18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers in Acadia Parish, Louisiana

When 80,000 Pounds of Steel Changes Everything

One moment you’re driving along I-10 through Acadia Parish, heading toward Lafayette or crossing through Crowley on your way to Lake Charles. The next, an 18-wheeler is jackknifing across three lanes, or a fatigued truck driver is drifting into your path on US-90. In that split second, your life changes forever.

We don’t have to tell you how dangerous Acadia Parish highways can be. Between the heavy agricultural traffic hauling rice and sugarcane, the oilfield trucks servicing the Gulf Coast energy sector, and the constant flow of interstate commerce along I-10, our roads see more than their share of catastrophic truck accidents. When an 80,000-pound commercial truck collides with a 4,000-pound passenger vehicle, physics isn’t on your side.

At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years helping victims of devastating trucking accidents across Louisiana and Texas. Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, has been fighting for injured families since 1998. He’s admitted to federal court in the Southern District of Texas, has taken on Fortune 500 companies like BP in major litigation, and has recovered multi-million dollar settlements for traumatic brain injury victims, amputees, and families who’ve lost loved ones to wrongful death. Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, spent years working as an insurance defense lawyer before joining our team—now he uses that insider knowledge to fight against the very tactics he used to see from the inside.

If you or someone you love has been hurt in an 18-wheeler accident anywhere in Acadia Parish, you need to move fast. Louisiana has the shortest statute of limitations in America—you have just one year from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit. Wait longer than that, and you lose your right to compensation forever, no matter how serious your injuries.

Why Acadia Parish Roads Are Particularly Dangerous for Truck Accidents

Acadia Parish sits at a critical crossroads in Southwest Louisiana. We’re bisected by Interstate 10, one of the busiest trucking corridors in the entire Gulf South. This stretch of I-10 sees thousands of 18-wheelers daily—hauling everything from petrochemicals out of Lake Charles to agricultural products from the surrounding parishes. When you combine this heavy commercial traffic with our notorious weather patterns, narrow rural highways, and the unique demands of oilfield and agricultural hauling, you get a perfect storm for catastrophic truck accidents.

Hurricane season brings its own set of dangers. When storms blow through Acadia Parish, truck drivers face hydroplaning risks on I-10, limited visibility during torrential downpours, and flooded low-lying sections of US-90 and LA-13. We’ve seen cases where trucking companies pressured drivers to keep moving despite tropical storm warnings, violating 49 CFR § 392.14, which requires drivers to use extreme caution in hazardous weather. When profit trumps safety, innocent people pay the price.

The agricultural nature of our parish also creates unique hazards. During harvest season, truck traffic spikes on narrow parish roads as 18-wheelers haul rice, sugarcane, and crawfish. These trucks often share the road with farm equipment, creating dangerous passing situations. Oilfield trucks servicing the nearby petrochemical facilities add another layer of risk—these vehicles often carry hazardous materials that require special handling under 49 CFR Part 397, and when drivers cut corners to meet drilling deadlines, explosions and toxic spills can devastate entire families.

The Brutal Reality of 18-Wheeler Physics

Let’s talk numbers for a moment. A fully loaded semi-truck weighs up to 80,000 pounds—that’s twenty times the weight of your average sedan. When that truck is traveling at 65 miles per hour on I-10 through Acadia Parish, it needs nearly two football fields to come to a complete stop. That’s 525 feet. Your car needs about 300 feet. In an emergency situation, that 225-foot difference is the space between life and death.

The force of impact isn’t just doubled when an 18-wheeler hits a passenger vehicle—it’s multiplied exponentially. Kinetic energy increases with the square of velocity and directly with mass. When an 80,000-pound truck slams into a 4,000-pound car, the energy transfer is catastrophic. This is why we see such severe injuries in Acadia Parish trucking accidents—traumatic brain injuries that require lifelong care, spinal cord damage resulting in paralysis, amputations, severe burns from fuel fires, and all too often, wrongful death.

We’ve recovered over $50 million for families across our practice areas, including multi-million dollar settlements for traumatic brain injury victims ($1.5M-$9.8M range) and amputation cases ($1.9M-$8.6M). These aren’t just numbers—they represent the resources needed to rebuild a life after a trucking company’s negligence tears it apart. As client Glenda Walker told us after we settled her case, “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” That’s what we’re here to do for you.

