Terrebonne Parish 18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys: Fighting for Gulf Coast Families After Catastrophic Truck Crashes

The oilfield trucks hauling to Port Fourchon don’t stop for hurricanes. The tankers navigating US-90 through Houma carry 80,000 pounds of steel and momentum. When one of those trucks loses control on the elevated spans over Terrebonne’s bayous, or when a fatigued driver drifts across the centerline on LA-1 near Montegut, lives change forever. You didn’t ask to become a statistic on the Gulf Coast’s deadliest trucking corridors—but now you’re facing medical bills, lost income, and a trucking company that’s already building their defense.

You need more than just a lawyer. You need a Gulf Coast trucking litigation team with federal court experience, insider knowledge of how commercial insurers operate, and a track record of multi-million dollar recoveries for catastrophic injuries. Attorney911 has spent over 25 years fighting for families across Terrebonne Parish and throughout Louisiana’s oil patch. We don’t just handle cases—we preserve evidence before it disappears, we hold every liable party accountable from the driver to the cargo broker, and we treat you like family while we fight for every dollar you deserve.

Don’t wait. Louisiana gives you just one year to file a trucking lawsuit, and critical evidence can vanish in weeks. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now for a free consultation. We answer 24/7, and if you speak Spanish, Lupe Peña is ready to help directly—no interpreters needed.

Why Terrebonne Parish 18-Wheeler Accidents Are Different

The Gulf Coast’s Unique Trucking Dangers

Terrebonne Parish sits at the heart of Louisiana’s offshore oil and gas industry. This isn’t standard highway trucking—we’re talking about specialized equipment moving through saltwater marshes, across aging drawbridges, and along US-90’s notorious two-lane stretches where there’s nowhere to escape when a tanker drifts. The parish lies within the Port of South Louisiana’s sphere of influence, handling massive volumes of petrochemical freight, drilling equipment, and hazardous materials that other regions never see.

The Terrebonne Parish Trucking Risk Profile:

• Hurricane Season Hazards: From June through November, trucks operate under extreme wind warnings and flash flood conditions. I’ve seen cases where trucking companies pressured drivers to deliver equipment to Port Fourchon despite tropical storm warnings—violating 49 CFR § 392.14 which requires drivers to adjust for hazardous weather.
• Oilfield Traffic Density: The corridor between Houma and the port facilities sees constant heavy-equipment transport. These aren’t standard dry vans—they’re hauling pipe, drilling mud, and potentially explosive materials on trailers not designed for public roads.
• Marsh Fog: Early morning ground fog rolling off Bayou Terrebonne and the Intracoastal Waterway creates zero-visibility conditions where 80,000-pound trucks can’t stop in time.
• Bridge Dynamics: The vertical lifts and bascule bridges throughout the parish force sudden stops. Brake failures on these spans result in vehicles plunging into waterways—a scenario we’ve unfortunately handled multiple times.

Physics Don’t Lie: Why Truck Accidents Catastrophically Injure

Your sedan weighs roughly 4,000 pounds. A loaded 18-wheeler authorized for Louisiana highways can weigh 80,000 pounds—that’s 20 times your vehicle’s mass. At 65 mph on US-90, that truck carries 80 times the kinetic energy of your car. When they collide, the math is brutal.

The Stopping Distance Problem:
A passenger car needs roughly 300 feet to stop from highway speed. An 18-wheeler needs 525 feet—nearly two football fields. On rain-slicked sections of LA-311 or the curved approaches to the Houma Navigation Canal bridges, that distance extends even further. By the time a distracted truck driver realizes traffic has stopped ahead of them, it’s already too late.

Common Catastrophic Injuries in Terrebonne Parish Truck Crashes:

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): The violent forces of a truck impact cause the brain to strike the interior of the skull. We’ve recovered settlements ranging from $1.5 million to $9.8 million for TBI victims who faced permanent cognitive impairment.
• Spinal Cord Damage: Quadriplegia and paraplegia from underride collisions or rollovers. These cases often command $4.7 million to $25.8 million when accounting for lifetime care.
• Amputations: Crushed limbs from override accidents or cargo shifts. Our firm has secured between $1.9 million and $8.6 million for amputation survivors.
• Burn Injuries: Tanker explosions on the petroleum corridors near Schriever or Gibson cause third-degree burns requiring years of grafting.

