Ruston Truck Accident Lawyers

Q: How does Louisiana comparative fault affect my truck accident claim?

Under La. C.C. Art. 2323 (https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=109387), for causes of action arising on or after January 1, 2026, a plaintiff who is 51 percent or more at fault recovers nothing. At 50 percent or less, your recovery is reduced by your assigned fault percentage. Trucking insurers raise comparative fault early because every point of fault shifted onto you cuts what they pay, dollar for dollar. Solid evidence, including the crash reconstruction, the truck's electronic data, and driver logs, is what pins the real percentages to the parties who earned them.

Ruston’s truck wrecks happen on I-20 and Highway 167, and on US-80 and LA-33. The injured go to Northern Louisiana Medical Center on East Vaughn Avenue. The Ruston Police Department writes the report inside the city limits, and the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office writes it for the rest of the parish. A Lincoln Parish suit can be filed in the 3rd Judicial District Court, which sits at the Lincoln Parish Courthouse on West Texas Avenue. Trey Morris Injury Lawyers’ Ruston office is at 1831 North Trenton Street, Suite 2. We pull the report, take the carrier’s name and DOT number off the trailer, and send a preservation letter once the facts give us an honest basis for one. The letter asks the carrier to keep the driver’s logs, which show how long the driver had been on duty; the truck’s maintenance file, which shows whether the carrier knew the truck needed repair; and the onboard dashcam footage, which shows what the truck was doing before impact.

The law that governs the claim is Louisiana law, and it is the same in every parish. You have two years from the day you were hurt to file suit (La. C.C. Art. 3493.1), and for causes of action arising on or after January 1, 2026, a 51% fault finding under Art. 2323 ends the claim. We represent 18-wheeler crash survivors and the families who lost loved ones to fatal tractor-trailer accidents. If the commercial vehicle that hit you was a bus, see our Ruston bus accident page.

What Causes Most Tractor-Trailer Accidents?

Preventable mistakes, carelessness, and negligence cause most big rig wrecks, and many involve negligence by more than one party, including motorists, trucking companies, and equipment manufacturers.

Driver errors include performance errors such as mishandling the vehicle, perception and recognition errors such as misunderstanding the surroundings, and decision errors involving poor choices. Truck drivers’ common errors include speeding, which is a factor in roughly one in three big rig wrecks, prescription drug use causing fatigue, and performance errors on unfamiliar roads, which affect approximately one in five crashes.

Trucking companies must follow regulations for safe trucks and drivers and maintain policies that promote safety. A company that fails those obligations can be liable for the wreck.

About 6 percent of deadly semi-truck accidents involve mechanical problems or equipment failures, and mechanical issues affect 18-wheelers roughly twice as much as passenger vehicles. Failures typically involve brakes or tires, caused by design flaws, manufacturing failures, inspection failures, improper maintenance, overloading, or improper cargo balancing.

About 7 percent of semi accidents, roughly 10,000 truck accidents yearly, result from unstable or unsecured cargo. Unstable cargo makes a big rig top-heavy and difficult to control, resulting in rollovers, jackknife accidents, runaway trailers, and severe wrecks involving multiple vehicles and catastrophic injuries.

About one in seven semi-truck wrecks occurs during poor weather, including dense fog and heavy storms, and slick or poorly maintained roads add risk. Congestion or accident aftermath affects 28 percent of 18-wheeler wrecks, and highway work zones are involved in roughly one in three deadly work zone accidents.

The Federal Regulations Every Ruston Truck Crash Case Must Address

A commercial carrier on I-20 or Highway 167 follows the state traffic code plus a separate layer of federal safety rules that ordinary drivers do not. A carrier may treat a Lincoln Parish tractor-trailer wreck as an ordinary car accident, but those rules create records that do not exist in a car accident case, and a documented violation is evidence of negligence. Knowing which records to request is the first task in building the case.

Hours-of-service rules under 49 CFR Part 395 cap driving time and require rest breaks so a fatigued driver is not behind 80,000 pounds. When a driver or carrier exceeds those limits, the electronic logging device and daily log records will show it. Fatigue is a recurring cause of serious truck wrecks, and these records are the proof.

Inspection, repair, and maintenance rules under 49 CFR Part 396 require carriers to keep brakes, tires, lights, and steering in safe condition. A driver who finds or is told of a defect must report it in writing at the end of the day, and a defect likely to affect safety must be repaired before the truck runs again. If a report noted a brake or tire defect before the crash and the carrier did not repair it, that is documented negligence.

