West Feliciana Parish 18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys

When 80,000 Pounds of Steel Changes Everything, You Need Attorney911

The Mississippi River corridor runs through West Feliciana Parish like an artery of American commerce. Every day, logging trucks haul timber from the Feliciana Wildlife Management Area, agricultural haulers transport crops from parish farms, and tanker trucks move petrochemical products along US-61 and LA-10. When one of these 80,000-pound giants loses control on the twisty two-lane highways near St. Francisville or jackknifes on the approaches to the ferry crossings, the results are catastrophic.

You didn’t ask for this fight. One moment, you’re driving home along Highway 61; the next, your life is upside down. The pain is constant. The medical bills are piling up. And somewhere, a trucking company has already dispatched its rapid-response team to protect their interests—not yours.

We’re Attorney911, and we’ve spent more than 25 years making trucking companies pay for the damage they cause. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has recovered multi-million dollar settlements for families devastated by 18-wheeler crashes, and he’s admitted to federal court in the Southern District of Texas, allowing him to handle the complex interstate commerce issues that often arise in West Feliciana Parish trucking cases.

The clock is already ticking. Evidence in West Feliciana Parish 18-wheeler accident cases disappears fast. Black box data can be overwritten in 30 days. Dashcam footage gets deleted. Witness memories fade. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now for a free consultation. We send spoliation letters within 24 hours to preserve the evidence that will make or break your case.

Why 18-Wheeler Accidents in West Feliciana Parish Are Fundamentally Different

Think an 18-wheeler is just a bigger car? Think again.

Your sedan weighs about 3,500 pounds. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh 80,000 pounds—that’s more than 20 times your vehicle’s weight. When that much mass hits a passenger vehicle at highway speeds, the physics are devastating.

But the differences go deeper than size. Commercial trucking is governed by a web of federal regulations that simply don’t apply to regular drivers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mandates everything from how many hours a driver can operate to how cargo must be secured to how often brakes must be inspected.

When trucking companies violate these rules—and they often do—they create deadly conditions. Ralph Manginello has built a career uncovering these violations. In one case, he recovered over $5 million for a traumatic brain injury victim struck by falling equipment. In another, he secured $3.8 million for a client who lost a limb after a collision followed by medical complications. These aren’t car accidents; they’re commercial disasters.

Our firm includes Lupe Peña, a former insurance defense attorney who used to work for trucking insurers. He knows their playbook. He knows how they train adjusters to minimize claims, how they use algorithms like Colossus to lowball settlements, and when they’re bluffing about going to trial. That’s your advantage when you hire Attorney911.

The Unique Risks of West Feliciana Parish Highways

West Feliciana Parish presents specific dangers for truck traffic:

• US-61 (Airline Highway): This major north-south corridor carries heavy commercial traffic between Baton Rouge and Mississippi. The high speeds and limited shoulders create dangerous conditions when trucks drift or brake suddenly.

• LA-10: Winding through rural areas near Tunica Hills, this route sees significant logging truck traffic. Sharp curves and steep grades require specialized braking techniques that poorly trained drivers often mishandle.

• Mississippi River Access: The parish’s proximity to major river terminals means heavy truck traffic transporting bulk commodities. These hauls often involve overweight loads or hazardous materials that multiply the danger.

• Weather Conditions: Louisiana’s humidity, sudden thunderstorms, and occasional hurricane remnants create slick roads and reduced visibility. Truckers who fail to adjust for these conditions cause jackknifes and rollovers.

Learn more about truck accident physics in our video guide: The Victim’s Guide to 18-Wheeler Accident Injuries

How Louisiana Law Affects Your West Feliciana Parish Trucking Case

Louisiana law differs significantly from other states when it comes to personal injury claims. Understanding these differences is crucial to protecting your rights.

The One-Year Deadline (Statute of Limitations)

In Louisiana, you have only one year from the date of your West Feliciana Parish trucking accident to file a lawsuit. This is among the shortest deadlines in the nation. Miss it, and you lose your right to compensation forever—no matter how clear the trucking company’s fault or how severe your injuries.

This short window makes immediate legal action critical. Evidence preservation, medical documentation, and witness interviews must begin immediately. That’s why we answer calls 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911.

