When an 80,000-pound oilfield service truck barrels down Louisiana Highway 1 through Lafourche Parish, the physics aren’t on your side. One moment you’re heading to work in Thibodaux or returning home to Cut Off. The next, your life changes forever.
We know these highways. We’ve stood beside families in Lafourche Parish who’ve faced the crushing aftermath of 18-wheeler accidents on roads like LA-1, LA-308, and the service routes feeding Port Fourchon. We’ve seen what happens when trucking companies—from major oilfield service operators to independent contractors—cut corners and destroy lives.
You have questions. You have injuries. And you have a clock ticking that you might not know about. In Louisiana, you have just one year to file a lawsuit after a trucking accident. That’s one of the shortest deadlines in America. Evidence disappears faster. Black box data overwrites in 30 days. And the trucking company? They’ve already called their lawyers.
We’re Attorney911. Our managing partner Ralph Manginello has spent over 25 years fighting for injury victims, including federal court admission to the Southern District of Texas that allows us to handle complex interstate trucking cases throughout Louisiana and beyond. Our associate attorney Lupe Peña spent years working for insurance companies before joining our team—now he uses that insider knowledge to fight against them. And we offer Spanish-language services for the Cajun and Hispanic communities across Lafourche Parish who deserve representation without language barriers.
If a truck has destroyed your life anywhere from Raceland to Lockport, from Galliano to Golden Meadow, call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately. The consultation is free. We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win. And we send spoliation letters within 24 hours to preserve the evidence the trucking company hopes you’ll never see.
The 18-Wheeler Danger Zone: Lafourche Parish’s Deadly Corridors
Where Louisiana’s Oil Economy Meets High-Risk Trucking
Lafourche Parish isn’t just another parish on the map. It’s the beating heart of Louisiana’s offshore oil and gas industry. Port Fourchon sits at your southern border—the “Oil Patch of America” where thousands of service trucks haul equipment, chemicals, and personnel to offshore platforms daily.
The Heavy Traffic Routes We Know:
- Louisiana Highway 1: The main artery running north-south through the parish. From Thibodaux down to Port Fourchon, this highway carries a constant stream of 18-wheelers, many hauling overweight loads of drilling equipment.
- LA-308: Running parallel to Bayou Lafourche, this route sees heavy oilfield service traffic cutting through communities like Larose and Cut Off.
- US-90: Just north of the parish line, this interstate corridor feeds into Lafourche via connector routes, bringing long-haul freight mixing with local oilfield traffic.
- Service Roads to Port Fourchon: The Marcel Road (LA-3090) and surrounding industrial corridors see some of the highest concentrations of tanker trucks and heavy equipment haulers in the Gulf South.
Why These Roads Are Different:
The trucks here aren’t just carrying freight. They’re carrying hazardous materials, overweight loads exempted for oilfield operations, and drivers coming off 14-hour shifts on offshore rotations. Fatigue is endemic. Equipment fails under the stress of corrosive salt air and constant use. And when these trucks jackknife on LA-1 or rollover on the narrow stretches near the marsh, the results are catastrophic.
Ralph Manginello has litigated against some of the world’s largest corporations, including BP after the Texas City refinery explosion that killed 15 workers. That experience matters when your opponent is a Fortune 500 oil service company with teams of lawyers ready to minimize your claim. We don’t back down from giants. We’ve recovered multi-million dollar settlements for traumatic brain injury victims, amputees, and families facing wrongful death—settlements ranging from $1.5 million to $9.8 million in trucking and industrial cases.
Why Evidence Vanishes Fast—And Why You Must Act Now
The 48-Hour Rule for Lafourche Parish Truck Accidents
Here’s what the trucking company doesn’t want you to know: they have a rapid-response team designed to protect them, not you. While you’re still in the hospital or grieving, they’re at the accident scene with investigators, lawyers, and public relations specialists.
Critical Evidence That Disappears:
- ECM/Black Box Data: The truck’s electronic control module records speed, brake application, throttle position, and fault codes. It can overwrite in as little as 30 days—sometimes faster if the truck goes back into service.
- ELD Records: Electronic Logging Devices track hours of service. By federal law, trucking companies only need to keep these for 6 months. But drivers violate hours rules constantly in the oilfield—we’ve seen logbooks showing drivers awake for 20+ hours straight.
- Dashcam Footage: Many trucks have forward-facing and cab-facing cameras. This footage often gets “accidentally” deleted within 7-14 days if it’s damaging to the driver.
- Driver Qualification Files: These contain the driver’s history, medical certifications, drug tests, and training records. Companies sometimes “lose” these files when they know liability is clear.
