Being involved in any sort of vehicle collision can be scary. But, it can be even more frightening to be hit by a commercial truck as a significantly smaller car driver sharing the road. The average commercial truck can weigh anywhere from ten thousand, up to eighty thousand pounds. By drastic comparison, the standard passenger car can weigh about three thousand pounds or so. In the event of a commercial truck versus passenger car crash, it is easy to see just how catastrophic the crash can be. At Ward & Ward, our truck accident attorneys have more than 90 years of combined legal experience. We understand the ins and outs of the legal system and can provide much-needed insight during this time. Here in the article to follow, we have gone into further detail about what you should know about commercial truck accident lawyer Indianapolis, IN.
Truck Accidents are Complex
Filing a lawsuit against the truck driver and/or trucking company can become complicated, as there are complex elements of the case that do not usually arise with other types of vehicle accidents. Having an attorney at Ward & Ward who is familiar with commercial truck legalities can help increase your chances of receiving fair compensation.
Commercial Truck Statistics
It is estimated that around fifteen people are injured each hour by commercial truck-related accidents in the United States. Of these people, about a dozen per day pass away as a result of the crash. Those who share the road with commercial trucks should always be alert and immediately report any odd behavior.
How to Handle the Scene
It is important that victims of a commercial truck accident know what to do if they are ever hit by such a hefty vehicle. There are certain things you should do to help protect your health and your rights as the victim. Here we have briefly listed how you should handle the scene of a commercial truck crash:
- Inspect Yourself for Injuries: Always call 911 and request an ambulance so you can receive emergency medical attention if needed.
- Obtain the Truck Driver’s Information: Get the truck driver’s name, phone number, address, trucking company name, driver’s license number, and truck registration number.
- Never Admit Fault: Do not openly acknowledge fault, even if you believe you may have contributed to the accident. There may have been other factors that caused the crash which you are not aware of yet. Do not apologize in an attempt to neutralize the situation, as that can be inferred as taking responsibility.
- Meet with an Attorney: Battling a lawsuit alone can be detrimental to your case, so we suggest meeting with an Indianapolis, IN attorney at Ward & Ward right after the accident for guidance.
Pursuing Compensation After Indiana Trucking Accidents
A Skilled Truck Accident Attorney in Marion County Works Hard for You
If you drive in Indiana, you know that you must often share the road with large semi-trucks. Being involved in an accident with one of these trucks is extremely dangerous, as their sheer size can cause a great deal of property damage and serious injury or death. There might be a number of individuals or organizations at fault for a trucking accident in Indianapolis. An experienced attorney at Ward & Ward can investigate the accident and determine the cause. We can help you take action against negligent or reckless parties.
Dangers of Truck Accidents with Small and Large Trucks
Trucking accidents are especially frightening due to the size and momentum of the vehicles, which can cause them to lose control and create significant damage. Though many people think of large commercial trucks when it comes to these accidents, smaller lightweight trucks can also be deadly. Of the 188,841 collisions occurring in 2012, 46 percent involved a light truck and 6 percent involved a larger truck. The following are common causes of truck accidents in Indianapolis and the surrounding areas:
- Fatigued drivers. There are strict laws related to how many hours a truck driver can stay on the road before resting. Drivers who fail to adhere to these laws risk the safety of all motorists and passengers.
- Equipment failure. Trucks contain complex equipment, and tire blowouts and other malfunctions can cause them to lose control. This may be due to product defects or the trucking company’s failure to properly maintain the vehicle.
- Poor road conditions. Weather hazards or poorly designed roads may cause a large truck to lose control or overturn. Although sometimes the government agency in charge of road upkeep may be held liable, drivers also need to account for changing conditions.
- Inadequate driver training. Some trucking companies allow drivers to hit the road before properly training them. It takes a professional driver to manage a large truck and protect others on the road.
Truck Accidents Involving Semi Tractor-Trailers and Commercial Vehicles
Indiana law requires that commercial motor vehicles have a certain amount of insurance coverage based on the weight and material being transported. This required coverage can range from $300,000 to $5 million. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you establish liability.
Why Are Tractor Trailers So Dangerous?
If you experience an accident involving a tractor-trailer you might be asking just why a tractor-trailer is so dangerous. Tractor-trailers are essential to the American economy, as they transfer nearly 70% of the products you buy from stores. Because of this fact, tractor trailer accidents in Indianapolis, IN are extremely common because these trucks are on the roads everywhere.
But why are they so dangerous?
A tractor trailer is carrying a load that may weigh as heavily as 80,000 pounds depending on the type of truck. These trucks are heavy and take up a lot of space on the road. They’re also tall, which leads to the next factor that makes them so dangerous: braking capabilities. Because the vehicle is as big as it is, it takes them 40% more time to brake than a regular car, and even then, brakes only do so much. This means if a driver is distracted and is attempting to brake they may not have enough time to break the roadway. Not only are the size and poor braking capabilities of destruction if she was or blind spots. Blind spots are going to be an issue in a vehicle of any size but they are more of an issue in semi trucks. Because these vehicles are usually about 50 feet long with a single trailer, they’re going to be large blind spots directly in front, behind and to the left as well as the right side of the truck.
The more trailers the truck is pulling, the larger the blind spots are going to be. These trucks also have a high center of gravity because they carried more weight and height, and because of the hike center of gravity and means that they can and are more of a rollover risk. These types of accidents are going to be very deadly for other drivers on the roadway, especially if there is heavy traffic. Because they require frequent making events and vigilant maintenance, these trucks often experience malfunctions, and may have issues with the brakes, tires, steering, or other vital parts of the truck. If you feel that you are in a truck accident due to untended two parts, reach out to a tractor-trailer accident lawyer in Indianapolis IN. These trucks are going to have a lot of cargo and this means that they might shift as they drive you to cargo moving around within trailer source they’re carrying. This is especially true if this cargo is improperly loaded. This makes the recorder to control and cause it to jackknife or rollover. Reach out to a trucking trailer accident lawyer in Indianapolis IN. Sometimes semitrucks are going to have dangerous cargo, such as hazardous materials like chemicals that may cause a spill there is an accident. This chemicals and other materials are gonna pose a health and safety risk to other drivers.
Work with an Indianapolis Law Firm Focused on Results
After a truck accident in Indiana, call on the experienced personal injury lawyers at Ward & Ward. Set up your free initial consultation today. Our team is available to meet with you at your convenience, and we’re available 24/7 when you need us at a moment’s notice. Please contact our law firm promptly so we can get started working on your case. Here at Ward & Ward, we can empathize with just how detrimental such a collision can be for you and your loved ones. Let one of our truck accident attorneys Indianapolis, IN clients recommend help you seek financial compensation and justice for the commercial truck accident.
