What are your legal options if you get hit by a big rig truck in Indiana? In this situation, you may have a chance to file an insurance claim to seek compensation for your expenses, including the costs of your medical care.
You may also file a lawsuit in some cases. In this situation, an Indiana truck accident lawyer must identify the liable party before pursuing a claim. You can learn more about your options with our team at Vaughan & Vaughan.
Call or complete our online contact form to get started.
Legal Options: Filing an Insurance Claim for a Big Rig Accident
You may file a personal injury claim for compensation if a big rig truck hits you in Indiana. Your lawyer will identify the at-fault party and then help you file a claim.
An insurance claim can allow you to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from the accident.
The amount of compensation you receive through an insurance claim may depend on the severity of your losses. You can learn more about how much compensation you’ll get with our team.
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Legal Options: Filing a Lawsuit for a Big Rig Accident
Lawyers often recommend settling out of court after a big rig accident in Indiana. However,
if the trucking company’s insurance does not adequately cover your losses, you may need to file a lawsuit to seek full compensation.
Filing a lawsuit can increase the time it takes to resolve your truck accident claim in Indiana. Additionally, you may have to pay court fees if you use a lawsuit to seek compensation. However, it may prove the best choice for your situation.
Your Indiana big rig accident lawyer can review your situation and help you find the option that works for you.
Who Can You Pursue for Compensation in a Big Rig Accident?
Regardless of which legal option you choose after a big rig truck accident in Indiana, your lawyer must identify the party at fault for causing your wreck. Our team may build a case against the following:
The Big Rig Driver
In many cases, we seek compensation from the big rig truck driver involved in the wreck. Truckers can cause accidents by:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Operating their truck while fatigued
- Driving while distracted
Some drivers simply behave recklessly and negligently. For example, they may back up without checking their blind spots, change lanes too quickly, or drive without properly securing their cargo.
The Big Rig Trucking Company
While truckers sometimes hold liability for accidents, your truck accident attorney may also pursue a claim against the trucking company, especially if your collision happened during the course of the driver’s work duties.
Trucking companies may be at-fault for wrecks if they hire inexperienced drivers or fail to perform proper maintenance. Dangerous expectations for drivers can also result in accidents in Indiana.
What Should You Do After a Big Rig Accident in Indiana?
It’s important to consider your legal options quickly after a big rig accident in Indiana by contacting a lawyer. However, there are several other steps we recommend you take after a big rig accident to strengthen your claim. Ensure that you:
Report the Accident to the Authorities in Indiana
Depending on the seriousness of the accident, you may want to call the police and file an official report. This process establishes an official record of the accident and can help with insurance claims.
Gather Evidence from the Scene of the Big Rig Accident
Take photos of the accident scene, damage to vehicles, and your injuries. Get contact information from witnesses. This evidence can support your claim.
Get Medical Attention for All Injuries
Seek treatment from a doctor as soon as possible after your big rig accident to assess and properly document the full extent of your injuries. Having proper medical records is crucial for your claim.
Taking these steps after your accident can put you on the right path to getting the most out of your legal options.
Do You Have Legal Options if the Big Rig Driver Blames You?
Big rig drivers in Indiana may try to blame you for the wreck to avoid compensating you for your losses. Fortunately, a lawyer can step in to push against these claims, protecting your legal case by gathering evidence and investigating the causes of the collision.
Lawyers can collect evidence from the scene of the wreck, look into the big rig driver’s record, gather black box data, and work with truck accident experts.
Your ability to secure compensation may depend on your attorney’s ability to establish liability for the collision.
What’s the Deadline to Pursue Legal Options After a Big Rig Wreck?
You have a limited amount of time to build a legal claim after a wreck with a big rig truck in Indiana. Generally, you have two years to move forward with a claim before Indiana’s statute of limitations expires.
Once the statute expires, the court can dismiss your legal claim, preventing you from seeking compensation. Therefore, we recommend that you reach out to a personal injury law firm quickly.
Contact Us to Go Over Legal Options for Big Rig Accidents
What are your legal options if you’re hit by a big rig truck in Indiana? You may decide to negotiate a settlement with insurance agents or work with a truck accident lawyer to file a lawsuit. Our team at Vaughan & Vaughan can review your situation and provide personalized care.
Learn more about your next steps by calling or filling out our online contact form.
