A truck accident can result in serious injuries due to the involvement of large commercial vehicles like tractor-trailers and delivery trucks, which are significantly heavier than standard cars.
These accidents often lead to severe injuries and extensive vehicle damage, making recovery challenging. Fortunately, with the assistance of a Muncie truck accident lawyer, you can fight to ensure you recover the financial compensation you need and deserve.
The Muncie personal injury lawyers of Vaughan & Vaughan have been serving Indiana injury victims for over 110 years. We’re committed to this community, and we can help you. Find out more by calling us or filling out our online contact form.
Why Hire a Muncie Truck Accident Lawyer?
Trucking accident claims can present numerous legal challenges to drivers. Trucking companies and insurance companies will fight your claim for compensation because they know a lot of money is at stake.
A truck accident attorney in Muncie can stand up for you and get the facts to build a case that they have to take seriously. Our attorneys are not interested in making quick deals that help insurance companies save money.
We work to maximize your compensation and pursue every source of liability. We negotiate aggressively and do not hesitate to take your personal injury claim to court when necessary.
Your Case Will Get
The Attention It Deserves
What Compensation Can You Recover in Indiana?
In Indiana, if you are injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to recover the following types of compensation:
- Medical Expenses: This includes compensation for all past, present, and future medical bills related to the injuries sustained in the accident. This can cover hospital stays, doctor visits, surgery, medication, rehabilitation, medical equipment, and more.
- Lost Wages: You can recover wages, salaries, and other income you lost as a result of being unable to work due to your injuries. This also includes compensation for any future loss of earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to the same line of work.
- Property Damage: If your vehicle or other personal property was damaged in the accident, you can seek compensation for repair or replacement costs.
- Pain and Suffering: Indiana allows for the recovery of non-economic damages like physical and mental pain, suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and other subjective losses.
- Loss of Consortium: In cases where the injuries negatively impact the marital relationship, the uninjured spouse may be able to recover damages for loss of companionship, affection, and intimacy.
- Disfigurement and Disability: If the accident caused permanent disfigurement or disability, you may be entitled to compensation for the associated physical and emotional trauma.
It’s essential to work with an experienced Muncie truck accident attorney who can thoroughly evaluate your case, gather the necessary evidence, and fight to ensure you receive the full and fair compensation you deserve under state law.
There is no fee
unless you win
How Do Lawyers Investigate Truck Accidents?
In a semi truck accident claim, our legal team gathers a wide range of evidence to build a strong case and prove liability. Some of the key evidence we typically collect includes:
- Police Reports: The official accident report documenting the accident details, including the officers’ observations, statements from those involved, and any citations issued
- Truck Driver’s Records: The truck driver’s logs, inspection reports, employment records, safety history, and any data from the vehicle’s electronic logging device or black box
- Trucking Company Records: Evidence from the trucking company, such as maintenance records, inspection reports, policies and procedures, and cargo manifests
- Physical Evidence: Photos and videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, skid marks, road debris, and any other physical evidence that can help reconstruct the accident
- Witness Statements: Testimonies from eyewitnesses, including other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bystanders who observed the accident
- Expert Testimony: Testimony from accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, vocational experts, and others who can provide specialized analysis and opinions
- Medical Records: Detailed records of the injuries sustained, medical treatments received, prognosis, and long-term care needs resulting from the accident
- Employment and Income Records: Documentation of lost wages, income history, and the potential for future lost earnings due to injuries
- Vehicle Inspection Reports: Inspection reports and maintenance records for both the commercial truck and any other vehicles involved in the accident
- Regulatory Compliance Records: Evidence of any violations of federal regulations governing truck drivers, trucking companies, and commercial vehicle operations
Attorneys will thoroughly investigate every aspect of the accident to gather this evidence and build a comprehensive case that establishes liability and supports the full extent of damages being claimed.
Why Should I Hire a Lawyer After a Truck Accident?
There are several crucial reasons why you should hire a lawyer after being involved in a commercial truck accident:
Complexity of Trucking Laws and Regulations
The trucking industry is governed by a complex set of federal and state laws and regulations regarding things like hours of service, maintenance logs, cargo loading, and more.
An experienced truck accident lawyer understands these rules and can determine if any violations contributed to the crash.
Identifying All Liable Parties
In a truck accident case, there may be multiple potentially liable parties beyond just the truck driver, such as the trucking company, cargo loaders, mechanics, or parts manufacturers. A lawyer can investigate and ensure all responsible parties are held accountable.
Preserving Evidence
Trucking companies are required to maintain logs and data that could be crucial evidence in your case. A lawyer can take prompt action to prevent this evidence from being destroyed or tampered with.
Dealing with Aggressive Trucking Companies
Major trucking companies have teams of lawyers and insurance representatives whose goal is to minimize payouts. Having an experienced attorney levels the playing field and ensures your rights are protected.
Determining Accurate Damages
Truck accident injuries are often catastrophic, resulting in hefty medical bills, lost wages, disability accommodations, and long-term care needs. A lawyer will accurately calculate all your damages to pursue full and fair compensation.
Negotiating with Insurers
Insurance companies are motivated to minimize settlements. An attorney is skilled at negotiating with insurers and rejecting lowball offers that fail to cover your total losses.
Preparing for Trial
While many cases are settled out of court, your lawyer will meticulously prepare your case for trial if litigation becomes necessary to obtain a just outcome.
The trucking industry and insurance companies have vast resources. Hiring an experienced truck accident lawyer in Muncie ensures you have a strong advocate on your side to protect your rights and obtain maximum compensation.
What Causes Truck Accidents?
Many factors can lead to an accident, including driver error and trucking company negligence. Some common truck accident causes in Indiana include:
- Distracted driving: A distracted truck driver using a GPS or eating while driving could result in a severe crash on State Road 32 or another busy road.
- Texting and driving: A driver texting behind the wheel could cause a crash, even though texting while driving is against the law for all drivers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
- Speeding: Speeding truck drivers trying to make up time on their delivery schedule can cause crashes. Tractor-trailers and other trucks take longer to slow down, and drivers won’t have time to stop to avoid crashing into a smaller vehicle.
- Lack of maintenance or faulty parts: Trucks that are poorly maintained can lead to a collision caused by defective brakes, a tire blowout, or mechanical problems.
- Lack of training: Inexperienced truck drivers who don’t know how to handle a big rig may lose control of the truck, especially while taking a sharp curve or during hazardous weather conditions, resulting in a rollover or jackknife accident.
- Drowsy driving or fatigued driving: Truck drivers falling asleep at the wheel can cause collisions. Truck drivers work long hours and sometimes don’t take mandatory breaks.
Trucking companies respond quickly after an accident. They often send a response team to the scene to gather evidence. They are protecting their own interests and already have attorneys working for them.
You need an experienced Muncie truck accident lawyer who can investigate accidents and move your case forward.
Contact a Muncie Truck Accident Law Firm for Help
If you get hurt in a truck accident, get legal advice as soon as possible. Our team at Vaughan & Vaughan stands ready to assist with your situation. You can rely on our experienced commercial truck accident attorneys in Muncie to handle all your legal needs.
Remember, you have a limited time to file a semi truck accident lawsuit in Indiana. Find out more by filling out our online contact form or calling us to schedule a free consultation today.
