Steps to Take Following a Truck Accident

Taking the right steps after a truck accident is crucial for protecting your health, preserving evidence, and strengthening your claim. Here’s what you should do:

  1. Prioritize Medical Attention: Seek immediate medical care, even if injuries appear minor. Internal injuries or concussions may not show symptoms right away, and medical records will serve as key evidence.
  2. Call Law Enforcement: File a police report to document the details of the accident. Be sure to obtain the officer’s name, badge number, and instructions for retrieving the report.
  3. Gather Evidence at the Scene: Take photos of the vehicles, road conditions, injuries, and any visible skid marks or debris. Collect contact information from witnesses and other involved parties, including the truck driver’s employer and insurance details.
  4. Avoid Discussing Fault: Refrain from admitting fault or speculating about the cause of the accident. Stick to factual statements and allow the investigation to unfold. Image generated by custom shortcode
  5. Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer: Truck accident claims involve complex liability issues and multiple parties. Seeking legal guidance as soon as possible ensures your rights are protected and your claim is on solid ground.

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.

Truck accidents often result in catastrophic injuries due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles. Victims commonly experience:

  • Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Lifelong cognitive or physical impairments can result from violent impacts.
  • Spinal Cord Injuries: These injuries may lead to partial or full paralysis, requiring extensive medical care.
  • Broken Bones: Truck collisions frequently cause fractures that necessitate surgeries and prolonged recovery.
  • Internal Injuries: Damage to organs and internal bleeding can be life-threatening if untreated.
  • Emotional Trauma: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety are common after severe accidents.

The financial and emotional toll of these injuries can be overwhelming. A skilled personal injury lawyer can help you secure the compensation necessary to cover medical bills, lost wages, and more.

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. 

Truck accidents in Lawrenceburg often stem from negligence by drivers, trucking companies, or other parties. Common causes include:

  • Driver Fatigue: Long hours behind the wheel without adequate rest can impair judgment and reaction times.
  • Distracted Driving: Mobile phones, GPS devices, and other distractions divert attention from the road.
  • Speeding or Reckless Driving: The size and weight of trucks demand more time to stop or maneuver safely, making speeding especially hazardous.
  • Improperly Loaded Cargo: Unbalanced or unsecured cargo can lead to rollovers or jackknifing.
  • Lack of Maintenance: Neglecting routine maintenance often results in mechanical failures such as brake or tire malfunctions.

Understanding the cause of the accident is crucial for determining liability and building a strong case.

Types of Truck Accidents

The dynamics of truck accidents vary widely depending on the circumstances. Some of the most common types include:

  • Rear-End Collisions: Large trucks striking smaller vehicles can result in devastating injuries.
  • Jackknife Accidents: When a truck’s trailer swings out of alignment, it can block multiple lanes and involve other vehicles.
  • Rollover Accidents: These occur when a truck tips over, often due to speeding, sharp turns, or unstable cargo.
  • Underride Accidents: Smaller vehicles becoming lodged under a truck’s trailer can lead to severe injuries or fatalities.
  • Tire Blowouts: Sudden tire failures can cause a loss of control, resulting in multi-vehicle crashes.

Each type of accident requires tailored legal strategies to identify liable parties and prove negligence.

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

To successfully recover compensation in a truck accident case in Indiana, Indiana law requires victims to establish negligence, which involves four key elements:

  1. Duty: The defendant (truck driver, trucking company, or another party) owed you a duty of care to operate responsibly and follow traffic and trucking laws.
  2. Breach: This duty was breached due to reckless or careless behavior, such as distracted driving or improper maintenance.
  3. Causation: The breach directly caused the accident and your injuries. For example, a speeding truck may not have been able to stop in time to avoid a collision.
  4. Damages: You suffered measurable harm, such as medical expenses, lost wages, or emotional distress, due to the accident.

Liable parties may include the truck driver, the trucking company, cargo loaders, maintenance providers, or manufacturers of defective parts.

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.

What Can Compensation Cover?

Truck accident victims in Lawrenceburg may be entitled to recover compensation for a wide range of damages, including:

Economic Damages

  • Medical Expenses: Covers emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation, and long-term treatment.
  • Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost during recovery and diminished earning capacity.
  • Property Damage: Covers the repair or replacement of your vehicle and other personal property.

Non-Economic Damages

  • Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident.
  • Loss of Enjoyment: Accounts for the diminished ability to participate in activities you once enjoyed.
  • Loss of Consortium: For spouses who have lost companionship or support.

Punitive Damages

In cases of egregious negligence, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the at-fault party and deter similar behavior in the future.

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 here to guide you through this challenging 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 by contacting us today.