Louisiana 18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys: When 80,000 Pounds Changes Your Life

The Clock Started Ticking the Moment That Truck Hit You

One moment you’re crossing the Huey P. Long Bridge outside Baton Rouge, navigating the I-10 corridor through Lafayette, or making your way through the Port of South Louisiana traffic in New Orleans. The next, an 80,000-pound commercial truck slams into your vehicle. In Louisiana, where the Port of South Louisiana moves more tonnage than any other U.S. port and petrochemical trucks crowd our highways daily, these accidents aren’t just statistics—they’re life-altering catastrophes.

If you’re reading this from a hospital bed in Metairie, recovering at home in Lake Charles, or grieving a lost loved one in Shreveport, you need to know something critical: Louisiana law gives you just one year to file a lawsuit. That’s 365 days from the date of your accident. Wait longer, and you lose your right to compensation entirely—no matter how catastrophic your injuries or how clear the truck driver’s fault.

At Attorney911, we don’t think you should have to fight this battle alone. Ralph Manginello has spent over 25 years standing up to trucking companies and winning. Since 1998, our firm has recovered multi-million dollar settlements for families devastated by 18-wheeler crashes across Louisiana and Texas. We know the I-10 corridor, we understand the unique dangers of Port of New Orleans traffic, and we have the federal court experience to handle complex interstate trucking cases.

But here’s the thing—evidence disappears fast. Black box data can be overwritten in 30 days. Dashcam footage gets deleted within weeks. And the trucking company? They’ve already contacted their lawyers.

Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911 before critical evidence vanishes.

Why Louisiana Trucking Accidents Are Different

The Gulf Coast’s Most Dangerous Highways

Louisiana isn’t just another state for trucking accidents. Our geography creates unique hazards that make commercial vehicle crashes more likely—and more deadly.

The Port of South Louisiana in Laplace ranks as the largest tonnage port in the entire United States, processing over 200 million short tons annually. This means thousands of heavy trucks daily hauling petrochemicals, agricultural products, and container freight across narrow River Road highways and aging bridges. When you combine this with our notorious I-10 corridor—stretching from Texas through Lake Charles, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans before heading into Mississippi—you get one of the densest concentrations of commercial truck traffic in America.

Hurricane season (June through November) adds another layer of danger. When storms approach, evacuation routes like I-55, I-59, and I-12 become parking lots of stressed drivers and exhausted truckers rushing to meet deadlines before port closures. The resulting fatigue-related accidents spike every August and September.

Then there’s the petrochemical factor. Louisiana’s chemical corridor—often called “Cancer Alley”—sees a disproportionate number of hazardous materials trucks transporting volatile substances through populated areas. A brake failure on I-310 or a rollover on I-110 doesn’t just threaten traffic; it threatens entire communities with chemical exposure.

Ralph Manginello understands these local factors because he’s fought cases here for decades. Our managing partner brings 25 years of courtroom experience specifically tailored to Louisiana’s industrial landscape. We know that a trucking accident near the ExxonMobil refineries in Baton Rouge involves different liable parties than a crash on the Crescent City Connection. We’ve handled cases where cargo spills closed I-49 for days, and we’ve secured justice for families when poorly maintained trucks caused catastrophic pileups on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge.

The One-Year Rule: Louisiana’s Harsh Reality

Here’s what most out-of-state law firms won’t tell you: Louisiana has one of the shortest statute of limitations in America. While Texas gives you two years and some states allow three or more, Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Article 3492 gives you exactly one year from the date of the accident to file your personal injury claim. For wrongful death claims, Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Article 2315.1 gives you just one year from the date of death.

Miss this deadline, and your case dies—regardless of how severe your injuries or how negligent the truck driver.

This compressed timeline makes immediate legal action essential. While you’re still in shock, while you’re still scheduling doctor appointments at Ochsner Medical Center or Our Lady of the Lake, the trucking company is already working to protect themselves. They’ll send their “rapid response team” to the scene within hours. Their insurance adjusters will call you while you’re still in the emergency room at Touro Infirmary or University Medical Center New Orleans, hoping to get a recorded statement before you hire an attorney.

