The Difference Between Driving a Big Rig Truck vs. Driving a Car

Cars and big rigs may both be forms of transportation on our roads, but driving them is a completely different experience. With their massive size and weight, big rigs present a unique set of challenges for drivers. These challenges impact everything from how the vehicle handles to how far it takes to stop. Understanding these…

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The Dangers of Louisiana Truck Driver Fatigue

big-truck-accident

The long hours and demanding schedules of the trucking industry can take a toll on drivers’ well-being. Many truck drivers develop chronic sleep deprivation and fatigue, putting themselves and others on the road at risk. A 2023 study on Truck Driver Health found that about 38% of commercial truck drivers reported feeling sleepy or fatigued…

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Tragedy Strikes on I-10: 18-Wheeler Catches Fire Near Vinton

18 wheeler catches fire

In a heart-wrenching incident that unfolded on September 17, 2023, tragedy struck on the I-10 West near Vinton, Louisiana, when an 18-wheeler caught fire, sending shockwaves through the community and leaving us all deeply moved. The Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys team extends our heartfelt sympathy to all those affected by this unfortunate event. Highway Havoc…

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18-Wheeler Fire Forces I-20 Shutdown

18-Wheeler Fire

In a harrowing incident, an 18-wheeler fire has brought Interstate 20 (I-20) to a standstill, leaving commuters and authorities grappling with the aftermath. This unexpected and tragic event has disrupted many lives, reminding us of the unpredictable nature of our daily routines. The Blaze on I-20 According to KTBS, the incident unfolded with a vehicular…

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Questions to Ask A Trucking Accident Lawyer

lady giving an inquisitive look

When consulting with a trucking accident lawyer, there are several essential questions that you should ask to ensure they are the right fit for your case. Here are some important questions to ask a trucking accident lawyer: What Happens When a Truck Driver Has an Accident? What happens after a truck driver has an accident…

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Traffic Issues on I-49 in Lafayette Due to Flipped 18-Wheeler

traffic issues from flipped 18-wheeler in Lafayette

Drivers in Lafayette experienced slowdowns on I-49 Southbound last Thursday afternoon due to a major crash involving three vehicles: a tractor-trailer, an SUV, and a truck. According to reporting by Hot 107.9, the crash happened around 4:30 pm near Pont Des Mouton Road outside of Lafayette. All of the vehicles were significantly damaged, but luckily…

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A Widening I-12 Gives Covington Residents Much to Hope For

I-12 expansion in Covington

St. Tammany Parish traffic is legendarily bad. In fact, it’s so bad that over 20,000 residents belong to a Facebook group named “West St. Tammany Traffic and Donuts.” However, thanks to some big changes on I-12 near Covington, that group may have less to complain about. On a 3.5-mile section of the Interstate between U.S.…

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Trucks Ignoring Road Laws and Causing Atchafalaya Basin Bridge Accidents

birds eye view of speeding truck on bridge

The Atchafalaya Basin Bridge has a reputation for being one of the more dangerous bridges in Louisiana and given the amount of traffic that it sees every day, it’s no wonder why. The Atchafalaya Basin Bridge, also called the Louisiana Airborne Memorial Bridge, has been the site of over 1,000 incidents since 2014, and despite…

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Fatal Accident Involving 18-Wheeler Forces Closure of Northbound I-49

I-49 Closure for Fatal Truck Accident

A tragic truck accident unfolded on May 20th as an overturned 18-wheeler brought traffic to a standstill on I-49 Northbound near Pont Des Mouton. According to Lafayette Police, the catastrophic collision occurred when the massive commercial truck, traveling along I-49 N, struck an abandoned vehicle parked on the shoulder near East Butcher Switch Road. The…

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Common Causes of Truck Rollover Accidents

truck rolled over on edge of hill

Truck rollover accidents can be some of the most devastating and dangerous incidents on the road. These accidents can cause significant damage, not only to the truck but also to any other vehicles and people involved. Many individuals who have suffered a truck rollover accident count on our experienced Louisiana truck accident lawyers to help…

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Step-by-Step Guide to Filing a Truck Insurance Claim

