Truck Accident Attorney in North Vernon
An alarming nationwide trend in truck accidents also affects motorists in Indiana. According to the National Safety Council, fatal accidents involving large trucks increased by 49 percent over the past decade, while the number of trucks involved in injury crashes increased by 36 percent.
If you suffered truck accident injuries from a crash in North Vernon, you could be owed compensation from the at-fault party. Our North Vernon truck accident lawyers should be your first call after seeking medical care. We can evaluate your case and help you understand your legal options.
Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC is an award-winning personal injury firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injured accident victims like you. Our legal team has extensive experience with truck accident lawsuits in Jennings County and can demand fair compensation for your injuries.
Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced North Vernon personal injury attorney and find out what we can do for you and your legal claim.
Why You Need a Lawyer After a Truck Accident in North Vernon
Although commercial trucking and shipping firms carry liability insurance in the event of a crash, getting them to pay fair compensation is not as easy as it should be. Large truck accidents typically result in more extensive losses than other crashes. Insurance carriers are reluctant to pay these higher-value claims and will look for ways to deflect liability or question the validity of your injuries.
Our North Vernon truck accident law firm understands how insurance companies operate, and our legal professionals can:
- Handle all communications and negotiations to shield you from additional stress while you recover from injuries.
- Use our extensive knowledge of liability laws to protect you from unscrupulous insurance company tactics.
- Gather relevant evidence and build a strong truck accident claim to seek compensation for all your losses.
- Negotiate for maximum compensation and, if a settlement isn’t possible, present a solid truck accident lawsuit to a judge or jury.
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Common Injuries Caused by Truck Wrecks in North Vernon
Over 150,000 people nationwide suffered injuries from large truck crashes in a single recent year. Nearly 6,000 more died from their injuries.
Common life-altering injuries after a truck wreck include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) – Blows or jolts to the head cause TBIs, ranging from mild concussions to permanent brain damage with loss of cognitive and motor function.
- Broken bones – High-impact truck crashes can easily shatter bones and could result in long-term reduced range of motion and other complications.
- Whiplash – Whiplash occurs when the neck moves forcefully backward, forward, or side-to-side, damaging soft tissue.
- Spinal cord injuries – Depending on the area and extent of impact, spinal cord injuries could lead to partial or complete paralysis, including paraplegia and quadriplegia (tetraplegia).
- Back and neck injuries – Truck accidents can cause herniated discs or spinal fractures that require surgery or long rehabilitation.
- Internal injuries – The tremendous force of a truck wreck can damage internal organs, potentially leading to organ failure.
- Rib and torso injuries – In addition to internal bleeding, victims may suffer broken ribs and damage to the chest area from impact.
- Cuts, bruises, and lacerations – Shattered glass, metal fragments, and airbags can damage the skin and underlying soft tissue.
- Amputation – In extreme cases, severely damaged or crushed limbs might require surgical amputation.
- Burns – Some truck accidents result in fires, explosions, or exposure to toxic chemicals that lead to significant scarring or disfigurement.
Who Can Be Responsible in a Truck Accident Case?
Liability can extend beyond the truck driver or trucking company they work for. Our North Vernon truck accident attorneys stand ready to examine the evidence and circumstances to determine who could be responsible for your injuries.
- Truck drivers can be held liable for their negligence in a crash.
- Trucking companies can be vicariously liable for their drivers’ actions as employees or directly liable for the company’s negligence in failing to properly hire, train, and retain safe drivers.
- The truck owner could be liable for failing to maintain the vehicle or ensure its safety if the truck’s owner and the operating company are separate entities.
- Responsibility could lie with the cargo company that loaded the truck, especially if a cargo shift or spillage led to the incident.
- Manufacturers could be liable if a defective part or system, like brakes, tires, or steering, contributed to the crash.
- The maintenance provider could be responsible for failing to address and correct known issues or performing inadequate maintenance.
Causes and Types of Truck Accidents in North Vernon
Many types of truck accidents occur regularly in North Vernon. Some examples include:
- Rear-end collisions
- Jackknife crashes
- Underride accidents
- Blind spot wrecks
- Rollovers
- T-bone collisions
Semi-truck accidents in North Vernon happen for many different reasons, including because of:
- Fatigued drivers – Commercial vehicle drivers must follow federal regulations regarding hours of service (HOS). Failing to do so leads to drowsy driving, impairing reaction time, and poor judgment.
- Impaired driving – Drivers under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication lack the sharper reflexes and reactions needed to avoid accidents.
