18-Wheeler and other
Large Truck Accidents

Take on the Trucking Companies with RUDIN LAW.

So you got into a wreck with a big truck and now you’re facing big problems? You’re shaken up – or worse, your vehicle’s wrecked…and now the insurance company is playing hardball. At RUDIN LAW, we get it. We’ve seen the insurance company stall tactics, the lowball offers, and the outrageous refusals to pay valid claims. And we know that when you’re injured and need help, you need a lawyer who confronts the insurance giants head-on. At RUDIN LAW, we don’t just talk tough; we deliver results that make a difference.

Whether you’re in Louisiana, Texas, or anywhere else around the country,
RUDIN LAW is prepared to fight to get you the justice and compensation you deserve. And when the insurance companies want to tell you how it is or how it should be, we say: it’s time to stop letting the insurance companies push you around; it’s time to stop being polite®… and GET RUDE®.

Big Trucks and Big Numbers: A Glimpse into Truck Accident Statistics.

The trucking industry is vital to our economy, ensuring the transport of essential goods across vast distances. However, the prevalence of large, heavy motor vehicles on our streets and highways bring with them a great risk of harm to Americans traveling the same roadways. Truck accidents typically involve large commercial vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of over 10,000 pounds, such as semi-trucks, big rigs, 18-wheelers, and tractor-trailers. These accidents can occur due to several reasons:

• Fatigue
• Improperly Loaded Cargo
• Blind Spots
• Drug or Alcohol Impairment
• Speeding
• Distraction
• Stopping Distance
• Malfunction

Truck accidents are distinct from standard car accidents due to the size, weight, and unique operational characteristics of these large vehicles. Despite efforts by trucking and insurance companies to downplay these incidents, a quick look into safety data reveals the gravity of these risks and their consequences.

Commercial drivers operate various large vehicles, such as trucks and buses, and are held to higher safety standards than other drivers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) both enforce strict regulations. Additionally, each state implements its own safety standards.

Louisiana: In 2022, there were a total of 3,918 Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) crashes in Louisiana. 34.44% of all CMV crashes in Louisiana occurred on interstates, 30.69% occurred on state highways, and 16.19% occurred on U.S. highways. In 2021, Louisiana saw a troubling rise in fatal truck accidents, with 887 reported cases—a 16.4% increase from the previous year. This spike underscores the potential for severe outcomes in truck accidents across the state. According to data from the LSU Center for Analytics & Research in Transportation Safety (CARTS), in 2020, Louisiana recorded 89 fatalities and over 2,400 injuries from accidents involving large trucks and buses. These figures highlight the serious impact of truck accidents on public safety and underscore the need for effective legal representation when facing such incidents.

Texas: In 2022, Texas experienced a substantial number of Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) crashes, reflecting the state’s extensive transportation network and heavy traffic volume. The total number of CMV crashes in Texas was 44,748. This total encompasses various categories of accidents, including fatal crashes, injury crashes, and property damage only (PDO) crashes. According to data from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Texas had the highest number of large trucks involved in fatal traffic crashes in 2021. There were 832 fatal crashes involving large trucks, accounting for 12.8% of all fatal crashes in the state. In 2021, there were also 170 truck occupants and 549 occupants of other vehicles killed in large-truck traffic crashes within the state in 2021.

Comparative Fault in Louisiana and Texas:

The systems of determining fault in Louisiana and Texas operate differently. Comparative fault (also known as comparative negligence) is a legal principle used in personal injury claims to divide fault among parties involved in an accident.

Pure comparative fault allows any party to recover compensation for accident-related losses as long as they are not entirely to blame for the accident. Twelve states, including Louisiana, follow pure comparative negligence, meaning there is no upper limit barring recovery short of 100%. In Louisiana, a pure comparative negligence system, you can still receive compensation for an accident even if you are partially at fault. For example, if your claim is worth $15,000 but you’re found to be one-third responsible, you can still collect $10,000.

In Texas, you can sue for damages even if you are partially at fault for an accident. However, the modified comparative fault rule followed in Texas states that a plaintiff can only recover damages if they are less than 50% at fault. If the plaintiff is more than 50% at fault, then they are not entitled to any recovery. The amount they can recover will be reduced proportionally to their level of fault.

Regardless of whether you are in Louisiana, Texas, or anywhere else across the United States, when you hire RUDIN LAW, we make sure the parties responsible for hurting you pay their fair share.

The Clock is Ticking on Your Deadline to File a Lawsuit

As of July 1, 2024, claimants in both Louisiana and Texas have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. But do not wait until the last minute. Information and evidence gathering should begin immediately following the crash. And the sooner you contact RUDIN LAW, the sooner we can begin building your case. We’re ready to act fast so you should be ready to call us as soon as disaster strikes.