- Physical Evidence: The truck itself may be repaired, sold, or sent back to service, destroying forensic evidence of brake failures or tire defects.
Our Immediate Response:
When you call 1-888-ATTY-911, we don’t wait. We send preservation letters—called spoliation letters—to the trucking company, their insurer, and any potential defendants within 24 hours. These letters legally obligate them to preserve every piece of evidence or face severe sanctions from the court.
Lupe Peña, our associate attorney who used to defend insurance companies, knows exactly where trucking companies hide evidence. He knows their playbook because he used to write it. Now he uses that knowledge to protect families in Lafourche Parish.
The FMCSA Regulations That Prove Negligence
Federal Laws Broken Daily on Louisiana Highways
Every 18-wheeler operating in Lafourche Parish must comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations codified in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. When trucking companies break these rules—and they do, constantly—they’re negligent by definition.
Part 390—General Applicability:
Applies to all commercial motor vehicles with gross vehicle weight ratings over 10,001 pounds operating in interstate commerce. This covers virtually every heavy truck hauling to Port Fourchon.
Part 391—Driver Qualification Standards:
Before a driver can operate a commercial truck, the company must verify they:
- Are at least 21 years old (for interstate)
- Hold a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
- Pass a physical exam every 24 months
- Have a clean driving record (or documented history)
- Complete entry-level driver training
We subpoena Driver Qualification Files in every case. We’ve found drivers operating with suspended CDLs, falsified medical certificates, and histories of accidents that companies ignored during hiring.
Part 392—Driving Rules:
- Section 392.3: No driver shall operate while fatigued or ill to the point of being unsafe. Yet we see drivers pushed past exhaustion in the oilfield.
- Section 392.11: Following too closely. An 80,000-pound truck needs 525 feet to stop at highway speeds—that’s nearly two football fields. Tailgating on LA-1 is deadly.
- Section 392.82: No hand-held mobile phone use while driving. Distracted truck drivers kill.
Part 393—Vehicle Safety & Cargo Securement:
Contains specific rules for securing cargo—critical in Lafourche Parish where trucks haul everything from pipe sections to chemicals. Violations cause rollovers and spills.
Part 395—Hours of Service (HOS):
The most commonly violated regulations:
- 11-Hour Driving Limit: Maximum 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- 14-Hour Window: Cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty.
- 30-Minute Break: Required after 8 cumulative hours of driving.
- 70-Hour Rule: Cannot drive after 70 hours on duty in 8 days.
In the oilfield, these rules get “bent” constantly. Drivers facing tight deadlines for offshore crew changes often falsify logs. The ELD mandate (49 CFR 395.8) requires electronic logs since December 2017—but drivers still find ways to cheat, and companies look the other way.
Part 396—Inspection & Maintenance:
Requires systematic inspection, repair, and maintenance. Drivers must conduct pre-trip inspections and submit written reports on vehicle condition. Brake failures—accounting for 29% of truck crashes—often stem from skipped inspections.
Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Lafourche Parish
The Crashes We See on Bayou Roads
Jackknife Accidents:
The trailer swings perpendicular to the cab, creating a deadly sweep across lanes. Common on wet roads when drivers brake improperly or when empty trailers (common after deliveries to Port Fourchon) are inherently unstable. We look for skid marks showing the trailer angle and ECM data proving speed before braking.
Rollovers:
Particularly dangerous on the narrow highways and bridges of Lafourche Parish. Caused by:
- Speeding on curves (LA-1 has several tight turns near the marsh)
- Improperly loaded cargo (oilfield equipment shifts weight)
- Driver fatigue causing overcorrection
- High winds off the Gulf affecting high-profile trucks
Underride Collisions:
When a smaller vehicle slides underneath the trailer. Rear underride guards are mandated by 49 CFR 393.86, but many are poorly maintained. Side underride has no federal guard requirement—yet it’s devastating when a truck changes lanes into a car on US-90.
Rear-End Collisions:
Trucks need 40% more stopping distance than cars. Following too closely on LA-1 traffic jams or when approaching the Port Fourchon security checkpoint causes devastating impacts. We analyze ECM data for following distance and brake timing.
Cargo Spills:
Hazmat transport violations are common in oilfield service. Improperly secured drilling mud, chemicals, or equipment falls onto roadways. 49 CFR 393.100-136 provides specific securement requirements—violations prove negligence.
Tire Blowouts:
The heat and humidity of South Louisiana destroy tires. Steer tire blowouts cause immediate loss of control. We examine maintenance records for tire age, inflation records, and pre-trip inspection reports.
