Kenner 18 Wheeler Accidents Lawyer

Experienced 18-wheeler accident attorneys fighting for injured clients throughout Kenner.

If you have been injured in a collision with an 18-wheeler in Kenner, the claims process involves federal trucking regulations, multiple potentially liable parties, and insurance carriers that employ experienced defense counsel from the start. A Kenner, LA 18-wheeler accident lawyer at Kiefer & Kiefer can investigate the crash, preserve critical evidence, and pursue the full compensation you are owed. We handle every 18-wheeler case on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover for you.

18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer Kenner, LA

Kenner sits along I-10 in Jefferson Parish, and the interstate carries a high volume of commercial truck traffic moving between Baton Rouge, the port facilities along the Mississippi River, and the Gulf Coast. A fully loaded 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When one of these vehicles is involved in a collision with a passenger car or SUV, the occupants of the smaller vehicle absorb nearly all of the impact.

An 18-wheeler accident case is different from a standard car accident claim. The truck and its driver are subject to federal safety regulations governing hours of service, vehicle maintenance, driver qualifications, and cargo securement. Violations of those regulations can serve as direct evidence of negligence. Liability may also extend beyond the driver to include the trucking company, the cargo loader, and the maintenance provider.

Types of 18-Wheeler Accident Cases We Handle in Kenner

The circumstances of an 18-wheeler crash determine which parties may be liable and what evidence is needed to prove the claim. Our attorneys handle 18-wheeler accident cases in Kenner, LA involving the following.

• Rear-end collisions. An 18-wheeler traveling at highway speed needs significantly more distance to stop than a passenger vehicle. When a truck driver is fatigued, distracted, or following too closely, the resulting rear-end collision can cause catastrophic spinal, neck, and head injuries to the occupants of the vehicle ahead.
• Jackknife accidents. A jackknife occurs when the trailer swings outward relative to the cab, often sweeping across multiple lanes of traffic. Hard braking on wet pavement, improper load distribution, and worn brake components are common contributing factors in truck accidents that result in jackknifes.
• Underride collisions. An underride crash occurs when a smaller vehicle slides beneath the rear or side of an 18-wheeler’s trailer. These collisions are among the most deadly because the top of the passenger vehicle is sheared off on impact. Whether the truck was equipped with adequate underride guards is often a central issue in these cases.
• Blind spot accidents. 18-wheelers have substantial blind spots along both sides, directly behind the trailer, and in front of the cab. When a truck driver changes lanes or merges without checking these zones, the resulting collision can send a passenger vehicle into a guardrail, median, or oncoming traffic.
• Cargo spill and unsecured load accidents. Federal regulations require cargo on 18-wheelers to be properly distributed and secured. When cargo shifts during transit or falls from the trailer onto the roadway, it can cause multi-vehicle pileups and create debris hazards for other drivers.
• Wide-turn accidents. 18-wheelers require a wide turning radius, and drivers sometimes swing into adjacent lanes to complete a turn. Smaller vehicles traveling alongside the truck can be crushed between the trailer and curb or struck by trailer swinging outward.
• Fatigue-related accidents. Federal hours-of-service regulations limit how long a truck driver can operate before taking a mandatory rest break. When carriers pressure drivers to exceed those limits, or when drivers falsify their electronic logging device records, the risk of a fatigue-related collision increases substantially.

Why Choose Kiefer & Kiefer as My 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer in Kenner, LA?

Former Defense Counsel Now Representing Injured Motorists

Before representing injured clients, the attorneys at Kiefer & Kiefer defended insurance companies and trucking carriers in 18-wheeler accident claims. That experience gave us a clear understanding of how the defense side evaluates these cases, what arguments they use to minimize liability, and where the weaknesses in their positions tend to be. We now apply that knowledge on behalf of the people who were hurt.

Megan Kiefer is a partner at the firm who has been inducted into the Litigation Counsel of America and is a member of the Louisiana Association for Justice. She graduated from Tulane University Law School with Order of the Coif distinction and is a Super Lawyers honoree. She has been inducted into the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and is licensed in Louisiana and California.

