Our Indiana commercial vehicle accident lawyers know that commercial vehicles are everywhere, and their drivers are human. Negligent (at-fault) drivers can cause serious accidents, no matter what kind of vehicle they’re in. However, the companies that own these vehicles, from trucking companies to corporate entities, will put up a fight when asked to pay you damages.
You may have a difficult time holding businesses accountable for the negligence that led to a life-changing or fatal crash. The liable parties involved in commercial vehicle collisions often employ entire teams of attorneys to defend their interests, making it hard for accident victims to take on these giants on their own.
An Indiana truck accident lawyer can be your best ally in such a situation. The attorneys of Vaughan and Vaughan have the resources and expertise to take on big corporations and protect your rights in cases involving commercial vehicles. We’ve worked for Hoosiers since 1913, and we’re ready to fight for you.
What Is a Commercial Vehicle?
Many of the vehicles we see on the road are owned by businesses or agencies. These commercial vehicles bring their goods and services to people and other businesses. Any vehicle that is owned and operated for business purposes can be considered a commercial vehicle.
Examples of commercial vehicles include the following:
- Fuel trucks
- Delivery vans
- Work Vans
- Cargo trucks
- Mail trucks
- Construction vehicles, cement trucks, dump trucks
- 18-wheelers, semi trucks, tractor trailers
- Buses, cabs, taxis, and rideshares
Sometimes, the rush to deliver on a tight schedule can cause the drivers of these cars to make mistakes. Other times, a lack of maintenance or a faulty vehicle part can cause a crash.
If you’ve been hurt in a collision with a delivery truck or other commercial vehicle in Indiana, an experienced attorney can help you find the cause and work to hold the negligent driver or other responsible parties accountable for your injuries and property damage. Our Indiana personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis for your benefit.
Your Case Will Get
The Attention It Deserves
Liability in Commercial Vehicle Crashes Can Be Complicated
Different types of negligence can cause a commercial vehicle accident. The driver may not be properly trained to drive the vehicle, which is often more difficult to handle than a typical passenger car. The driver may also have been speeding, distracted while driving, or under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
The company that owns the vehicle can also be negligent. It may have failed to provide proper training for the driver. Or it may have given the driver an unrealistic delivery schedule. The company is also responsible for maintaining its vehicles properly and promptly making necessary repairs.
However, proving negligence after an accident involving a commercial vehicle can be difficult. Neither the driver nor the company is likely to admit responsibility. An Indiana commercial vehicle attorney can evaluate and present the evidence to prove your claim of negligence.
Contracts Can Impact Liability
Our experienced truck accident attorneys in Indiana know that trucking agencies and their corporate peers will take extreme steps to distance themselves from commercial truck drivers after a collision. That’s why many agencies work with independent contractors instead of hiring employees.
In the trucking industry, agencies working with independent contractors can assign responsibility for catastrophic injuries and other losses to individual drivers. This saves these agencies money and keeps them out of court. Some agencies will even misrepresent a truck driver’s employment status to avoid taking the blame for an accident.
That’s why it’s important to consider what contracts might impact your legal process. If you get into an accident with an independent contractor, you can sue that individual for the compensatory damages you need to recover. However, if you get into an accident with a corporate employee, you can file a truck accident claim against the driver’s employer.
There is no fee
unless you win
The Insurance Company Isn’t on Your Side
When you are looking for payment for your damages and losses, the insurance companies aren’t likely to be helpful. Insurance claims adjusters are mainly concerned with keeping payouts as low as possible to improve their profit margins.
In some cases, they may appear to be friendly and helpful, but the goal is to minimize their liability and payouts as much as possible. There are some signs that you may be getting the runaround from the insurance adjuster.
If you don’t feel you are being treated fairly, it can benefit you to seek legal representation from a commercial vehicle accident lawyer in Indiana.
It’s Time to Schedule a Free Commercial Vehicle Case Consultation
Some signs that you may need help from an attorney include the following:
- Saying you’re to blame for your injuries
- Giving false information regarding your legal protections
- Ignoring your calls and emails
- Requiring you to fill out pointless, lengthy paperwork
- Pestering you with calls and emails in an attempt to get you to settle for an inadequate offer
- Persuading you to participate in recording a statement
- Misleading you about the policy’s conditions
- Asking you leading questions to make you legally vulnerable
- A complete denial of your claim
When you are injured in an accident involving a commercial vehicle, it is important to realize that insurance companies are in the business of preserving their bottom line. Our truck accident attorneys in Indiana can help protect your rights and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Statute of Limitations for a Commercial Car Accident Claim in the State of Indiana
The statute of limitations is described in Indiana Code section 34-11-2-4. The amount of time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Indiana is two years. This means that if more than two years have passed since the date of your accident, you will be barred from filing a lawsuit.
It is important to remember this time limit because there are multiple steps to take before you can file your lawsuit, and these steps can take time. There are certain circumstances under which the statute of limitations might differ, meaning that you could have either more or less than the two-year time limit to file your lawsuit.
If you want to preserve your right to collect monetary compensation after a collision, consider seeking legal advice from a commercial vehicle attorney in Indiana. We can help you figure out whether or not you still have time to take legal action or collect a settlement from an insurance company.
Compensation Available After a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Indiana
If you’ve been hurt in a car crash in Indiana, you could be eligible for financial compensation. You have the right to ask for a fair settlement in private negotiations. You can alternatively ask for a favorable settlement when you take your commercial vehicle claim to civil court.
The settlement amount you ask for should account for losses like the following:
Medical Expenses
Depending on the severity of your injuries, these expenses can add up quickly. Medical bills can include things like hospital stays, doctor visits, physical therapy, medications, mobility devices, and household aids.