Every one of these injuries changes your life permanently. That’s why trucking companies carry minimum insurance of $750,000—and often $1 million to $5 million for hazmat haulers—but getting access to those funds requires proving they violated federal safety regulations.

The Federal Regulations That Keep Terrebonne Parish Highways Safe

Commercial trucks crossing Louisiana state lines—or operating on interstate commerce routes like US-90—must comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49 CFR Parts 390-399). These aren’t suggestions; they’re federal law. When trucking companies violate them to save money, they create the dangerous conditions that cause your accident.

Part 395: Hours of Service—The Fatigue Factor

This is where we find violations in most Terrebonne Parish cases. Oilfield trucking companies serving the Gulf often pressure drivers to exceed legal limits to meet rig schedules.

The Federal Limits:
Drivers cannot operate beyond:

• 11 hours of driving time after 10 consecutive hours off-duty
• 14 hours total on-duty time from the start of their shift
• 60/70 hour weekly limits (depending on company operating schedule)

In the aftermath of a crash on LA-1 or near the Port of Terrebonne, we immediately subpoena the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data. Since December 2017, ELDs are mandatory—they record GPS location, speed, braking, and driving time automatically. This data proves whether the driver was legally fatigued when they slammed into your vehicle.

We recently handled a case where ELD data showed a driver had been on-duty for 16 hours when he rolled through a stop sign in Houma. The trucking company claimed he was “well-rested.” The black box proved otherwise. That’s the kind of evidence that turns a denied claim into a seven-figure settlement.

Part 393: Cargo Securement—Critical on Coastal Highways

Terrebonne Parish trucks often haul pipe, heavy equipment, and hazardous materials. Federal law requires cargo securement systems to withstand:

• 0.8g deceleration (sudden braking)
• 0.5g lateral force (turning)
• 0.5g rearward acceleration

When a load shifts on the curves of Highway 24 near Chauvin, or when pipe breaks loose on the pontoon bridges crossing Bayou Dularge, the results are deadly rollovers. We investigate loading dock records, bills of lading, and witness statements to prove the cargo owner or loading company failed to comply with 49 CFR § 393.100-136.

Part 391: Driver Qualification—Who’s Behind the Wheel?

Federal law mandates that trucking companies maintain a Driver Qualification File for every operator. This file must include:

• Valid CDL with proper endorsements (essential for hazmat on the petroleum corridor)
• Current medical examiner’s certificate (commercial drivers must meet strict physical standards)
• Three-year driving history investigation
• Pre-employment drug test results
• Annual safety performance reviews

In Terrebonne Parish, we’ve encountered cases where drivers with suspended licenses—or medically disqualified operators—were allowed behind the wheel of 40-ton rigs bound for offshore supply bases. When a company fails to verify qualifications under § 391.51, they commit negligent hiring. That’s not just driver error—it’s corporate negligence that opens additional insurance coverage.

Part 396: Maintenance and Inspection

The salt air along Terrebonne’s coastal highways corrodes brake lines faster than inland routes. Federal law requires systematic inspection and maintenance under § 396.3. Drivers must conduct pre-trip inspections covering brakes, tires, steering, and lighting.

We recently represented a family whose vehicle was crushed when a truck’s brakes failed on the downward slope of the Houma Bridge. Our investigation revealed the maintenance company had logged “repairs” that were never performed—violating § 396.11’s post-trip inspection requirements. That maintenance company became a defendant, adding another $2 million in insurance coverage to the case.

How 18-Wheeler Accidents Happen in Terrebonne Parish

Rollover Accidents: The Coastal Curve Danger

Terrebonne Parish’s geography—a mix of elevated highways, drawbridges, and low-lying causeways—creates unique rollover risks. When a tanker takes the curve on Highway 182 too fast, or when a loaded flatbed encounters high crosswinds on the Houma-Terrebonne Airport overpass, the center of gravity shifts.

