New Orleans Trucking Accident

Attorney Advocating for New Orleans Trucking Accident Victims 

As one of the South’s most significant port cities and commercial transportation hubs, New Orleans sees a constant flow of commercial truck traffic through its neighborhoods, industrial corridors, and interstates. Major routes such as I-10, U.S. 90 Business, and I-610 carry a steady volume of tractor-trailers and freight haulers delivering goods to and from the Port of New Orleans, the Central Business District, and nearby refineries and warehouses. Heavy trucks also travel daily along surface streets like Claiborne Avenue, Elysian Fields Avenue, and Chef Menteur Highway, often intersecting with dense urban traffic, pedestrians, and cyclists. With this mix of high-volume commercial and commuter traffic, serious trucking accidents are unfortunately common. These collisions can lead to permanent injuries and financial ruin for victims and their families. If you were hurt in a New Orleans trucking accident, you should speak to an experienced attorney about what damages you may be owed. J. Michael Parsons of Parsons Law Group is a skilled New Orleans trucking accident attorney with ample experience advocating for victims of negligence, and if you hire him, he can help you explore your legal options.

Obtaining a Police Report for a New Orleans Trucking Accident

Following a collision with a commercial truck, it is important to secure a copy of the official police report for the incident. This document contains key details such as the responding officer’s account of the incident, witness statements, road and weather conditions, and preliminary fault assessments. In New Orleans, accident reports for crashes within city limits can be obtained from the New Orleans Police Department’s Records and Identification Division, located at 715 South Broad Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70119. The department may be reached at (504) 658-5455. Reports are typically available several days after the incident. When requesting a report, you should be prepared to provide the report number, or, if that is unavailable, the date and location of the crash, along with the names of the parties involved. 

Establishing Fault Under Louisiana Law

Louisiana law requires injured parties to establish liability in order to recover damages after a truck accident. This generally involves proving that the truck driver, trucking company, or another party acted negligently. Negligence under Louisiana law means that a party failed to exercise reasonable care, and as a result, caused another person to suffer harm. In the context of trucking, this may involve speeding, distracted driving, hours-of-service violations, drug or alcohol use, or inadequate maintenance. Federal trucking regulations issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration set out mandatory safety standards that apply to most commercial trucking operations. Violations of these regulations may be used as evidence of negligence.

Often, truck drivers are acting within the scope of their employment when an accident occurs. In these cases, their employer may be held legally responsible under the doctrine of vicarious liability. The trucking company may also be directly liable for its own negligence in hiring, training, or supervising the driver. 

Compensation Available for New Orleans Trucking Accident Under Louisiana Law

Louisiana law allows injured parties to pursue damages for both economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages include medical bills, lost wages, future medical care, and lost earning capacity. Non-economic damages may be awarded for physical pain, emotional anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement. In some cases, spouses may recover for loss of consortium. 

Speak With an Experienced New Orleans Trucking Accident Attorney

The busy streets and highways of New Orleans create a challenging environment where trucking accidents can and do happen, often with devastating results. If you were hurt in a crash involving a commercial truck in New Orleans, you may be entitled to compensation, and it is important to act quickly to preserve your rights. Attorney J. Michael Parsons of Parsons Law Group is an experienced New Orleans trucking accident lawyer who understands the legal landscape of Louisiana and the tactics used by trucking companies and insurers to avoid responsibility. With offices on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and a practice that includes representation throughout New Orleans and southeastern Louisiana, Mr. Parsons is well-positioned to help you pursue the justice and recovery you deserve. To learn more about your rights or to schedule a free and confidential consultation, contact our office at (228) 687-0011 or reach out through our website.