Controlled-substance and alcohol testing rules under 49 CFR Part 382 govern driver testing, including post-accident testing. Federal rules require it after a crash involving a fatality, and after a crash in which someone needed immediate treatment away from the scene or a vehicle was towed away for disabling damage, when the truck driver is ticketed for a moving violation from the crash within 8 hours (for the alcohol test) or 32 hours (for the drug test). A missing test the rules required is evidence worth pursuing.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration publishes national and state large-truck and bus crash data in its Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts reports, which track fatal, injury, and property-damage crashes involving commercial vehicles by state and cover the driver, vehicle, and roadway factors most often present in these wrecks. The same factors turn up on the corridors around Ruston, where I-20 and Highway 167 carry heavy commercial freight through Lincoln Parish. Pulling the FMCSA data for the specific carrier and reviewing the crash report for the specific wreck is part of how the case is built.

Our Ruston Office

1831 N Trenton St, Ste 2
Ruston, LA 71270

318-702-8648

Open 24/7 for injured Ruston residents

Get directions →

What to Do After an 18-Wheeler Accident in Ruston

Call 911 to get Ruston Police Department or other authorities on scene.
Collect information from other drivers and witnesses.
Get pictures and video of the crash site with maximum detail.
Do not state fault; avoid admissions when speaking to anyone at the scene or to insurance companies.
Visit a doctor as soon as possible and get all medical care needed for your injuries.
Call your insurance company to report the accident within a day or two.
Consult a Ruston truck accident attorney at Trey Morris Injury Lawyers for claim options.

Representative Results

$409 Million Wrongful Death

A tragic case where an impaired driver of a commercial vehicle ran a red light, then collided with our client, causing serious bodily injury to the mother and the loss of life of her daughter.

$49 Million Motor Vehicle Accident

An impaired driver of a stolen vehicle driving the wrong way collided with our client head-on, resulting in brain injury and multiple broken bones.

$32,195,000 Industrial / Workplace

Failure to maintain proper safety protocols led to an explosion at an industrial plant causing a series of catastrophic injuries from broken bones, burns, spinal injury, and mental anguish.

$31.5 Million Industrial / Workplace

Brain and spinal injuries followed an oil-field company failing to maintain equipment and provide a safe work site.

$17.25 Million Commercial Vehicle Accident

Client was struck head-on by a disconnected load of an 18-wheeler that crossed the median causing broken bones and amputation.

$13 Million Commercial Vehicle Accident

On the interstate, an 18-wheeler failed to yield right of way then made an unsafe lane change causing the accident which resulted in major bone breaks, damaged organs, and ultimately a leg amputation.

$12.1 Million Motor Vehicle Accident

A commercial vehicle failed to stop at a red light subsequently crashing into our client causing serious brain injury and permanent loss of function.

$7 Million Motor Vehicle Accident

When the other vehicle struck our client, the result was a major hemorrhage and a stroke.

$7 Million Commercial Vehicle Accident

An 18-wheeler cut across traffic on an illegal left turn and hit our client, who suffered neck and back injuries.

$6.25 Million Motor Vehicle Accident

A fatigued commercial-vehicle driver fell asleep at the wheel and rear-ended our client, leaving our client with severe neck and back injuries.

$4.95 Million Wrongful Death

A hydraulic line exploded at a job site, taking the life of our client's loved one.

$4 Million Commercial Vehicle Accident

Our client's vehicle was struck by the at-fault vehicle, resulting in neck and back injuries.

$3.3 Million Motor Vehicle Accident

Motor vehicle collision. Details not publicly disclosed.

$3.25 Million Commercial Vehicle Accident

Commercial vehicle collision. Details not publicly disclosed.

$3.2 Million Commercial Vehicle Accident

While our client was stopped, the at-fault driver rear-ended our client's vehicle and set it on fire, leaving our client seriously hurt.

$3.15 Million Wrongful Death

An 18-wheeler caused a fatal collision that took the life of our client's loved one.

$3 Million Commercial Vehicle Accident

A commercial vehicle struck and killed our client's loved one, who was on foot.

$3 Million Motor Vehicle Accident

Out on the highway, the at-fault driver hit our client.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes; each case is decided on its own facts. See our full case results.

Your Ruston Injury Attorneys

Founder Trey Morris leads every injury case the firm takes.