Don’t let them. Attorney911 offers 24/7 availability at 1-888-ATTY-911. We answer calls at midnight. We visit clients in hospitals from Shreveport to Slidell. And we send preservation letters within hours—not weeks—to lock down critical evidence before it disappears.

Why Attorney911 Is the Choice for Louisiana Trucking Victims

25+ Years of Fighting for Families

Since 1998, Ralph Manginello has built a reputation as one of the most tenacious trucking accident attorneys in the Gulf South. Our managing partner, admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas with Bar #24007597, brings federal court experience that’s crucial for interstate trucking cases. When your accident involves a truck carrying goods from Houston to New Orleans or from Baton Rouge to Mobile, federal jurisdiction often applies—and you need a lawyer who knows both Louisiana state law and federal trucking regulations.

Our founder has made trucking companies pay millions. We’ve gone toe-to-toe with Fortune 500 corporations like BP after the Texas City refinery explosion, securing our place among the few firms capable of handling complex industrial disaster litigation. That same aggressive approach applies to your 18-wheeler case.

But experience means more than just years on the job. It means knowing the specific trucking carriers that operate I-20 across North Louisiana versus I-10 through the southern part of the state. It means understanding how the Port of New Orleans’ unique security and trucking requirements create specific liability issues. It means having relationships with Louisiana accident reconstruction experts who know how humidity affects brake performance and how our clay-heavy soil impacts rollover dynamics.

The Insurance Defense Advantage

Here’s something that sets us apart from every other personal injury firm advertising on billboards along the I-10/12 split: Our team includes a former insurance defense attorney.

Lupe Peña, our associate attorney, spent years working at a national insurance defense firm before joining Attorney911. He used to sit on the other side of the table, watching adjusters minimize claims and train new employees on how to deny legitimate injuries. He knows exactly how commercial trucking insurers evaluate claims, what triggers their settlement algorithms, and when they’re bluffing about going to trial.

Now he uses that insider knowledge to fight FOR you. When the insurance company for that Swift Transportation or Schneider National truck tells you your herniated disc is worth $15,000, Lupe knows they’re lowballing by a factor of ten based on internal valuation software like Colossus. When they claim your traumatic brain injury symptoms are “pre-existing,” he knows exactly which medical records they need to see—and which they’re hoping you never find.

As client Ernest Cano said, “Mr. Manginello and his firm are first class. Will fight tooth and nail for you.” And as our client Glenda Walker told us after her case settled, “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”

Proven Results in Catastrophic Cases

We don’t just talk about results—we deliver them. Our firm has recovered over $50 million for clients across all practice areas, with specific trucking and catastrophic injury results including:

• $5+ Million for a traumatic brain injury victim struck by a falling log at a Louisiana logging operation
• $3.8+ Million for a car accident victim who suffered partial leg amputation due to medical complications from the crash
• $2.5+ Million for commercial truck crash victims
• $2+ Million for maritime back injury cases under the Jones Act (critical for Louisiana offshore workers)

For wrongful death trucking accidents, our settlements have ranged from $1.9 million to $9.5 million, depending on the trucking company’s insurance coverage and the egregiousness of their safety violations.

Currently, we’re litigating a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi fraternity for hazing-related injuries—a case that’s garnered attention from KHOU 11, ABC13 Houston, and the Houston Chronicle. While not a trucking case, it demonstrates our willingness to take on powerful institutional defendants and win.

Three Offices Serving Louisiana

With our headquarters at 1177 West Loop S in Houston, plus offices in Austin and Beaumont, we’re never far from Louisiana accident victims. Our Beaumont office specifically serves the East Texas/Louisiana border region, making us conveniently located for clients in Lake Charles, Sulphur, and Vinton. We regularly cross the state line to handle discovery, attend mediations, and meet with Louisiana clients who can’t travel due to their injuries.

And here’s our promise: You pay nothing unless we win. Our contingency fee structure means we advance all costs—expert witnesses, court filing fees, accident reconstruction, medical record subpoenas. We take the risk so you can focus on healing.

Hablamos Español. For our Spanish-speaking clients in Louisiana’s Hispanic communities—from the agricultural workers in the River Parishes to the port workers in New Orleans—Lupe Peña provides fluent Spanish representation. No interpreters needed. No awkward translations. Direct communication with your attorney.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) for your free consultation. We’re available 24/7 because trucking accidents don’t happen on business hours.

