Truckers holding commercial driver's licenses (CDL) and their employers in the commercial trucking industry are governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Truck companies are required to properly screen, train and supervise their CDL drivers and follow strict regulations regarding ongoing training, truck and trailer maintenance, load restrictions and driver responsibilities. Unfortunately, the commercial trucking industry is notorious for cutting corners and expecting truck drivers to push themselves too far and too fast.

If you were injured in a truck accident in Louisiana, call Siegfried Law Firm at 620-429-0476 or contact me by email to arrange a free consultation to discuss your case with an experienced Alexandria car crash lawyer. From offices in Alexandria, I represent clients in parishes throughout central Louisiana. I handle all personal injury and insurance litigation cases on a contingency fee basis. You will pay NO attorneys' fees unless I help you recover monetary damages.

Common causes of tractor-trailer and commercial truck accidents include:

• Insufficient maintenance: Truck engines and electrical, transmission, steering and braking systems are supposed to undergo thorough inspections, maintenance and repairs after a specified number of hours on the road. Failure to meet the scheduled maintenance requirements can result in sudden breakdowns, failure of running and brake lights and trailer uncoupling.
• Driver fatigue: CDL drivers are supposed to limit the number of hours they drive so they get sufficient rest, sleep and meal breaks. Overworked and overstressed truckers can develop sleep apnea and fall asleep at the wheel.
• Unsafe loads: Large 18-wheel trucks have load limits for a reason. An overloaded or improperly balanced trailer can result in unexpected swerving and require additional braking distance the truck driver might not be prepared for. Trailers loaded above their safe capacity often result in jackknife accidents when the driver is expected to stop quickly or turn sharply.
• Trailer underride: Tractor-trailers are required to have their running lights on at all times while on the road. This includes the full range of lights along the sides and back of the trailer. Trailing cars often run under the trailer back when the truck's brake lights or running lights are not working properly in inclement weather and the truck must come to a sudden stop.
• Sideswipes: Sitting high up in a cab, truck drivers often lose visibility to the immediate left or right sides of their trailer. Sudden lane changes put smaller vehicles in danger of being sideswiped.

Will the lawyer you hire really make a difference in the outcome of your case? It will cost you nothing to get your questions answered by an experienced personal injury attorney. I offer a free consultation to explain your legal options. You pay no attorneys' fees unless I help you recover monetary damages in a settlement or trial verdict. Call us at — 620-429-0476. You can also use the convenient contact email form to send me details about your case.

My office hours in Alexandria are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and I will make evening and weekend appointments by special arrangement. If your injuries or circumstances won't allow you to travel, I can make arrangements to meet at a time and place convenient for you and your family.