Trey Morris
Owner

What clients say

★★★★★
Where should I start!?
Trey Morris Injury Law Firm was a great fit for me! During this wild time of getting into a car wreck, dealing with insurance, and other third parties, Mrs. Brooke and Mrs. Nerren were extremely helpful! They were there for me through the whole process and never once did I doubt their professionalism. They will fight tooth and nail for you and get you what you deserve. I would recommend them to anyone.
Dakota R.Ruston Office · Oct. 22, 2026
★★★★★
I just want to express how pleased I am with [Trey Morris Injury Lawyers].
Their caring team made a huge difference in my experience. From the moment I reached out, they were attentive and supportive, guiding me through every step of the process. They truly took the time to listen to my concerns and made me feel valued as a client. I highly recommend their services to anyone in need of a compassionate and dedicated legal team!
Maram Z.Ruston Office · Apr. 28, 2025
★★★★★
Joe and Jaime were awesome with helping me from beginning to end.
Loved working with such a great team!
ChristinRuston Office · Oct. 12, 2026
★★★★★
My sister and I rate Trey Morris Injury Lawyers a 10 out of 10.
They are so dedicated to assisting families when the unexpected occurs. We are so greatful with the settlement received. Thank you all for everything.
Crystal M.Ruston Office · Oct. 3, 2026
★★★★★
Trey Morris what a great experience if I ever have to suggest a lawyer's office Morris is my first choice will be suggesting to friends and family
Adam W.Shreveport Office · Oct. 16, 2026
★★★★★
Very professional and very easy to work with throughout the whole case!
Lane and Men helped make the whole process go smonthly with no stress
Victoria M.Lake Charles Office · Oct. 8, 2026

Testimonials do not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

How Much Are Truck Accident Settlements?

Compensation varies case by case with the severity of the injuries and the losses they caused, and damages generally cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. The Ruston personal injury page covers the damages available in Louisiana.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Ruston, Louisiana?

You have two years from the day you were hurt to file suit under La. C.C. Art. 3493.1. This deadline is called prescription, and once it runs, the claim is gone no matter how strong it was. A separate and much shorter practical clock also matters: the window to preserve the truck's electronic data before the carrier overwrites it.

How do I preserve the truck's electronic logging device data before it is overwritten?

Send a formal preservation demand to the trucking company and its insurer. Electronic logging device (ELD) records document driving time, on-duty hours, and rest periods, and they are direct evidence of whether the driver exceeded federal hours-of-service limits. Engine control module data records speed, braking, and throttle position in the seconds before impact. Both can be overwritten on a carrier's normal retention cycle, often within about 30 days, and dash camera footage can cycle out within 72 hours. A written preservation letter puts the carrier on notice to stop routine deletion and freeze the data for the case. Preserved device data can mean the difference between proving a duty-status violation from the device itself and arguing about it from a hand-written paper log.

Can I sue the trucking company and not just the driver?

Yes. The motor carrier that employed the driver is typically the primary defendant in a commercial vehicle case. Under La. C.C. art. 2320, a Louisiana employer answers for damage its employee causes while acting in the course and scope of employment, the doctrine also called respondeat superior. You can also name the carrier separately for negligent hiring, negligent training, or negligent supervision if it put an unfit driver or unsafe truck on the road. In most truck accident cases, the carrier and its insurer are the parties with the financial resources to pay a significant judgment. A cargo shipper, loader, freight broker, or maintenance contractor can share liability depending on what each one did.

How does Louisiana comparative fault affect my truck accident claim?

Under La. C.C. Art. 2323, for causes of action arising on or after January 1, 2026, a plaintiff who is 51 percent or more at fault recovers nothing. At 50 percent or less, your recovery is reduced by your assigned fault percentage. Trucking insurers raise comparative fault early because every point of fault shifted onto you cuts what they pay, dollar for dollar. Solid evidence, including the crash reconstruction, the truck's electronic data, and driver logs, is what pins the real percentages to the parties who earned them.

When should I contact a Ruston truck accident lawyer?

Contact an attorney as soon as possible after a truck accident. The prescriptive period sets the outer deadline to file, but the most valuable evidence has a much shorter shelf life. The carrier controls the ELD records, engine control module data, dispatch logs, and maintenance files, and much of it can be overwritten on routine retention schedules within weeks. With a lawyer involved, a preservation demand asks the carrier to keep that data, an independent investigation documents the scene, and witnesses are located and interviewed.

Last updated October 17, 2026