2 white trucks driving down highway

At , we understand that filing a truck insurance claim can be a daunting and stressful process. That’s why a truck accident lawyer from one of our many Louisiana offices is here to help you obtain the compensation you deserve. To help ease your mind, we’ve created a step-by-step guide on how to file a…

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Louisiana’s “Buckle Up in Your Truck” Campaign

putting on seatbelt

Truck accidents can result in devastating consequences, including severe injuries and fatalities. According to recent studies, a significant percentage of pickup truck drivers who died in crashes were not wearing a seatbelt. These statistics highlight the critical importance of wearing a seatbelt in pickup trucks and the need for increased awareness and enforcement of seatbelt…

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Truck Carrying Heavy Equipment Flips Along I-10 West

workers on flipped truck

Around 6 p.m. on April 20th, 2023, a tractor-trailer hauling a bulldozer and other construction equipment flipped on its side off I-10. The crash happened near the LA 415 exit, backing up traffic to the Mississippi River bridge. As of this writing, no injuries have been reported, but the crash caused a major slowdown in…

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5 Delivery Truck Accident Statistics You Should Know

workers unloading boxes off delivery truck

Delivery trucks—those midsize box trucks you’re probably seeing more and more of lately—transport over 70% of the goods in the United States. Because they carry heavy or dangerous cargo and operate large, unwieldy vehicles, truck drivers and trucking companies are generally held to a higher standard of driving than other motorists. However, far too often…

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18-Wheeler Overturned on I-12 Near Hammond, Causing Delays

overturned truck on I-12 near hammond

On April 11, 2023, near Hammond, an 18-wheeler overturned on an exit ramp roundabout on Interstate 12. Cleanup took several hours at the site, on the northern end of U.S. Highway 51, during which time the southbound traffic on that highway was detoured on I-12 to the I-55 interchange to New Orleans. At the time…

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Trucking Regulations in Louisiana

red big rig truck

Louisiana is home to 3 of the top 10 U.S. ports and an extensive amount of interstates and highways, so it sees a lot of commercial truck activity. Since these types of trucks are way bigger than the average car, truck, and SUV, regulations must be in place to help ensure everyone’s safety on the…

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Jack-Knifed 18-Wheeler Closes I-610 East for 6+ Hours

blurred image of a big rig driving on the highway

On Thursday, February 9th, an 18-wheeler jack-knifed on I-610 – closing a significant section of the interstate for 6+ hours, according to NOLA.com. The 18-wheeler truck crashed into the guardrail near the interstate merge with I-10. Unfortunately, this crash happened around 2:00 AM during inclement weather, so no injuries or causes of the crash were…

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Top 10 Most Dangerous Trucking Companies in The U.S.

A tractor trailer crash on highway with a skid mark of the swerve

Commercial trucks are the backbone of the American economy, transporting over 70% of all shipped goods. This vital role necessitates strong trucking industry standards. These standards ensure not only fair treatment for truck drivers but also the safety of everyone on the road. Semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and other big rigs are much larger than passenger cars,…

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18-Wheeler Driving on I-10 Around Ascension-St. James Dives Into the Bayou Below

A tractor trailer crash on highway with a skid mark of the swerve

On Tuesday afternoon, traveling along I-10, an 18-wheeler was involved in an accident after veering off the road and being completely submerged underwater in the bayou near the Ascension-St. James Parish line. As reported by WBRZ, the incident temporarily shut down the westbound lane of the interstate, and authorities directed traffic into one lane on…

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Tanker Truck Crash on I-10 Westbound Temporarily Closes Two Lanes

A tractor trailer crash on highway with a skid mark of the swerve

On October 18th, Lafayette police reported an accident involving a tanker truck and a vehicle travelling westbound on I-10 temporarily closed two lanes around mile marker 104, according to The Advocate. While there have been reports of injuries, there has been no clarification on the state of the individuals involved in the crash.  Commercial or…

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Baton Rouge Traffic Ranked Fourth Worst in US

Baton Rouge pin drop

If you’ve been frustrated at the sometimes glacial pace of your morning commute in Baton Rouge, you’re not alone. A study performed by TomTom, the GPS and travel company, has found that Baton Rouge has the fourth-worst traffic congestion in the country, behind only New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. In 2021, Baton Rouge drivers…

