As a well-practiced 18-wheeler collision attorney from Tomeny | Best could attest, the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge portion of Interstate 10 is a known hotspot for vehicular accidents. This 18-mile stretch of road consists of parallel bridges that have limited shoulder areas, which can lead to major traffic jams in the event of an accident.
Because many trucks and commercial vehicles use the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge, you are more likely to get hurt in a truck accident than traveling on local roads. If you or a family member were injured in an accident with a truck, a Baton Rouge I-10 truck accident lawyer is available to speak with you about a potential lawsuit.
I-10 Truck Accidents Are a Known Hazard
The Atchafalaya Basin Bridge, also known as the Louisiana Airborne Memorial Bridge, was first opened in 1973 and runs from Baton Rouge to Lafayette. Due to the number of commercial vehicles that use I-10, the bridge is a known hazard for truck accidents.
Reduced Speed Limit
The state has taken various actions over the years to minimize the risk of truck accidents. In 1998, the overall speed limit for all vehicles was lowered from 70 mph to 60 mph. Due to the increased dangers from truck accidents, the speed limit for trucks was lowered to 55 mph in 2003.
Lane Restrictions
The state has also imposed lane restrictions on trucks, limiting their travel on the bridge to right-lane use only. The bridge is currently the only highway segment in the state with both truck lane restrictions and differential speed limits for cars and trucks.
Compliance
Aside from the inherent dangers presented by trucks on the Louisiana Airborne Memorial Bridge, driver behavior can also create an increased risk of accidents. Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development studies have shown that 20 percent of trucks do not comply with the I-10 lane restrictions.
Uncontrollable Factors
The chances of a truck driver causing an accident also increases when traveling at excessive speeds, driving aggressively, driving while impaired or fatigued, and distracted driving. Uncontrollable factors such as extreme weather conditions can further increase these risks. If a person has been hurt in a truck accident on I-10, it is crucial to seek help from a Baton Rouge attorney as soon as possible.
Who Can a Person Sue for Truck Accidents?
Since many large trucks are commercial vehicles, it is important that an injured person understands the appropriate party to sue in the event of an I-10 Baton Rouge truck collision. When a truck that causes the accident is a commercial vehicle, an injured party will potentially have a valid legal claim against the driver and their employer. Employers are strictly liable under La. Civ. Code Ann. § 2320 when actions by their employees cause injuries or property damage.
Employer’s liability hinges on the truck driver’s classification as an employee, not an independent contractor. To prove strict liability for an employer, an injured person must show that the truck driver caused the accident while performing their normal job functions.
Aside from the truck driver or their employer, an injured person could have a claim against vehicle manufacturers or its components under the state’s product liability laws. According to La. Stat. Ann. § 9:2800.54, the manufacturer of faulty truck equipment is liable to those injured by defects that make a product unreasonably dangerous.
Surviving Family Can Pursue Legal Action After Fatalities
Due to their size and weight, truck accidents are more likely to result in fatalities compared to car accidents. If an I-10 accident leads to death, a Baton Rouge attorney could provide legal counsel to surviving family members about pursuing a wrongful death claim.
Consult With an I-10 Baton Rouge Accident Attorney About Your Truck Accident Claim Today
Do not hesitate to contact a Baton Rouge I-10 truck accident lawyer if you were involved in a commercial vehicle accident on the Louisiana Memorial Bridge. An experienced attorney from Tomeny | Best could provide an initial consultation to advise you on how to file a lawsuit.
Your lawyer could also help you obtain the necessary evidence to help you win your lawsuit, such as witness testimony, police reports, or photos or videos from the accident scene. Contact the firm today for a free consultation.