FMCSA Regulations: The Rules Trucking Companies Break

Every 18-wheeler operating on Louisiana highways must comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations codified in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR). These aren’t suggestions—they’re federal law. When trucking companies violate these rules, they create the dangerous conditions that cause catastrophic accidents.

49 CFR Part 391: Driver Qualification Standards

Before a driver ever sits behind the wheel of a semi-truck hauling cargo across the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge, the trucking company must verify they meet strict qualification standards under 49 CFR § 391.11.

Requirements include:

• Minimum age 21 for interstate commerce (18 for intrastate Louisiana driving, though most carriers require 21)
• Valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with proper endorsements
• Medical examiner’s certificate proving physical fitness (every 24 months maximum)
• Clean driving record without disqualifying offenses
• Ability to read and speak English sufficiently to communicate with law enforcement
• Pre-employment drug testing with negative results

The trucking company must maintain a Driver Qualification (DQ) File containing all these documents. When they fail to check a driver’s history—when they hire someone with previous DUIs or a suspended CDL—that’s negligent hiring, and it makes them liable for your injuries.

In Louisiana’s oilfield trucking industry, we often see companies rushing to fill driver shortages by cutting corners on background checks. They’ll hire a driver with a history of hours-of-service violations or failed drug tests because they need someone to haul equipment to the Haynesville Shale immediately. When that driver causes a rollover on I-20 near Shreveport, the company’s failure to maintain proper DQ files becomes evidence of their negligence.

49 CFR Part 392: Driving Rules

49 CFR § 392.3 states clearly: “No driver shall operate a commercial motor vehicle… while the driver’s ability or alertness is so impaired… through fatigue, illness, or any other cause, as to make it unsafe.”

Yet we see violations constantly:

• Drivers texting while navigating the narrow lanes of the Crescent City Connection (49 CFR § 392.82)
• Truckers following too closely on I-10’s congested spaghetti junctions in New Orleans (49 CFR § 392.11)
• Speeding through 50-mph curves on I-49 near Alexandria (49 CFR § 392.6)
• Operating while under the influence of methamphetamine or alcohol (49 CFR § 392.4, 392.5)

49 CFR Part 393: Vehicle Safety & Cargo Securement

Louisiana’s port trucking creates unique cargo hazards. When flatbed trucks haul pipes from the Port of Baton Rouge or chemical containers from Louisiana’s refineries, they must comply with 49 CFR § 393.100-136 regarding cargo securement.

The rules require:

• Tiedowns with aggregate working load limits equal to at least 50% of cargo weight
• Proper blocking and bracing to prevent shifting
• Specific requirements for hazardous materials transportation

When Hurricane Ida hit, we saw dozens of cases where improperly secured cargo shifted during sudden braking on evacuation routes, causing jackknife accidents that blocked I-55 for miles. The trucking companies saved 20 minutes on loading time by using insufficient tiedowns. That negligence cost families their lives.

49 CFR Part 395: Hours of Service (HOS)

Fatigue causes approximately 31% of fatal truck crashes. That’s why 49 CFR Part 395 limits how long drivers can operate:

• 11-hour driving limit: Cannot drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty
• 14-hour duty window: Cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty
• 30-minute break: Mandatory break after 8 cumulative hours of driving
• Weekly limits: Cannot drive after 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days (requires 34-hour restart)

Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) have largely replaced paper logs, making these violations easier to prove. The ELD mandate (49 CFR § 395.8) requires automatic recording of driving time, making falsification more difficult—but not impossible. Drivers still manipulate ELDs, and companies still pressure them to violate hours-of-service rules to meet Port of New Orleans delivery windows.

49 CFR Part 396: Inspection & Maintenance

49 CFR § 396.3 requires trucking companies to “systematically inspect, repair, and maintain” all vehicles. This includes:

• Annual comprehensive inspections
• Pre-trip inspections by drivers (checking brakes, tires, lights, coupling devices)
• Post-trip inspection reports documenting any defects
• Immediate repair of critical safety issues

Louisiana’s heat and humidity create unique maintenance challenges. The extreme temperatures cause tire blowouts when companies defer maintenance. Salt air from the Gulf corrodes brake lines on trucks stored near the Port of Lake Charles. These aren’t “accidents”—they’re predictable maintenance failures that violate federal law.