Pure Comparative Fault in West Feliciana Parish

Louisiana follows a “pure comparative fault” system. This means you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident—even if you were 99% responsible. Your compensation is simply reduced by your percentage of fault.

However, trucking companies and their insurers will try to shift blame to you. They’ll argue you were speeding, distracted, or failed to yield. We counter these tactics with hard evidence: ECM data that proves the trucker’s speed, ELD records that show hours-of-service violations, and maintenance logs that reveal brake failures.

Watch our guide on insurance tactics: What Should You Not Say to an Insurance Adjuster?

The Ten Liable Parties in West Feliciana Parish Trucking Accidents

Most law firms only look at the driver. We investigate every potentially liable party because more defendants mean more insurance coverage—and higher compensation for you.

1. The Truck Driver

Individual liability for negligent operation: speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, impairment, or violation of FMCSA regulations like 49 CFR § 392.3 (operating while impaired by fatigue).

2. The Trucking Company/Motor Carrier

Under respondeat superior, employers are liable for their employees’ negligent acts. Additionally, we pursue direct negligence claims for:

• Negligent hiring (failing to check driving records under 49 CFR § 391.51)
• Negligent training (insufficient safety instruction)
• Negligent supervision (ignoring ELD violations)
• Negligent maintenance (violating 49 CFR § 396.3 inspection requirements)

3. Cargo Owners/Shippers

Companies loading timber, agricultural products, or petrochemicals in West Feliciana Parish may overload trucks or provide improper loading instructions, creating liability under 49 CFR § 393.100 cargo securement rules.

4. Loading Companies

Third-party loaders who improperly distribute weight or fail to secure cargo cause rollovers and jackknifes. We subpoena their loading procedures and training records.

5. Truck Manufacturers

Defective brakes, steering systems, or stability control that contribute to crashes create strict product liability claims.

6. Parts Manufacturers

Defective tires causing blowouts or failed brake components generate claims against component makers.

7. Maintenance Companies

Third-party mechanics who fail to inspect or repair commercial vehicles under 49 CFR § 396 standards can be held liable for resulting crashes.

8. Freight Brokers

Brokers who arrange transportation but fail to verify carrier safety ratings or insurance coverage—selecting the cheapest bidder regardless of safety records—face liability for negligent selection.

9. Truck Owners (Owner-Operators)

In lease arrangements, the individual truck owner may bear responsibility for negligent entrustment or maintenance failures.

10. Government Entities

Louisiana’s Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), West Feliciana Parish authorities, or other entities may be liable for dangerous road design, inadequate signage, or failure to maintain highways—though sovereign immunity limits and strict notice requirements apply.

Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents Common in West Feliciana Parish

Jackknife Accidents

When a truck driver brakes improperly on US-61 or loses traction on wet roads near the Mississippi River, the trailer swings perpendicular to the cab, blocking multiple lanes. These accidents often involve 49 CFR § 393.40 brake violations or improper cargo loading under 49 CFR § 393.100.

Rollover Accidents

Sharp curves on LA-10 through the Tunica Hills or sudden avoidance maneuvers cause top-heavy 18-wheelers to roll. Overloaded logging trucks are particularly susceptible. These crashes often involve cargo securement failures.

Underride Collisions

When a passenger vehicle slides under a tractor-trailer, the results are often fatal decapitations. 49 CFR § 393.86 mandates rear impact guards, but many trucks have inadequate protection or worn equipment.

Rear-End Collisions

An 80,000-pound truck requires 40% more stopping distance than a car. When truckers follow too closely on US-61 or speed through St. Francisville, they can’t stop in time, violating 49 CFR § 392.11.

Wide Turn Accidents

Large trucks making right turns from narrow parish roads often swing left first, crushing vehicles in the “squeeze play.” These involve 49 CFR § 392.2 traffic violations and improper turn techniques.

Blind Spot (“No-Zone”) Crashes

18-wheelers have massive blind spots extending 20 feet in front, 30 feet behind, and along both sides. Lane changes without proper mirror checks—violating 49 CFR § 393.80 mirror requirements—cause sideswipe accidents.