Brake Failure:
Mechanical failures from deferred maintenance are epidemic in trucking fleets serving the oil patch. We subpoene maintenance logs and out-of-service inspection histories.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
More Than Just the Driver—The Web of Responsibility
Most firms only sue the driver. We investigate every potentially liable party because more defendants means more insurance coverage means higher compensation for your family.
1. The Truck Driver:
Direct negligence for speeding, distraction, fatigue, or impairment. We obtain cell phone records, drug test results, and driving histories.
2. The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier):
- Respondeat Superior: Employers are liable for employees’ negligent acts within the scope of employment.
- Negligent Hiring: Did they check the driver’s history? We’ve found companies hiring drivers with multiple DUIs.
- Negligent Training: Many oilfield truckers receive inadequate safety training.
- Negligent Supervision: Companies often know their drivers violate HOS rules but profit from the overtime.
3. The Cargo Owner/Shipper:
Oil companies shipping equipment to platforms may provide improper loading instructions or require overweight loads that violate safety standards.
4. The Loading Company:
Third-party oilfield service companies may improperly secure cargo, causing shifts that lead to rollovers.
5. Truck/Trailer Manufacturers:
Defective brakes, fuel tank placement causing fires, or stability control failures can create product liability claims.
6. Parts Manufacturers:
Defective tires or brake components that fail under Gulf Coast conditions.
7. Maintenance Companies:
Third-party shops that negligently repair trucks, returning them to service with known defects.
8. Freight Brokers:
Companies arranging transport who negligently select carriers with poor safety records (visible on FMCSA’s SAFER system).
9. Truck Owner (if different from carrier):
In owner-operator arrangements common in the oilfield, the owner may bear separate liability.
10. Government Entities:
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) may be liable for dangerous road design, inadequate signage, or failure to maintain highways. However, Louisiana has strict sovereign immunity rules and short notice requirements—another reason to call immediately.
Catastrophic Injuries—Life Changes in an Instant
The True Cost of a Trucking Accident
The physics of an 80,000-pound truck hitting a 4,000-pound car are merciless. We routinely see:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI):
From concussions to severe brain damage causing permanent cognitive impairment. Our firm has recovered $1.5 million to $9.8 million for TBI victims. Symptoms may not appear for days—headaches, confusion, personality changes, memory loss.
Spinal Cord Injuries:
Paraplegia or quadriplegia requiring lifetime care. Treatment costs range from $1.1 million to $5 million+ over a lifetime. We secure settlements covering not just immediate medical bills but future care, home modifications, and lost earning capacity.
Amputations:
Traumatic limb loss or surgical amputation due to crushing injuries. Prosthetics cost $5,000 to $50,000 each and need replacement every few years. We’ve secured $1.9 million to $8.6 million for amputation cases.
Severe Burns:
Fuel tank ruptures and chemical fires cause third and fourth-degree burns requiring multiple skin grafts and reconstruction.
Wrongful Death:
When a trucking accident kills a loved one, Louisiana law allows surviving spouses, children, and parents to recover damages for lost income, loss of companionship, mental anguish, and funeral expenses. We’ve recovered $1.9 million to $9.5 million in wrongful death settlements.
Louisiana Law—The Clock Is Ticking
State-Specific Rules for Lafourche Parish Cases
Statute of Limitations: ONE YEAR
Louisiana Civil Code Article 3492 gives you just one year from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is among the shortest deadlines in America—shorter than Texas’s two years, shorter than Mississippi’s three years. Miss this deadline, and you lose your right to sue forever, no matter how severe your injuries.
Pure Comparative Fault:
Louisiana follows pure comparative negligence. Even if you were partially at fault—say 30%—you can still recover 70% of your damages. Unlike some states that bar recovery if you’re 51% at fault, Louisiana allows recovery even if you’re 99% at fault (though your damages are reduced accordingly). This protects victims, but insurance companies will try to shift blame to reduce payouts. We fight these allegations with ECM data and accident reconstruction.
Damages Caps:
Unlike some states, Louisiana generally does not cap compensatory damages in personal injury cases (medical malpractice has caps, but trucking accidents do not). This means your full medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering are recoverable. Punitive damages are available when defendants act with “wanton and reckless disregard” for safety—common when companies knowingly violate FMCSA regulations.
Governmental Claims:
If a state or parish vehicle (like a parish water truck) was involved, you must file a notice of claim within one year, but the process is complex with specific procedural requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions for Lafourche Parish Victims
How long do I really have to file a claim?