Why They Happen:

• Speeding on elevated curves (violating § 392.6)
• Liquid cargo “slosh” in tankers transporting drilling fluids
• Improperly secured pipes that shift during evasive maneuvers
• Hurricane-force wind gusts that drivers fail to account for

Rollovers often result in multi-vehicle pileups and cargo spills onto opposing traffic. The injuries are crushing—literally. Vehicles caught beneath overturned trailers suffer compression injuries requiring extraction by the Houma Fire Department’s technical rescue teams.

Underride Collisions: The Most Fatal Crashes

Underride accidents occur when a passenger vehicle slides under the trailer of an 18-wheeler. The trailer height aligns perfectly with windshield level, causing decapitation or severe head trauma to vehicle occupants.

Rear Underride: Common on US-90 when a truck stops suddenly for bridge traffic and the following driver can’t stop in time. Federal law (§ 393.86) requires rear impact guards, but many trucks have inadequate or rusted guards that collapse on impact.

Side Underride: Occurs during lane changes or at intersections throughout Houma’s commercial districts. Unlike rear guards, there is NO federal mandate for side underride protection—meaning trucking companies often refuse to install guards to save money. When a truck cuts across LA-24 near Southland Mall and a sedan slides beneath the trailer, the results are catastrophic.

Cargo Spills and Hazmat Releases

Given Terrebonne Parish’s role in the petroleum industry, trucks here carry dangerous cargo—crude oil, drilling chemicals, methanol, and pressurized gases. When these trucks overturn on parish roads or crash on the approaches to Port Fourchon, the danger extends far beyond the initial impact.

The Domino Effect:
A tanker rollover on Highway 3087 doesn’t just block traffic—it creates a hazmat zone requiring evacuation of nearby neighborhoods like Bayou Blue or Gray. Breathing toxic fumes causes respiratory damage. Explosions cause severe thermal burns.

Federal regulations (§ 397) impose strict hazmat routing and handling requirements. Violations—such as failing to properly placard the vehicle or driving through prohibited zones—constitute gross negligence that supports punitive damages under Louisiana law.

Jackknife Accidents on Wet Roads

When a truck’s trailer swings perpendicular to the cab, it blocks multiple lanes. This is common on the high-level bridges crossing Bayou Terrebonne during rainstorms when drivers apply brakes improperly. The physics are unforgiving: once a trailer breaks traction on wet pavement, the driver cannot recover.

Jackknifes often trigger chain-reaction pileups on the limited-access sections of highway near the Houma-Terrebonne Business Park. Determining liability requires analyzing the Engine Control Module (ECM) data to see if the driver braked too hard for conditions—violating § 392.6’s requirement to adjust speed for weather.

Rear-End Collisions: The Stopping Distance Reality

Following too closely violation of § 392.11 is epidemic among oilfield trucking operations rushing to meet rig schedules. On the two-lane sections of Highway 1 south of Houma, there’s nowhere to go when an 80,000-pound truck fails to stop.

These accidents cause traumatic brain injuries from the violent whiplash effect—your head snaps forward then backward with forces that shear brain tissue. We’ve seen cases where the truck driver claimed the car “stopped suddenly,” but ECM data proved the truck was traveling 15 mph over the speed limit and never applied brakes until impact.

Tire Blowouts and Maintenance Failures

The heat and humidity of Terrebonne Parish are brutal on tires. Underinflated tires overheat; overloaded trailers (common in the oil patch where “make it fit” mentality prevails) exceed tire capacity. When a steer tire blows on a tanker crossing the Intracoastal Waterway bridge, the driver loses control instantly.

Federal law requires minimum tread depth (4/32″ for steer tires under § 393.75) and mandates pre-trip inspections. We subpoena maintenance records to prove the trucking company knew the tires were worn but sent the truck out anyway to save money on replacements.

Every Party Who Could Owe You Money

Most law firms sue the driver and the trucking company—then settle for policy limits. We don’t stop there. In Terrebonne Parish’s complex oilfield logistics chain, multiple parties may share liability, creating multiple insurance pools to draw from.

