Your Indianapolis Truck Accident Lawyer
Large trucks are essential to the continuous growth of our economy and carry “roughly 71 percent of the nation’s freight by weight,” according to the American Trucking Association (ATA). These big rigs are valuable to our country, however, they can be dangerous to other motorists on the roadways.
If you or a loved one sustained injuries due to a commercial vehicle accident, our team of Indianapolis truck accident lawyers can help. At the Ken Nunn Law Office, we are committed to helping injured people seek justice after suffering injuries in a truck accident. We understand the various challenges you may face when seeking compensation.
Typically, trucking companies have large insurance policies to protect themselves in case of an accident. For this reason, it’s imperative to have an experienced attorney on your side to stand up against these large trucking and insurance companies.
Our team of attorneys can review the details of your case and inform you of your legal options. If you have grounds to pursue compensation, we will ensure that you’re treated fairly.
It’s Easy to Get Started
Getting started with your case is as simple as a click or a phone call. Reach out to our law office today, and we’ll start reviewing your case immediately.
We’re Here to Protect Your Rights
You may be entitled to compensation if you’ve been hurt due to someone else’s carelessness. We’ll fight for every dollar you deserve, so you can focus on recovering.
No Upfront Fees
At the Ken Nunn Law Office, we work on contingency. This means there’s no fee to hire us and no cost at all unless we win for you.
Table of Contents
Our Indianapolis Truck Accident Attorneys
Common Causes of Trucking Accidents
Some of the key factors that lead to trucking accidents include the following:
- Brake problems
- Traffic congestion
- Prescription and over-the-counter drug use
- Cell phone usage
- Tailgating
- Speeding
- Unfamiliarity with local roads
- Driver fatigue
- Negligent hiring of the driver
- Negligent maintenance of the truck
- Defective parts
- Poor training
- Violations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations
- Poor weather and visibility conditions
Although these are the most common causes, trucking accidents can occur for numerous other reasons. If you’re involved in an accident, it’s important to know what steps to take to protect your legal rights.
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Steps To Take Following a Truck Accident
The moments after a commercial truck accident can have a major impact on your lawsuit. In some cases, injured people received little to no compensation for their injuries because of the decisions they made immediately following their accidents. Below, our truck accident lawyers share some suggestions that you can use in case of a tractor-trailer accident:
- Remain at the scene and call emergency personnel: Immediately after the accident, it’s essential to remain at the scene and call for help. If for any reason you decide to flee the scene, you could face criminal charges. It’s in your best interest to wait until help arrives. If you or anyone else involved in the accident sustained injuries, medical personnel can transport you to a local hospital. When the responding police officer arrives, they will be able to evaluate the scene and write a report. A police report can be used as evidence to support your claim.
- Seek medical attention: Due to their enormous size and weight, accidents involving 18-wheeler trucks usually result in serious and life-changing injuries. It’s not uncommon to suffer injuries after this type of accident. If you fail to seek medical attention, you can significantly impact any compensation you may be entitled to receive.
- Collect evidence around the accident: Truck accident cases consist of numerous details that must be reviewed to determine who is at fault and if any compensation should be awarded. Evidence is an important factor when building an accident case. This can include photographs of the accident scene and your injuries, copies of your medical records and medical expenses, truck black box data, and the police report.
- Contact an attorney: Filing a truck accident claim is complicated and time-consuming. To make matters more challenging, you’ll be forced to deal with physical and financial hardships while you recover from your injuries and losses. Due to the complexity of truck accident cases, it’s beneficial to speak with an experienced Indianapolis truck accident lawyer who can handle the investigation and other legal aspects.
Implementing these suggestions may help protect your legal rights and any compensation you are rightfully owed. Keep in mind that every truck accident case is unique, and the results of your claim will depend on the specific circumstances of your situation.
The Differences Between Truck Accidents and Regular Motor Vehicle Accidents
Truck accidents and regular motor vehicle accidents can both result in devastating injuries, however, truck accidents tend to cause more significant damage. Similar to motorcycle accidents in Indianapolis, truck crashes often involve catastrophic injuries due to the size disparity between vehicles and the high-speed impacts involved. Therefore, the legal process for these cases is different and often strenuous. Below are the major differences between truck and other auto accidents:
More Severe Injuries
Although car accidents can result in injuries, trucking accidents are more likely to cause severe damage due to their large size and weight. These oversized trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds while regular size vehicles only weigh around 3,000 to 4,000 pounds. Brain injuries, broken or fractured bones, severe burns, spinal cord injuries, and permanent disabilities are common among truck accidents. The number of fatalities is also higher in this type of accident.
Higher Medical Expenses
The extent of the accident and the severity of your injuries will impact the medical treatment you need to recover. If your injuries require extensive surgeries and/or occupational therapy, medical bills can become increasingly high.
Larger Insurance Policies
To account for the significant damage they can do, trucking companies usually have much higher insurance policies compared to automobile drivers. These insurance policies are often worth millions of dollars.
