Semi trucks play a critical part in our economy. Unfortunately, they also pose a significant risk to the safety of others on the road. Semi trucks are significantly larger and heavier than the average vehicle on the road. Because of this, the damage they are capable of causing is massive.
If you were injured in a collision with a commercial vehicle, big rig or semi truck, contact a Lafayette truck accident lawyer from Indiana injury law firm, Vaughan & Vaughan today. Our firm has been protecting accident victims and helping them get the money they need for over a century. You can schedule a free case review with a team member by using our online contact form or giving us a call.
How Can A Lafayette Semi Truck Accident Lawyer Help Me?
Your Case Will Get
The Attention It Deserves
Who Is Liable for a Semi Truck Accident in Lafayette?
Following a semi truck accident, you will likely be looking to recover compensation for the losses you sustained. However, before you can do so, you must first figure out who is to blame. Liability is rarely as straightforward as it may sometimes seem. Fortunately, you don’t have to attempt to prove fault on your own. To navigate this complex process and seek the compensation you deserve, consider seeking the guidance of an experienced Lafayette Personal Injury Lawyer.
An experienced semi truck accident attorney in Lafayette can help you figure out who is responsible for your damages. Your lawyer can sort through all the confusion so that you can begin the process of recovering compensation.
There is no fee
unless you win
Damages that Are Often Available After a Semi Truck Accident
Following a semi truck accident, you will need to determine which damages you qualify to pursue to ensure you recover the maximum amount for your losses. Some damages are easily identifiable, while others can be far more difficult to assess. You may not even realize that you can recover compensation for some types of damages.
When you hire a semi truck accident lawyer in Lafayette, they can help you identify which damages apply to your case. All of the damages you can potentially recover can be divided into three main categories.
Economic Damages
Any losses you sustained that resulted in a negative impact on your financial situation are considered economic damages. Some of the most frequently claimed economic damages include:
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning ability
- Property damage
- Medical costs
- Future medical expenses
- Any money paid to accomplish daily tasks that your injuries prevent you from doing yourself
Non-Economic Damages
All the other losses you endure because of your accident can be considered non-economic damages. Non-economic damages are often significant and can have a profound impact on accident victims. Some of the most frequently claimed non-economic damages include:
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Lowered quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
- Permanent disability
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are much different than the compensatory damages discussed above. Punitive damages are not focused on the losses suffered by an accident victim. Instead, the purpose of these damages is to punish the liable party in hopes of deterring similar behavior in the future.
Punitive damages are only used in extreme cases. For a judge to award these damages, the at-fault party must have either been criminally negligent or behaved in a manner where they were deliberately attempting to cause harm to others.
Steps a Lafayette Semi Truck Accident Lawyer Will Take on Your Behalf
When you retain the services of a semi truck accident attorney, they will immediately begin working on your behalf to help you get the money you need for your damages. One of the first things your attorney will likely do is to investigate your accident so they can determine fault and gather evidence to help build a strong compensation claim.
Once their investigation has concluded, your lawyer will review all the damages you sustained and calculate how much your claim is worth. The next step will be for your attorney to either file an insurance claim with the at-fault party’s insurance provider or submit a lawsuit against the liable party to the court.
If you choose to pursue a lawsuit, the next step will be for your attorney to begin the pretrial process. After going through all of the steps of the pretrial process, your lawyer will represent you in court if necessary. However, your attorney will also be pursuing an alternate mode of resolution by negotiating with opposing counsel to attempt to secure a favorable settlement.
Be Sure to Submit Your Lawsuit Before Time Expires
Indiana generally gives semi truck accident victims two years to sue the liable party following an accident. If you don’t submit your paperwork within this period, the chances are high that you will lose your right to pursue compensation from the liable party.
While the statute of limitations is often unforgiving, many exceptions may apply to your case that could alter the amount of time you have to file. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your accident, this could mean that you would be able to pursue a lawsuit long after the statute of limitations expires.
However, it is essential to realize that an exception to the statute of limitations can also have the opposite effect. For example, when pursuing a lawsuit against a government entity, you will likely have months rather than years to file with the court. The best way to protect yourself and your right to recover money is by hiring a semi truck accident lawyer soon after your crash.
Get a Free Consultation from a Semi Truck Accident Attorney in Lafayette Today
After a semi truck accident, choosing the right lawyer can be essential. It is critical that you find an attorney with both experience handling cases like yours and a history of securing favorable outcomes for their clients. At Vaughan & Vaughan, our team of experienced semi truck accident lawyers in Lafayette has been helping accident victims get the money they need for decades.
Reach out to us today over the phone or by completing our online contact form. You can schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation with a member of our legal team, who will go over your options for pursuing compensation.