1. The Truck Driver

Direct liability for speeding, distracted driving, log falsification, or impairment.

2. The Motor Carrier (Trucking Company)

Vicarious liability under respondeat superior makes the employer responsible for employee negligence. They also face direct liability for:

• Negligent Hiring: Failing to verify the driver had a valid CDL or clean medical record
• Negligent Training: Sending drivers onto US-90 without proper hazmat or defensive driving training
• Negligent Supervision: Ignoring ELD violations or patterns of unsafe driving
• Negligent Maintenance: Failing to service brakes or tires before they fail

3. The Cargo Owner/Shipper

When Chevron, Shell, or offshore drilling contractors contract transport of equipment, they owe a duty to ensure safe loading. If they demand overweight loads (common with drilling pipe) or fail to disclose hazardous cargo characteristics, they become liable.

4. The Loading Company

Third-party warehouses near the Port of Terrebonne often load trucks. If they fail to secure pipe with adequate tiedowns (violating § 393.102’s performance criteria), they caused the load shift that triggered your accident.

5. Truck and Parts Manufacturers

Defective brake systems, steering mechanisms, or tires that fail prematurely give rise to product liability claims. We’ve litigated against major manufacturers when their equipment failed on Louisiana highways.

6. The Freight Broker

Brokers like C.H. Robinson or regional operators who arrange transport between Houston and Terrebonne Parish have a duty to select carriers with adequate safety records. If they hire a carrier with a Conditional or Unsatisfactory FMCSA safety rating to save money, they’ve committed negligent selection.

7. Maintenance Companies

Independent mechanics who perform brake jobs or tire replacements and do defective work can be held liable when their negligence causes a crash.

8. Government Entities

If the Louisiana Department of Transportation failed to maintain bridge surfaces, allowed potholes to create steering hazards, or failed to post adequate warnings for low-clearance structures on truck routes, they may share liability—though sovereign immunity limits require special handling.

The 48-Hour Evidence Preservation Crisis

Here’s what the trucking company doesn’t want you to know: they’re destroying evidence right now.

While you’re in the hospital at Terrebonne General Medical Center or Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center, the trucking company has already dispatched a rapid-response team to the scene. Their lawyers are photographing the truck—not to help you, but to protect themselves. And within days, critical evidence starts disappearing.

The Evidence Destruction Timeline:

• ECM/Black Box Data: Overwrites in 30 days (sometimes sooner in newer systems)
• ELD Logs: FMCSA only requires 6-month retention; companies delete regularly
• Dashcam Footage: Often recorded over within 7 days
• Driver Qualification Files: Can be “lost” if not immediately preserved
• Maintenance Records: Altered to hide deferred repairs
• Witness Statements: Memories fade; Gulf Coast workers rotate offshore and disappear

What We Do Immediately:
When you call 1-888-ATTY-911, we send a spoliation letter within hours—not days. This legal notice puts the trucking company on notice that they must preserve:

• All electronic data (ECM, ELD, GPS, Qualcomm)
• Driver Qualification Files and personnel records
• Maintenance histories for the past 14 months
• Dispatch records and delivery schedules
• Post-accident drug/alcohol test results
• The physical truck itself (before it’s repaired or sold for scrap)

If they destroy evidence after receiving our letter, courts can impose sanctions, instruct the jury to assume the destroyed evidence was harmful to the trucking company, or even enter a default judgment against them. But you have to call us immediately. Every hour you wait, evidence vanishes.

As client Chad Harris said after we handled his case: “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” That family approach means we treat your case with the urgency it deserves from minute one.

Louisiana Law: What Terrebonne Parish Victims Must Know

The One-Year Rule: Louisiana’s Strict Deadline

Louisiana has the shortest statute of limitations in the nation for personal injury cases. You have one year from the date of the accident to file suit. Miss this deadline by even one day, and you lose your right to compensation forever—no matter how catastrophic your injuries or how clearly negligent the truck driver.

This is why immediate action is critical. In Texas or Florida, you might have two or four years. In Terrebonne Parish, the clock runs fast. If the insurance adjuster is stringing you along with promises of a “fair settlement,” they may be running out the clock on your legal rights. Don’t let them.

