Arcadia Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck Accident Attorney in Arcadia, LA

When a commercial truck collides with a smaller vehicle on a high-speed road or rural highway, the consequences are typically tragic and overwhelming, with severe property damage, serious physical injuries, and complicated legal ramifications. At Jacqueline A. Scott & Associates, we’ve been there and understand how hopeless prospects can seem in the wake of a truck accident. But you aren’t alone. An Arcadia truck accident lawyer can help you get compensation.

Our dedicated and skilled legal team understands the financial, emotional, and physical consequences that come with truck accidents and how they can impact victims and their families. If you believe that you have been harmed due to a negligent commercial truck driver or related entity, an Arcadia personal injury lawyer from Jacqueline A. Scott & Associates can help you collect and preserve crucial evidence, build a strong legal case, and hold these parties accountable for their actions.

Arcadia, Louisiana, located in Bienville Parish, may have a small size and population of 3.6 square miles and 2,682 residents, respectively, but it is sitting at a busy, vibrant intersection of passenger and freight travel. The fact that the area is surrounded by major transportation corridors makes it a high-risk area for trucking accidents to happen.

Why Arcadia Sees Truck Accidents Despite Its Size

Despite its small size, Arcadia’s location at the crossroads of many highways means it is used frequently by commercial trucks and delivery vehicles. Major roadways include Interstate 20, a major east-west road for 18-wheelers and commuter traffic, as well as US Highway 80, which runs parallel to I-20 and serves as a key alternative route.

Connected Louisiana Highways 4, 7, 9, 150, 154, 501, 747, 754, and 792 also carry regional and local traffic across the rural area. And while these routes are crucial for trade and economic growth, they also bring risk with reward, meaning that human well-being and lives are on the line as collateral damage. Mixed-speed traffic, aging infrastructure, and narrow roads increase the danger even more.

Given that the mean commute time in Arcadia is 20.2 minutes by car, most Arcadia residents are spending a reasonable amount of time on the road each day, with a notable 85% of working people driving alone. This means that there is a daily interaction of commuters with high volumes of truck traffic, even more so on roadways that were not designed for the coexistence of both freight trucks and commuter vehicles.

The Devastating Nature of Truck Accidents

Unlike standard car crashes, the massive weight and size of commercial vehicles mean that truck accidents much more frequently result in catastrophic outcomes. At Jacqueline A. Scott & Associates, common causes of truck accidents that we see include:

• Speeding or reckless driving. Commercial drivers commonly go over the speed limit or make aggressive maneuvers like weaving lanes to meet tight or unrealistic delivery deadlines.
• Distracted or fatigued driving. When truckers exceed hours of service rules that are dictated by government regulations, they may become even more susceptible to distraction. Distracted driving behaviors can include responding to texts, eating meals, or glancing at the GPS while behind the wheel.
• Equipment or brake failure. Failure of truck equipment or brakes can be highly devastating and have fatal consequences. This can be a result of poor vehicle maintenance or failure to ensure adequate design or quality control of truck parts.
• Cargo issues. When cargo is not properly secured or if weights have been exceeded, this can lead to rollovers or tipping, which can not only cause an accident, but also crashes that involve multiple vehicles, such as a pile-up.

Due to the complex nature of these types of accidents, there may be multiple parties liable, such as the trucking firm, the truck driver, maintenance companies, entities handling cargo, or even vehicle part manufacturers. By working with an experienced truck accident lawyer, you can be sure that all potential points of negligence are investigated and that a strong case is constructed, positioning you to win.

Arcadia Demographics and Their Impact on Truck Accident Victims

According to the recent American census data, 38.6% of residents in Arcadia are living below the poverty line. This is a rate that is nearly double that of the Louisiana state average, which is 18.9%. What’s more, among children under the age of 18, 66% (or ⅔) of them are living in poverty, while 28% of seniors are also affected. When considering the real-life impact of severe injuries caused by a truck crash, these statistics are crucial to have in mind.

