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Feb 11, 2026
Commercial vehicles, such as semi-trucks or delivery vehicles, can be involved in accidents just like any other car on the road. However, truck accidents on I-49 in Lafayette are much more likely to cause serious damage. It’s important to understand how these accidents can happen and what you can do if you are involved in an accident in Lafayette.
Truck Collisions Impacting Lafayette on I-49
In 2025, there were four vehicle accidents on I-49 in Lafayette involving commercial motor vehicles. One of these accidents was fatal, and one was a suspected injury accident.
Interstates throughout the area see many accidents. Five fatal crashes and 153 suspected injury crashes occurred on interstates in Lafayette in 2025, including I-10 and I-49. This included two fatal crashes and 25 suspected injury crashes that involved commercial motor vehicles.
Factors That Increase the Risk of Delivery Vehicle Accidents
Delivery vehicles are one type of commercial vehicle on the roads, including on I-49. There are many factors that might increase the risk of these vehicles being involved in an accident, including:
- Rushing deliveries. Many delivery drivers are incentivized and pressured to complete deliveries on fast-paced schedules. They also see consequences for late deliveries. This can lead to speeding, failing to signal, unsafe passing, or other dangerous behaviors on the road. In some cases, the driver’s employer can be liable if they pushed for unrealistic deadlines, and the accident happened because the driver was trying to meet that deadline.
- Overworked drivers. Delivery drivers tend to work long hours, which can lead to fatigued driving. Tired driving is often considered as dangerous as driving impaired, as it similarly reduces reaction speed and the ability to make reasoned decisions. It can even result in a driver falling asleep at the wheel.Commercial drivers are supposed to follow federal regulations for rest and meal breaks to prevent this, but not all drivers do. Companies may also encourage drivers to ignore these breaks. This can all lead to serious accidents.
- Distracted driving. When completing deliveries, many drivers have a lot of distractions because of GPS directions, instructions for delivery, confirmation of delivery, and many other work-related notifications. Driving distracted greatly increases the likelihood of an accident occurring.
There can be many other causes of delivery truck accidents on I-49, such as mechanical failures, other negligent drivers on the road, and hazardous road conditions. If you are involved in a crash with a delivery truck, it takes a clear investigation to determine the cause and who is liable for the accident. This is how you can financially recover from the damages caused by the crash.
Why Are Injuries More Serious in Truck Interstate Accidents?
Truck accidents are more likely to cause serious injuries compared to other vehicle accidents, especially on high-speed roads like I-49. Many delivery trucks and other commercial vehicles are larger and heavier than other vehicles, increasing the damage in an accident. Because of their weight, they also take longer to slow down. Commercial trucks in crashes are more likely to be going higher speeds, which also increases the damage in most crashes.
Parties outside of a commercial truck are more likely to suffer injuries in an accident. In 2023, 70% of injured parties in truck accidents were the occupants of other motor vehicles, 18% were truck occupants, and 12% were non-occupants like bicyclists and pedestrians.
FAQs
What Is the Most Common Injury in Truck Accidents?
There are many common injuries in truck accidents, such as broken bones, whiplash, spinal cord injuries, concussions, traumatic brain injuries, internal organ damage, burns, and amputation. Every accident is different, resulting in potentially one or multiple severe or catastrophic injuries. Truck accidents are also more likely to lead to fatalities than most other crashes.
What Is the Number One Cause of Trucking Accidents?
There are many causes of trucking accidents, with one of the most common in Louisiana being distracted driving. 30% of commercial motor vehicle accidents in 2025 were caused by an inattentive driver in Lafayette.
Careless operation, inattentive or improper driving, and otherwise driving without due care were the primary violations in many commercial vehicle accidents. It was the violation of the truck driver in 16 injury accidents and the violation of the non-truck driver in 14 injury accidents.
What Is at Fault for Most Accidents Involving Large Vehicles and Trucks?
Every accident involving large vehicles and trucks is different, so knowing who is at fault in most accidents will not point to fault in a specific accident. Either driver could be at fault, or a third party could be at fault. However, in Lafayette, the non-commercial motor vehicle driver was more frequently the at-fault party. From 2021 to 2025, the non-truck driver was responsible for 68% of fatal accidents, 52% of injury accidents, and 55% of no apparent injury accidents.
Why Is It Important to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer in Lafayette?
It’s important that you hire a truck accident lawyer in Lafayette to protect your financial interests and advocate for your rights. Many truck accidents result in claims against commercial insurance companies, which are difficult to deal with. These companies will try to undermine your claim, potentially blaming you for the crash.
An attorney stands up for you, negotiates with insurers, and secures the evidence needed to prove fault. You are able to recover, knowing your claim is in good hands.
Find the Right Lafayette Truck Accident Attorney at Blake Jones Law Firm, LLC
When you are in an accident with a delivery truck, it can result in severe injuries, and determining liability can be much harder. It is easier to manage a claim for compensation with the support of an experienced personal injury attorney from Blake Jones Law Firm, LLC. Our attorneys have decades of experience in personal injury law and have secured significant settlements for clients after complex vehicle accidents.
Contact us today to speak with a truck accident attorney and learn more about truck accidents on I-49 in Lafayette.
