Indianapolis Truck Accident Attorneys
Trucking accidents cause a series of life altering events in your life, especially when they involve a tractor-trailer, dump truck, or other heavy hauler. The sheer size and weight of these trucks impact anything they hit with tremendous force. Plus, the likelihood and severity of physical injuries to anyone involved increases exponentially. Even if you somehow manage to walk way with minimal injuries, the psychological trauma can haunt you, and this particularly holds true for young or elderly passengers. If you or someone you know was hurt or died in an accident caused by a negligent truck driver, the ambitious team at Lohmeier Law wants to help you get the settlement you deserve.
Why Tractor-Trailer Accidents Are Different
Over half of truck accidents end with some kind of injury to other motorists on the roadway. Depending on the speed and area of the impact, injuries can range from minor pain and bruises to severe and permanent injuries or even death. Most commonly, truck accident victims sustain injuries like:
- Neck pain / Whiplash
- Headaches or migraines
- Body pain and soreness
- Spinal injuries
- Fractured or broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Post traumatic stress and anxiety
You and your family may be entitled to significant compensation for the injuries or wrongful death of loved one caused by the negligence of a truck driver.
Tractor-trailers, also commonly referred to as 18-wheelers, big rigs, and semi-trucks, tow heavy cargo across hundreds of miles every day. Traveling at speeds upwards of 65 miles per hour, these massive trucks are literal cannon balls hurling down the interstate. When you include potential roadway hazards such as rain, fog, or steep inclines you have a recipe for disaster. It can take a truck traveling on the highway over 600 feet to reach a complete stop, depending on the situation, and it will plow through anything in its path.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), between 2016 and 2017 the number of fatal crashes caused by commercial trucks went up from 4,251 to 4,657. When you look at accident statistics over the past decade, the number of fatal crashes involving large trucks has increased a whopping 40%. And that number is only expected to grow as the shipping industry continues to boom. Even with strict regulations, no matter what measures are put in place, the roadway will never be completely safe.
It is required that all truck drivers comply with the FMCSA rules. Truck drivers must qualify by completing a Driver Qualification (DQ) that contains proof of employment, previous driving record, a commercial driver’s license, proof of a recent medical examination and most importantly a current motor vehicle record in the state of which the driver has the commercial driving license.
At Lohmeier Law, we stay up to date with the FMCSA rules to ensure we can properly investigate all avenues of truck accident claims.
Box trucks or delivery trucks are becoming more seemingly noticeable on the freeways and highways these days. As e-commerce and same-day delivery sites are booming, the need for package delivery box truck drivers is also increasing. These types of box trucks are often involved in accidents due to the pressures of their employer causing them to speed and get things delivered on time. Consequently, box trucks are involved in many intersection accidents, due to taking turns too wide. The uncontrollability of box trucks causes rollover accidents and collisions with other close-by vehicles.
If you or someone you know has been injured or killed in an accident involving a box truck, it is imperative that you call the box truck lawyers at Lohmeier Law today to see how we can help you recover.
Top 5 Causes of Big Truck Accidents
We often link uncontrollable variables, like tire blowouts or inclement weather, as the cause of a majority of motor vehicle collisions. Surprisingly, 70% of all crashes occur on a “clear day,” while only 1.6% of these crashes occur in snowy weather. Ultimately, injury accidents involving large trucks happen most frequently in our everyday commutes.
The main causes of truck accidents:
On a long haul, especially during the night, truck drivers tend to exceed the posted speed limit. Whether truck drivers speed to meet a deadline or just because they can, it is reckless and dangerous to others on the road.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), states that commercial truck drivers may not drive more than 11 hours straight per 14 hour shift. When drivers bend these rules, sleep deprivation sets which leads to irritability and fatigue. Fatigue plays a significant role in fatal truck accidents.
Whether its driving under the influence or texting at the wheel, distracted driving has become a serious national problem. One out of four accidents is the result of distracted driving. When big truck drivers don’t pay attention to the road, they must be held responsible for this negligence.
All commercial trucks have blind spots that pose a risk to other drivers.
Disregarding routine maintenance can lead to a catastrophic failure of mechanical functions in any vehicle. Tractor-trailers require frequent upkeep to remain running properly. With hundreds of miles to travel every day, truck drivers must maintain their rigs to help keep our roads safe.
How Can an Indianapolis Truck Accident Attorney Prove Negligence?
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an accident involving a truck or semi-truck, the team at Lohmeier Law will help you pursue maximum compensation for your suffering. Due to the complexity of truck accident claims, we perform a meticulous investigation to identify all responsible parties prior to filing your claim.
While pursuing a personal injury claim, we gather all the materials needed to prove your case including:
- All medical bills and records
- The motor vehicle crash report
- Any eyewitness statements
- Camera footage and photographs
- Driving history and criminal background checks
- Truck electronic data logs
- Maintenance logs
Let Lohmeier Law take on the insurance company for you!
We work solely on a contingency fee, which means we do not take a fee unless we settle your accident claim.
Let Our Indianapolis Truck Accident Attorneys Handle the Insurance Companies
The road to recovery after getting into a serious accident can be a long process. At Lohmeier Law, we are readily available to answer all of your questions in regards to your truck accident claim. Filing a personal injury claim is uncharted territory for most people, and we are available to help guide you through every step of the way.
At Lohmeier Law, we have connections with top medical providers and healthcare professionals, so we can help you get the treatment you need. Do not hesitate to contact an attorney right away. Time is of the essence with any accident claim. Contact the trustworthy truck accident attorney at Lohmeier law today to see how we can help you recover.