Why You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer
After an Indiana truck accident, you have the right to represent yourself. However, navigating the injury claim process and securing a fair settlement without help from a truck accident lawyer can be challenging.
Insurance companies representing the liable parties will likely reject or minimize your settlement. Even dealing with your own insurance company can take time and effort.
An Indianapolis truck accident lawyer can help you through the truck accident claim and trial process and build a strong case.
They have the experience to negotiate with insurance companies to ensure you receive fair compensation for your economic damages and pain and suffering.
If you have been seriously injured, you might be unable to represent yourself or take the necessary steps to have a personal injury attorney build a solid case. This is why having an experienced truck accident lawyer to protect your rights allows you to focus on recovery.
Injured in an accident? Our lawyers will fight for the compensation you deserve, so you can focus on your recovery. Speak with a Poynter & Bucheri truck accident lawyer today at 1-800-265-9881 or complete our online form to schedule your free case evaluation.
Poynter & Bucheri Truck Accident Lawyers Get Results
- $1,400,000: Semi-truck driver crashes into the back of a vehicle in stopped interstate traffic, resulting in wife’s wrongful death and husband’s serious bodily injury
- $1,825,000: Commercial truck driver quickly exits gas station off-highway, causing crash with injury and cognitive impairment
- $125,000: A negligent delivery driver of a significant online retailer crashed into a victim, resulting in a soft tissue injury
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to a truck crash, you have the right to fight for your rights. A large-truck accident can be devastating for the occupants of the other, smaller vehicles affected by a truck crash.
Knowledgeable truck accident attorneys will help you stand up for yourself and your loved ones.
Our team of truck accident lawyers has decades of experience helping car accident victims obtain the compensation they deserve.
We have a strong track record of recovering multi-million dollar settlements for injury victims, often from insurance companies reluctant to pay. Once we take your case, we will thoroughly investigate to ensure all facts and details support your claim.
Our truck accident lawyers will identify all responsible parties, establish negligence, and determine what damages their insurance companies owe you.
If you have been injured in an accident, contact a skilled car accident lawyer at 1-800-265-9881.
Possible Damages for a Truck Accident Case
After a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your personal injuries and other damages from truck companies, drivers, or the truck manufacturer.
The most common types of compensation awarded under truck accident law include:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Compensation for pain and suffering
- Legal fees
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Reduced future earning potential
- Compensation for emotional distress
- Long-term home healthcare, caregiver services, medical expenses related to devices, and household aids due to ongoing disability
- Lost wages, loss of pension, and decreased earning capacity
- Vehicle repair or replacement
- Property damage beyond vehicle repair
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death cases also cover funeral and burial expenses.
Punitive damages may also be awarded if the responsible party’s actions were negligent or malicious. This would discourage them from doing it again.
Navigating the legal system can be overwhelming. Our experienced attorneys are here to guide you every step of the way. Call a Poynter & Bucheri truck accident lawyer at 1-800-265-9881 for a free consultation.
Indiana’s Truck Accident Law Statute of Limitations
Every state has statutes of limitations that apply to a personal injury lawsuit. These laws set a specific time frame for injured individuals to file a lawsuit for compensation.
In Indiana, a person injured in a truck accident has two years from the accident date to file truck accident claims. Missing this deadline can result in losing the right to seek compensation.
Consult with an attorney to understand how crucial laws regarding truck accident lawsuits, like the statute of limitations, might impact your case.
Our Indianapolis truck accident lawyers know insurance companies’ laws and procedures and will help you make a timely claim for damages.
Who Is Liable in a Truck Accident?
To seek compensation after a truck accident, the injured party must prove that the other party was negligent. In many truck accident cases, multiple parties can be held accountable, but it is essential to demonstrate that your injuries were directly caused by their negligent actions.
Parties that may be held liable include:
- The truck driver
- The truck’s manufacturing company
- The trucking company
- The shipper or loader of the cargo
- The owner of the truck
Determining fault in a commercial truck accident case can be complex due to multiple parties and factors involved.
For example, the truck driver might be responsible for reckless driving, while the trucking company could be liable for inadequate training or maintenance.
Similarly, the manufacturer might be at fault if a mechanical failure contributed to the accident, or the shipper/loader could be responsible for severe injuries and property damage.
Given the complexity of these personal injury cases, obtaining legal guidance is crucial. An experienced truck accident attorney can help identify all liable parties, gather evidence (like camera footage, police reports, and medical bills), and build a solid case to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Contact Poynter & Bucheri today at 1-800-265-9881 to speak with a truck accident lawyer about how economic and non-economic damages compensate you for your losses.
Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents
Driver Fatigue
Falling asleep is a leading cause of truck accidents. Many commercial truck drivers exceed the legal driving time limits, increasing the risk of fatigue-related accidents. Federal regulations allow property-carrying drivers to operate their trucks for up to 11 hours after a 10-hour rest period, while passenger-carrying drivers can drive for up to 10 hours after an 8-hour rest period.
Violations of these limits are often discovered during legal investigations and can help your truck accident lawyer prove your case.
Speeding
Speeding is another major contributor to truck accidents. The 2022 Safer Trucking Report noted a 164% increase in fatalities from a truck crash on roads with speed limits of 75 mph or higher between 2011 and 2020.