Your medical bills may be overwhelming if you have suffered TBI, spinal cord injuries, amputation, or other severe injuries. To ensure your ability to collect fair compensation for your medical expenses, you can collaborate with a commercial vehicle accident attorney in Indiana.
Property Damage
Your car and personal belongings were likely damaged in the crash. You can be compensated for the costs associated with replacing or repairing your lost property.
Lost Wages
The time you were unable to work due to the treatment and recovery from your accident-related injuries should be compensated. This can also include the loss of future earnings.
Diminished Earning Capacity
Diminished earning capacity is a legal term used to describe the decreased ability of an individual to earn money due to an injury or illness. This can be caused by physical impairments, mental health issues, or other factors that limit a person’s ability to work and make money.
When someone has suffered a serious injury in a commercial vehicle accident, they may be eligible for compensation for their diminished earning capacity.
Pain and Suffering
In some cases, a victim may be eligible for compensation for the physical and emotional pain they have suffered due to their injuries. This can include compensation for mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional trauma, and other non-economic damages.
After a car accident, it can be difficult to know how to proceed. We’re here to ensure you get the recompense you need after all your losses. In order to determine the appropriate amount of compensation, your Indiana commercial truck accident lawyer will examine the specifics of your case.
How an Indiana Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorney Can Help Your Personal Injury Claim
An experienced lawyer will take on many roles and duties as your legal advocate. Motor vehicle accident victims often have their hands full, simply trying to meet physical recovery demands and handling their day-to-day expenses and tasks.
The benefits of having a personal injury lawyer handle your accident claim include:
- A lawyer can take on all of the legal details, handle correspondence, and communicate with the other parties involved.
- If you’ve been injured in an auto accident involving a trucking company or other commercial vehicle in Indiana, a lawyer can help you understand your legal options and defend your rights.
- We can assist you in compiling and arranging evidence to support your claim. They may also send a letter to remind the defendant that tampering with evidence is illegal to preserve the critical information needed to prove your case.
- An accomplished lawyer will be well-versed in the Indiana statutes and rules pertaining to incidents involving commercial vehicles and will be able to effectively advocate on your behalf.
- Lawyers can assist you in negotiating with insurers to obtain a satisfactory payment for your injuries and other losses.
- If your matter gets to trial, your attorney can represent you and fight for your best interests as your advocate.
If you hire a commercial car accident attorney in Indiana, you can relax knowing that your case is in the hands of a competent advocate while you focus on getting better.
Lawyers Can Help Gather Critical Evidence
Even if your claim does not go to court, having the right evidence can help prove your claim and act as a motivator for the insurance company to pay its fair share.
In the event of a commercial automobile accident, lawyers would often gather a wide range of evidence to use in constructing a case for their client. When gathering evidence, you have the opportunity to work with our:
- Indiana Walmart truck accident lawyers
- Indiana Amazon truck accident lawyers
- Indiana FedEx truck accident lawyers
These attorneys can help you compile data like the following:
Police Report
The officer’s account of the incident, including such details as the time, place, and weather, can be invaluable. Details such as who was cited or arrested and what their accounts of the events were will also be included.
Photographs and Videos
Accident scenes, damaged automobiles, and injuries are frequently documented by attorneys with the aid of photo and video evidence. This can come from dash cams, witness cell phones, surveillance video, or traffic cameras in the area.
This can be useful in proving the full extent of the injuries and damage suffered to obtain compensation.
Statements from Witnesses
Lawyers will also try to interview anyone who observed the incident unfold. These statements might be used as evidence to prove fault or provide insight into what transpired.
Medical Documentation
The attorneys representing the injured party will gather the medical records detailing the nature and severity of their injuries, the care they received, and their prognosis. This information is crucial for proving financial losses such as medical bills and time off work when filing a lawsuit.
EDR and Black Box Data
Some semi trucks, delivery vehicles, government vehicles, and other commercial vehicles have black box data in the form of an EDR. The EDR is also known as an Electronic Data Recorder, and it may include information about the driver’s behavior or the car’s functions in the moments prior to the crash.
Expert Witness Testimony
Lawyers may hire specialists in several fields to submit reports, such as those of accident reconstructionist specialists and medical professionals.
Insurance Policy Documentation Review
Documents from the responsible party’s insurance policy will also be examined by attorneys in order to determine the extent of their client’s financial protection.
Keep in mind that the attorney will adjust the evidence-gathering method based on the specifics of your case and the type and amount of evidence required.
Working With Vaughan & Vaughan
Our team understands how stressful it can be to seek out legal services after an accident with a negligent driver. You don’t want to exacerbate your financial burden, but you also want justice for your losses. Fortunately, Vaughan & Vaughan has over 100 years of experience advocating for Hoosiers like you.
We offer our tireless advocacy on a contingency fee basis. Our contingency fees allow you to benefit from consummate legal representation and individualized litigation strategies without paying a dime for our services. We do not require you to put down a deposit to collaborate with our team.
Instead, we’ll work with you without sending you a single bill. We only get paid for the representation we offer you when we secure the insurance settlement you deserve. Don’t shy away from your right to file a legal claim against an at-fault party after a serious collision. We can offer you the legal counsel you need to get back on your feet.
Contact a Commercial Vehicle Accident Law Firm in Indiana Today
A truck accident involving a commercial vehicle can be complicated. The driver of the commercial vehicle may have been negligent, but the company that owns the vehicle and hired the driver may also share some of the blame.
It’s important to have a legal team on your side to ensure that the right parties are held accountable and that you receive the maximum compensation possible for your losses.
The personal injury attorneys at Vaughan & Vaughan can offer you the legal guidance you need to identify the liable parties and fight for your financial recovery. Contact us today for a free case evaluation to learn how our personal representatives may be able to help you.
