Semi-trucks and large commercial vehicles play an important role in our economy, but when drivers are unsafe, they can cause horrific accidents. It only takes one truck crash to change your life. In the blink of an eye, you are injured, unable to work, and struggling to pay your bills.
If your injury was caused by the reckless actions of a Knight Transportation truck driver, you deserve compensation. An Indiana Knight Transportation truck accident lawyer can explain your rights and help you get the money you need.
At Vaughan & Vaughan, our Indiana truck accident lawyers have recovered over $25 million in settlements and awards for injured victims. We’ll fight for a financial settlement that can make a difference in your life. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Why You Need a Lawyer When You are Injured in a Truck Accident
Knight Transportation is part of Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings, and they are the largest full truckload carrier in the United States. Their trucks log millions of miles each year, and accidents are going to happen.
Knight Transportation employs company drivers but also hires independent contractors. If you have been in an accident with one of its trucks, it can be hard to determine who you are dealing with and which insurance companies are involved.
An Indiana personal injury lawyer will know how to approach your case and can help you through every step of the process. Knight-Swift Transportation is a large, powerful company, and you need an experienced attorney by your side.
Your Case Will Get
The Attention It Deserves
When to Hire a Lawyer After a Knight Transportation Truck Accident
It is smart to hire a lawyer as soon after your accident as possible, especially since you may be dealing with an independent truck driver instead of or in addition to Knight Transportation. Knight Transportation drivers carry robust insurance policies, but it is important to ensure your best interests are represented.
Sometimes, insurance companies will offer a low settlement. If you take it, it usually means waiving your rights to future compensation. They know what your claim is really worth, but they are hoping you don’t.
Having a skilled attorney by your side means you don’t have to wonder if the insurance company is playing fair. You can also avoid other questionable insurance company tactics used to make it seem like your injury isn’t serious. Let them deal with us.
There is no fee
unless you win
How much is a Knight Transportation Truck Accident Claim Worth?
Truck accident settlements and awards can range from a few thousand dollars to millions. It depends on the circumstances of your accident and what kinds of damages you have suffered. It is impossible to know how much your specific case may be worth without an assessment.
Your Knight Transportation truck accident lawyer in Indiana can calculate your maximum compensation amount by looking into your economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Your economic damages are the financial hardships you’ve suffered because of your accident. Because they have a dollar amount associated with them, they are easy to calculate. Depending on your case, your attorney may include expenses associated with:
- Doctors’ visits
- Ambulance services
- Emergency room visits
- Medications
- Physical therapy
- Specialist appointments
- The costs of future medical care needs
- Lost wages
- Future earnings lost due to your injury
- Property damage
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are harder to quantify but every bit as real. These address the psychological, emotional, and social aspects of your injuries. They aren’t available in every case, and your lawyer can advise you whether they apply to yours. They include:
- Pain and suffering
- Metal anguish
- Emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are non-compensatory damages awarded by a court. They are intended to punish the defendant and make an example of them when they have behaved illegally, recklessly, or negligently.
Punitive damages are rare, but they can increase the amount of your award tremendously. Your lawyer can advise you if it is worth it to pursue a civil case where you may be awarded punitive damages.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Indiana
Truck accidents, including those involving Knight Transportation drivers, can occur in an infinite number of ways. Your Indiana Knight Transportation truck accident attorney will investigate your accident to find out what caused it and who is liable.
Here are some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Indiana:
- Mechanical issues: Brake failures can cause runaway trucks, or blown tires may cause truck drivers to lose control of their vehicles.
- Distracted driving: Like four-wheel motorists, truckers may allow phones, GPS devices, or other distractions to take their attention away from the road.
- Tailgating: When trucks tailgate, they do not allow enough stopping distance in case the lead vehicle must suddenly brake, which can cause tremendous accidents.
- Speeding: Tight deadlines can cause truck drivers to operate their big rigs faster than the posted speed limits, endangering themselves and other motorists.
- Driver fatigue: Tired truck drivers who work very long hours have dulled reaction times and diminished decision-making abilities, which can lead to accidents.
- Negligent hiring practices: When trucking companies fail to screen their job applicants properly, they could put someone who isn’t qualified and may be dangerous behind the wheel of a big rig.
- Inadequate driver training: In addition to smart hiring practices, employers must provide proper training for new hires to ensure they can operate safely on the roadways.
- DUI: Drinking and driving is never acceptable, but some drivers who push themselves to work long shifts may also abuse narcotics that they believe help them stay awake and alert.
Contact an Indiana Knight Transportation Truck Accident Lawyer
When you are in an accident with a large, powerful trucking company, it is nice to assume they will do everything in their power to ensure you are compensated for your economic and non-economic losses. You want to put the accident behind you and focus on recovery.
With an Indiana Knight Transportation truck accident attorney in your corner, you give yourself the best shot at getting the compensation you deserve. You don’t have to hope the liable party’s insurance company does the right thing because we will fight for your rights.
For more than a century, Vaughan & Vaughan has made it our business to advocate for injured victims. Contact us today for a free consultation and to tell us your story.