The Insurance Defense Advantage: Why Who You Hire Matters

Here’s something most people don’t know about our firm, and it could be the difference between a lowball settlement and the maximum compensation you deserve—we have an attorney who used to work for insurance companies. Lupe Peña, our associate attorney, spent years defending trucking companies and their insurers. He sat in their strategy meetings. He saw how they evaluate claims. He knows exactly how they determine what number to throw at you to make you go away.

Now he fights against them.

That’s your advantage. When the trucking company’s insurance adjuster calls after your accident in Acadia Parish—and they will call, usually within 24 hours—they’re trained to minimize your claim. They’ll ask loaded questions designed to make you admit partial fault. They’ll offer quick settlements before you even know the full extent of your injuries. They’ll tell you that you don’t need a lawyer.

Lupe knows these tactics because he used them. Now he exposes them. When you hire Attorney911, you get a team that knows the playbook the other side is running. We know when they’re bluffing about policy limits. We know how to structure your medical evidence to counter their “pre-existing condition” defenses. We know when they have a reserve they’re not telling you about.

And unlike the big billboard firms, we treat you like family, not a case number. As client Chad Harris said in his review, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” That’s how we operate. That’s the Attorney911 difference.

Common 18-Wheeler Accident Types We See in Acadia Parish

Jackknife Accidents on I-10

Jackknifes happen when a truck’s trailer swings out perpendicular to the cab, folding like a pocket knife. On I-10 through Acadia Parish, we see these frequently during our frequent rainstorms or when drivers hit wet patches near thebasin bridges. When a driver brakes too hard on slippery pavement, the trailer skids and swings across multiple lanes.

These accidents often involve violations of 49 CFR § 393.48 (brake system malfunction) or § 392.6 (speeding for conditions). The FMCSA requires drivers to adjust speed for weather conditions, but too often, trucking companies pressure drivers to maintain schedules despite pouring rain. When a trailer jackknifes across I-10 near Crowley or Rayne, it creates a deadly trap for unsuspecting motorists in passenger vehicles.

Underride Collisions: The Deadliest Crashes

Underride accidents are among the most horrific fatalities we see. When a small car hits the rear or side of a trailer and slides underneath, the trailer height often shears off the passenger compartment. Despite federal regulations requiring rear impact guards under 49 CFR § 393.86, many trailers have inadequate or poorly maintained guards. Side underride guards aren’t even federally mandated yet, though they could save thousands of lives.

We’ve seen underride fatalities on US-90 near Jennings and on LA-35 in the northern part of the parish. These crashes are almost always fatal, leaving families devastated and searching for answers. The trucking industry has resisted stronger underride regulations for years—profit over safety, every time.

Rollovers on Rural Highways

Acadia Parish’s network of rural highways—LA-13, LA-35, LA-104—features narrow lanes, soft shoulders, and tight curves. When an overloaded truck or one with improperly secured cargo takes these curves too fast, rollovers happen. Tanker trucks carrying chemicals or fuel are particularly dangerous; when they roll, they spill toxic substances and create fire hazards that can affect entire communities.

These accidents often trace back to 49 CFR § 393.100 violations—improper cargo securement. The regulations require cargo to be secured to withstand 0.8g deceleration forward, 0.5g rearward, and 0.5g laterally. When loaders cut corners or trucking companies skip inspections, cargo shifts, the center of gravity changes, and trucks roll.

Rear-End Collisions: The Stopping Distance Problem

We handle numerous cases where 18-wheelers rear-end passenger vehicles on I-10, often near the Acadia Parish visitor center or the Crowley exits. Truck drivers following too closely—a violation of 49 CFR § 392.11—can’t stop in time when traffic slows. Distracted driving plays a huge role here; under 49 CFR § 392.82, commercial drivers are prohibited from using handheld mobile phones while driving, but ELD data and cell phone records often prove they were texting or calling when they should have been watching the road.

When an 80,000-pound truck hits a car from behind, the car often becomes pinned beneath the truck or is crushed into the vehicle ahead. These accidents cause devastating spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries that require millions in lifetime care.

Wide Turn Accidents in Small Towns

In towns like Crowley, Rayne, and Church Point, narrow streets create dangerous situations when 18-wheelers make wide right turns. These “squeeze play” accidents occur when a truck swings left to make a right turn, crushing a vehicle that entered the gap between the truck and the curb. Often, these involve violations of 49 CFR § 392.11 or state traffic laws regarding safe turning.

