Any collision between a truck and a smaller car is likely to end poorly for the people in the car. Even the smallest commercial trucks are much larger than any personal vehicle.
Truck drivers have the same responsibilities as all other drivers on the road to protect other travelers. When truckers operate their vehicles negligently and cause accidents, they may be held legally responsible for any resulting injuries.
A Chesterton truck accident lawyer could work with individuals to investigate claims of trucker and truck company negligence. A competent personal injury attorney may be able to obtain the fair compensation that a victim deserves after a commercial truck accident. En Español.
When people suffer injuries in collisions with commercial trucks, they need to examine the actions of both the truck driver and their parent company, as both may have contributed to the accident in different ways.
First and foremost, a trucker’s negligent driving can cause an accident. This usually happens when a trucker is violating a rule of the road and causes a collision. Such violations can include speeding, tailgating, failing to yield, or ignoring stop signs. In these situations, the truck driver is negligent per se.
Negligence per se is the legal philosophy that if a person is involved in an accident when violating a rule meant to keep people safe, they can be considered negligent in a civil lawsuit. Of course, an accident can also be the result of simple carelessness. However, a victim’s side of the story is often more convincing if a police report indicates that the trucker was at-fault for the accident.
Furthermore, a truck company can also be a co-defendant in many cases, especially when the plaintiff can provide evidence the accident was the result of a trailer being too heavy or improperly loaded. In such a situation, the truck company may be equally as culpable or more culpable for the accident as the truck driver.
Unfortunately, truck accidents are among the most dangerous accidents that occur on Chesterton roads. Even at low speeds, truck collisions can cause heavy damage to passenger cars and may catastrophically injure the occupants. Common examples of injuries seen in truck accidents include:
Any of these injuries may form the core of a demand package that the individual submits to an insurance company. In addition to these physical injuries, a comprehensive demand package can also make considerations for mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and any lost wages that are a result of the collision.
The timing of the claim must also be correct. There is a strict statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits under Indiana law. According to Indiana Civil Law and Procedure Code 34-11-2-4, all personal injury claims must start no more than two years after the accident.
If this time limit passes, not only will a court refuse to hear the case, but the insurance company also may not pay out a claim.
Any claim involving a truck accident is a serious and complex matter. For this reason, it may be important for any person who suffered an injury in these accidents to obtain representation to protect them against aggressive insurance companies and press their claims.
An experienced Chesterton truck accident lawyer understands the impact these accidents can have on not just a person’s body, but also their mental health and finances. Consequently, a skilled attorney may be able to hold negligent truck drivers and their employers responsible for their actions. Call today to schedule a consultation.