When we investigate your case, we subpoena maintenance records from the last year. We look for patterns of deferred repairs, out-of-service violations, and ignored driver reports of unsafe conditions. This evidence proves the trucking company knew their vehicle was dangerous before it ever hit I-10.

The 13 Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents We See in Louisiana

Not all truck accidents are created equal. Each type involves different mechanics, different liable parties, and different evidentiary challenges. In Louisiana, certain accidents predominate due to our port infrastructure, petrochemical industry, and weather patterns.

1. Jackknife Accidents

A jackknife occurs when the trailer swings out perpendicular to the cab, folding like a pocket knife. On Louisiana’s many bridges—the Huey P. Long, the Crescent City Connection, the Horace Wilkinson Bridge over the Mississippi—a jackknifed truck blocks all lanes, often causing multi-vehicle pileups.

Common causes on Louisiana highways:

• Sudden braking on wet roads during tropical storms
• Empty or lightly loaded trailers (common in port drayage trucks returning from delivering containers)
• Brake imbalance leading to trailer lockup
• Overcorrection on narrow lanes like the old Mississippi River bridges

The physics: A fully loaded trailer weighs up to 40,000 pounds. When it swings across I-10 during rush hour near the I-610 split, vehicles behind have no escape route. We’ve handled cases where jackknifed tanker trucks created chain-reaction crashes involving 20+ vehicles on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge.

Evidence we gather: ECM data showing brake application timing, weight distribution records, weather reports from the exact moment of the crash, and maintenance logs showing brake adjustment history.

2. Rollover Accidents

Louisiana’s highway geometry—flat but with sudden elevation changes on bridges and overpasses—creates rollover risks, especially for tanker trucks carrying liquids from our refineries.

Why rollovers happen here:

• Taking cloverleaf interchanges (like the I-10/I-310 interchange) too fast
• Liquid cargo “slosh” shifting the center of gravity (a major issue with chemical tankers)
• Top-heavy loads of stacked containers from the Port of New Orleans
• Soft shoulders on rural highways like LA-1 through the bayou country

The devastating reality: A rollover on elevated highway sections (like the I-10 Twin Span) often results in the truck falling onto the roadway below. We’ve represented families where a rolled tanker fell from I-310 onto River Road, crushing vehicles beneath.

FMCSA violations: 49 CFR § 393.100 (cargo securement), 49 CFR § 392.6 (speeding for conditions).

3. Underride Collisions

Among the most fatal accident types, underride occurs when a passenger vehicle slides underneath the trailer. The trailer floor height often aligns with the passenger compartment roof, causing decapitation or severe head trauma.

Louisiana-specific risks:

• High percentage of older trailers on the road without modern underride guards
• Sudden stops on the elevated expressways where drivers can’t see brake lights
• Foggy conditions on the Bonnet Carré Spillway reducing visibility

Federal requirements: 49 CFR § 393.86 mandates rear impact guards on trailers manufactured after January 26, 1998. However, the guards must withstand only a 30-mph impact, and there’s NO federal requirement for side underride guards—meaning vehicles sliding under the side of a trailer on I-10 have no protection.

4. Rear-End Collisions

An 80,000-pound truck traveling at 70 mph (common on rural stretches of I-20) needs approximately 525 feet to stop—nearly two football fields. When a distracted or fatigued truck driver misses stopped traffic on I-10 near the I-12 merge, the results are catastrophic.

Louisiana factors:

• Sudden traffic backups at the Port of New Orleans terminals without warning
• “Phantom” traffic jams on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge where drivers brake suddenly for photos
• Distracted driving by truckers using cell phones to coordinate with dispatchers

Evidence: ECM data showing speed and following distance, cell phone records proving distraction, and ELD logs showing HOS violations that caused fatigue.

5. Wide Turn Accidents (“Squeeze Play”)

New Orleans’ narrow French Quarter streets and Baton Rouge’s tight downtown corridors force trucks to make wide right turns. The driver swings left to account for trailer tracking, creating a gap that other vehicles enter. When the truck completes its turn, it crushes the vehicle in the “squeeze play.”