High speeds make it harder for truck drivers to respond to sudden changes, and the heavy weight of the truck and its cargo requires longer stopping distances.
Improperly Loaded Cargo
Poorly loaded trucks can cause dangerous cargo shifts, unbalanced weight distribution, and overloaded trailers, all of which can lead to accidents. Spilled cargo can also create hazards for other drivers.
Your truck accident lawyer will collect evidence to prove proper loading practices were not followed.
Equipment Failure
Equipment failures, such as vehicle system malfunctions and cargo shifts, are significant causes of truck accidents. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), these failures often result in loss of vehicle control.
Aggressive Driving
Aggressive driving behaviors, such as speeding, tailgating, weaving through traffic, and failing to signal lane changes, create dangerous road conditions and increase the risk of accidents.
Poor Weather Conditions
Adverse weather conditions like rain, snow, and ice reduce visibility and make roads slippery, increasing the likelihood of truck accidents.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a significant issue for truck drivers. In 2020, distracted driving was involved in 248 fatal trucking crashes, resulting in 277 deaths. Distractions leading to driver error include texting, talking on the phone, eating, drinking, or even reading while driving.
Inexperienced Drivers
Inexperienced drivers are more prone to accidents, especially in the trucking industry. With the loss of many experienced drivers, newer, less skilled drivers have replaced them, leading to increased risks.
Younger drivers, aged 18-20, are particularly at risk, being three times more likely to be involved in fatal crashes due to distracted driving.
Failure to Obey Traffic Laws
Failing to follow traffic laws, such as not stopping at red lights or stop signs, not yielding the right of way, and speeding in construction zones, can lead to dangerous situations and accidents.
Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs significantly impairs judgment and reaction times, leading to a higher risk of accidents. The FMCSA reports that substance abuse is a significant factor in many motor vehicle crashes.
Poynter & Bucheri Indianapolis personal injury lawyers know how to prove negligence in distracted driving truck accidents.
Call 1-800-265-9881 for a free consultation with a truck injury lawyer who will guide you through your claim, handle all the conversations with insurance companies, and secure a fair settlement.
How Do Truck Accidents Differ from Car Accidents?
Trucking Accidents Cause More Damage
A truck accident generally results in more significant damage and permanent injuries than those involving regular vehicles.
For instance, in early 2020, a truck driver on I-65 looked away to put down his coffee cup and did not see the backed-up traffic, leading to a crash that killed three people and injured 14.
The truck accident lawyer proved the severity of the impact was due to the truck’s size, not just the driver’s negligence.
Trucks are much heavier than cars, with an 80,000-pound semi-truck causing far more severe impacts than a 3,700-pound sedan. In 2018, 4,136 people died in large truck crashes, a 31 percent increase from 2009.
Serious injuries from truck accidents can include:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Severe burns
- Amputations
- Broken bones that require surgery
Some large trucks can be driven with a regular driver’s license, but trucks over 26,000 pounds require a CDL license.
If an unqualified driver is involved in a severe accident involving others, your truck accident lawyer will use this to bolster your claim.
Different Regulations for Drivers in Trucking Accident Cases
Trucking accidents are handled differently due to the specific laws and regulations governing commercial trucking and tractor-trailers. Establishing liability in a large commercial truck accident lawsuit begins with highway safety regulations on background checks, driving hours, driver evaluations, and drug and alcohol testing.
A skilled truck accident law firm will use proof of violated regulations to substantiate negligence claims.
Additionally, commercial trucks are covered by different insurance companies and policies than passenger cars. A truck accident lawyer requires specialized knowledge to hold trucking companies liable for personal injury cases resulting from violations.
Truck accident cases are more complex than car accidents or personal injury lawsuits. If you or a loved one has been involved in a trucking accident, it is crucial to seek the knowledge of an experienced lawyer or a truck accident attorney.
Contact Poynter & Bucheri today at 1-800-265-9881 to speak with a truck accident lawyer about how injury victims can recover damages from drivers, trucking companies, or the truck manufacturer.
Steps to Follow After a Truck Accident
In a truck accident, following specific steps to protect your health and legal rights is essential.
Here are the critical actions to remember:
Call for emergency services: Your first and most crucial action at the accident scene is to call 911. This ensures that everyone involved receives necessary medical attention and that the police officially document the incident.
Seek medical care: Even if you feel unharmed, medical evaluation is essential, as some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
Gather information: Collect details from the truck driver and any witnesses and take photos of the trucking accident scene. This information is vital for building a strong case and proving fault.
Consult personal injury lawyers: Seek legal counsel before making any decisions or statements. A specialized truck accident lawyer at Poynter & Bucheri can help you handle your insurance company and maximize compensation.
Report the accident: Notify your insurance company about the accident. Be factual but cautious with the accident report details you share at this stage.
Our team of the best truck accident attorneys at Poynter & Bucheri will work tirelessly to ensure that all the information gathered is used effectively to build a strong foundation for your claim.
Your truck accident lawyer will also assist in managing communications with your insurance company, ensuring that your statements are precise and strategic.
Contact Poynter & Bucheri Truck Accident Lawyers
If you are injured or lost a loved one in a significant truck accident, call the semi-truck accident attorneys, Poynter & Bucheri, LLC, at 1-800-265-9881. We are experienced in truck accident cases.
Schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced truck accident lawyers to discuss your options for filing an Indiana truck accident claim.