Law Office of Alan Stegall

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Fighting For The Injured And The Accused Since 1999

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Experienced Advocacy For Victims Of Truck Wrecks In Louisiana

After a serious truck accident, the injured person and their family may be burdened by medical expenses, property damage and lost wages. The families of victims killed in collisions with trucks are left without the care and companionship of their loved one, and likewise face financial hardships from the lost income.

I am a Shreveport personal injury attorney with over 20 years of experience defending the rights of truck accident victims. I will work to recover the compensation you deserve to cover your losses and get your life back on track. Contact my firm, the Law Office of Alan Stegall, at 318-221-8000.

Louisiana Trucking Accidents

A large commercial vehicle colliding with a much smaller car or pickup at high speeds commonly results in severe injuries and even wrongful death, plus the total loss of the family vehicle. Unfortunately, in truck accident claims, the victims usually must go up against a corporate trucking company in order to collect damages. These companies have abundant resources and will often try to minimize the settlement they offer or deny liability altogether. It can be difficult to determine fault in these complex crash scenes, which is why an experienced legal advocate is so important in trucking accident claims.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations

Trucking companies are not required to pay their employees overtime, but still often demand that they work over 50, 60 or hours a week. Additionally, truck drivers are most likely paid by the load or mile rather than by the hour. This means that truck drivers must be quick during long hours in order to be profitable. The stressful nature of trucking often leads to driver fatigue, which in turn leads to accidents. The Federal Motor Safety Regulations (FMCSR) are a set of rules devised by the federal government in order to protect commercial trucks as well as passenger cars on the road.

The FMCSR dictates the minimum commercial driver’s license requirements for truck drivers as well as the minimum levels of insurance coverage truck drivers must carry. Additionally, the FMCSR has put in place the number of on-duty, off-duty and sleeping hours truckers must adhere to and the physical qualifications for all drivers. If a trucking company fails to comply with the FMCSR and one of their trucks is involved in an accident, they may be liable for damages.

Common causes of trucking accidents include:

  • Driver fatigue – Drivers become too tired to operate their trucks properly or fall asleep at the wheel.
  • Improperly loaded trucks – Uneven loads can cause rollover accidents.
  • Driver distraction – Drivers engaged in activities that take their attention away from the road, such as adjusting the radio, talking on a cell phone, or texting.
  • Defective truck design or manufacture – Flaws in a truck’s design or build can lead to accidents.
  • Failure to comply with federal standards – Non-compliance with the FMCSR can leave a trucking company liable for damages in accidents.
  • Reckless or negligent driving – Speeding, weaving or general inattentiveness can cause catastrophic accidents.
  • Hazardous road conditions – Poorly designed or constructed roads or failure to drive safely in inclement weather can lead to accidents.

Holding Truckers And Trucking Companies Accountable

The Law Office of Alan Stegall handles cases involving tractor-trailers, freight trucks, package delivery trucks and other commercial vehicles. I serve Shreveport and surrounding counties. I can also handle truck wrecks statewide in Louisiana and adjacent counties of Texas. Call me for a free consultation at 318-221-8000 or reach out online.