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United States Commercial Trucking Accident Statistics

truck and car accident on highway with front of car crushed

The United States economy depends on trucking to move its freight around. In fact, about 70% of everything you buy has reached the store where you bought it in a commercial truck. Trucking as an industry is not only foundational to American capitalism; it also provides thousands of well-paying jobs to American men and women…

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FedEx Driver Crashes Into Pickup, Leaving 1 Dead in Lake Charles

FedEx Driver Crashes Into Pickup, Leaving 1 Dead in Lake Charles

At 5:00 pm on June 5, a tragic accident involving a FedEx truck and a pickup occurred on Highway 12 in Beauregard Parish. A 21-year-old operating a Fed Ex truck side swiped the Chevy Silverado when attempting to pass it illegally on the eastbound lane. While the FedEx worker and driver of the Chevy truck…

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Motorcyclist Killed in the Early-Morning Collision in St. Tammany

In the early morning hours, in St. Tammany, a motorcyclist was killed in a brutal collision with a truck. The truck did not yield when faced with a stop sign, and thus was the cause of this terrible accident. The driver of the truck was wearing a seatbelt and did not sustain any injuries. Unfortunately,…

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Accidents on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge

Every day, over 30,000 people travel on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge between Lafayette and Baton Rouge. The bridge—also called the Louisiana Airborne Memorial Bridge—was the longest bridge in the country when it was finished in 1973. Its 18 miles is now the 3rd longest in the country, and 14th longest in the world. Tragically, the…

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18-wheeler Carrying Hazardous Materials Overturns on I-10 in Iberville Parish

An 18-wheeler carrying the hazardous substance acrylic acid overturned in the median of I-10 in Iberville Parish around 6:30 am Wednesday morning.  By 11:00 am, police had shut down all traffic heading east from I-49 in Lafayette to LA 77 near Grand Tete, to facilitate what they referred to as “an extended recovery process.” It…

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The Most Dangerous Highways in Louisiana

Louisiana is known for its beautiful bayous, thriving and unique culture, and for being the “Sportsman’s Paradise.” Sadly, however, Louisiana is also known for containing some of the most dangerous highways in the country. Between 2016–2020, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that there were 3,571 fatal motor vehicle crashes in Louisiana, or around…

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18-wheeler accident on I-12 results in the death of a child

A multi-vehicle crash involving an 18-wheeler stopped traffic and took the life of a young child early on Thursday morning. Police first reported the crash around 9 am, stating that the tractor-trailer had jackknifed on eastbound I-12 near Albany, causing multiple collisions with other vehicles.

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I-10 East Closed in WBR Following Deadly Truck Wreck

A devastating crash involving a commercial bus and an 18-wheeler was reported around 11AM on I-10 just past LA 415. This area is known as the “Devil’s Triangle” in Louisiana due to the high number of truck crashes and car accidents that happen there. After running into a cable barrier in the median, the bus…

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Pileup forced 6-hour closure on Basin Bridge

Around 1:30 in the morning on March 22, a seven-car pileup was reported on I-10 East between Atchafalaya and Ramah. State Police have reported that this wreck involved two 18-wheelers. The cleanup from the accident lasted until 7:30 in the morning, when law enforcement officers stated they had to wake up drivers who had fallen…

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Lafayette firefighter injured after fire truck was smashed by drunk driver

A Lafayette firefighter’s condition is critical but stable after diving off an I-10 overpass near the Louisiana Avenue exit on Wednesday, March 10. He had to jump off the overpass to avoid his fire truck, which was hit by an allegedly drunk 18-wheeler driver out of Mississippi. Though we don’t know who the firefighter was,…

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Truck Wreck on I-12 Kills Driver in Resulting Blaze

On Wednesday, February 24, near the Hammond exit of I-12, a semi-truck caught fire after striking the cable barrier at the side of the highway.  The driver was killed as a result of the blaze.  An investigation into the wreck’s cause is still ongoing, but this tragedy is a stark reminder of how important it…

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