- Distracted driving – Today’s big rigs are complex vehicles, and a driver distracted by digital devices or something else in the cab will have a harder time operating one safely.
- Speeding – Trucks need more stopping distance than smaller vehicles, and exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast in poor road or weather conditions is dangerous.
- Reckless driving – Truck drivers who tailgate or drive aggressively are a risk to themselves and others.
- Improper loading – Imbalanced or unsecured cargo can cause a truck to tip or lose cargo, leading to accidents as drivers must swerve or stop suddenly.
- Insufficient training – Driving a large truck requires specific training and certification, and a poorly trained driver poses a greater accident risk.
Potential Compensation for Injuries from a North Vernon Truck Crash
Our North Vernon truck accident attorneys believe you should not have to pay when someone else’s negligence injures you. Each case is different, but truck accident compensation in your case might cover the following:
- Medical care and treatment, now and in the future
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capability due to injury
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
How Our Lawyers Help People Hurt in Tractor-Trailer Wrecks
A North Vernon truck accident lawyer with Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC can help you by:
- Compiling and analyzing evidence
- Determining who was really at fault for the crash
- Calculating the full extent of your losses
- Negotiating for a settlement from a position of strength
- Taking your case to court, if necessary
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Talk to a Truck Accident Lawyer in North Vernon Now
No one plans to be in a semi-truck accident, but there are things you can do in the aftermath to take back control. A truck accident lawyer with Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC has the experience, knowledge, compassion, and extensive resources to demand full compensation for your injuries.
Find out what your claim might be worth when you contact us today for a free case review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there special laws that apply in truck accident cases?
The trucking industry is regulated by both the state of Indiana and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This is important because a violation of a state or federal regulation when related to a truck accident may lead to higher compensation for an accident victim or the victim’s family. It is important to work with an experienced lawyer who has handled numerous truck accident claims and is knowledgeable about the regulations that apply to truckers and trucking companies.
What does an Indianapolis truck accident investigation entail?
An experienced truck accident attorney will thoroughly investigate the truck driver, the trucking company and others involved in the accident to gather evidence. The attorney will request certain records that trucking companies are required to have, such as the driver qualification file, which provides detailed information about the driver’s history and medical tests. A truck accident attorney will review the driver’s logs, electronic on-board recorder, and truck maintenance records, interview witnesses, collect photos of the accident scene, review the police accident report and gather your medical records related to the accident. The evidence gathered will be used to build a persuasive case showing those who caused the accident were negligent and their negligence caused the injuries of the accident victims.
Should I wait to hear from the trucker’s insurance company before contacting a lawyer?
You should not wait. It’s important to speak with an experienced Indiana truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after an accident involving a semi-truck. You want to avoid saying or doing anything that could adversely affect your claim for compensation for your injuries. The insurance company lawyers are experienced in dealing with truck accidents. You need a knowledgeable truck accident attorney on your side to level the playing field.
I have been out of work since being seriously injured in a truck accident. How can I afford a truck accident lawyer?
We understand that you and your family are going through a difficult time as a result of your injuries and inability to work after your accident. You certainly do not need more bills right now. If your case is the type that we handle, our truck accident lawyers at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC will handle your case on a contingency fee basis. A contingency fee arrangement allows an accident victim to have legal representation without having to pay any legal fees or out-of-pocket costs. Our truck accident attorneys only get paid if we are successful in obtaining an insurance settlement or jury verdict for you. We receive a portion of the settlement or verdict as the legal fee for our services.
Can I file a lawsuit if my loved one was killed in a crash caused by a semi?
When a person is killed as a result of a truck driver’s carelessness or negligence in a truck accident, the victim’s family may be entitled to bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible parties. Indiana law specifies the types of damages that may be sought and who is entitled to recover compensation in wrongful death actions. The compensation can help a family cover the medical bills, fill the gap in the family’s income and pay for counseling to cope with the loss. A knowledgeable truck accident lawyer at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC can evaluate the particulars of the accident, discuss your legal options and help you determine whether pursuing a wrongful death claim is the right thing to do.
Is my truck accident injury claim likely to go to trial?
We prepare each accident case thoroughly as if it is going to trial. But our experienced attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC are skilled negotiators and settle most Indiana truck accident cases before trial. A just settlement allows the client to receive the money they need to pay medical bills and other expenses more quickly and avoids the uncertainty of a jury trial. We negotiate aggressively on behalf of our clients and communicate any settlement offers we receive. If the insurance company’s refuses to agree to a fair settlement, then our attorneys are battle-tested courtroom lawyers and are ready to fight for you in court.