Pure Comparative Fault: You Can Recover Even If Partially At Fault

Louisiana follows “pure comparative fault” (CC Art. 2323). This means even if you were partially responsible for the accident—perhaps you were speeding slightly on Highway 182 or didn’t signal early enough—you can still recover damages. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, but even if you’re 90% at fault, you can still collect 10% of your damages from the trucking company.

Insurance companies will try to maximize your fault percentage to minimize their payout. We fight back with ECM data, witness statements, and accident reconstruction to prove the true cause: the trucking company’s negligence.

No Caps on Damages

Unlike some states, Louisiana places no statutory cap on compensatory damages for personal injury. In Terrebonne Parish, with its high cost of medical care and the catastrophic nature of truck accidents, this matters. Your past and future medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering are fully recoverable.

Punitive damages are limited but available in truck accident cases involving drunk driving or intentional misconduct. Given the oilfield culture in Terrebonne Parish, we’ve seen cases where drivers were pressured to use stimulants to stay awake—evidence that can support punitive awards.

Why Trucking Companies Fear Attorney911

Ralph Manginello: 25+ Years of Federal Court Experience

Ralph Manginello didn’t start practicing law yesterday. Since 1998, he’s been fighting for injured workers and accident victims. He’s admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas—a critical advantage in interstate trucking cases that often involve federal jurisdiction and FMCSA regulations.

He was one of the few Texas attorneys selected to represent victims of the 2005 BP Texas City Refinery explosion that killed 15 workers and injured 170. That $2.1 billion disaster taught him how to take on multinational corporations and win. When he approaches a trucking company, they know he’s not bluffing about going to trial.

Currently, Ralph is litigating a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston regarding hazing injuries—demonstrating the firm’s capacity to handle complex, high-stakes litigation against well-funded defendants.

As Ernest Cano wrote in his review: “Mr. Manginello and his firm are first class. Will fight tooth and nail for you.”

Lupe Peña: The Insurance Defense Advantage

Here’s the secret weapon most firms don’t have: our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, used to work for the insurance companies. He sat on the other side of the table, learning exactly how adjusters evaluate claims, what triggers their settlement authority, and how they train their teams to minimize your payout.

Now he uses that insider knowledge against them. He knows when the trucking company’s insurer is bluffing about “policy limits.” He recognizes their lowball tactics immediately. And he knows exactly what evidence forces them to increase their offer.

This advantage is unique to Attorney911. While other firms guess at insurance company strategies, Lupe knows them from the inside. He’s also a third-generation Texan from Sugar Land who understands the Gulf Coast oilfield culture and speaks fluent Spanish—critical for Terrebonne Parish’s Hispanic workforce injured in trucking accidents.

Results That Matter

We don’t talk in vague terms about “good outcomes.” We deliver specific, documented recoveries:

• $5 million+ for a traumatic brain injury victim struck by a falling log
• $3.8 million+ for a client who suffered a partial leg amputation after a car crash led to medical complications
• $2.5 million for 18-wheeler accident victims
• Multi-million dollar settlements for spinal cord and wrongful death cases

Donald Wilcox came to us after another firm rejected his case. As he 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 take the cases other lawyers turn down—and we win them.

Angel Walle experienced our efficiency firsthand: “They solved in a couple of months what others did nothing about in two years.” And Glenda Walker summed up our philosophy: “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”

Three Offices Serving Terrebonne Parish

While our main office is in Houston at 1177 West Loop South, we maintain an office in Beaumont and regularly handle cases throughout Louisiana’s Gulf Coast. We’re familiar with the Terrebonne Parish Courthouse in Houma, the judges in the 32nd Judicial District, and the local medical providers who treat catastrophic injuries. We come to you—whether you’re recovering at home in Bourg, Chauvin, or Gray, or stuck in bed in Thibodaux.