Blind Spot Collisions

18-wheelers have massive blind spots—20 feet in front, 30 feet behind, and large areas on both sides. When truck drivers change lanes on I-10 without properly checking these “no-zones,” they sideswipe passenger vehicles. Under 49 CFR § 393.80, trucks must have proper mirrors, but even with mirrors, driver inattention causes countless accidents.

FMCSA Regulations: The Safety Rules Trucking Companies Break

Every commercial truck operating in Acadia Parish must comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations codified in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. These rules exist because without them, too many trucking companies prioritize profit over public safety. Here’s what drivers and companies constantly violate:

Hours of Service Violations (49 CFR Part 395)

The most common violation we see in Acadia Parish trucking accidents involves fatigued drivers. Federal law limits property-carrying drivers to:

• 11 hours maximum driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty
• 14 hours maximum on-duty time after coming on duty
• 30-minute break required after 8 cumulative hours of driving
• 60/70-hour limits over 7/8 consecutive days

Since December 2017, drivers must use Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) to track hours. These devices create tamper-evident records that we subpoena immediately. When a driver in Acadia Parish exceeds these limits and causes an accident while fatigued, the trucking company is liable not just for the driver’s negligence but for their own violation of 49 CFR § 392.3, which prohibits motor carriers from requiring or permitting fatigued driving.

Driver Qualification Failures (49 CFR Part 391)

Before a trucking company lets anyone behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler, they must maintain a Driver Qualification File containing:

• Employment application and background check
• Motor vehicle records from all states
• Medical examiner’s certificate (proving physical fitness)
• Pre-employment drug test results
• Road test certification or equivalent

We frequently find that Acadia Parish trucking accidents involve drivers who never should have been hired—drivers with suspended CDLs, drivers who failed medical exams due to sleep apnea, drivers with histories of drug use. When a company fails to verify these qualifications, they’re liable for negligent hiring under Louisiana law.

Vehicle Maintenance Negligence (49 CFR Part 396)

Brake problems contribute to approximately 29% of large truck crashes. Under 49 CFR § 396.3, motor carriers must systematically inspect, repair, and maintain their vehicles. Drivers must conduct pre-trip inspections under § 396.13, checking brakes, tires, lights, and steering.

In Louisiana’s humid, salt-air environment—particularly near the Gulf Coast—brake systems corrode faster than in drier climates. When trucking companies defer maintenance to save money, they create deadly hazards. We subpoena maintenance records in every case, and we often find patterns of deferred repairs, violations of § 396.11 (failing to document post-trip inspections), and falsified inspection reports.

Cargo Securement Violations (49 CFR §§ 393.100-136)

Acadia Parish sees heavy agricultural and oilfield hauling. When loaders fail to properly secure cargo—whether it’s rice, equipment, or hazardous materials under Part 397—they create rollover hazards and spill risks. Performance criteria require securement systems to withstand 0.8g deceleration forward and 0.5g laterally. When tiedowns fail or blocking is inadequate, cargo shifts, trucks roll, and innocent people die.

Every Party Who Might Owe You Money

One critical difference between car accidents and 18-wheeler accidents is the number of potentially liable parties. We don’t just sue the driver—we investigate every entity that contributed to the dangerous conditions that hurt you:

The Truck Driver: Direct negligence through speeding, distraction, fatigue, or impairment. Under Louisiana’s pure comparative fault system (unlike Texas’s modified comparative system), you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault—your recovery is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. So even if you’re found 30% responsible, you still recover 70% of your damages.

The Trucking Company: Vicarious liability under respondeat superior, plus direct negligence for negligent hiring, training, or supervision. We examine their CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) scores, their inspection history, and their safety culture.

The Cargo Owner/Shipper: Companies like agricultural co-ops or oilfield service companies that arrange shipments may be liable for improper loading instructions or pressuring carriers to exceed safe weight limits.

The Loading Company: Third-party warehouses or agricultural facilities that physically load trucks may be liable under 49 CFR § 393.100 for improper securement.

Truck/Trailer Manufacturers: Defective brake systems, fuel tank placements that cause fires, or inadequate underride guards can trigger product liability claims.

Parts Manufacturers: Defective tires, brake components, or steering systems.

Maintenance Companies: Third-party shops that performed negligent repairs.

Freight Brokers: Companies like C.H. Robinson or XPO that arrange transportation but don’t own trucks may be liable for negligent carrier selection if they hired a trucking company with a poor safety record.

Government Entities: If dangerous road design on I-10 or state highways contributed to the accident, we may have claims against state or parish entities—though Louisiana’s one-year statute of limitations applies strictly to these claims as well.

