Dump trucks and their operators may spend most of their time parked at industrial and construction worksites, but at some point those operators have to get themselves, their trucks, and the materials they are carrying safely from one worksite to another. During those trips on public roads, it is vital that those operators act carefully and lawfully behind the wheel at all times, since the sheer mass of their vehicle—not to mention whatever that vehicle is carrying—can make it exponentially more dangerous in a wreck than any passenger car could be.
Unfortunately, not every dump truck operator is as careful in this regard as they should be, as the experienced truck accident lawyers at Tomeny | Best know all too well. If you have been injured through a dump truck accident in Baton Rouge recently, getting help from an experienced member of our legal team could prove vital to protecting your best interests not just right now, but for years or even decades into the future as well.
Common Causes and Effects of Dump Truck Crashes
Much like tractor-trailers, dump trucks are much more difficult to safely operate than standard commuter cars, not just because of how much longer, taller, and heavier they are, but also because of how different types and sizes of loads in a dump truck’s bed may affect the truck’s handling. As a result, anything from an egregiously negligent act like driving while drunk to a seemingly innocuous mistake like improper braking technique could lead to a dump truck driver losing control of their vehicle and colliding with multiple other cars before the truck comes to a stop on its own.
It is not hard to imagine how a wreck of this nature could lead to life-altering and even life-threatening injuries for everyone involved, and it is difficult to account for all the adverse effects that a wreck like this can have. A skilled truck accident attorney can provide vital assistance with identifying and proactively demanding fair restitution for every form of harm that a Baton Rouge dump truck accident has had already and will have in the future. This includes medical expenses, lost work income, personal property damage, and various forms of physical and psychological suffering.
What Filing Deadlines Apply to Dump Truck Accident Claims?
Legal counsel can also help ensure that filing time limits set by the “statute of limitations” do not unduly interfere with an injured person’s pursuit of civil restitution after a wreck caused by a negligent dump truck driver. Under Louisiana Civil Code §3493.1, most people who get hurt through the negligence of another have a maximum of two years to file suit from the date of their initial injury, or else they will be “time-barred” from ever recovering civilly for that particular incident.
Thankfully, this two-year filing period is twice the length of the one provided by Louisiana’s previous statute of limitations, which once allowed just one year after an injurious accident for a civil claim to proceed. That said, anyone who was hurt prior to July 1, 2024—when the new statute of limitations went into effect—may still be subject to the old statute of limitations, so time is of the essence when it comes to contacting legal representation after a dump truck crash in Baton Rouge.
Get Help From a Baton Rouge Attorney After a Dump Truck Accident
Driving a dump truck to, from, and around worksites can be dangerous and sometimes thankless work. Nevertheless, everyone responsible for operating this type of massive machine must make sure they are doing so as safely and responsibly as possible at all times. If they fail to do so, they may hold civil liability for all ensuing injuries and losses.
That said, getting a favorable result from a lawsuit or settlement demand over a dump truck accident in Baton Rouge can be far from simple as an injured plaintiff, especially if you try to do it alone. Call today to learn what a capable truck accident lawyer from Tomeny | Best could do to boost your chances of case success.
