Truck Accident Attorney Near Monroe

Lying on the intersection of I-20 and US-165 lies the city of Monroe, Louisiana. Due to Highway 165’s status as one of the most dangerous highways in Louisiana, along with the rush of other traffic along the Interstate and other highways, it may come as no surprise that Monroe is the site of many traffic accidents annually. While the reasons for these crashes are myriad, their outcomes are the same: disrupted lives, destroyed property, and pain and suffering.

Thankfully, cars and trucks are safer now than they’ve ever been, and they’re getting safer all the time. However, the sheer size difference between the average passenger vehicle and an 18-wheeler tractor-trailer increases the risk of losing property, major injury, or even death.

If you or a loved one has been hit by a tractor-trailer near Monroe, you need a Louisiana personal injury lawyer with the experience to advocate for your interest against the trucking company’s insurance. These companies know that paying you what you deserve for your injuries hurts their bottom line, so they work hard to keep you from just compensation.

Contanct Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys today for a free consultation about your case. We’ll represent you throughout your case’s negotiation, and even take your case to court.

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Common Causes of Semi-Truck Wrecks in Monroe

As is the case with standard passenger vehicles, an 18-wheeler accident in Monroe can originate from any number of factors, however, truck crashes can be attributed to several unique causes including, but not limited to:

• Larger blind spots, preventing truck drivers from seeing other vehicles on the road
• Truck driver fatigue caused by long hours driving
• Truck maintenance issues such as brake failures
• Jackknifing caused by improperly loaded or overweight cargo trailers
• Aggressive driving such as speeding
• Tire blowouts
• Hazardous road conditions
• And more

Types of Monroe Big Rig Truck Accident Injuries

Semi-trucks can weigh between 20–30 times more than the average passenger car. It’s simple physics, then, that if you get into an accident with an 18-wheeler, the effects on your vehicle, your passengers, and yourself can be disastrous. In fact, there were 13,615 combined injuries and fatalities due to commercial vehicle crashes in Ouachita Parish in 2023. (LSU CARTS)

Even if you survive a crash with a big rig, you can experience life-changing, catastrophic injuries. These can include any of the following and others:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and Other Head Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries are caused by victims’ heads hitting the windows, steering wheel, doors, and other hard surfaces inside their car during an impact. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CBC), head injuries are a leading cause of disease, life-long disability, and even death. 

Even if a victim of a TBI survives, they can experience long-term memory loss or other major symptoms. In addition, repeated TBIs can lead to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a debilitative, progressive condition for which there is no cure. CTE can lead to changes in mood and personality, symptoms of dementia, and eventually death.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Damage of the spinal cord can lead to lasting or permanent disability, up to and including total paralysis. Often, spinal cord injury victims require assistive devices like wheelchairs, lose their ability to work, and experience other hardships, often for the rest of their lives.

Broken Bones

Skeletal dislocations and fractures are very common injuries in tractor-trailer accidents, due to the speed of collision and forces involved. Alongside the pain and loss of mobility associated with broken bones, victims also have an increased risk of other complications such as blood loss, infection, and more.

Other Injuries

Other common injuries resulting from truck wrecks include the following:

• Back injuries
• Whiplash and other neck injuries
• Cuts, scrapes, and bruises
• Burns, ranging from first-degree to third- or even fourth-degree burns
• And others

What To Do After You’ve Been In a Monroe Truck Accident

If you’ve been involved in a truck crash, you may be injured, confused, and unsure of what you should do next.

Of course, the first thing you should do after any accident is call 911 or an emergency line, so you and your passengers can get the medical care they need. After giving your statement to the police officer on the scene, assessing your damages, and being treated by first responders, do the following:

1. Call Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys immediately for a free consultation, or fill out our easy-to-use online form to see if your case qualifies.
   
   
2. Don’t discuss anything else with insurance companies other than to verify that an accident took place. Insurance companies are not in business to help you heal from your injuries but to settle your case as quickly and cheaply as possible. You need a dedicated injury lawyer to help you recover the compensation you deserve for the damages you’ve suffered.
   