The 48-Hour Evidence Crisis: Why You Must Act Immediately

Here’s the urgent truth about Acadia Parish trucking accidents: evidence disappears fast. While Louisiana gives you one year to file suit, critical evidence can be gone within days or weeks.

Black Box Data Overwrites in 30 Days: The Electronic Control Module (ECM) and Event Data Recorder (EDR) in the truck record speed, braking, throttle position, and engine performance. This data can be overwritten with new driving events in as little as 30 days. We send spoliation letters within 24 hours of being retained to demand preservation of this evidence.

ELD Records: Electronic Logging Device data proving Hours of Service violations must be preserved. Under FMCSA regulations, carriers only need to keep these for 6 months, but once litigation is anticipated, they must preserve everything.

Dashcam Footage: Many 18-wheelers have forward-facing and cab-facing cameras. Trucking companies often “lose” or delete this footage within days if not put on notice.

Maintenance Records: These show patterns of deferred brake repairs, tire replacements, and inspections. Without immediate preservation demands, these records can be “purged.”

Cell Phone Records: We subpoena the driver’s phone records to prove distraction under 49 CFR § 392.82.

Witness Memories: Independent witnesses on I-10 or US-90 in Acadia Parish can be crucial, but memories fade fast. We interview witnesses immediately while the accident is fresh in their minds.

When we take your case, we act immediately. We send spoliation letters to the trucking company, their insurer, and all potentially liable parties. We demand immediate downloads of ECM and ELD data. We preserve the physical truck before it can be repaired or sold. We photograph the accident scene before weather changes or construction alters the conditions.

This immediate action is why clients like Donald Wilcox come to us after other firms rejected their cases. As Donald told us, “One company said they would not accept my case. Then I got a call from Manginello… I got a call to come pick up this handsome check.” We don’t give up, and we don’t delay.

Catastrophic Injuries: When Life Changes Forever

The injuries sustained in 18-wheeler accidents aren’t like fender-bender bruises. We’re talking about life-altering trauma:

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): From mild concussions to severe brain damage requiring 24/7 care. TBI settlements in our experience range from $1.5 million to $9.8 million depending on severity. These cases require extensive documentation of cognitive deficits, personality changes, and lost earning capacity.

Spinal Cord Injury: Paraplegia and quadriplegia carry lifetime care costs exceeding $4.7 million to $25.8 million. We work with life care planners to project future medical needs, home modifications, and lost income.

Amputation: Whether traumatic amputation at the scene or surgical amputation due to crushing injuries, these cases typically settle between $1.9 million and $8.6 million. Prosthetics, rehabilitation, and vocational retraining costs add up fast.

Severe Burns: From fuel tank ruptures or hazmat spills, requiring multiple skin grafts and reconstructive surgeries.

Wrongful Death: When trucking accidents take loved ones, Louisiana law allows recovery for lost wages, loss of consortium, mental anguish, and funeral expenses. These cases often range from $1.9 million to $9.5 million.

Under Louisiana’s pure comparative fault system, even if your loved one was partially responsible for the accident, the family can still recover damages proportionally. This is more favorable to plaintiffs than Texas’s 51% bar rule, but the one-year statute of limitations makes speed essential.

Louisiana Law: The One-Year Clock Is Ticking

Louisiana has the shortest statute of limitations for personal injury in the United States: one year from the date of the accident. Not two years like Texas. Not three years like some states. One year.

That means if your accident happened on January 15, 2026, you must file your lawsuit by January 15, 2027, or you lose your right to sue forever. It doesn’t matter if you’re still in the hospital. It doesn’t matter if the trucking company is clearly at fault. Miss that deadline, and your case is dead.

This is why we tell every Acadia Parish resident who calls us: don’t wait. The investigation starts now. Evidence preservation happens now. The clock is already running.

Louisiana also follows pure comparative fault rules. If you’re in an accident on I-10 near Crowley and a jury finds you 20% at fault and the truck driver 80% at fault, you can still recover 80% of your damages. This is different from Texas, where being more than 50% at fault bars recovery entirely. But don’t count on the trucking company to admit their share of fault—they’ll try to shift as much blame onto you as possible.

Additionally, Louisiana does not cap non-economic damages (pain and suffering) for trucking accidents, and there’s no cap on punitive damages when gross negligence is proven. This means when we prove a trucking company knowingly put a dangerous driver on the road or falsified safety records, the potential recovery reflects the full extent of your suffering.

