Injured by a commercial truck on I-10, at the Port, or on Louisiana's freight corridors? We hold trucking companies accountable.
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An 18-wheeler weighing up to 80,000 pounds striking a 4,000-pound passenger vehicle generates catastrophic forces that cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, and death at rates four times higher than standard car accidents. Louisiana Department of Transportation data shows commercial trucks comprise 12 percent of vehicles on state roads but account for 20 percent of fatal crashes, with 142 truck-involved fatalities statewide in 2023.
New Orleans sits at the center of Louisiana's freight infrastructure. The Port of New Orleans handles over 10,000 trucks daily. The petrochemical corridor between Baton Rouge and New Orleans generates constant heavy truck traffic along I-10 and US-90. When one of these trucks causes an accident in Orleans Parish, the legal battle involves federal regulations, multiple defendants, and insurance policies reaching $750,000 to $5 million — far more complex than a standard car accident claim.
Unlike passenger car drivers who follow Louisiana traffic laws alone, commercial truck drivers and their employers must also comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations. These rules govern hours-of-service limits — drivers cannot exceed 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive off-duty hours — Electronic Logging Devices mandatory since 2017, drug and alcohol testing requirements, vehicle inspection and maintenance schedules, and cargo securement standards.
Violations of these regulations are powerful evidence of negligence. Branch Law moves quickly after an 18-wheeler crash to preserve Electronic Control Module data from the truck's black box, which records speed, braking, and engine RPM at the time of impact. We subpoena in-cab camera footage, driver logs, and maintenance records before trucking companies can destroy or alter them. We also investigate whether shipping brokers set impossible delivery windows that pressured the driver to break safety laws.
I-10 through New Orleans is a major east-west freight corridor connecting Texas to Mississippi and the Gulf Coast. Construction zones, merge points near the Pontchartrain Expressway, and the elevated sections through downtown create dangerous conditions where a loaded truck cannot stop in time. The Tchoupitoulas Street industrial corridor sees constant truck traffic serving port facilities and warehouses. US-90 through the West Bank carries additional commercial traffic. FMCSA data shows speeding factors into 24 percent of truck crashes, while driver fatigue contributes to 13 to 19 percent of large truck collisions.
18-wheeler accident victims typically face far greater damages than car accident victims — catastrophic injuries requiring extensive surgery, long-term rehabilitation, and permanent disability. You may recover compensation for emergency medical treatment and ongoing care at University Medical Center or Tulane Medical Center, lifetime medical costs for permanent injuries, lost wages and diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and in fatal cases, wrongful death damages under La. C.C. Art. 2315.2.
Multiple parties may be liable: the truck driver, the trucking company, the vehicle maintenance provider, the cargo loader, and the shipping broker. Each may carry separate insurance policies. Branch Law identifies every responsible party and every available policy to maximize your recovery.
New Orleans 18-wheeler accident lawsuits are filed in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court at 421 Loyola Avenue. Federal cases — common when the trucking company is based out of state — may be filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana at 500 Poydras Street. Louisiana's prescriptive period is now two years for accidents occurring on or after July 1, 2024, but evidence in truck cases disappears fast. Federal regulations only require carriers to retain certain records for six months. Call Branch Law at 504-608-7777 immediately after any truck accident.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Truck accident cases involve federal FMCSA regulations, multiple potential defendants including the trucking company and broker, insurance policies ranging from $750,000 to $5 million, and critical evidence like black box data and driver logs that must be preserved immediately. The legal complexity far exceeds a standard car accident.
18-wheeler cases typically involve more severe injuries and higher compensation than car accidents. The value depends on injury severity, medical costs, lost income, and available insurance coverage. Branch Law has recovered seven-figure settlements for truck accident victims. We evaluate your case for free.
Call 911 and seek emergency medical attention. Do not move your vehicle unless necessary for safety. Photograph the truck, its DOT number, company name, license plate, and any visible damage. Do not speak with the trucking company's insurance adjuster. Call Branch Law at 504-608-7777 — we can begin preserving critical evidence within hours.
Yes. Under respondeat superior and federal regulations, the trucking company is typically liable for its driver's actions. We also investigate the broker, maintenance provider, and cargo loader. Each may carry separate insurance, increasing the total recovery available to you.
Two years from the date of the accident for injuries occurring on or after July 1, 2024. However, critical evidence like electronic logs and black box data can be destroyed within months. Contact Branch Law immediately to preserve this evidence.
Free consultation. No fee unless we win. We fight for maximum compensation. Call (504) 608-7777 or fill out the form below for a free case evaluation.