want to get your statement if you are lucid. If you’re too injured to speak, they can get it later. Be honest with them about what happened, but don’t accept any blame for the accident itself. Don’t even apologize to anyone, as that can be seen as an admission of guilt. Answer their questions respectfully, don’t speculate, and get a copy of the police report when you can.
• Swap contact and insurance information with the truck driver. Make sure you get their name, phone number, trucking company contact info, and their insurance contact info. Don’t forget to call your own insurance company and tell them you were in an accident.
• After you document the accident scene with photos, see a doctor for a medical record of your injuries. Next, you should go see a personal injury lawyer to start the process of filing your accident claim.

FAQs About Truck Accident Law

Who Is Held Liable in a Truck Accident in Louisiana?

In order to determine liability after a truck accident in Abbeville, Louisiana, an investigation has to be made by the insurance companies. Most of the time, the truck driver is found to be at fault due to driver fatigue, distractions, speeding, or reckless driving. However, it’s possible that the accident was the fault of a mechanical error, and the manufacturer of the truck itself could be found liable. It all depends on the findings of the investigation.

How Long After a Truck Accident Can You Make a Claim in Louisiana?

In Louisiana, you generally have two years to file a claim after a truck accident, provided that your case falls under the statute of limitations for a personal injury case. To make sure that this doesn’t impact your case, it’s recommended that you file your claim as soon as possible after your accident. If you can’t file your claim within two years, you likely won’t be able to file for damages at all, as the deadline is very strict.

What Is the Value of My Truck Accident Case?

The value of your truck accident case varies significantly based on the circumstances. The potential settlement you could be looking at is determined by multiple contributing factors to the case. Those factors include the severity of your injuries, any evidence of negligence, and your lawyer’s own negotiation skills. Many truck accident settlement amounts are considerable, as the trucking company may want to avoid any public legal action.

What Happens if You Get in an Accident with a Truck Driver?

If you get in an accident with a truck driver, an investigation will be held to determine who or what caused the accident. In the immediate aftermath, you want to prioritize your own health and safety. Call 911, check for injuries, document the scene, see a doctor, and call a lawyer. The trucking company will likely launch an investigation and probably reach out to your lawyer about settling out of court before your case goes to trial.

Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer

The smartest thing you can do for your case is hire a truck accident lawyer to represent you. This can help you avoid setbacks, mistakes, and lowball offers. At Sanchez Burke, LLC, we believe in helping our clients succeed in the wake of an injury. Our team has been recognized by numerous accredited organizations, including Super Lawyers.** Contact us to speak to someone who knows how to help.

**Awards and recognition are not guarantees of future results. Selection criteria vary by organization.