812-213-4551Indiana Truck Accident Lawyers
Helping Clients Recover from Devastating Injuries
Getting hit by a semi-truck can change your life in an instant. Truck accident victims often suffer significant injuries requiring extensive and expensive medical treatment. You may not be able to return to work, leaving you unable to earn a living or pay your bills. If your family relies on your income, you likely fear for your future and the future of your loved ones.
Have you suffered injuries in an Indiana truck accident that wasn’t your fault? Then, you may have the right to pursue legal action for your damages.
Unfortunately, truck accident claims can be especially challenging to document and support. Many trucking companies employ legal professionals to protect their image and minimize the cost they’ll pay to victims.
You deserve someone on your side to fight for you. The experienced truck accident attorneys at Gerling Law understand the fear and confusion you’re facing and will be your staunch allies in negotiations or the courtroom.
Please don’t take any chances when it comes to your compensation for a truck accident. Call 812-213-4551 or contact us online today for answers to your questions and help with getting started on your claim.
What Are Some Unique Facts about Truck Accidents in Indiana?
If you or a loved one was involved in an accident with a large truck, you may wonder if your case is the same or different from other car accident claims. While truck wrecks have many similarities to other motor vehicle accidents, these cases can include nuances that you don’t see in a typical car accident. So, to ensure you get the best legal protection, hire a legal team that deals with trucking collisions.
The following are some unique facts about truck wrecks:
- Indiana commercial trucking accidents tend to cause more serious injuries than other motor vehicle collisions due to the sheer size and weight of 18-wheelers and tractor-trailers
- Depending on the circumstances of the crash, victims can suffer substantial injuries, permanent damage, or even fatal injury
- Compared to a standard car accident, truck crashes also pose a complex set of legal challenges. In Indiana, both state laws and federal regulations are involved
- Determining fault and proving liability can be difficult, especially if critical evidence cannot be preserved immediately after a crash
Having an experienced truck injury lawyer in Indiana on your side can help overcome these challenges.
At Gerling Law Injury Attorneys Office, we have vast experience with accidents involving large trucks, including fatal crashes. We pledge to leverage our experience, knowledge, and compassion as we seek maximum compensation on your behalf.
If you’ve suffered catastrophic injuries that weren’t your fault, you don’t have to face it alone. Get the outcome you deserve from your truck wreck case by calling our experienced attorneys today.
What Steps Should I Take After an Indiana 18-Wheeler Crash?
If you were injured in a truck accident, you must act quickly to protect your legal rights. Please remember to stay at the crash scene so you avoid any legal charges related to hit-and-run accidents.
At the accident scene, collect contact information for anyone who was involved in the crash or who may have witnessed the accident. Take as many photos as you can with your smartphone, including videos if possible. You should also exchange contact and insurance information with the truck driver.
If you’re injured, you can ask your passenger(s) to assist with this or see if any bystanders are willing to help. Request emergency medical attention at the scene, even if you feel fine. Internal injuries and soft tissue damage may not present symptoms immediately. In addition, if you’re in shock, you may still feel fine despite having sustained a serious injury.
See a doctor or go to the emergency room immediately after a semi-truck crash. You need a thorough examination by a qualified medical professional to ensure you get prompt treatment. Your test results and the doctor’s records will also help your attorney document your injuries and support the value of your claim.
Finally, contact an experienced Indiana tractor-trailer accident lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner your attorney can get to work, the better. Evidence can quickly become lost, and witnesses may not retain a clear memory of the events that took place. Let your attorney handle communication with the insurance company rather than answering any questions or signing anything that an insurance agent offers you.
Call our legal team today to maximize the compensation you recover following a truck wreck.
Will the Insurance Company Cover Damages Caused in Accidents Involving Trucks?
Many truck accident victims mistakenly think that filing a claim with their insurance company will be enough to recover compensation in full. While your insurance company seems like someone who will go to bat for you, unfortunately, this is rarely the case. More commonly, insurance adjusters are looking to minimize their costs and will offer a settlement that is far lower than you deserve.
