Truck Accident Lawyer in Carmel, IN
Truck accidents in Carmel, Indiana, can result in severe and lifelong injuries to victims. Unfortunately, trucking insurance companies do everything they can to deny or reduce the value of claims made after these catastrophic accidents. Don’t go up against them alone — let an experienced truck accident lawyer from Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC demand the compensation you deserve to get your life back on track.
Contact our firm today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a skilled member of our legal team. We’ll review the truck accident that caused your injuries, explain your options for seeking compensation, and help you understand what to expect from your case.
Top Reasons to Work with Our Carmel Truck Crash Attorneys
At Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC, we’ve been helping injury victims in Carmel, IN, for more than 30 years and have secured millions for our clients through negotiated settlements and trial awards. Our attorneys are available 24/7 to answer your questions and provide status updates on your case so you always know where things stand.
While truck accident cases are often more complex than other motor vehicle accident cases, they’re our bread and butter. Our team has extensive experience dealing with trucking insurance companies and the tactics they use to devalue victims’ claims. To learn more about what it’s like to work with us, we encourage you to read our client testimonials and reviews, such as this one:
“Entire staff were supportive and helpful throughout the entire process. They made sure we were comfortable and understood all the steps to be completed. We were the center of the case and made all decisions related to it. Thanks for all you did for us.” – Cheryl
Factors Making Big Rig Accident Cases More Complex
Several factors make big rig accidents more complex than other types of motor vehicle collisions, including the following:
- Multiple liable parties, such as truck drivers, trucking companies, cargo loaders, and more
- Federal and state regulations that the truck driver or other liable parties may have violated
- Severe injuries requiring extensive and ongoing medical treatment that can lead to significant future costs
- Large insurance companies fighting to reduce the value of your claim
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Semi-Truck Accident in Carmel?
Multiple parties could share liability for your injuries, depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident. Some of the most common parties found liable after truck crashes include the following:
- Truck drivers whose negligence caused the accident
- Trucking companies that directly employ negligent drivers or whose policies contributed to the accident
- Truck maintenance providers who performed subpar vehicle maintenance that led to the accident
- Companies that manufactured defective vehicle parts that contributed to the accident
- Cargo loaders who failed to load or secure the truck’s cargo properly
- Government entities responsible for maintaining the road
- Other motorists whose actions contributed to the crash in some way
When you hire Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC, we can assess your situation and determine who could be liable for your accident. Call us today to schedule your free case review with a truck accident attorney near you.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Truck Crash?
After a semi-truck accident, you can recover compensation for your economic and non-economic losses. Economic losses refer to those with tangible value, including medical bills and lost wages. Non-economic losses are those with subjective value, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the impact your injuries have on your daily life due to disability.
A skilled lawyer can help you seek fair compensation for your economic and non-economic losses through a commercial truck accident claim. They do this by adding up the value of your financial losses and assessing the value of your non-economic losses. Without a compassionate lawyer who understands your suffering, it can be challenging to recover a fair amount for your injuries.
Carmel Truck Accident Laws and Regulations
Some laws and regulations that may apply to your Carmel truck accident case are Indiana’s truck size and weight limits, federal hours of service and cargo securement regulations, and the deadline for filing your lawsuit under the state’s statute of limitations.
Size and Weight Limits
Under Indiana law, commercial trucks must not exceed 80,000 pounds, with lower weight limits in place based on the number of axles a vehicle has. Trucks also should not exceed 8.5 feet wide and 13.5 feet tall. Combined vehicles of two or more parts, including semi-trucks, have a maximum length of 60 feet.
Hours of Service Regulations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issues hours of service regulations to prevent commercial drivers from driving for too long and becoming fatigued. These regulations include mandatory breaks, limits on consecutive hours of driving, and weekly driving limits.
Cargo Securement Rules
Depending on the type of cargo a truck is transporting, different cargo securement rules apply. According to these rules, a truck’s cargo must be adequately secured to prevent it from shifting in transit or falling from a flatbed.
Statute of Limitations
Under Indiana’s statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits, plaintiffs have two years to file lawsuits against the at-fault parties. You must file your truck accident lawsuit within this period or risk the courts preventing you from seeking the compensation you need.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Indiana
Truck accidents occur for many reasons in Indiana, often due to the actions or inactions of a negligent party. Common causes of semi-truck collisions in Carmel include the following:
- Driver fatigue caused by long hours behind the wheel
- Driver intoxication due to drugs or alcohol
- Distracted driving, including when a driver uses a mobile device or eats/drinks while driving
- Speeding that leads to rear-end, jackknife, or rollover accidents
- Poor vehicle maintenance or defective parts that lead to failures
- Poor road conditions caused by a lack of maintenance
- Unsecured cargo that upsets the truck’s balance or causes cargo to fall from a flatbed trailer
How Our Carmel Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help You
Our Carmel truck accident lawyers can handle your case while you focus on recovering from your injuries. We’ll investigate the accident to identify liable parties, calculate your compensation, file your lawsuits, negotiate with insurance companies for a fair settlement, and take your case to trial if necessary.
If you were injured in a truck accident in Carmel, contact Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC for a free, no-obligation consultation. One of our experienced truck crash lawyers can review your case, go over the parties most likely to be at fault, and walk you through the next steps toward seeking compensation. You pay nothing to get started, and there are no fees unless we win your case and recover compensation for you.