What Your Case Is Worth: The Real Numbers

We know money doesn’t restore your health or bring back a lost loved one. But fair compensation ensures you can afford the best medical care, make up for lost income, and secure your family’s future.

Trucking companies carry far more insurance than passenger vehicles:

• $750,000 minimum for non-hazardous freight
• $1,000,000 minimum for oil/equipment
• $5,000,000 minimum for hazmat

These policies are designed to cover catastrophic injuries, but insurance companies fight tooth and nail to avoid paying policy limits. That’s where our experience matters. We’ve secured:

• $5+ million for a traumatic brain injury victim struck by a falling log
• $3.8+ million for a car accident victim who suffered partial leg amputation due to medical complications
• $2.5+ million for an 18-wheeler crash victim
• $2+ million for a maritime worker with a back injury
• Millions for wrongful death families

And we’re currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston involving serious injuries—demonstrating we’re not afraid to take on major institutions when they harm our clients.

As client Kiimarii Yup shared after we handled his case, “I lost everything… 1 year later I have gained so much in return plus a brand new truck.” That’s what we want for you—restoration, dignity, and justice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Acadia Parish Truck Accidents

How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a truck accident in Acadia Parish?
You have exactly one year from the date of the accident under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 9:5624. This is the shortest deadline in America. Do not wait. Call us immediately.

What if the trucking company destroys evidence?
Once we send a spoliation letter and litigation is anticipated, destroying evidence is a serious violation. Courts can impose sanctions, instruct juries to assume destroyed evidence was unfavorable, or even enter default judgment. We send these letters within 24 hours of being retained.

Can I still recover if I was partially at fault?
Yes. Louisiana uses pure comparative fault. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, but unless you’re 100% at fault, you can still recover something. We’re experienced at minimizing fault attribution to our clients.

Who pays my medical bills while I wait for settlement?
We work with medical providers who accept “letters of protection”—meaning they treat you now and get paid from the settlement later. We also help coordinate with your health insurance and auto insurance medical payments coverage.

What if the truck driver was an independent contractor, not an employee?
We still investigate the trucking company for negligent hiring, supervision, or maintenance. We also examine whether the company exercised enough control over the driver to create an employer-employee relationship under Louisiana law.

Do I really need a lawyer, or can I handle this myself?
Trucking cases involve federal regulations, multiple defendants, complex insurance issues, and catastrophic injuries. The trucking company has lawyers—so should you. Studies show represented victims recover significantly more than unrepresented victims, even after attorney fees.

What if I don’t speak English well?
Hablamos Español. Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish and provides direct representation without interpreters. Llame al 1-888-288-9911 para una consulta gratis con un abogado que habla español.

How much does it cost to hire Attorney911?
Nothing up front. We work on contingency—we get paid only if we win. Our standard fee is 33.33% if settled pre-trial, 40% if we go to trial. We advance all costs. You never pay out of pocket.

Will my case go to trial?
Most settle, but we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. Insurance companies offer better settlements when they know you’re represented by trial lawyers willing to take cases to verdict. We’ve handled cases in federal court and aren’t afraid to try cases if that’s what justice requires.

What if the trucking company offers me a settlement quickly?
Don’t sign anything. Early offers are designed to pay you before you know the full extent of your injuries or hire a lawyer. Once you sign a release, you can’t go back for more money if your condition worsens. Let us evaluate the offer first.

Your Fight Starts Here

The trucking company that hit you has already called their lawyer. Their insurance adjuster is already looking for ways to pay you less. Their rapid-response team has already visited the scene. They’re building their defense right now.

What are you doing?

At Attorney911, we don’t let trucking companies push Louisiana families around. Ralph Manginello has spent 25+ years fighting for victims just like you. Our team includes a former insurance defense attorney who knows every trick they’ll try. We have offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, and we handle serious trucking cases throughout Louisiana, including right here in Acadia Parish.

We know the local courts. We know the highways—I-10, US-90, LA-13, LA-35. We know the trucking companies that operate here, and we know how to hold them accountable.

Don’t let the one-year statute of limitations expire on your rights. Don’t let critical evidence disappear. Don’t let the insurance company convince you that your injuries aren’t serious or that you don’t need a lawyer.

If you’ve been hurt in an 18-wheeler accident in Crowley, Rayne, Church Point, Iota, or anywhere in Acadia Parish, call us now.

1-888-288-9911

1-888-ATTY-911

Call 24/7. Free consultation. No fee unless we win. Hablamos Español.

Your family deserves justice. Let’s get it done.