A collision with a semi can change your life in seconds. The injuries may be severe, and the claim that follows often looks very different from a typical fender bender. If you suffered injuries in a commercial truck crash in Indiana, you may face a longer and more detailed process than a car accident involves.
Identifying all parties who may share responsibility
In a car accident, you often deal with one other driver. Truck crashes can involve several parties and each one may have its own insurer and its own lawyers. Depending on the facts, responsibility could rest with:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company that hired the driver
- A maintenance provider that repaired the truck
- A cargo-loading company that packed the trailer
Finding out who may be responsible usually takes a careful investigation. That work can affect who may owe you compensation.
Preserving evidence before it disappears
Commercial trucks produce a large paper and data trail. Companies may not keep every record for long, so timing could matter. Helpful evidence may include:
- Driver logs showing hours behind the wheel
- Electronic data from the truck’s onboard systems
- Maintenance and inspection records
- Police and accident reports
A lawyer can often send a preservation letter that asks the company to keep these items. That step may help protect information you could need later.
Applying federal and state trucking laws
Trucking companies must follow safety rules that passenger drivers do not face. For example, federal regulations limit how many hours a commercial driver may work before taking a break. If a driver or company broke those rules, the violation could play a role in your claim. Indiana follows a modified comparative fault , which bars recovery only if a claimant is found to be greater than 51% or more at fault.
Calculating the full cost of serious injuries
Because trucks are so large and heavy, crashes may cause broken bones, spinal injuries, head trauma and other life-changing harm. Medical bills, lost income and long-term care needs can add up fast. Therefore, you may feel pressure to accept an early settlement offer. Those offers may not reflect what your recovery could truly cost over time, so it may help to speak with a lawyer before you sign anything.
Using trial experience to strengthen your claim
Large trucking companies and their insurers often have teams ready to limit what they pay. Pillar Law Group LLP brings trial experience to these cases and stands up for injured people in Indiana. A firm that is willing to go to court may give you more leverage when talks with an insurer stall.
Take the next step with confidence
Every truck accident claim is different, and this information is general in nature. It is not legal advice. If you or someone you love was hurt, you might consider talking with an Indiana truck accident lawyer who can review your situation and explain your options.