How Medical Expenses Are Covered After A Trucking Accident

Injuries from a trucking accident can lead to hefty medical bills, other emergency services costs, and financial instability. Medical expenses can easily derail an individual’s life and financial planning, which can be even more challenging when the individual is still recovering from these injuries or the surgeries needed to stabilize them. Medical expenses can vary greatly depending on the particulars of the injuries, the trucking accident, and its severity. 

Entering into a legal battle for medical expenses and damages can be overwhelming for an injured individual. This may involve negotiating with insurance companies, proving the negligent driver’s liability, and compiling evidence to build a case for compensation. Such action may not even be possible without help, depending on the severity of the injuries. 

The Louisiana Law Lady may be able to help. Lauren Pilié is a skilled Louisiana trucking accident attorney who may be able to help secure fair compensation for medical expenses. Consider scheduling a consultation today by calling or texting Lauren at (504) 470-3511 for details. 

Common Medical Expenses from Trucking Accidents

Medical expenses and damages are common from trucking accidents, and can vary from minor to severe. Injuries may be immediately evident and treated quickly, but some trucking accident injuries have delayed symptoms that may not appear for weeks or even months, especially if it involves cognitive impairment. Understanding the impact of these medical expenses can help shape the argument for compensation. These damages may be different from property damages, which are often handled by auto insurance claims. 

Some common injuries that can lead to medical expenses are traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), fractured bones, and soft tissue damage. Medical bills from these injuries can include emergency treatment, surgeries, and hospital stays. Some injuries, such as back injuries or chronic pain, may not be immediately obvious. This is why it is important to carefully catalogue injuries and keep clear records of hospital visits and medical bills. 

However, these are not the only medical expenses that could impact a victim of a trucking accident. Emergency service fees, as well as hospital stays, can also bring significant medical expenses. These tangential expenses may not be immediately obvious, but they may be recoverable in damages from a trucking accident. 

Who is Responsible for Damages in a Louisiana Trucking Accident?

In the event of a trucking accident, victims may worry about who is liable for damages in a trucking accident. These damages can include medical expenses, but may also extend to property damage, lost wages, and more. Louisiana determines liability for these accidents under the Louisiana Civil Code section 2323. This states that contributory negligence may reduce the amount of damages awarded based on who was liable for the accident. Determining fault is generally the key to establishing who is responsible for compensation, which means that understanding contributory negligence can help establish a compensation case for medical expenses. 

Potentially Liable Parties in a Trucking Accident

However, the complexities of a trucking accident can complicate who is directly liable for the accident. With standard vehicle accidents, the drivers involved in the accident are generally the only parties who could be liable for the accident. However, trucking accidents have many potentially liable parties, such as the truck driver, the trucking company, and more. Understanding the legal nuances of these circumstances can help an individual make a compelling case for compensation for damages. 

For other questions regarding trucking accident compensation for medical damages, consider speaking with the Louisiana Law Lady for more details. 

The Truck Driver

The truck driver will often bear a significant portion of the liability for the trucking accident if they are found to be acting negligently. Often, it is these negligent actions on the road that can lead to trucking accidents in the first place. A lack of awareness of their surroundings, failure to signal properly, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, as well as violating hours of service regulations, could all contribute to liability for a trucking accident in Louisiana. 

The Trucking Company

However, the trucking company that hired the driver may bear some of the responsibility as well. As an employer, they are generally expected by state law to ensure the safety of their drivers and enforce safety behaviors and training. If the trucking company’s employees are violating safety regulations or if the trucking company was found to be negligent in hiring the at-fault driver, they may also be held to a degree of liability. 

Additional Parties 

These are not the only parties who may have contributed to the accident, however. Many different individuals may interact with the driver’s vehicle in a way that could imply liability. For example, the loading company may have improperly secured cargo, which led to an accident. This could unbalance the vehicle and lead to an accident that is not directly the truck driver’s fault. The mechanic or individual in charge of vehicle maintenance at the trucking company could also be held liable to a degree if their failure to maintain the vehicle led to an accident. Several other parties could be held liable for a trucking accident in Louisiana. 

How to Pursue Damages in a Trucking Accident

When pursuing damages for medical expenses after a trucking accident, the individual may benefit from keeping accurate documentation of everything relating to the accident. This includes medical bills, bank statements, prior medical records, vehicle information, as well as contact information of any witnesses. These are all valuable because they help present a clear picture of what happened during the accident and what medical expenses directly resulted from it. Building a strong case for compensation can give individuals a better chance at receiving fair compensation for their injuries and hardships. A skilled Louisiana trucking accident attorney may be able to provide unique insight into how to achieve this. 

Speak with the Louisiana Law Lady Today

Medical expenses can cause much stress and anxiety for victims of a trucking accident. It may be unclear who is at fault for the accident, particularly with the multiple parties involved in operating and maintaining semi trucks, which could further complicate the question of compensation for medical expenses. Additionally, compensation under Louisiana’s comparative fault laws may rely on the injured party proving the fault of the opposing party, which can be an immense challenge for someone who is not trained in the practice of law. This is why the Louisiana Law Lady, a seasoned Louisiana trucking accident attorney, is here to evaluate your case and help represent you in court to advocate for your best interests. Consider scheduling a consultation with Lauren by calling or texting (504) 470-3511 for more information.