Common locations:

• Tchoupitoulas Street near the Port of New Orleans
• Government Street in Baton Rouge
• Any narrow intersection in the Warehouse District

Who’s liable: The driver for failure to signal and check mirrors, and the trucking company for routing oversized trucks through inadequate streets.

6. Blind Spot (“No-Zone”) Accidents

18-wheelers have four major blind spots where the driver cannot see passenger vehicles:

• Front: 20 feet ahead (low vehicles disappear)
• Rear: 30 feet behind (no rear-view mirror visibility)
• Left side: From the cab door back (smaller than right)
• Right side: From the cab door back, extending several lanes (largest and most dangerous)

On Louisiana’s multi-lane highways like I-10 and I-12, trucks often change lanes unaware of vehicles in their blind spots. Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable on I-110 through Baton Rouge.

The law: 49 CFR § 393.80 requires adequate mirrors, but mirrors don’t eliminate blind spots. Drivers must physically check before lane changes—failure to do so is negligence.

7. Tire Blowout Accidents

Louisiana’s extreme heat— routinely reaching 95°F+ with high humidity in summer—causes tire blowouts when companies defer maintenance. A steer tire blowout (front tire) causes immediate loss of control.

The “road gator” danger: Retreaded tires (common on cost-cutting trucking companies) shed their tread, leaving massive debris on I-10. Following vehicles swerve to avoid these strips, causing secondary accidents.

Maintenance violations: 49 CFR § 393.75 requires minimum tread depth (4/32″ on steer tires, 2/32″ on others). We subpoena tire purchase and inspection records to prove the company knew tires were unsafe.

8. Brake Failure Accidents

Brake problems contribute to approximately 29% of large truck crashes. In Louisiana’s petrochemical corridor, brake failures on tanker trucks create hazmat emergencies.

Why brakes fail:

• Inadequate maintenance (49 CFR § 396 violations)
• Overheating on long descents (like the Mississippi River bridge approaches)
• Improper adjustment of air brakes
• Use of substandard aftermarket parts

We hire brake experts to analyze post-crash inspection reports and prove the trucking company knew brakes were defective before the crash.

9. Cargo Spill & Hazmat Accidents

Given Louisiana’s chemical industry, hazmat spills create unique dangers. When a tanker truck rolls on I-10 near Baton Rouge and releases chlorine gas or crude oil, entire neighborhoods must evacuate.

Federal violations:

• 49 CFR Part 397 (hazardous materials regulations)
• 49 CFR § 393.100 (improper securement)
• Failure to display proper placarding

Liable parties: Not just the driver, but the shipper who improperly loaded the cargo, the broker who arranged transport, and the company that failed to provide hazmat training (49 CFR § 172.704).

10. Head-On Collisions

Fatigued drivers crossing centerlines on two-lane highways like LA-1 through Lafourche Parish or US-90 through the bayou region cause head-on crashes with devastating results. The closing speed of two vehicles traveling 55 mph creates impact forces equivalent to hitting a wall at 110 mph.

Evidence: ELD data proving HOS violations (49 CFR § 395), toxicology reports showing methamphetamine use (common among drivers fighting fatigue), and cell phone records showing distraction.

11. T-Bone Intersection Accidents

Trucks running red lights or failing to yield at intersections in New Orleans’ Central Business District or Baton Rouge’s Florida Boulevard corridor cause T-bone accidents. The truck’s height means the impact hits the passenger compartment directly, rather than the crumple zones.

12. Sideswipe Accidents

On narrow Louisiana bridges—like the older sections of the I-10 twin spans—there’s little room for error. A truck drifting into an adjacent lane sideswipes vehicles, often pushing smaller cars into the guardrail or into oncoming traffic.

13. Override Accidents

When a truck fails to stop, it may drive over the rear of a smaller vehicle. Unlike underride (going under), override (going over) occurs when the truck’s front bumper strikes the car’s trunk and the truck climbs over the passenger compartment. These are almost always fatal.

Who Can Be Held Liable? All 10 Potential Defendants

In a typical car accident, you might sue one driver and their insurance company. In 18-wheeler accidents, the web of liability expands to include multiple corporations, each with separate insurance policies. We investigate every potential defendant because more defendants means more insurance coverage means higher compensation for you.