While trucking companies carry larger policies, their insurance carriers will likely do everything they can to avoid paying you money.
Strict Regulations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has certain regulations that truck drivers and trucking companies must follow. For example, truckers are required to have proper training, keep logbooks, and complete inspections on their truck. Yet, these regulations are sometimes ignored, leading to serious injuries.
Extensive Property Damage
Property damage after a trucking collision is, oftentimes, significant and costly.
Other Types of Vehicle-Related Accidents
Not all roadway accidents involve large trucks. If your injury involved a rideshare vehicle, occurred while walking as a pedestrian, or involved a bicycle, our Indianapolis personal injury lawyers also have extensive experience handling these types of claims. Each type of accident presents unique legal challenges, and we are prepared to fight for your rights regardless of the circumstances.
Who Is Held Legally Responsible in a Truck Accident?
In order to seek compensation, it must be proven that the other party acted negligently. In some cases, multiple parties may be held responsible, however, you must prove that your injuries were directly caused by the negligent actions of the other party or parties involved. Some of the parties that may be held liable include:
- The truck driver
- The manufacturing company of the truck
- The trucking company
- The shipper and/or loader of cargo
- Owner of the truck
Fault in commercial truck accident cases can be difficult to determine, which is why seeking legal guidance is in your best interest.
Statute of Limitations Laws in Indiana
Every state has laws, known as statutes of limitations, governing cases such as truck accidents. Those injured in a truck accident have a set time to file a lawsuit to seek compensation for damages. In the state of Indiana, an injured person has 2 years after the accident to file. If they fail to file by this strict deadline, they may miss their opportunity to receive any compensation.
To ensure you’re aware of important laws, such as the statute of limitations, that may affect your case, it’s important to speak with an attorney. Our Indianapolis truck accident lawyers are familiar with the statute of limitations laws and can help you file in the appropriate amount of time.
What Can Compensation Cover?
After a truck accident, compensation may be available for damages. The amount of compensation you are owed is determined by the unique circumstances of your case. Our Indianapolis personal injury lawyers are skilled at evaluating the full scope of our clients’ losses and building strong claims that reflect the full value of your injuries. Depending on your situation, compensation can include the following:
Lost Wages
Treatment may require you to spend time away from work, causing your monthly income to be reduced significantly. Compensation may account for lost wages due to your injuries.
Current and Future Medical Treatment
In some cases, injuries may require months of ongoing treatment. Compensation can help cover current and future medical expenses.
Loss of Earning Capacity
If your injuries prevent you from earning a living, you may be able to seek compensation for lost earning capacity. However, you must be able to prove how your injuries impact your ability to work.
Wrongful Death
Since trucking accidents are often severe, many people die as a result of their injuries. If you lost a loved one in a commercial truck accident, you may be able to recover compensation for your loss. Our team of lawyers can help you receive the amount you are rightfully owed.
Preserve Your Legal Rights
You have rights that are protected by law. However, you must take immediate action to uphold those rights. You only have 2 years to file a claim and seek compensation. Contacting an experienced Indiana truck accident lawyer as soon as possible will allow a proper investigation to take place before any evidence disappears. If you wait too long, you will be surprised at what rights you may lose. Don’t take any chances. Contact the Ken Nunn Law Office NOW!
We don’t back down when standing up to big corporations and their insurance companies. We strive to get the maximum compensation, so that you can take care of your medical and repair costs. Our passionate Indianapolis truck accident lawyers want you to have peace of mind in knowing that you will be taken care of after you have suffered a loss due to a negligent truck driver or company.
We are fighters for the people through and through — and you need a fighter on your side if you want to win the compensation that you deserve. If you have been severely injured in a truck accident, you may be entitled to money for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical expenses, permanent injury, scarring and disfigurement, and other losses.
We understand that you may have many questions and concerns about your case. Our team of experienced Indiana truck accident lawyers, representing clients in Indianapolis and Bloomington. If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident, don’t hesitate to contact our law firm. The initial consultation is FREE. Our truck accident lawyers can be reached by calling 1-800-CALL-KEN. You do not need any money at all to hire us. There are never any fees unless we get money for you. If we fail to win, you do not owe us anything!
Indianapolis Truck Accident Lawyer FAQs
Indiana follows a modified comparative fault rule, which means you can still recover compensation if you're 50% or less at fault. However, your settlement will be reduced by your percentage of fault. An attorney can help minimize the fault assigned to you and protect your claim.
It's critical not to accept any settlement offer without speaking to an attorney. Insurance companies often present lowball offers quickly to limit their financial liability. We can review the offer and advise you on whether it reflects the full extent of your damages.
Yes, truck accident cases tend to be more complex due to the number of involved parties, the size of the insurance policies, and the regulations set by the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). However, with an experienced truck accident lawyer, you greatly improve your chances of a favorable outcome.
The timeline varies depending on the complexity of the case, the severity of injuries, the number of liable parties, and whether the case goes to court. Some cases may resolve in a few months; others, especially those involving litigation, can take over a year. We’ll keep you informed every step of the way.