Truck Accident Attorney Near Lake Charles

Lake Charles, a city of nearly 100,000 residents, experiences frequent traffic accidents, with 3,320 crashes reported in 2022 alone—not including I-10 and I-210 incidents.

Truck accidents, especially with 18-wheelers, often cause severe injuries. If you’ve been involved in a truck accident near Moss Bluff, the experienced Lake Charles truck accident lawyer at Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys are here to fight for the compensation you deserve, letting you focus on recovery while we handle the legal details.

Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle

We understand the immense stress and uncertainty following a collision, especially with a large truck. Here at Gordon McKernan, our Louisiana personal injury attorneys are dedicated to helping victims of all kinds of truck accidents.

We have extensive experience handling a variety of cases, including:

• Jackknife and rollover accidents: These are especially dangerous due to the size and weight of the truck.
• Sideswipe and head-on collisions: These accidents can cause serious injuries or even death.
• T-bone and wide-turn accidents: Often caused by improper maneuvers or driver negligence.
• Rear-end collisions: While common, these can still be devastating, causing whiplash and other injuries.

No matter what type of accident you’ve been in, our goal is the same: to fight for the justice and fair compensation you deserve.

Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle

We understand the immense stress and uncertainty following a collision, especially with a large truck. Here at Gordon McKernan, our Louisiana personal injury attorneys are dedicated to helping victims of all kinds of truck accidents.

We have extensive experience handling a variety of cases, including:

• Jackknife and rollover accidents: These are especially dangerous due to the size and weight of the truck.
• Sideswipe and head-on collisions: These accidents can cause serious injuries or even death.
• T-bone and wide-turn accidents: Often caused by improper maneuvers or driver negligence.
• Rear-end collisions: While common, these can still be devastating, causing whiplash and other injuries.

No matter what type of accident you’ve been in, our goal is the same: to fight for the justice and fair compensation you deserve.

What Causes Truck Accidents?

Truck drivers are vital to America’s economy, but the demands of the job can lead to risks for other motorists. Here are some common causes of truck accidents:

• Driver Fatigue: Long hours on the road can slow reaction times and impair judgment, making fatigue a leading cause of crashes.
• Improperly Loaded Cargo: Overloaded or unbalanced cargo can cause rollovers or jackknifes, putting everyone on the road at risk.
• Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol or drug use behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler can lead to devastating accidents.
• Blind Spots: Trucks have large blind spots, and drivers may not see vehicles lingering in these areas.
• Speeding: Heavy trucks take longer to stop, and speeding increases both crash likelihood and severity.
• Negligent Maintenance: Poorly maintained brakes, tires, or engines can result in catastrophic mechanical failures.

Staying safe around trucks means being cautious, maintaining distance, and understanding the challenges drivers face. Cutting corners in trucking can have catastrophic consequences.

Common Injuries After Truck Accidents in Lake Charles

The average tractor-trailer weighs between 20 and 30 times more than the average passenger vehicle, making it extremely likely that, in the event of an accident, the passenger vehicle and its occupants will be hurt more than the truck driver.

Many of the injuries that truck accident victims sustain can be life-changing:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Caused by head impact, leading to memory loss, motor issues, mood changes, or even death.
• Neck, Back, and Spinal Cord Injuries: Often resulting in paralysis, chronic pain, and costly treatments.
• Broken Bones: The most common injury, causing pain, limited mobility, and expensive recovery.
• Catastrophic Injuries: Such as amputations, significantly impacting quality of life and earning ability.
• Wrongful Death: In tragic cases, accidents can lead to fatalities among the driver or passengers of smaller vehicles.

What Compensation Can I Expect After a Truck Wreck?

After a truck accident, victims may face overwhelming costs for medical bills, lost wages, therapy, and more. If the truck driver or another party is at fault, compensation can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the severity of injuries and damages.

Potentially Liable Parties:

• Truck Driver: For reckless or negligent driving.
• Truck Loader: For improperly loaded cargo.
• Truck Owner: For failing to maintain the vehicle.
• Government Agencies: For poor road conditions.
• Other Drivers: If their actions contributed to the crash.

With the right legal guidance, you can seek the compensation you deserve to rebuild your life after a truck accident.

How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Lake Charles?

Truck accidents are overwhelming, but knowing your legal timeline is crucial. Louisiana’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims changed in 2024:

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

This “prescriptive period” is your deadline to file a lawsuit. Missing it could mean forfeiting your right to compensation. Act quickly—contact a Lake Charles personal injury attorney as soon as possible to protect your claim.

How Can a Lake Charles Truck Accident Lawyer Help?

In the aftermath of a truck wreck, things can get complicated fast (legally speaking). That’s where a Lake Charles truck accident lawyer comes in. Here’s how they can help:

• Figure out what happened: They’ll investigate your case, gather evidence, and build a timeline of the accident.
• Know the law: They’re skilled in practicing Louisiana traffic laws and will make sure your claim is strong and legal.
• Fight for what you deserve: They’ll handle the tough negotiations with insurance companies, aiming to get you the most money possible.
• Go to court, if needed: If a fair settlement can’t be reached, they’ll represent you in court, arguing your case powerfully.

A truck accident lawyer is your champion throughout this whole process. They’ll take the weight off your shoulders and fight to get you the best possible outcome.

Consult With Our Truck Accident Lawyers Near Sulphur

We’ve helped Louisiana residents & their loved ones recover over $3 Billion in verdicts and settlements, and we’re ready to help you at no cost until we win your case or reach a settlement. That’s the G Guarantee.

If you or a loved one has been in a truck wreck, you don’t need to face the coming weeks and months alone. Our team of truck accident attorneys at Gordon McKernan are here to help you recover the compensation you need to begin to heal.

Give us a call at 337.888.8888 for a free consultation about your legal options.