Fishers, IN, Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer

Why You Could Need a Fishers Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer To Fight for You

The trucking industry serves a crucial role in our economy, providing millions of jobs to Americans and enabling businesses and public agencies to transport essential goods across the country. While important for Indiana’s economy, these numerous large commercial vehicles increase the risk of motorists suffering from truck accidents. Thousands of commercial truck accidents happen every year, causing accident victims to suffer life-altering injuries. Contact at Fishers, IN, semi-truck accident lawyer today at 317-401-8626.

While most truck drivers exercise proper care in operating their vehicles, many engage in dangerous driving practices, such as reckless driving or driving while fatigued. These and other negligent driving behaviors can cause severe, catastrophic injuries. A truck accident victim may struggle with overwhelming medical expenses, and their injuries could permanently impact their ability to work and enjoy life.

If you suffered from a truck accident in Fishers, Indiana, you can file a personal injury claim against the responsible party. Securing fair compensation after a truck accident can be difficult, as the negligent party’s insurance provider will work to minimize your recovery amount. You need a dependable legal team of experienced lawyers by your side to fight for your truck accident case.

For legal representation in accidents involving trucks, contact the Fishers truck accident lawyers at Crossen Law Firm: 317-401-8626. Our experienced truck accident attorneys can help you pursue a successful legal claim against all liable parties.

In addition to the truck driver, a trucking company, loading company, or another party may be partially liable for your personal injuries. A knowledgeable truck accident lawyer on our legal team can help you identify all responsible parties and recoup maximum compensation in a truck accident claim.

Depending on your case and losses, you may be able to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, loss of future earnings, pain and suffering, and more. If the experienced truck accident lawyers at Crossen can’t reach a satisfying settlement with the negligent party’s insurance company, we can provide you with legal representation in a personal injury lawsuit.

You can request a free initial consultation with our truck accident law firm today or call 317-401-8626.

What Is Reckless Driving in a Semi-Truck Accident?

Indiana traffic laws define “reckless driving” as driving behaviors that endanger others. Any motorist driving recklessly poses a serious risk of causing severe injuries in a car accident.

A reckless truck driver is even more dangerous, as commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. A tractor-trailer’s significant weight can cause devastating harm, especially at high speeds.

Examples of how a commercial truck driver could drive recklessly include:

• Speeding
• Driving dangerously slow
• Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Tailgating
• Sudden braking without warning
• Weaving through traffic
• Driving while fatigued
• Distracted driving
• Ignoring traffic signs and signals

Commercial truck accidents involving reckless drivers frequently have catastrophic or even fatal results. Common injuries in these accidents can include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Bone fractures
• Spinal cord injuries
• Whiplash
• Lacerations
• Contusions
• Internal injuries
• Burns
• Crush injuries
• Emotional or psychological trauma
• Wrongful death injuries

What Is a Jackknife Semi-Truck Accident, and Why Is It So Dangerous?

Jackknife accidents occur when a semi-truck’s trailer swings out to the side of the vehicle’s cab, forming a shape that’s similar to a jackknife. These truck accidents cause thousands of injuries and almost 200 deaths every year in the United States.

One of the primary reasons why these accidents happen is due to aggressive braking. It’s incredibly dangerous for truckers to stomp on their brakes, even in emergency situations. Sudden turning can also cause a jackknife truck accident, as a swift turn can destabilize a trailer and cause it to swing hazardously. A truck driver can also jackknife if they drive too fast, especially on slick roads, and they’re more likely to jackknife if they’re carrying a light load.

There are situations when a truck driver isn’t wholly liable for jackknifing. For instance, if the trucking or loading company improperly loads cargo, the semi-truck may jackknife despite the trucker exercising sufficient precautions.

The truck’s freight may be unsecured or weigh more on one side, greatly increasing the likelihood of the trailer swinging. A mechanical issue may also contribute to or cause a jackknife truck accident, such as faulty suspension components or degraded tires.

Jackknife truck accidents are incredibly dangerous to motorists and frequently require emergency services. A driver can be pinned or crushed between the semi-truck’s cab and trailer.

Additionally, a truck driver who’s lost control due to jackknifing may collide with another vehicle at a high speed, causing a catastrophic or fatal collision.

Truck drivers can reduce their likelihood of jackknifing by being cautious when braking and driving at appropriate speeds for their loads. Trucking companies need to properly maintain their tractor-trailers’ components, especially their brakes, tires, and suspension systems. These companies also need to ensure that their freight is evenly distributed and secure.

How Winter Weather Conditions Increase Semi-Truck Accident Occurrences

Indiana regularly faces harsh winter weather, creating a tough challenge for truckers and standard vehicle drivers. Our winter months force Indiana truck drivers to navigate freezing temperatures, dangerous winds, and blinding precipitation, greatly increasing the likelihood of a serious truck accident.

Truckers often drive through heavy rain, sleet, and snow to meet their deadlines. Winter precipitation frequently limits drivers’ ability to see the road, meaning truckers have less time to react if there’s an obstacle or stopped vehicle ahead.

