When a tractor-trailer collides with a passenger car, the force generated by the larger vehicle is almost always severe enough to cause serious and potentially life-threatening injuries to everyone inside the smaller vehicle. Side-impact truck accidents in Lafayette, in particular, tend to be significantly devastating, especially when they occur at high speeds.
If you were recently involved in such a crash and need to recover financially for losses related to your injuries, you will likely require help from experienced legal counsel to achieve the best possible result from your claim. Fortunately, the compassionate truck accident lawyers at Tomeny | Best are here to support you. Our team works tirelessly and efficiently to ensure you are compensated fairly for the harm you have unjustly suffered.
Where Do Side-Impact Truck Crashes Typically Happen?
Being T-boned by a semi-truck—when the front of a tractor-trailer impacts the side of a passenger car at a 90-degree angle—is one of the most dangerous types of accidents that can occur on Louisiana roads. The minimal material separating the occupants of a car from the full force of an oncoming truck leaves little protection in these scenarios. These wrecks typically happen at intersections due to a truck driver running a red light, speeding, or being impaired or distracted. Such collisions often result in life-altering injuries and generally provide strong grounds for civil litigation.
Side-impact truck accidents can also occur on Lafayette highways, where commercial trucks and passenger vehicles travel in the same direction. If a truck driver fails to properly check their blind spots or neglects to signal before merging or changing lanes, they could sideswipe another vehicle, potentially causing the driver to veer off the road. These incidents can lead to similarly catastrophic consequences, and legal action is often necessary to address the resulting harm.
Establishing Liability for a Trucker’s Negligence
If a truck driver T-bones or sideswipes a vehicle due to reckless or careless behavior, that driver will likely bear most or all of the liability for the losses caused by the accident. However, truck drivers often do not have sufficient personal assets to fully compensate for the immense harm that a side-impact semi-truck accident in Lafayette can inflict.
Fortunately, under the legal doctrine of vicarious liability, it is often possible to hold the negligent trucker’s employer liable as well. As a knowledgeable attorney at Tomeny | Best can explain in detail during a free consultation, employers are vicariously liable for the negligent actions of their employees when those actions occur within the scope of employment. This means the trucking company may share legal responsibility for the crash and the resulting damages.
Recovering Compensation After a Side-Impact Truck Accident
To recover compensation for your losses following a side-impact with a commercial truck in Lafayette, you may seek both special damages and general damages. Special damages account for economic losses, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage, while general damages compensate for non-economic harm, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In some cases, punitive damages may also be pursued if the trucker’s conduct was especially egregious, such as intoxicated driving, as they serve to punish and deter similar reckless behavior in the future.
A Lafayette Attorney Can Help Sue Over a Side-Impact Truck Accident
No two truck accident lawsuits are exactly alike. The most effective legal strategy for one case may not be the best approach for another. For this reason, it is crucial to seek the assistance of an attorney with experience in successfully handling various types of truck accident claims.
At Tomeny | Best, we are here to guide you through every step of the legal process after a side-impact truck accident in Lafayette. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll these accidents can take, and we are committed to offering personalized service to each of our clients. Contact us today for a free consultation. We will help you explore your options and work toward the compensation you deserve.
