Truck accidents are rarely small fender benders. They can cause extensive damage and often lead to fatalities. Trucks are highly regulated, but that does not make trucking companies or truck drivers perfect. Accidents still happen, and when they do, you may want to have an East Chicago truck accident lawyer on your side.
What Is Considered a Truck?
A “truck” can refer to a delivery truck, semi-truck, tanker truck, garbage truck, moving truck, or another type of truck. These vehicles are typically larger than the average car. Trucks do not need to have a trailer or be loaded to cause damage. The cab alone has significant weight and force behind it.
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What Causes Truck Accidents?
Many factors can cause truck accidents, including negligence on the truck driver’s part. The following are some possible causes of truck accidents related to driver or trucking company error:
- Speeding
- Hours-of-service violations
- Distracted driving
- Improperly maintained vehicle
- Failing to observe traffic signs and signals
- Driving in restricted areas
- Cargo loaded improperly
- Cargo secured improperly
- Not following regulations
- Impaired driving
- Following too closely
- Not taking precautions in bad weather
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What Injuries Might You Face After a Truck Accident?
Truck accident injuries vary. Sometimes victims get lucky and walk away with moderate to mild injuries, while injuries can be catastrophic in other cases. Some possible injuries after a truck accident include:
- Back and neck injuries
- Fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal injuries
- Lacerations
- Rib injuries
- Seat belt injuries
- Paralysis
- Spinal cord injuries
Sadly, it’s also common for victims to die in truck accidents. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), over 4,000 people died in accidents involving large trucks in 2019 alone. The sheer force of a large truck can make truck accident injuries more serious and death more likely compared to accidents involving only passenger cars.
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Who Is Liable for Your Injuries?
In many cases, the truck driver is responsible for causing the accident. In this situation, the driver or the truck company should be liable for all resulting injuries.
An East Chicago truck accident lawyer can gather evidence to establish your case. Your attorney will review police reports, witness accounts, traffic cam footage, and other documentation in an effort to prove that the truck driver was negligent and caused the accident.
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What Compensation Could You Receive?
Truck accident victims may receive compensation, or monetary damages, in up to three categories, if their lawyer can prove that the driver or trucking company was at fault.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are monetary losses that arose due to the injuries you received in the accident, such as:
- Current and future medical bills
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
- Home modifications
- Lost working capacity
- Mobility devices
The severity of the victim’s injuries can affect the settlement amount.
If the truck accident resulted in the death of a loved one, the surviving family might be able to receive compensation for wrongful death. In this case, the family could receive compensation for things like loss of emotional support, funeral expenses, lost retirement or insurance benefits, and lost income the victim would have earned.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are non-monetary losses suffered during or after the accident, such as:
- Pain nd suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disfigurement
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of companionship (in the case of wrongful death)
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are awarded solely to punish the driver for their negligent or intentional actions.
How Soon Can You File Your Lawsuit?
Before hiring an attorney, truck accident victims should file a police report, as well as an insurance claim. Using this information, an East Chicago truck accident lawyer can help you fight for compensation.
IC § 34-11-2-4 states that victims of truck accidents have two years from the day of the accident to file a lawsuit. However, you may wish to hire an attorney as soon as possible. The first few weeks after an accident can be exhausting and confusing, but having an attorney on your side may make this time period easier.
Can Isaacs & Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers Help You?
The attorneys at Isaacs & Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers are ready to help clients seek compensation for truck accidents. Our attorneys have over 400 years of combined legal experience and have helped clients in Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio recover over $2 billion in settlements.
If you prefer to speak Spanish, our law offices have Spanish-speaking attorneys and paralegals. Rest easy knowing that an in-house litigation team will handle your case. Should your claim move to trial, our Cherokee Road office has an on-site mock courtroom, which can allow you to become familiar with a courtroom atmosphere and know what to expect.
What does It Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?
The cost of a lawyer depends on many variables, but at Isaacs & Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers, there is no legal fee or costs unless our team wins your case or helps you settle out of court.
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Truck accidents are often catastrophic. It can be challenging for the truck accident victim to go back to everyday life. If their injuries caused paralysis, a permanent deformity, or loss of life, it’s impossible to go back to the way things were. Nothing will make the injuries go away or bring back a loved one, but you shouldn’t have to bear the financial burden alone.
If you or a loved one has been hurt or you have lost a loved one in a truck accident, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Isaacs & Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers legal team at 1-800-800-8888 for your free case review today.
Call or text 800-333-9999 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form