To fight back against unfair treatment from insurance companies, consider hiring an Indianapolis truck accident lawyer from our firm. Our Indianapolis truck accident attorneys know the tricks and strategies that insurance agents might use. Leveraging our powerful negotiation strategies, we will advocate for a more favorable settlement from the insurance company on your behalf. If your insurance provider fails to adequately meet your needs, we are prepared to explore alternative legal avenues to secure full compensation.
Some other steps you can take following a truck accident include getting urgent medical attention, keeping track of your records, and not making any comments to the insurance company when they call. Seeking medical care shows the insurance adjuster that your injuries are serious and that you deserve maximum compensation. Having an Indianapolis truck accident lawyer manage communications with the insurance company can prevent you from inadvertently making statements that could suggest you are not injured or are not entitled to compensation.
For help dealing with insurance agents and collecting documentation that backs up your case, call Gerling Law Injury Attorneys Office today. We’ll provide legal advice and representation to get you the results you need to recover from severe injuries caused by a truck accident.
What Are Some Typical Damages Caused by Truck Accidents?
Truck accident injuries can be severe due to the size and mass of the truck. A typically loaded semi-truck can weigh over 80,000 pounds, which can easily demolish a passenger car weighing between 5,000 pounds and 8,000 pounds. Many accident victims suffer devastating injuries that change their lives forever.
Some damages that are seen in many truck accidents in Indiana include:
- Traumatic brain injuries – Brain damage is one of the most severe injuries that can occur in a truck accident. These damages can be difficult to detect, making it critical that truck accident victims seek medical attention immediately after the wreck. Brain injuries can lead to learning disabilities, speech disorders, mood disorders, amnesia, and other problems
- Neck and spinal cord injuries – Damage to the spinal cord can be particularly devastating because of the pain and suffering that result from these injuries. In severe cases, victims may become partially or totally paralyzed, making it impossible to work and live their lives as before. Most neck and back injuries result in pain that can impact your enjoyment of life for months or even years
- Burns – Burn injuries are common in truck wrecks for several reasons. One is the difference in size that can demolish a smaller car and lead to engine fires. Another cause of burns in truck accidents is when the semi-truck is carrying flammable or hazardous materials that injure innocent victims after the vehicles collide. Burns can be excruciating, requiring months of recovery and resulting in scarring that permanently impacts the person’s quality of life
If you or a loved one is suffering from injuries caused by a truck accident, please take action now to hold negligent truck drivers and trucking companies liable. Call our law firm for dedicated representation today.
What Compensation Can I Recover in a Truck Accident Claim?
Each semi-truck accident is different, making it impossible to estimate an average settlement value for an Indiana truck accident without a personal consultation.
However, depending on the details of your case, you could be entitled to recover compensation for:
- Emergency transport and treatment
- Hospital stays and surgeries
- Medical testing and imaging
- Medications and medical devices
- Rehab and physical therapy
- In-home and residential care
- Lost income and benefits
- Pain and suffering
Your Indiana truck accident attorney will document your economic and non-economic damages to determine the potential value of your claim. If you require future treatment or care, the estimated cost of those services can be included in your claim.
If your injuries prevent you from going back to work or resuming your prior job duties, you could be entitled to compensation for future income losses and diminished earning capacity. Finally, if you sustained any long-term or permanent disabilities, your lawyer may pursue damages for diminished quality of life or other losses.
If you lost a loved one due to truck accident injuries, you may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim. You could potentially recover compensation for the victim’s funeral expenses and burial costs, along with medical expenses, lost future income and benefits, and lost love and companionship.
To learn more, contact Gerling Law Injury Attorneys Office today to speak to one of our compassionate and committed Indiana truck accident lawyers.
Why Are Truck Accident Cases So Serious?
Truck accidents are known for causing severe injury or death. There are several reasons why truck wrecks are significantly more dangerous than other motor vehicle wrecks.
Some reasons truck accident cases are so serious include:
- Severity of injury – Truck accidents can cause catastrophic injuries. The truck’s size, weight, and potential for damage are huge. Additionally, some trucks carry hazardous materials that result in devastating burns or death
- Complexity of the case – Unlike other motor vehicle collisions, there is a higher likelihood that a truck accident will have multiple parties at fault. This can complicate the claim, making it difficult to collect compensation
- Trucking companies that fight back – Truck accidents often result in legal battles between victims and trucking companies with an image to protect. These companies employ skilled attorneys who seek to minimize the cost and impact on the company
After a commercial vehicle accident, avoid facing the situation alone or taking unnecessary risks. Once you are safe and have gotten medical attention for your injuries, contact a semi-truck accident lawyer at Gerling Law Injury Attorneys Office for legal advice about your unique case.
