New OrleansTruck Accident Attorney

An 80,000 pound tractor-trailer operates under an entire body of federal regulations that an ordinary car never has to follow. And after an accident, each one of those regulations becomes a tool for proving what exactly went wrong.

The Voorhies Law Firm represents people across Louisiana who have been seriously hurt or suffered life-changing losses in truck and 18-wheeler accidents, including catastrophic injuries and wrongful death. We focus on complex Louisiana trucking accident claims against negligent trucking companies. These cases often involve federal regulations and companies that fight hard to protect themselves, making experienced legal guidance especially important.

What Is a Truck Accident Claim?

A truck accident claim seeks compensation after a collision involving a commercial truck, which almost always means a more complex case than an ordinary car accident, more potential defendants, more regulation, and far more serious injuries.

These claims can involve:

  • Semi-trucks and tractor-trailers
  • Box trucks, delivery trucks, and dump trucks
  • Tanker trucks
  • Commercial vehicles operated by a trucking company, an owner-operator, or a broker-arranged carrier

How Louisiana Law Applies

A truck accident claim typically layers federal trucking regulation on top of Louisiana’s ordinary injury law, and that federal layer is often where the strongest evidence lives.

Federal Regulations Set the Standard of Care

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates nearly every aspect of commercial trucking: driver qualification, hours of service, vehicle maintenance, cargo securement, and drug and alcohol testing.

A violation of these regulations is powerful evidence that a driver or company fell below the standard of care, and in many cases functions as negligence per se.

Trucking Companies Carry Far More Insurance Than Ordinary Drivers

Federal law requires most interstate motor carriers to maintain at least $750,000 in liability coverage, rising to $5,000,000 for carriers hauling hazardous materials.

That’s a meaningfully different starting point than the $15,000 to $25,000 minimums that apply to an ordinary Louisiana driver, though even $750,000 is often too little for a catastrophic trucking injury.

Comparative Fault and Prescription

Truck accident cases frequently involve more than just the driver.

The trucking company, a maintenance contractor, a cargo loader, a parts manufacturer, and sometimes a freight broker who selected an unsafe carrier can all bear a share of responsibility. Identifying every one of them matters, since the driver alone is rarely the only source of recovery.

The same statewide framework applies here: two years to file under Civil Code article 3493.1 for crashes on or after July 1, 2024, and a 51% comparative fault bar under article 2323 for crashes on or after January 1, 2026.

The Legal Process, Step by Step

STEP 1

Free consultation.

Tell us what happened. We’ll give you an honest, no-cost assessment.

LET'S TALK – FREE CONSULTATION

STEP 2

Evidence preservation letter.

We move immediately to demand the truck’s black box data, driver logs, and inspection records before they’re routinely deleted or discarded.

STEP 3

Multi-party investigation.

We identify every entity that may share responsibility, the driver, the carrier, a maintenance provider, or a broker.

STEP 4

Medical documentation.

We connect your treatment record to what happened on the road.

STEP 5

Damage calculation.

We factor in medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any long-term impact.

STEP 5

Demand and negotiation.

We pursue every available policy, since trucking claims often involve layered insurance coverage.

STEP 5

Filing suit, if needed.

We take the case to court if the trucking company won’t resolve it fairly.

STEP 5

Resolution.

Your claim wraps up, whether through settlement or a verdict.

Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle

Truck accident cases can involve multiple liable parties and complex evidence.

Our firm represents clients in cases involving:

Whatever the circumstances, our goal is the same. We determine what happened and build the strongest possible case on your behalf.

Call us and we'll point you in the right direction.

Jackknife accidents

FIND OUT MORE

Underride and override accidents

Rollover accidents

FIND OUT MORE

Overloaded or improperly secured cargo accidents

Negligent hiring, training, or fleet maintenance cases

Hit-and-run accidents or multi-vehicle pileups involving commercial vehicles

Results

Behind every truck accident case is someone whose ordinary drive put them next to 80,000 pounds of steel and cargo, operated by a company with every incentive to minimize what happened next.

We don’t let them.

The Voorhies Law Firm has recovered over $100 million for our clients, including a $24 million recovery for a truck accident victim seriously injured by a negligent commercial driver.

Every case is different, and what yours is worth depends on its own facts and evidence.

See More Case Results

What Our Clients Say

"Having first tried one of the major firms you see on billboards and TV after my accident, I quickly got the feeling as if I [had] become just a number. I gave Voorhies a chance, and they were a totally different firm. My well-being was priority number one, followed by my compensation... Heaven forbid I go through another serious accident, I would put my trust in Voorhies again."

– Reyna M.

"I only had a consultation, but they were extremely helpful. He provided me with some steps I could do on my own prior to hiring an attorney, and provided a realistic expectation of what to expect if I chose to pursue litigation."

– Bailey J.

"I was involved in a serious injury crash almost four years ago. I called the Voorhies Law Firm. Ms Jennifer Rust returned my call the same day and scheduled a meeting. The Voorhies Law Firm is definitely second to none and a 'cut above."

– Ritchie S.

"Most important to my family, Voorhies was timely, sincere and always professional walking us through the process. We appreciated them being straightforward and honest with us."

– Stephen. M.

"BEST law firm in downtown New Orleans. They handled my personal injury claim and did a fantastic job!! Kudos to Jennifer Rust, one of their attorneys there who helped me out so much! Very responsive law firm!"

– Linda F.

Why Choose The Voorhies Law Firm?

Trucking companies send investigators to a crash scene within hours, sometimes before the wreckage has even cleared.

Richard P. Voorhies III and the team at The Voorhies Law Firm move just as fast to preserve the evidence that matters.

Every case gets our full attention. You’ll work with an experienced attorney who knows the details of your case. And we handle truck accident cases on contingency, so you owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

Request A Free Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

Liability depends on what caused the crash. The driver, the trucking company, a cargo loader, or a maintenance contractor may each share responsibility. An investigation into driver logs and maintenance records usually clarifies who is at fault and to what degree.

Generally, two years from the date of the accident for claims arising on or after July 1, 2024. Earlier claims may follow a one-year deadline. It’s best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible, since evidence like driver logs and camera footage can disappear after a crash.

In many cases, yes. If the company’s hiring, training, maintenance, or safety practices contributed to the crash, the company itself may be held responsible along with the driver, which often means access to larger insurance coverage.

There’s no set answer. Case value depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical costs, lost income, and the specific facts of the crash. A free consultation is the most reliable way to get an honest, case-specific answer.

It’s worth speaking with an attorney before giving a statement or signing anything. Insurance adjusters for trucking companies often reach out quickly, and their goal is protecting the company’s bottom line, not necessarily looking out for your best interests.

    7 + 7 =

    1100 Poydras Street, Suite 2810, New Orleans, LA 70163
    504-875-2223

    The results obtained in any particular case depend upon the specific facts and circumstances of that case. Past verdicts and settlements do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in future cases.