1. The Truck Driver

The driver who caused the accident bears direct liability for negligent actions: speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, impairment, or failure to inspect. We examine their driving record, previous accidents, and training history.

2. The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier)

Under respondeat superior, employers answer for their employees’ negligence. Beyond vicarious liability, we pursue direct negligence claims for:

• Negligent hiring: Failing to check the driver’s DQ file or hiring someone with a history of violations
• Negligent training: Inadequate safety training on Louisiana’s specific hazards (bridge clearances, hurricane evacuation procedures)
• Negligent supervision: Failure to monitor ELD data for HOS violations
• Negligent maintenance: Deferred repairs to save costs

3. Cargo Owner/Shipper

Companies shipping goods from the Port of South Louisiana or Louisiana refineries may be liable if they:

• Required overweight loading of containers
• Failed to disclose hazardous nature of chemicals
• Improperly secured cargo that shifted during transport

4. Cargo Loading Company

Third-party stevedores and loading companies at the Port of New Orleans or Port of Baton Rouge may improperly secure containers or fail to balance loads. When that container shifts on the Crescent City Connection causing a rollover, the loading company shares liability.

5. Truck Manufacturer

Defective brake systems, faulty steering mechanisms, or inadequate stability control designed into the truck create product liability claims against manufacturers like Freightliner, Peterbilt, or International.

6. Parts Manufacturer

Companies manufacturing defective tires (Michelin, Bridgestone), brake components (Bendix, Wabco), or electronic systems may be liable under strict product liability theories when their parts fail.

7. Maintenance Company

Third-party mechanics who serviced the truck at Louisiana facilities—say, a shop in Gonzales or Slidell—may have negligently repaired brakes or tires, failing to identify critical safety issues.

8. Freight Broker

Brokers like C.H. Robinson or Amazon Logistics who arranged the shipment may be liable for negligent selection if they hired a carrier with a poor safety record (high CSA scores) or failed to verify insurance.

9. Truck Owner (If Different from Carrier)

In owner-operator arrangements popular in Louisiana’s oilfield services, the individual who owns the truck may be liable for negligent entrustment or failure to maintain owned equipment.

10. Government Entity

Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) may be liable for:

• Dangerous road design (inadequate banking on curves)
• Failure to maintain road surfaces (potholes causing truck drivers to swerve)
• Improper work zone setups on I-10 widening projects
• Inadequate signage for low clearances on older bridges

Important: Claims against Louisiana state government require filing a notice of claim within 90 days under the Louisiana Governmental Claims Act—much shorter than the one-year general statute.

The 48-Hour Evidence Emergency

Trucking companies don’t wait to build their defense. They dispatch “rapid response teams”—lawyers, investigators, and insurance adjusters—to the scene before the ambulance even leaves. If you don’t act immediately, critical evidence disappears forever.

What We’re Fighting to Preserve

Black Box Data (ECM/ELD): The truck’s Electronic Control Module records speed, braking, throttle position, and fault codes. The Electronic Logging Device tracks hours of service. This data overwrites in as little as 30 days or with subsequent driving events. Once gone, it never comes back.

Dashcam Footage: Many trucks have forward-facing and driver-facing cameras. This footage gets deleted within 7 to 14 days on most systems, often before victims even leave the hospital.

Driver Qualification Files: The trucking company controls these records. Without a preservation demand, they may “accidentally” shred documents showing they hired an unqualified driver.

Maintenance Records: Proof that the company knowingly sent out a truck with defective brakes gets “lost” routinely unless we demand preservation immediately.

Witness Statements: Memories fade. We interview witnesses within days while the accident is fresh in their minds.

The Spoliation Letter

Within 24 hours of being retained, we send a formal spoliation letter to the trucking company, their insurer, and all potentially liable parties. This letter puts them on legal notice that they must preserve:

• All electronic data (ECM, ELD, GPS, telematics)
• Driver hiring records and qualification files
• Vehicle maintenance logs for the past year
• Post-trip inspection reports
• Dispatch records and communications
• Cell phone records
• The physical truck and trailer (before repair or sale)

Once this letter is sent, destroying evidence becomes spoliation—a serious legal violation. Courts can instruct juries to assume destroyed evidence would have hurt the defense, impose monetary sanctions, or even enter default judgment.