How Can I Prove Negligence for My Truck Accident?
One of the most critical aspects of any personal injury is establishing fault and negligence. To recover compensation in Indiana, you need to show that the other party was mostly at fault for your injuries. This requires demonstrating that they owed you a duty of care, such as driving safely or keeping the vehicle properly maintained.
In a truck accident lawsuit, proving negligence can be complicated because multiple parties could be at fault. A truck accident could be the fault of the truck driver, the trucking company, or both. For example, the driver may be held responsible if they were driving distracted or recklessly. The trucking company, on the other hand, could share responsibility if it failed to properly vet or train its drivers.
On the other hand, the crew that loaded the cargo could be to blame for failing to properly balance the load, leading to a vehicle that was difficult to control.
Proving negligence can be difficult when you aren’t used to the legal nuances of a truck accident. This burden should not fall on you when you’re doing everything you can to recover physically and mentally from a truck accident.
Whether you are suffering because of driver negligence or because the trucking company fails to uphold its duty of care, we can help. Contact our team of experienced attorneys to get advice about the legal process and for help proving which parties are at fault.
What Should I Do if I Lost a Loved One in a Fatal Truck Accident?
If your loved one passed away in a fatal crash caused by a semi-truck, you have our utmost sympathy and condolences. We understand the profound grief and anger that can arise from the senseless loss of a loved one. Please remember that you still have rights that must be protected.
When someone dies in a trucking collision, the immediate family members may be entitled to compensation for damages. These damages include reasonable funeral and burial expenses, lost wages from that person’s income, medical bills for care given to the victim before they passed away, wrongful death compensation, and compensation for emotional damages.
Our legal team has helped many individuals and families recover after losing a loved one in a fatal truck accident. We promise to treat you with compassion and respect as we help you overcome this terrible situation. We’ll offer emotional support as we provide you with honest answers and determined representation.
After a loved one’s wrongful death, do not rely solely on the insurance company for a fair settlement. Contact our law firm for support and guidance as you navigate the devastating aftermath of the truck crash.
How Do I Choose the Right Truck Accident Lawyer in Indiana?
You have many options for selecting an 18-wheeler accident attorney in Indiana. Choosing the right injury attorney can help you get the best possible outcome for your case and recover the compensation you deserve.
When you choose a lawyer for a truck crash, be sure he or she has experience handling commercial truck cases. You should be confident that your attorney understands the various laws and regulations that apply in your case. Ideally, your commercial truck accident lawyer should have years of experience working with accidents involving large trucks.
Building a persuasive case often requires calling on subject matter experts and accident reconstruction specialists. So, ensure that the law firm you select has ample resources for investigating your accident, documenting your damages, and so on. You should also seek to hire an attorney with negotiating experience who can get you an adequate settlement from the insurance company.
The experienced personal injury attorneys of Gerling Law Injury Attorneys Office have been fighting for wrongfully injured clients for more than half a century. We are committed to getting justice for you and fair financial compensation. We have a strong track record and history of success, as you can see from our past case results.
Over $500 Million in Recoveries
Knowledgeable, professional, and easy to talk with. Gerling Law Injury Attorneys provide a truly exemplary example of a metropolitan law firm that still cares for the welfare of the little guy who needs great representation! – Tresa H.
Get a Free Case Review from an Indiana Truck Accident Lawyer Today
It is normal to feel fear and confusion following any serious accident. The experienced Indiana truck accident attorneys at Gerling Law Injury Attorneys Office want you to know you’re not alone.
We offer a free case review to help you make the right decision for yourself and your future. We also take injury accident cases on contingency, so you won’t have to pay any legal fees until we recover compensation for your claim.
Contact us online or call 812-213-4551 today to schedule your free consultation with one of our Indiana truck accident attorneys.