For individuals who have been harmed in a truck crash in Arcadia, severe injuries can go beyond just physical pain. Rather, it can compound into a loss of employment, housing insecurity, the inability to afford medical treatment, and the prospects of a long-term disability without having access to adequate financial resources.

In the small, rural town of Arcadia, where clinical services can sometimes be limited, the only lifeline available is commonly securing financial compensation through a legal claim. That’s where Jacqueline A. Scott & Associates comes in. Not only is our Arcadia truck accident lawyer team skilled in helping our clients navigate legal systems, but we also have a deep commitment to serving vulnerable populations with strategy, dignity, and empathy.

Proving Liability in a Truck Accident Case

At Jacqueline A. Scott & Associates, we can help you work through complex liability considerations, such as Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, employer liability, and third-party negligence. Through decades of experience collecting and preserving complex evidence like driver logs and black box data, we interpret complex laws and regulations and present cutting-edge evidence to drive real case results. You can count on us.

Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer

Whether you were on Interstate 20, US 80, or a narrow state route like LA 154 or LA 747 when you were hit by a commercial truck in Bienville Parish, we can help you take on the corporate, heavily backed interests of corporate defense attorneys and trucking insurers.

At Jacqueline A. Scott & Associates, we have a decades-long history of fighting passionately for working families across Louisiana and outsmarting the competition. Hire a truck accident lawyer from our firm today to see for yourself.

FAQs

What Should I Do After a Truck Accident in Arcadia?

After a truck accident in Arcadia, you should first seek immediate medical care, even if you believe that your injuries are minimal. Make sure that you then report the accident to the police and collect all evidence that you can, such as videos of the scene and contact information of witnesses. You should avoid speaking with insurance adjusters at all costs, making sure to consult with an experienced truck accident attorney first.

How Is a Truck Accident Case Different From a Regular Car Accident?

Truck accident cases are different from regular car accidents, and they can commonly be more complicated. This is because they may involve multiple parties who are liable, behemoth commercial insurance carriers, and substantially more serious injuries. It’s important to note that trucking companies typically have their own legal teams, meaning that it’s important to work with a diligent truck accident attorney who knows how to fight back against corporate interests.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for My Truck Accident?

The individuals or entities that could be held responsible for your truck accident, depending on the specific details of your crash. Your truck accident lawyer can deeply investigate your case to understand all the potentially negligent parties, which could be a cargo loading company, the trucking firm, the truck driver himself, or even a government entity or parts manufacturer.

What Types of Compensation Can I Recover After a Truck Crash?

The types of compensation that you may be able to recover after a truck crash are dependent on the specific details of your case. A detail-oriented truck accident attorney can help you understand whether you may be entitled to compensation for property damage, emotional pain, physical suffering, lost income, medical bills, or long-term care needs. Additional damages may apply if your accident caused the loss of a loved one or permanent disability.

What If I Can’t Afford a Lawyer After a Truck Accident?

If you cannot afford a lawyer to represent you in the wake of a truck accident, do not despair. You still have options. The legal team at Jacqueline A. Scott & Associates works on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you are not required to pay anything up front, and that legal services will not be compensated unless your case is won. Payments are a percentage of the final settlement, which is discussed and agreed upon upfront before taking legal action.

Arcadia Truck Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one is reeling from the emotional and physical damages after a truck accident, you do not have to face trucking companies and their insurance carriers alone. The skilled, fierce, and empathetic legal team at Jacqueline A. Scott & Associates is here to help you take on the corporate interests and recover compensation for damages.

We have a deep understanding of the significant impact that these crashes can have on working families and, therefore, are ready to fight for full justice with integrity, knowledge, and heart. Contact us today and let us put our knowledge and experience to work for you.

Arcadia, LA Truck Accident Resources

• Can I collect damages if the truck wasn’t properly maintained?
• Consider this before accepting a truck crash settlement
• Louisiana Truck Accident Laws – All You Need to Know
• The three biggest mistakes you can make in a truck accident case