Metairie Truck Accident Lawyer

Schedule a free consultation with a Metairie, LA truck accident lawyer who will fight for your recovery.

If you have been injured in an accident involving a commercial truck in Metairie, a Metairie, LA truck accident lawyer at Kiefer & Kiefer can investigate the crash, identify every liable party, and pursue full compensation on your behalf. Our attorneys have over 40 years of experience handling truck accident cases and previously defended insurance companies in commercial vehicle claims. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Truck Accident Lawyer Metairie, LA

Metairie’s location along I-10 in Jefferson Parish means that commercial trucks move through the area constantly. Tractor-trailers, tankers, flatbeds, and delivery vehicles share the road with local commuters on highways and surface streets alike. When a commercial truck is involved in a collision with a passenger vehicle, the size and weight difference almost always results in serious injuries to the occupants of the smaller vehicle.

What separates a truck accident case from a car accident case is the regulatory framework. Commercial trucks and their operators are subject to federal safety standards that govern driver qualifications, hours of service, vehicle inspections, and cargo securement. Violations of those standards are direct evidence of negligence and can establish liability against the driver, the trucking company, or both.

Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle in Metairie

The cause and circumstances of a truck crash determine the investigation, the liable parties, and the damages we pursue. Our attorneys handle truck accident cases in Metairie, LA involving the following.

• 18-wheeler accidents. A loaded 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and crashes involving these vehicles on I-10 or at major intersections in Jefferson Parish regularly produce catastrophic injuries. We investigate driver logs, electronic data, and the carrier’s safety history in every semi-truck case.
• Rear-end collisions. Trucks require far more stopping distance than passenger vehicles. When a truck driver is fatigued, distracted, or tailgating, the resulting rear-end collision can cause severe spinal, neck, and head injuries. Factors that influence the value of these claims include the speed at impact and whether the driver was in violation of hours-of-service regulations.
• Intersection collisions. Metairie’s commercial corridors, including Veterans Memorial Boulevard and Causeway Boulevard, see regular truck traffic. Trucks running red lights, failing to yield, or misjudging turning clearance at intersections cause collisions that can strike vehicles from the side at full force.
• Lane change accidents. Commercial trucks have significant blind spots along both sides, behind the trailer, and in front of the cab. When a driver changes lanes without verifying the adjacent lane is clear, the resulting sideswipe or forced lane departure can push a passenger vehicle into a guardrail, median, or oncoming traffic.
• Delivery truck accidents. Local and regional delivery vehicles operate on residential and commercial streets throughout Metairie. These vehicles may be driven by company employees or independent contractors, and the distinction affects which parties are liable for the driver’s negligence.
• Tanker truck accidents. Tanker trucks carrying fuel, chemicals, or liquid cargo present unique hazards because the liquid load shifts during transit, affecting the vehicle’s stability. When a tanker is involved in a crash, the risk of fire, explosion, or hazardous material exposure adds complexity to both the investigation and the damages.
• Construction vehicle accidents. Road and utility construction projects throughout Jefferson Parish place heavy equipment and construction vehicles in active traffic zones. When a construction vehicle is involved in a collision, liability may rest with the construction company, the vehicle operator, or the entity responsible for traffic management in the work zone.

Truck Accident Infographic

Why Choose Kiefer & Kiefer as My Truck Accident Lawyer in Metairie, LA?

Trial Attorneys With a Record of Results in Trucking Cases

Kiefer & Kiefer’s attorneys previously defended insurance companies and trucking carriers before transitioning to plaintiff-side work. That background gives us a direct understanding of how the defense evaluates trucking cases, what arguments they use to limit liability, and what evidence is most effective at countering those arguments. We have used that knowledge to recover millions of dollars for clients injured in truck and commercial vehicle collisions.

Megan Kiefer is a partner at the firm who has been featured on Fox, WWLTV, WDSU, and CBS for her work in personal injury and trucking litigation. 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, was inducted into the Order of the Coif, and received the Walter Sutton Award. He has tried personal injury and trucking cases in Louisiana’s trial courts for over four decades.

Chris Short graduated magna cum laude from Tulane University Law School and is licensed in Louisiana and Florida. He holds a degree from California State University Maritime Academy.

As your personal injury lawyer in Metairie, LA, we take every truck accident case on contingency. You owe nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

What Is Important to Understand About a Truck Accident Case?

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Truck Accident Cases

Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2315, a person who causes damage through fault is obligated to repair it. In truck accident cases, liability frequently extends beyond the driver. The trucking company may be liable under respondeat superior or for its own negligent practices. The cargo company may be liable if improperly loaded freight caused or contributed to the crash. And the maintenance provider may be liable if a mechanical failure went undetected during a required inspection.

Economic damages include medical bills, future treatment costs, lost wages, and reduced 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 reckless, Louisiana law may permit enhanced damages.

What Are Important Aspects of a Truck Accident Case?

How insurance applies after a truck accident is one of the first issues to understand. Commercial trucks carry higher policy limits than passenger vehicles, and multiple policies may cover a single accident depending on the ownership and leasing structure. Identifying all available coverage early in the case is essential for maximizing the recovery.

Evidence preservation is equally important. The truck’s engine control module and electronic logging device store data about speed, braking, and hours of operation leading up to the crash. Federal regulations do not require carriers to retain this data indefinitely, and issuing a spoliation letter within days of the accident is critical. We also obtain the driver’s qualification file, drug testing records, and maintenance logs to identify negligent hiring or supervision by the carrier.

Louisiana’s comparative fault law under Civil Code Article 2323 applies. Since January 1, 2026, a claimant assigned 51% or more of the fault is barred from recovering damages. Defense counsel in trucking cases invests considerable resources in shifting fault to the injured driver, and building a strong evidentiary record from the start is the most effective way to counter those arguments.

What Is the Truck Accident Case Timeline?

The investigation begins immediately after the accident. We work to preserve electronic data, inspect the vehicles, secure surveillance footage, and interview witnesses before evidence is lost or overwritten. Medical treatment proceeds in parallel, and we coordinate with your providers to make sure that the injuries are thoroughly documented.

Once treatment stabilizes and the full scope of damages is established, we submit a demand to the responsible parties and their insurers. If a fair resolution cannot be reached, we file suit and prepare for trial. The prescriptive period in Louisiana is two years from the date of injury under Civil Code Article 3493.1, but in truck accident cases, the most important evidence can disappear within weeks without prompt preservation efforts.

What Should You Bring to Your Truck Accident Consultation?

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 markings on the truck
• Any communications from the trucking company’s insurer

If you have not gathered all of these, we can begin with what is available, and the consultation is free.

What Are Important Louisiana Legal Resources for Truck Accident Cases?

Truck accident claims involve both state tort law and federal motor carrier regulations.

• The 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.
• Louisiana’s negligence and damages framework is established in Civil Code Article 2315.
• The comparative fault statute, Civil Code Article 2323, governs fault allocation and includes the 51% bar for incidents on or after January 1, 2026.
• The prescriptive period is set by Civil Code Article 3493.1, providing two years for claims arising after July 1, 2024.

Reach Out to Kiefer & Kiefer to Schedule a Consultation

If you were injured in a truck accident in Metairie, Kiefer & Kiefer can review your case and explain your legal options. We handle every trucking claim on a contingency basis, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.