What to Do After a Truck Accident in Terrebonne Parish

Immediate Steps (If You’re Able)

1. Call 911: Report all injuries. Request Louisiana State Police or the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office—a police report is crucial evidence.
2. Document Everything: Use your phone to photograph the truck’s DOT number, license plates, damage to all vehicles, and your injuries.
3. Get Witness Information: Bystanders at Houma intersections or other truck drivers stopped nearby—get their names and numbers.
4. Seek Medical Care: Go to Terrebonne General, Ochsner St. Anne, or the emergency room immediately. Adrenaline masks serious injuries.
5. Don’t Speak to Insurance: The trucking company’s insurer will call within hours. Do not give a recorded statement. Politely decline and hang up.

Within 24-48 Hours

Contact 1-888-ATTY-911. We need to send preservation letters before the trucking company destroys evidence. We can also help you find medical specialists even if you don’t have health insurance—many providers in Houma work on a Letter of Protection, meaning they get paid when your case settles.

Hablamos Español. Si usted o un ser querido han sido lesionados en un accidente de camión en Terrebonne Parish, llame a Lupe Peña al 1-888-ATTY-911. No necesita intérprete—ayudamos directamente en español.

Frequently Asked Questions About Terrebonne Parish Truck Accidents

How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a truck accident in Louisiana?
One year. Louisiana’s statute of limitations is the shortest in the nation. If you don’t file within 365 days of the crash, you lose all rights to compensation.

What if the truck driver claimed I caused the accident?
Louisiana uses pure comparative fault. Unless you were 100% at fault, you can still recover, though your compensation is reduced by your fault percentage. We use ECM data and reconstruction experts to prove the truck driver’s negligence caused the crash.

Can I sue the trucking company if the driver was an independent owner-operator?
Yes. Under Louisiana’s “borrowed servant” doctrine and federal leasing regulations (49 CFR Part 376), the carrier often retains liability even for owner-operators. Additionally, negligent hiring claims apply regardless of employment status.

What is an underride accident and why are they so deadly?
Underride occurs when your vehicle slides under the truck’s trailer. The trailer edge impacts at head level, causing decapitation or severe brain trauma. While rear underride guards are required, many are defective, and side underride guards are not federally mandated—making these crashes devastating.

How much is my truck accident case worth?
Values depend on injury severity, available insurance (trucking companies carry $750K-$5M), and liability clarity. Catastrophic injury cases in Terrebonne Parish often settle for seven or eight figures when handled aggressively.

Will my case go to trial?
Most settle, but we prepare every case for trial. Insurance companies offer higher settlements to firms with proven trial records—like our $10 million active litigation and multi-million dollar history.

What if I can’t afford a lawyer?
You pay nothing unless we win. We advance all costs—including expert witnesses who can cost $50,000+ in trucking cases. Our fee is a percentage of your recovery: 33.33% pre-trial, 40% if we have to try the case.

What about my medical bills while we wait?
We work with doctors throughout Houma and Thibodaux who accept Letters of Protection. They treat you now and get paid from the settlement, so you don’t face collection calls while recovering.

Call the 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers Who Treat You Like Family

Terrebonne Parish families work hard. Whether you’re commuting to the shipyards, working offshore rotations, or running a business on the west side of Houma, you deserve a law firm that respects the Gulf Coast way of life. We don’t treat you like a case number. As Chad Harris experienced, “You are FAMILY to them.”

We’ve gone toe-to-toe with Walmart, Coca-Cola, Amazon, FedEx, UPS, and major oilfield trucking companies. We know every FMCSA regulation they’ll try to hide behind, and we know how to prove they broke the rules.

The trucking company has lawyers working right now to minimize your claim. What are you doing to protect yourself?

Call Attorney911 today at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We’re available 24/7. If you speak Spanish, ask for Lupe Peña. Consultations are free, and you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Don’t let the one-year Louisiana deadline expire. Don’t let critical evidence disappear. Call now and put 25+ years of trucking litigation experience to work for your family.

Attorney911. Because trucking companies shouldn’t get away with it.

Terrebonne Parish 18-wheeler accident victims trust Attorney911 to fight for maximum compensation. With offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve Louisiana’s Gulf Coast with the resources of a large firm and the personal attention you deserve. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now.