How Do Truck Accident Lawsuits Work?

Filing a lawsuit to pursue compensation after a truck accident in Indiana might be a good option if you have significant medical expenses and cannot reach a fair settlement with the at-fault party’s insurer. By filing a personal injury lawsuit, you may demand money for your hospital and doctor bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.

Truck accident lawsuits can be complicated to pursue. The process starts by having a knowledgeable truck accident lawyer review the circumstances of your injury and assess whether you have a valid personal injury lawsuit. Multiple parties, such as the commercial truck driver, the trucking company, and the owner of the freight, may have financial liability after a semi-truck accident  The legal team at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC  can determine who is at fault and discuss the legal steps you can take if you have been seriously injured due to the negligence of others. Keep reading to learn more, or contact our office at (800) 746-0226 for a free case review.

Who Are the Potential Defendants in a Truck Accident Claim?

The parties that may be held financially accountable in a truck accident case include any of the following:

  • The truck driver– A commercial truck driver may be financially liable for a crash if the driver’s actions or behavior led to the accident. For instance, a truck driver might be at fault if the driver was speeding, driving while impaired, tailgating, driving aggressively, or behaving carelessly or recklessly.
  • The trucking company– A trucking company might be liable for an accident caused by the actions of its employee who was on the job at the time. The company also might be liable if it hired a driver with a record of dangerous traffic violations or one who lacked the necessary qualifications to operate a commercial vehicle.
  • Truck or parts manufacturers– A mechanical defect involving a truck’s brakes, tires, steering, suspension, or another critical component could lead to an accident. If so, the company that manufactured the truck or the defective part may be liable for the crash.
  • Maintenance workers– Regular maintenance is crucial to keeping commercial trucks in safe working order. Maintenance workers could be liable for a truck accident if they do not properly repair or replace worn parts.
  • Cargo loaders– Cargo that is not secured properly can cause a truck to become unbalanced, contributing to a collision. Cargo loaders might be liable for a truck accident if their failure to properly load, secure or balance cargo contributed to the crash.

What Are the Duties of a Truck Driver Involved in a Collision?

According to Indiana law, all drivers on Indiana roadways, including commercial truck drivers, must take the following steps when involved in a crash:

  • Stop as close to the crash scene as possible without blocking traffic
  • Exchange contact information with the other drivers, including name, address, vehicle registration number, and driver’s license number
  • Notify local law enforcement, provide medical assistance as needed, and call 911, if the accident results in injuries or fatalities

Schedule a Free Case Review with Our Experienced Indianapolis Truck Accident Attorneys

Lawsuits involving truck accidents can be complex to resolve. You need an experienced Indianapolis truck accident attorney to help you demand the full compensation you’re entitled to seek. You need the team at Craig, Kelley & Faultless, LLC. We are proud of the testimonials of former clients who turned to us for help when they were struggling to overcome serious injuries. We want to help you too.

Call our Indianapolis office today or visit our contact page for a free consultation.

Author:
david craig

David Craig is the managing partner as well as one of the founding partners of the law firm of Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC. Since he began practicing law more than 26 years ago, he has been fighting to obtain justice for ordinary people against insurance companies, trucking companies, large corporations and others.