Tire Blowouts

The heat and humidity of West Feliciana Parish, combined with overloaded agricultural haulers, cause tire failures. Violations of 49 CFR § 393.75 (minimum tread depth) or improper inflation create liability.

Brake Failures

Deferred maintenance is rampant in the trucking industry. When companies skip 49 CFR § 396 inspection requirements to save money, brakes fail on hills or in heavy traffic.

Cargo Spills

Improperly secured timber, hay, or chemical loads spill onto West Feliciana Parish roads, creating secondary accidents and hazmat exposures in violation of 49 CFR § 393.100-136.

Head-On Collisions

Fatigued drivers crossing centerlines on two-lane parish roads or impaired operators create the deadliest crash scenarios. These often involve 49 CFR § 392.3 (fatigue) or 49 CFR § 382 drug/alcohol violations.

See our complete trucking accident guide: The Definitive Guide To Commercial Truck Accidents

Catastrophic Injuries and Recovery Potential

The force of an 18-wheeler collision causes catastrophic injuries that change lives forever. At Attorney911, we’ve recovered multi-million dollar settlements for West Feliciana Parish victims suffering:

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

From concussions to severe brain damage, these injuries affect cognition, personality, and independence. Our firm has recovered $1.5 million to $9.8 million for TBI victims, including a $5+ million settlement for a logging accident victim who suffered brain trauma and vision loss.

Spinal Cord Injury

Paraplegia and quadriplegia requiring lifetime care. These cases often command $4.7 million to $25.8 million depending on the level of injury and victim’s age.

Amputation

Crushing injuries from underride or override accidents often require limb removal. We’ve secured $1.9 million to $8.6 million for amputation victims, including a $3.8 million recovery for a car accident victim who lost a leg due to post-crash infections.

Severe Burns

Tanker explosions or hazmat spills cause disfigurement and require multiple skin grafts.

Wrongful Death

When trucking accidents take loved ones, we pursue $1.9 million to $9.5 million settlements for surviving families to compensate for lost income, loss of consortium, and mental anguish.

As client Glenda Walker told us after her case settled, “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”

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

The trucking company isn’t waiting. Before the ambulance leaves the scene in West Feliciana Parish, they’ve dispatched their rapid-response team. You need to move just as fast.

Critical Evidence That Disappears Fast

Our Immediate Response

When you call 1-888-ATTY-911, we immediately:

1. Send spoliation letters to the trucking company, insurer, and all liable parties, putting them on legal notice to preserve ALL evidence
2. Deploy investigators to the West Feliciana Parish accident scene before conditions change
3. Download ELD and ECM data before it can be erased
4. Subpoena driver records including 49 CFR § 391.51 qualification files and 49 CFR § 395 hours-of-service logs
5. Photograph physical evidence before vehicles are repaired or scrapped

Lupe Peña’s background in insurance defense tells us exactly what evidence trucking companies try to hide—and how to stop them.

Watch our guide on the settlement process: How Long Does It Take to Get a Personal Injury Settlement?

FMCSA Regulations: The Rules Trucking Companies Break

Federal regulations exist to prevent exactly the crashes that devastate West Feliciana Parish families. When trucking companies violate these rules to boost profits, we use the violations to prove negligence.

Hours of Service (49 CFR § 395)

• 11-hour limit: No driving beyond 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off-duty
• 14-hour window: Cannot drive after the 14th consecutive hour on duty
• 30-minute break: Required after 8 cumulative hours driving
• 60/70-hour rule: Weekly driving limits to prevent cumulative fatigue

These violations cause the fatigue-related crashes common on long rural stretches near the Mississippi River.

Driver Qualification (49 CFR § 391)

Trucking companies must verify driver eligibility through:

• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) verification
• Medical examiner’s certificates (maximum 2 years, some conditions require annual)
• Three-year employment history investigations
• Annual motor vehicle record reviews
• Pre-employment and random drug testing (49 CFR § 382)

Failure to maintain these Driver Qualification Files constitutes negligent hiring.

Vehicle Safety (49 CFR § 393)

• Cargo securement: Working load limits must equal 50% of cargo weight. Improperly secured logging or agricultural loads cause rollovers.
• Brake systems: Required inspection and adjustment under 49 CFR § 396.
• Lighting: Reflectors and lamps must meet visibility standards.