In Louisiana’s one-year statute of limitations environment, waiting even a month to hire an attorney often means permanent loss of critical evidence. The trucking company knows this. They’re counting on you to wait.

Catastrophic Injuries & What Your Case May Be Worth

The physics of an 80,000-pound truck hitting a 4,000-pound car create catastrophic injuries. The force is twenty times greater than a typical car accident.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

The sudden deceleration causes the brain to impact the skull’s interior. Symptoms range from headaches and confusion to permanent cognitive impairment requiring 24/7 care.

Settlement range: $1,548,000 – $9,838,000+ depending on severity and age of victim
Lifetime costs: $85,000 to $3,000,000+ for medical care alone

Spinal Cord Injury & Paralysis

Damage to the spinal cord disrupts communication between brain and body. Complete injuries result in paraplegia or quadriplegia.

Settlement range: $4,770,000 – $25,880,000+ (paralysis cases command highest settlements)
Lifetime costs: $1.1 million to $5 million+ for direct medical expenses

Amputation

Crushing injuries from truck impacts often require surgical amputation of limbs. Victims need prosthetics ($5,000-$50,000 each), replacement every few years, and extensive rehabilitation.

Settlement range: $1,945,000 – $8,630,000

Severe Burns

Tanker truck explosions or chemical spills cause third and fourth-degree burns requiring skin grafts and reconstructive surgery.

Wrongful Death

When trucking accidents kill, surviving family members suffer lost income, loss of companionship, and mental anguish.

Settlement range: $1,910,000 – $9,520,000+

Economic vs. Non-Economic Damages

Economic damages include calculable losses: medical bills (past and future), lost wages, property damage, life care costs.

Non-economic damages compensate for pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and loss of consortium. In Louisiana, unlike some states, there are no caps on non-economic damages for trucking accidents (though medical malpractice has a $500,000 cap under the Medical Malpractice Act, this doesn’t apply to vehicle accidents).

Punitive damages may be available under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2315.4 if the truck driver’s conduct was “wanton and reckless disregard for the rights and safety of others”—such as driving while intoxicated or knowingly violating hours-of-service rules.

Insurance Coverage: There’s More Available Than You Think

Federal law requires specific insurance minimums for commercial trucks:

Many Louisiana trucking companies carry $1 million to $5 million in coverage, with excess/umbrella policies on top. But accessing these funds requires knowing how to navigate complex commercial insurance policies, including MCS-90 endorsements (which guarantee payment even if the policy technically excludes the accident).

The Lowball Offer Trap

Insurance adjusters often contact victims within days of the accident—sometimes while they’re still in the hospital at Ochsner or Our Lady of the Lake—offering quick settlements of $25,000 or $50,000. They’ll say it’s the “standard” amount for “soft tissue” injuries or claim they need to settle before medical bills get “too high.”

This is a trap. Early offers don’t account for:

• Undiagnosed traumatic brain injuries that appear weeks later
• Herniated discs requiring surgery months after the crash
• Lost earning capacity if you can’t return to your job
• Future medical complications

Our client Donald Wilcox was initially told by another firm that his case wouldn’t be accepted. When he called Attorney911, we took his case and he told us, “I got a call to come pick up this handsome check.” That’s the difference between accepting a lowball offer and fighting for what you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions: Louisiana 18-Wheeler Accidents

How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Louisiana?

One year. Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Article 3492 gives you exactly 365 days from the accident date. For wrongful death, it’s one year from the date of death under Article 2315.1. This is one of the shortest deadlines in America. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately to protect your rights.

Who can file a wrongful death claim in Louisiana?

Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2315.2, the surviving spouse and children have the primary right. If no spouse or children, the right passes to parents, then siblings, then grandparents. The claim must be filed within one year of death.

Can I recover damages if I was partially at fault?

Yes. Louisiana follows pure comparative fault (Louisiana Civil Code Article 2323). If you were 30% at fault and the truck driver 70%, you recover 70% of your damages. Unlike Texas (which bars recovery if you’re 51% at fault), Louisiana allows recovery even if you were 99% at fault—though practically, high comparative fault reduces case value significantly.

