Truck accidents happen quickly and often cause severe injury or even death to those involved. Identifying the cause of your truck accident is essential for determining the people who are at fault for the damages you sustained due to their negligence.
When you have been injured, contacting an experienced commercial vehicle wreck attorney from Tomeny | Best is crucial. Our legal team could investigate the potential cause of the collision and help you navigate the legal process. Understanding the common causes of truck accidents in Baton Rouge can be essential to seeing how different scenarios could impact liability for your resulting injuries.
What Are the Common Causes of Accidents?
A truck driver’s actions, or inactions, are the main force behind the cause of an accident in Baton Rouge. For example, a truck driver could cause a wreck by disregarding basic Louisiana traffic laws. Simple violations of speeding or running a stop sign could cause irreparable harm by colliding with another vehicle. Even if a truck driver is technically following the posted traffic signs, their actions may not be appropriate for the weather conditions. A truck driver’s failure to adjust their driving for heavy rains, wind, and other challenging conditions could also contribute to an accident.
More severe examples of driver misconduct may include:
- Driving while fatigued.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Distracted driving from use of a cell phone or another device.
Truck accidents involving these infractions could enable a claim for punitive damages against the driver. These are special types of damages that are generally only available in cases where extreme negligence was present. The attorneys at Tomeny | Best could review the circumstances surrounding an accident and determine if it warrants a request for punitive damages.
Defects, Mechanical Issues, and Cargo Loading Failures
Other causes of truck accidents in Baton Rouge could involve truck and cargo defects. Mechanical defects could result from manufacturer or designer errors but could also be attributable to the neglect of the party responsible for its maintenance and safety checks. These failures may include problems with the brakes, steering wheel, or tires.
An improperly balanced cargo load could also cause a wreck by making the truck prone to toppling or swerving. A semi-truck’s cargo can become improperly balanced through the initial loading process or from it moving while driving, which can happen when the load is not secured correctly.
Determining Fault and Liability
A party whose actions contribute to the cause of a truck wreck in Baton Rouge may be liable for the injuries of others. Identifying an accident’s cause may require reviewing police reports, traffic camera footage, eyewitness accounts, and other available evidence. A truck’s black box can often provide critical data in an accident by recording information about the driver’s speed, braking, and other information that reflects their misconduct.
In addition to a negligent truck driver, other parties with possible fault and liability could include the truck driver’s employer, the vehicle manufacturer, or a cargo-loading company.
Statute of Limitations
If a person was injured on or after July 1, 2024, they have two years from the date of their accident to bring a claim. If they were injured before this date, they have one year from the collision to file their claim. Missing the filing deadline under Louisiana’s statute of limitations could limit your options for recovering compensation by forcing a case dismissal.
Consult with Our Baton Rouge Attorneys to Understand the Common Causes of Truck Accidents Today
The lawyers at Tomeny | Best have experience helping people who have been hurt in truck accidents in Louisiana to recover compensation after sustaining a severe injury. We understand the common causes of truck accidents in Baton Rouge and how these causes could affect a claim for damages.
Meet with one of our well-practiced attorneys and discover how they could handle your case during a free consultation. Call our firm today to schedule an appointment at your convenience.