Precipitation also causes slicker roads, especially during freezing temperatures. Fishers truck accidents are common when drivers face these hazardous road conditions because motorists require greater stopping distances. A car or truck may slide due to poor road conditions and black ice, often leading to serious rear-end collisions.

Dangerous winds can also create unsafe driving conditions for truckers and car drivers, especially on highways. Strong winds can make it harder for motorists to maintain control of their vehicles, potentially contributing to Fishers truck accidents.

Precautions Truck Driver and Passenger Vehicle Motorists Can Take

Truck drivers and other motorists need to drive with the utmost caution during winter weather. Both should greatly reduce their speed and be careful with braking and turning when roads are slick.

It’s also important for motorists to keep their vehicles in optimal condition for driving during the winter months. Antifreeze should be at the proper level, and tires, brakes, and windshield wipers should be in pristine condition to address slick roads and heavy precipitation.

What Is “Loss of Consortium” in a Semi-Truck Accident Claim?

Loss of consortium refers to damages a person may recover from a liable party after their spouse suffers from a serious or fatal injury. These damages aren’t meant to reimburse a spouse for financial losses; they compensate for loss of companionship and services.

Who Can Make This Claim

The rules dictating loss of consortium differ from state to state. In Indiana, only the victim’s spouse may recover compensation for loss of consortium damages.

If your spouse suffered from a truck accident injury that impacted your marriage, you can file a loss of consortium claim to recover fair compensation. Your loss of consortium will be separate from your spouse’s truck accident claim and will not impact their recovery amount.

How a Successful Claim Can Increase Recoverable Damages

The individual who suffered an injury would file a truck accident case seeking compensation for their financial losses and pain and suffering. The victim’s spouse would file a second claim seeking compensation for loss of consortium, as the accident and resulting injury impacted their marriage. Overall compensation in this case would be much higher than a successful personal injury claim alone.

However, proving loss of consortium can be challenging because these damages don’t reimburse victims for expenses, meaning there are no receipts or documents proving losses. For that reason, it’s best to consult with a Fishers truck accident lawyer to help you build your case.

Why You Shouldn’t Talk to the Trucking Company or Their Insurer Without Consulting an Attorney

It is critical to avoid communicating with the at-fault trucking company or their insurance company without a truck accident lawyer. Anything you say to company representatives can be used against you to reduce your settlement amount or deny your Indiana truck accident claim entirely.

After a truck accident, an insurance adjuster may contact you to request a recorded statement detailing your perspective of the events. The insurance company is attempting to reduce or deny liability by using your recorded statement against you.

For instance, if you admit that you were speeding, the insurance company can use your statement as proof that you were at fault for your own injuries, even if your speed didn’t contribute to the accident.

A truck accident attorney should handle all communication with the at-fault party on your behalf. Experienced personal injury lawyers can protect your rights and avoid damaging statements when communicating with insurance companies.

FAQS

Can I Sue the Trucking Company?

You have the legal right to sue a trucking company if their negligence caused you to suffer losses, and these companies are frequently financially liable for their driver’s actions. Your truck accident attorney will first try to negotiate with the company’s insurer to secure a settlement.

If they cannot reach an agreement, you can pursue fair compensation in court. Fortunately, most truck accident cases settle out of court.

Should I Contact an Attorney After a Semi-Truck Accident?

An experienced truck accident attorney is invaluable for your accident claim. A truck accident attorney can help you with the legal process by:

• Investigating the accident
• Interviewing eyewitnesses who were at the accident scene
• Obtaining the police report detailing what happened
• Subpoenaing any available surveillance or dashcam footage
• Getting expert witnesses to corroborate your claim, such as accident reconstruction experts and medical experts
• Negotiating with the at-fault party’s insurer to secure maximum compensation

Consulting with legal professionals carries no risk, as personal injury legal fees are based on contingency. Rather than paying your truck accident attorney for legal services to start your claim, you’ll only compensate your legal team if they win or settle your case. Your attorney’s fees will be a percentage of your settlement.

Why Would a Loading Company Be Liable in a Semi-Truck Accident?

A loading company can be partially or wholly liable for an accident if the truck’s cargo contributed to the crash.

The company may bear liability for the accident if it:

• Overloaded the truck
• Failed to secure freight
• Neglected to distribute the truck’s load evenly

There are also situations when multiple parties are at fault for the same accident, such as the loading and trucking companies. For instance, a loading company could load freight negligently while the trucking company fails to inspect the cargo.

An experienced attorney can help you determine all parties that may be responsible for your accident, and they can help you pursue multiple insurance claims to recover full compensation.

Contact the Fishers Truck Accident Lawyers at Crossen Law Firm

If you suffered from a truck accident in Fishers, Indiana, you can count on the experienced attorneys at Crossen Law Firm to fight for your case. Our team is ready to stand up against the at-fault party to secure the money you deserve for out-of-pocket medical expenses, lost wages, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. We can also represent your spouse in a loss of consortium claim if necessary.

You can learn more about getting started with your claim today by requesting a free initial consultation with our team. Contact us at 317-401-8626.