What is the Port of South Louisiana’s role in trucking accidents?

As the nation’s largest tonnage port, Laplace sees thousands of heavy trucks daily. Port trucking involves unique hazards: container chassis mismatches, overweight loads, and drayage drivers rushing to meet vessel loading deadlines. We understand Port Authority regulations and how they interact with federal trucking law.

How do I prove the truck driver was fatigued?

We subpoena ELD records showing hours of service violations. Under 49 CFR Part 395, drivers must log all driving time electronically. We look for violations of the 11-hour driving limit, 14-hour duty window, or missing required breaks. Cell phone records showing late-night calls also prove fatigue.

Should I give a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurance?

Never. Insurance adjusters are trained to ask leading questions and minimize claims. They may ask, “How are you feeling?” and if you reflexively say “Fine,” they’ll use that to argue you weren’t injured. Let your attorney handle all communications.

What if the trucking company is from Texas or another state?

Federal jurisdiction often applies to interstate trucking, meaning we can sue in federal court. Ralph Manginello is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, allowing us to handle cases involving multi-state carriers. Louisiana courts also have jurisdiction over out-of-state companies that operate here.

How much does it cost to hire Attorney911?

Nothing upfront. We work on contingency—33.33% if settled before trial, 40% if we go to trial. We advance all costs. If we don’t recover money for you, you owe us nothing.

What if my injuries seemed minor at first but got worse?

This is extremely common with traumatic brain injuries and spinal injuries. The adrenaline of the accident masks pain. In Louisiana’s one-year statute of limitations environment, you must file within the deadline even if you’re still treating. We file protective lawsuits while monitoring your prognosis to ensure you don’t lose your rights.

Do you handle Spanish-speaking cases?

Sí. Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish and provides direct representation without interpreters. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 and ask for Lupe if you prefer to communicate in Spanish.

Your Louisiana Trucking Accident Case: What Comes Next

The weeks after an 18-wheeler accident feel overwhelming. You’re dealing with medical appointments at Ochsner, Touro, or LSU Health, facing calls from insurance adjusters, and wondering how to pay bills while you’re out of work. Meanwhile, the trucking company is building their defense, and the clock ticks toward Louisiana’s one-year deadline.

You don’t have to navigate this alone. At Attorney911, we handle the legal complexities so you can focus on healing.

Here’s what happens when you call 1-888-ATTY-911:

1. Immediate Response: We answer 24/7. If you’re hospitalized in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, or Shreveport, we come to you.

2. Evidence Preservation: Within 24 hours, we send spoliation letters to preserve black box data, ELD records, and maintenance logs before they’re destroyed.

3. Investigation: We obtain police reports from Louisiana State Police or local departments, interview witnesses, and hire accident reconstruction experts familiar with Louisiana highways.

4. Medical Coordination: We help you find appropriate medical care, even if you don’t have insurance, working with providers who accept liens (payment from settlement proceeds).

5. Claims Process: We handle all insurance communications, protecting you from adjusters’ tactics.

6. Maximum Recovery: Whether through settlement or trial, we fight for every dollar you deserve.

As our client Kiimarii Yup said, “I lost everything… 1 year later I have gained so much in return.” And as Angel Walle told us, “They solved in a couple of months what others did nothing about in two years.”

Call Now Before Evidence Disappears

The trucking company has lawyers working right now to protect their interests. They have investigators at the scene. They have insurance adjusters trained to pay you as little as possible.

You deserve someone fighting equally hard for you. Ralph Manginello has spent 25+ years making trucking companies pay for the devastation they cause. Lupe Peña brings insider knowledge from his years defending insurance companies—now he uses that knowledge against them.

Louisiana gives you one year. The trucking company’s evidence might last 30 days. Don’t wait.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) right now. We’re available 24/7, including weekends and holidays. Or visit one of our offices—we’re conveniently located for Louisiana residents at 1177 West Loop S in Houston, with additional offices in Austin and Beaumont serving the Louisiana-Texas border region.

Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratis con Lupe Peña.

You didn’t ask for this fight. But you deserve to win it. Let’s get started today.