One year from the accident date in Louisiana. But waiting is dangerous. Evidence disappears fast—call 1-888-ATTY-911 today.
What if the truck driver was working for an oil company?
We investigate the relationship. Many “independent contractors” are actually employees under the law, making the oil company vicariously liable under respondeat superior. Additionally, oil companies often have significant insurance coverage—sometimes $5 million or more for hazmat transport.
Can I afford an attorney?
Yes. Attorney911 works on contingency. You pay zero upfront costs. We advance all investigation expenses. Our fee is 33.33% pre-trial or 40% if we go to trial, but only if we win. You never receive a bill from us.
What if I was partially at fault?
Under Louisiana’s pure comparative fault system, you can still recover. If you’re found 20% at fault, you recover 80% of your damages. Don’t let the insurance company convince you that you have no case.
Will my case go to trial?
Most cases settle, but we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. Insurance companies know which lawyers are willing to go to court—and they offer better settlements to trial-ready firms. Ralph Manginello has the federal court experience necessary for complex interstate trucking litigation.
Do you handle Spanish-speaking clients?
Yes. Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish. We provide direct representation without interpreters. Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911.
What if the trucking company is from Texas?
We have offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, and we’re admitted to federal court. We regularly handle cases involving Texas-based oilfield companies operating in Louisiana. The federal court admission to the Southern District of Texas gives us advantages in interstate commerce cases.
How much is my case worth?
It depends on injury severity, medical costs, lost wages, and available insurance. Trucking companies carry $750,000 to $5 million in coverage. We’ve secured multi-million dollar settlements, but every case is unique. Call for a free evaluation.
What if I don’t feel hurt immediately?
See a doctor anyway. Adrenaline masks pain. Internal injuries and TBI symptoms may appear days later. Documentation is crucial for your case.
Real Clients, Real Results
Don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what clients say about working with Attorney911:
Chad Harris told us: “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” That’s how we treat every client—from Thibodaux to Golden Meadow.
Glenda Walker said: “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” We don’t settle for lowball offers. We fight for maximum compensation.
Donald Wilcox came to us after another firm rejected his case. “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 take the cases other firms won’t touch—and we win.
Ernest Cano put it simply: “Mr. Manginello and his firm are first class. Will fight tooth and nail for you.”
Kiimarii Yup lost everything in an accident. “I lost everything… my car was at a total loss, and because of Attorney Manginello and my case worker Leonor, 1 year later I have gained so much in return plus a brand new truck.”
The Attorney911 Difference
Why Families in Lafourche Parish Choose Us
Former Insurance Defense Attorney on Staff:
Lupe Peña knows how insurance companies evaluate claims because he used to do it. He knows their algorithms, their negotiation tactics, and when they’re bluffing. That insider knowledge benefits you.
Federal Court Experience:
Ralph Manginello is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. This matters for interstate trucking cases involving federal regulations and multi-state defendants.
Proven Results:
Over $50 million recovered for clients. Experience against Fortune 500 companies like BP. Current litigation of a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston demonstrating our capacity for major complex cases.
24/7 Availability:
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 any time, day or night. When you’re injured, you can’t wait for business hours.
Three Offices Serving the Region:
Our Houston office at 1177 West Loop S, Suite 1600, is staffed by attorneys who regularly handle Louisiana cases. We also have offices in Austin and Beaumont for clients across the Gulf Coast.
Spanish Language Services:
For the Hispanic and Cajun communities throughout Lafourche Parish, we offer fluent Spanish representation. No interpreters. No confusion. Direct communication with your attorney.
Call Now—Before Evidence Disappears
The trucking company has lawyers. So should you.
If you’ve been injured in an 18-wheeler accident anywhere in Lafourche Parish—whether on LA-1 near Thibodaux, on the service roads to Port Fourchon, or on the highways connecting to Houma—call Attorney911 immediately.
The evidence you need to prove your case is disappearing right now. Black box data overwrites. Witnesses forget. Videos get deleted. And Louisiana gives you only one year to file suit.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (or 888-288-9911) for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win. We’ll send a spoliation letter within 24 hours to preserve critical evidence. And we’ll treat you like family, not a case number.
Hablamos Español. Llame ahora al 1-888-ATTY-911.
Don’t let the trucking company win. Don’t let the insurance adjuster diminish your suffering. You deserve an attorney who knows federal trucking law, knows Louisiana’s one-year deadline, and knows how to make corporations pay.
Your fight starts with one call. 1-888-ATTY-911.
Attorney911—because trucking companies shouldn’t get away with it.