Prohibited Practices (49 CFR § 392)

• Operating while fatigued (§ 392.3)
• Using hand-held mobile phones while driving (§ 392.82)
• Following too closely (§ 392.11)
• Speeding for conditions (§ 392.6)

Insurance Coverage in West Feliciana Parish Trucking Cases

Trucking companies carry far more insurance than passenger vehicles, but accessing those funds requires expertise.

Federal Minimum Coverage

• $750,000: Standard commercial freight
• $1,000,000: Oil, large equipment, or passenger transport
• $5,000,000: Hazardous materials

The MCS-90 Endorsement

If the trucking company lacks adequate coverage, the MCS-90 endorsement requires their insurer to pay minimum damages to injured victims regardless of policy exclusions. This is critical in West Feliciana Parish cases involving out-of-state carriers transporting river freight.

Stacking Coverage

Multiple liable parties mean multiple insurance policies. The driver may carry $1 million, the trucking company $5 million, the cargo shipper another $2 million, and umbrella policies on top. We identify every available dollar.

Frequently Asked Questions: West Feliciana Parish 18-Wheeler Accidents

How long do I have to file a lawsuit in West Feliciana Parish?
Louisiana’s statute of limitations is one year from the accident date—among the shortest in the nation. This applies to personal injury and wrongful death claims. Evidence preservation must begin immediately; don’t wait until the deadline approaches.

Can I recover if I was partially at fault?
Yes. Louisiana’s “pure comparative fault” rule allows recovery even if you were 99% responsible, though your award is reduced by your fault percentage. However, trucking companies aggressively try to shift blame. We counter with ECM data, ELD records, and accident reconstruction to prove the trucker’s negligence.

What is a spoliation letter?
It’s a formal legal notice sent immediately after we take your case, demanding preservation of all evidence including black box data, driver logs, maintenance records, and video footage. Once sent, destroying evidence becomes “spoliation,” which courts punish with sanctions, adverse jury instructions, or default judgments.

How much is my West Feliciana Parish trucking case worth?
Values depend on injury severity, medical costs, lost income, and available insurance. Trucking cases often settle for $500,000 to several million dollars. We’ve recovered multi-million dollar settlements for catastrophic injuries like TBI, paralysis, and amputation.

What if the truck driver was an independent contractor?
Both the driver and the motor carrier are often liable. We investigate lease agreements and insurance coverage to ensure all responsible parties are held accountable under federal “statutory employee” doctrines.

Do you handle cases for Spanish-speaking clients in West Feliciana Parish?
Yes. Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish and provides direct representation without interpreters. Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911.

Why West Feliciana Parish Trusts Attorney911

Ralph Manginello has spent 25+ years fighting for injury victims. Since 1998, he’s handled cases against Fortune 500 companies like BP (in the Texas City refinery litigation), Walmart, Amazon, and Coca-Cola. He’s admitted to federal court, allowing him to handle the interstate commerce issues that complicate West Feliciana Parish trucking cases.

Our associate Lupe Peña spent years defending insurance companies before joining our firm. Client Chad Harris captured our philosophy perfectly: “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”

We don’t just process cases—we treat you like family while aggressively pursuing every dollar you deserve. Client Donald Wilcox came to us after another firm rejected his case; we got him “this handsome check.” When other lawyers said no, we said yes—and won.

We offer:

• Free consultations at our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont (serving West Feliciana Parish)
• 24/7 availability at 1-888-ATTY-911
• Contingency fees: You pay nothing unless we win (33.33% pre-trial, 40% if trial required)
• Immediate evidence preservation and investigation

Call Attorney911 Before Evidence Disappears

The trucking company has lawyers working right now to minimize your claim. Who’s working for you?

If you’ve been injured in an 18-wheeler accident anywhere in West Feliciana Parish—from St. Francisville to the Angola area, along US-61 or the river roads—call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately. We’ll travel to you, preserve critical evidence, and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.

Hablamos Español. Llame a Lupe Peña al 1-888-ATTY-911.

Don’t let the trucking company dictate your future. With 25 years of experience, federal court capabilities, and a former insurance defense attorney on your side, Attorney911 is ready to fight for every dime you deserve.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now. Your consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we win.