   
3. Our team will get to work on gathering evidence, building your case, and getting you the compensation you need to move forward.

You Could Be Eligible for Truck Accident Compensation Claims

Our clients who’ve been victims of tractor-trailer collisions have been awarded settlements from tens of thousands of dollars to those in the low millions. There are a lot of variables determining the compensation you can expect, which is why it’s important to talk to an experienced Louisiana truck accident attorney. 

The truck accident lawyers at Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys are skilled professionals who’ve thoroughly studied Monroe and Louisiana law, and have developed the relationships necessary to make sure you’re compensated fairly for your injuries.

Understanding Truck Accident Damages: Types of Compensation Available

Truck accidents can leave victims with a lot to deal with physically and financially. Luckily, there are ways to recover compensation for your losses. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of damages you might be eligible for:

• Financial Losses (Economic Damages): This covers the money you can directly count up, like repairs to your car, missed work because of injuries, or even if your injuries make it hard to earn a living in the future.
  
  
• Pain and Suffering (Non-Economic Damages): This goes beyond medical bills. It considers how the accident impacted your life in ways that are harder to measure, like not being able to enjoy activities you used to. 
  
  
• Punishment for Reckless Driving (Punitive Damages): In extreme cases, like drunk driving accidents, the court might award punitive damages. These aren’t to make you whole again, but rather to punish the other driver for their terrible behavior.

Understanding these different types of damages is important. It helps ensure you get fairly compensated for everything you’ve been through after a truck accident.

How Long Do You Have to File a Monroe Truck Accident Claim?

Truck accidents in Louisiana can leave you injured and facing financial strain.

Statute of Limitation Changes in Louisiana

In 2024, Louisiana law extended the statute of limitations for personal injury claims occurring on or after July 1, 2024, from one year to two years. Any injuries that occurred before July 1, 2024, will still have a 1-year statute of limitation. Learn more about Louisiana’s New Statute of Limitations here.

• 1 year for injuries sustained before July 1, 2024.
• 2 years for injuries suffered after July 1, 2024.

The statute of limitations is a legal deadline that sets a time frame for filing a lawsuit. In Louisiana, this is known as the “prescriptive period,” which determines how long you have to take legal action against the responsible party after an injury occurs.

Acting quickly is important because evidence can fade over time, witness memories can become unreliable, and missing the deadline could mean losing your chance at compensation.

To protect your rights and build a strong case, contacting a Monroe personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your accident is your best option.

How Can a Lawyer Help You With a Monroe Truck Accident Case?

Truck accidents in Monroe can be devastating, leaving you with injuries and mountains of paperwork. A Monroe truck Accident Attorney can take the weight off your shoulders during this tough time by assisting with:

• Meeting Deadlines: There’s a one-year deadline to file a claim. A lawyer makes sure everything gets filed on time, avoiding any chance of your case being thrown out.
  
  
• Gathering Evidence: The sooner you get a lawyer involved, the easier it is to collect evidence like witness statements and important documents. This evidence is crucial to winning your case.
  
  
• Dealing with Insurance: Truck accidents often involve multiple insurance companies, and dealing with them can be a hassle. Your lawyer will handle those negotiations for you, fighting to get you a fair settlement.
  
  
• Going to Trial (if needed): If a fair settlement isn’t reached, a lawyer is prepared to take your case to court and fight for you there as well.
  
  
• Letting You Focus on Healing: A lawyer can handle the legal stuff, allowing you to focus on getting better or grieving the loss of a loved one.

Consult With Our Monroe Truck Accident Attorneys Today

With over 679+ years of combined legal experience, Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys has consistently demonstrated their ability to successfully advocate for victims of truck accidents and secure just compensation.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an 18-wheeler accident near Monroe, call our team of truck accident attorneys today at 318.716.3888. We won’t charge you a dime until we win or settle your case, that’s the G Guarantee.

Get Gordon. Get It Done!

Monroe Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me

318.716.3888