Common Injuries Related to Truck Accidents in Lawrenceburg

Experiencing a truck accident can be a life-altering event, with victims often grappling with serious injuries that can take months, years, or even a lifetime to recover from. And sadly, the sheer mass and speed of commercial trucks, compared to regular passenger cars, often amplify the severity of these accidents. 

Furthermore, Indiana law, under Indiana Code § 34-51-2-7, recognizes the right to seek compensation for injuries and losses incurred due to someone else’s negligence, which can be vital in covering the exorbitant costs associated with these injuries.

Victims of truck accidents in Lawrenceburg frequently suffer from injuries such as:

  • Traumatic brain injuries: These severe injuries can result from the sudden, violent jolt common in truck accidents, causing the brain to collide with the skull. TBI can lead to lifelong cognitive and physical impairments, and you have the right to claim compensation for such injuries.
  • Spinal cord injuries: These types of injuries often lead to partial or full paralysis, dramatically altering a victim’s life.
  • Broken bones: The force of a truck collision can easily break bones. These injuries often require surgery and extensive recovery time, which must be taken into account in a personal injury claim.
  • Internal injuries: The impact of a truck collision can cause internal bleeding or damage to organs, which can be life-threatening if not promptly treated.
  • Emotional trauma: The psychological impact of a truck accident can be as devastating as physical injuries, leading to conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Image generated by custom shortcode The financial and emotional of these injuries can be overwhelming, leading to staggering medical bills, loss of income, and significant pain and suffering. That’s why it’s essential to have a personal injury who can help you secure the compensation you need to move forward with your life.

When Truck Accident Victims Should Pursue a Claim in Lawrenceburg?

In the aftermath of a truck accident, victims often face a whirlwind of challenges – from recovering from physical injuries to dealing with insurance companies. However, it’s crucial to act promptly if you intend to pursue a claim because you have time limits to be entitled to compensation.

Under Indiana Code § 34-11-2-4, there’s a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including those stemming from truck accidents. This means you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.

Filing a claim can help you recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses related to the accident. The process can be complex, requiring thorough investigation, negotiation with insurance companies, and potential litigation that often requires legal representation.

Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents

According to the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute’s Crash Statistics, large trucks were involved in thousands of collisions in recent years, with many of these accidents attributed to causes that repeat through each case. 

Recognizing these common causes is not just critical to understanding the dynamics of truck accidents but is also instrumental in determining liability and proving negligence in your case. These are some of the most common causes of truck and motor accidents on the roads and highways of the state:

  1. Driver fatigue: Truck drivers often work long hours and can become dangerously fatigued, leading to impaired judgment and slower reaction times.
  2. Distracted driving: Like any other motorist, truck drivers can become distracted by a mobile phone, eating, or other activities that take their attention away from the road, breaking Indiana trucking laws and federal regulations.
  3. Speeding or reckless driving: Due to the size and weight of their vehicles, truck drivers need more time and distance to stop or maneuver safely. Speeding or reckless driving significantly increases the risk of accidents, and it’s one of the most common causes we hear from clients at our law firm.
  4. Improperly loaded cargo: Overloaded or improperly secured cargo can cause the truck to become unstable, leading to accidents.
  5. Lack of maintenance: Commercial trucks require regular maintenance to operate safely. Failure to properly maintain a truck can result in mechanical failure and accidents.

Regardless of the reason, if you suffered injuries due to the negligence of others, you might be entitled to pursue compensation to recover as soon as possible.

semi truck

Who is Responsible for the Accident? – Proving Negligence in Indiana

But to successfully recover compensation in a truck accident case in Indiana, you must prove that the other party was negligent. In the state, negligence is established by proving four key elements as outlined in the law.

Establishing negligence in a truck accident case involves proving four essential elements:

Duty: The Fundamental Responsibility

In a truck accident case, the defendant (usually the truck driver, the trucking company, or another party involved in the truck’s operation) has a specific legal duty. 

This duty is an obligation to act responsibly, ensuring the safety of others on the road. This involves not only adhering to traffic laws but also complying with federal and state trucking regulations, properly maintaining the truck, and exercising caution under adverse conditions.

Breach: When Duty Fails

A breach occurs when the defendant fails to uphold this duty of care. A breach can manifest in various ways – the driver may have been distracted or operating the vehicle while fatigued, the trucking company may have neglected necessary vehicle inspections, or a manufacturer could have supplied faulty parts for the truck. 

Each of these instances represents a failure to fulfill the duty of care, forming the basis for a negligence claim.

Causation: The Link to the Accident

The concept of causation is pivotal in a negligence claim. It isn’t sufficient to demonstrate that a duty existed and that there was a breach. It must also be shown that this breach directly caused the accident. 

For example, evidence might be presented to show that the accident wouldn’t have occurred if the truck driver hadn’t been speeding or if the trucking company had properly maintained the vehicle’s brakes.

Damages: The Impact of the Accident

In many truck accident cases, the truck driver is not the only party that can be held liable. The trucking company, cargo loaders, truck maintenance providers, and other parties may also share responsibility.

Got Injured in an Accident? Schedule a Free Consultation With a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Lawrenceburg, don’t wait to seek legal representation. At Christie Farrell Lee & Bell, our compassionate truck accident lawyers are ready to help you navigate this difficult time. 

We offer a free consultation to discuss your case and explore your options for compensation. Don’t let the negligence of others dictate your future; take the first step toward justice today by contacting us.

Our lawyers that handle these types of cases

Lee C. Christie

Lee C. Christie

Katherine M. Marshall

Katherine M. Marshall