Box Truck Accident Claim in Indianapolis, IN

Box truck accident in Indianapolis

Box trucks are some of the most dangerous vehicles you’ll encounter on Indianapolis roads. Private citizens often rent box trucks, like U-Hauls, to move large items from place to place. Professional moving and transportation companies also use box trucks to transport cargo. Without the proper knowledge and experience, a driver can easily cause a devastating crash.

The size, weight, and structure of box trucks make them particularly prone to accidents. And when a box truck collides with another vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian, crash victims are likely to suffer major injuries.

Curious about your legal options after a box truck accident in Indiana? One way to pursue money for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses is to file a personal injury claim against the liable party. An Indianapolis truck accident lawyer at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC can help determine the best path forward for you.

Our proven legal team has provided top-tier legal representation to crash victims for more than 30 years. We’ve earned widespread recognition for the quality of our services, including being named one of the country’s 10 best personal injury firms by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys.

You can count on our lawyers to fight aggressively for the compensation you need. We have the knowledge, resources, and skills to handle the most complex cases, and we don’t back down under pressure. Rest assured that when your case is in our hands, it will get the attention and care it deserves. Our attorneys want justice and accountability for you, too.

We offer free consultations and can meet wherever is most convenient for you. You don’t need to worry about upfront costs, either. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis. We don’t get paid unless we win your case.

Call or contact us online for a free consultation with an Indianapolis accident attorney.

Indianapolis Box Truck Accident Statistics

Box trucks and other large trucks frequently cause severe injuries and deaths in Indiana. Recent truck accident statistics illustrate the scope of the problem.

Statewide data from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute indicates that:

  • There were almost 17,000 collisions involving commercial vehicles in just one year, including box trucks and other large trucks.
  • Of these crashes, 130 were fatal. In more than 2,000 truck wrecks, at least one person suffered injuries.
  • Nearly 29,000 people were involved in commercial vehicle crashes. More than 3,000 people were hurt, and 152 victims died.
  • Nearly 17 percent of all traffic deaths that year were from commercial vehicle crashes.
  • About 60 percent of the fatalities from commercial vehicle crashes were drivers of the other vehicle, not the truck driver. Commercial vehicle drivers only made up about 11 percent of all fatalities.

Nationally, statistics on truck accident over the course of one year show that:

  • More than 5,000 people died in large truck accidents. This includes box trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 10,000 pounds.
  • Roughly 159,000 people sustained injuries.
  • About 71 percent of all the people killed in large truck accidents were occupants of other vehicles.

Common Causes of Box Truck Accidents and Personal Injury Claims

Various factors contribute to Indiana box truck accidents, including:

Injuries Caused by Box Truck Accidents

Leading causes of injuries from box truck crashes include:

Box Truck Accident Liability

Several different parties could potentially be liable for your injuries after a box truck accident, such as:

  • Truck driver – Whether the driver was a private individual or working for a trucking company, they’re the first potentially liable party to consider after a box truck accident. Many crashes are caused by drivers acting negligently in some manner. Examples of truck driver negligence include impaired driving, distracted driving, drowsy driving, speeding, taking turns too quickly, and failure to yield the right of way.
  • Trucking company – If the driver was working for a professional moving company or other commercial operation, their employer has certain responsibilities to help prevent accidents. These include ensuring their drivers are properly trained and licensed. Employers must also conduct background checks and check for past traffic violations, such as driving while impaired. Unfortunately, some trucking companies ignore these duties in the name of expediency or profit.
  • Rental truck company – If the driver was driving a rented moving truck, the rental company could be liable in certain instances, such as if they knowingly rented a truck to an incompetent or unlicensed driver.
  • Truck manufacturer – Box truck accidents are sometimes the result of defective parts. When this is the case, the manufacturer or designer of the faulty component can be held liable for your injuries. Trucks are prone to tire blowouts and problems with the brakes, transmission, steering, and suspension.
  • Cargo loaders – Box trucks are designed to carry large loads long distances, but their design makes them top-heavy and more likely to tip over while turning, even at low speeds. Commercial cargo loaders should ensure the cargo weight is evenly distributed and kept as low to the ground as possible to minimize the chances of an accident.
  • Mechanics and repair shops – Like all vehicles, box trucks need regular inspections and maintenance. All worn parts should be quickly replaced or repaired. Repair shops can be held liable when they fail to do their jobs properly and a breakdown causes an accident.

How To Protect Your Box Truck Accident Claim

After a box truck accident, you can take several steps to protect your rights to compensation.  You should:

  • Call 911 – Your first priority after a truck accident is to seek medical attention. Call 911 right away to bring police and paramedics to the scene. Make sure to obtain a copy of the police accident report.
  • Take photos – Pictures from the accident scene will provide valuable visual documentation of the causes and consequences of a truck crash. Take as many pictures as you can. Try to get pictures of the damage to your vehicle, the damage to the truck, your injuries, and anything in the area that may have contributed to the accident.
  • Get the truck driver’s name and insurance information – If the driver is a private citizen using a rental box truck, collect their name, personal auto insurance information, the name of the moving truck company, and details of the truck itself (e.g., license plate number, vehicle registration number, etc.). If the driver works professionally, you’ll also want the name of their employer and their company’s insurance information.
  • Talk to witnesses – Eyewitnesses can provide essential context for how a box truck accident occurred. If there’s anyone who may have seen the crash, get their names and contact information.
  • See a doctor – Most likely you’ll be taken to a hospital from the scene of a box truck accident. If you aren’t transported to the emergency department, see a doctor as soon as you can. You may have serious internal injuries even though you feel unhurt.
  • Don’t talk to the insurance company – Never agree to give a recorded statement about the accident until you’ve had an opportunity to seek legal advice. Insurance companies ― even your own insurer ― can use your statements against you to minimize or deny your truck accident claim.
  • Speak to an Indianapolis truck accident attorney – An experienced personal injury lawyer will investigate the accident, gather compelling evidence to support your claim, place a fair value on your case, negotiate aggressively for a fair settlement, and take your case to trial (if necessary) to achieve the best possible outcome for you.

Contact an Indianapolis Box Truck Accident Lawyer Today

Truck accidents are always complex cases. If you’ve been hurt in a wreck, you need an experienced attorney to hold the at-fault party(s) accountable for their recklessness.

When you’re going up against a truck company, you can count on their corporate lawyers and insurance adjusters to use any tactics possible to minimize your claim for compensation. The good news is that the Indianapolis box truck accident attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC know all of their strategies and how to combat them.

Our award-winning legal team will leverage their in-depth experience and state-of-the-art resources to pursue the full and fair financial recovery you need. Contact our office today for a free consultation with an Indianapolis box truck accident lawyer.

Testimonial

“This company was more than I expected. They were very helpful in all aspects of my case and when it came to preparing for what was to unfold. They were all very professional and also very friendly and easy to talk with. Thank you Craig, Kelley, and Faultless for helping me with my needs.”

Review by: Kurtis D.
Date published: February, 2022
Rating: ★★★★★ 5 / 5 stars