Nat Kiefer Jr. graduated from Tulane University Law School in 1982 with honors and was inducted into the Order of the Coif. He received the Walter Sutton Award and has handled trucking accident, personal injury, and wrongful death cases in Louisiana for over four decades. Chris Short graduated magna cum laude from Tulane University Law School. He is licensed in Louisiana and Florida and holds a degree from California State University Maritime Academy.

Kiefer & Kiefer has recovered millions of dollars for clients injured in 18-wheeler and commercial truck collisions. We also serve as a personal injury lawyer in Kenner, LA and handle every case on contingency. You owe nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

What Is Important to Understand About an 18-Wheeler Accident Case?

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for 18-Wheeler Accident Cases

Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2315, a person who causes damage through fault is obligated to repair it. In 18-wheeler cases, that obligation typically extends to multiple parties. The driver may be liable for operating the vehicle negligently. The trucking company may be liable under respondeat superior or for its own negligent hiring and supervision. The cargo company may be liable if improperly loaded freight contributed to the crash. And the maintenance provider may be liable if a mechanical failure that should have been caught during inspection caused or contributed to the accident.

Economic damages in 18-wheeler cases include medical bills, future treatment costs, lost wages, and diminished earning capacity. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life. When the truck driver was intoxicated or the carrier’s conduct was especially reckless, Louisiana law may permit enhanced damages beyond standard compensatory amounts.

What Are Important Aspects of an 18-Wheeler Accident Case?

Understanding how insurance applies after an 18-wheeler collision is important because these cases involve higher policy limits and more complex coverage structures than standard vehicle accidents.

• The trucking company, the vehicle owner, and the driver may each carry separate insurance, and multiple policies may respond to the same accident depending on the ownership and leasing arrangements.
• Evidence preservation is critical. The truck’s engine control module and electronic logging device contain data about speed, braking, and hours of operation in the moments before the crash.

• Federal regulations do not require carriers to retain this data indefinitely, so issuing a spoliation letter within days of the accident is essential.
• We also secure the driver’s qualification file, maintenance records, drug and alcohol testing history, and any available surveillance or dashcam footage.

Louisiana’s comparative fault law under Civil Code Article 2323 applies to 18-wheeler claims. Since January 1, 2026, an injured person assigned 51% or more of the fault is barred from recovering damages. Defense teams in trucking cases work aggressively to shift blame, and responding with strong evidence from the outset is essential.

What Is the 18-Wheeler Accident Case Timeline?

The investigation in an 18-wheeler case begins immediately. We work to preserve electronic data, inspect the vehicles, obtain the police report, and interview witnesses while their recollections are fresh. Medical treatment proceeds in parallel, and we coordinate with your healthcare providers to ensure the full extent of your injuries is documented.

Once treatment stabilizes, we calculate the total value of the claim and submit a demand to the responsible parties and their insurers. If the carrier does not make a fair offer, we file suit. The prescriptive period in Louisiana is two years from the date of injury under Civil Code Article 3493.1, but the evidence that determines the outcome of these cases can be lost within weeks without prompt action.

What Should You Bring to Your 18-Wheeler Accident Consultation?

If you have not gathered all of these, we can begin the evaluation with what is available, and the consultation is free. The following materials will help us evaluate your claim:

• The police accident report or report number
• Photographs of the vehicles, the crash scene, and your injuries
• Medical records and bills from treatment related to the accident
• Information about the trucking company or the markings on the truck
• Any communications from the trucking company’s insurer

Important Louisiana Legal Resources for 18-Wheeler Accident Cases

18-wheeler accident claims involve both state tort law and federal motor carrier regulations.

• FMCSA: Publishes crash data and enforces the safety regulations that govern commercial trucking operations. 
• NHTSA: Maintains national statistics on large truck collision frequency and severity.
• Civil Code Article 2315: Louisiana’s negligence and damages framework is established.
• Civil Code Article 2323: The comparative fault statute governs fault allocation and includes the 51% bar for incidents on or after January 1, 2026.
• Civil Code Article 3493.1: The prescriptive period provides two years for claims arising after July 1, 2024.

Reach Out to Kiefer & Kiefer to Schedule a Consultation

If you were injured in an 18-wheeler accident in Kenner, Kiefer & Kiefer can review the facts of your case and advise you on your legal options. We handle every 18-wheeler claim on a contingency basis, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.