Lawrence, IN Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck accidents are notorious for being incredibly devastating. The damages trucks inflict can be life-changing and often permanent.

Fortunately, our lawyers can help you get coverage for your losses after a truck accident in Lawrence. Our team knows who to sue when these accidents occur. In most cases, we will file a claim against the truck driver and the trucking company, giving you more opportunities to recover the compensation you deserve. When we investigate your accident, we will also determine if other parties contributed to your injuries and name them in your claim. With our team's help, you can rest assured that your damages are being assessed accurately and fought for at every step.

To have your case reviewed for free with our truck accident attorneys, contact Wruck Paupore at (219) 322-1166 today.

Parties that Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident in Lawrence, IN

Recovering compensation for a truck accident in Lawrence involves several important steps, but one of the most crucial is identifying the potentially liable defendants. You will likely need to file your claim against a couple of parties following a truck accident. In most cases, our truck accident attorneys can help you file a claim against the truck driver for their negligence and the trucking company they work for. However, other parties could be partially at fault for your injuries, especially given how complex these cases tend to be. The following are those our team commonly pursues for compensation in Lawrence:

Truck Drivers

Truck driver negligence plays a role in most truck accidents, so they will be the first party named as a defendant in your case. Truckers are held to a high standard of care and must follow countless state and federal safety standards. This includes following the basic traffic laws that apply to all drivers.

For instance, many truck accidents are caused by fatigue, which occurs when truckers fail to take their mandatory break after driving for several hours. These accidents are more likely and often made worse when truck drivers speed to complete their duties. The accident could have occurred because the trucker did not inspect the vehicle before their trip and failed to make a necessary repair.

Trucking Companies

The next party we will usually name as a defendant is the trucking company that employs the trucker who injured you. The rule of respondeat superior makes this a relatively straightforward task. Under this principle, employers can be held liable for the negligent actions of their employees. The accident must have occurred while the trucker was engaged in their work duties, like making a delivery. If the truck driver was taking the work vehicle for a joyride, this rule will not apply.

Our team will also investigate to determine if the trucking company acted negligently in its own right. Like truck drivers, trucking companies must also observe a host of regulations. This includes routine inspections and repairs to the trucks in its fleet. Trucking companies must also ensure they are putting safe drivers on the road. If a trucking company did not do a background check or knowingly permitted a dangerous driver to work for it, the trucking company can be held accountable.

Other Potential Defendants

It is rare for a truck accident to involve only another person, as multiple drivers usually contribute to the crash. In cases involving multiple drivers, we will typically file a claim against each to sort out liability during the case. Just because the trucker or another driver is primarily responsible for causing the collision does not mean that others did not add to your harm. A careless driver could have started the accident by crashing into a speeding trucker, after which you were struck by a third driver not paying attention to the crash. In this scenario, all three parties would owe you for their part in causing your injuries.

In rarer cases, you might need to hold a truck manufacturer or designer liable. Some accidents occur because a part or system on the truck is defective and does not work as intended. Perhaps the trucker hit the air brakes before the crash, but they did not respond. If the truck was manufactured improperly or the system was repaired incorrectly, we could file a claim against the manufacturer, trucking company, or another third party responsible for repairing the mechanism. We could also sue the designer if the defect is so integral to the design that it is baked into every model.

Your truck accident might also have been caused by exceptional circumstances outside of either driver’s control, such as poor road conditions and highway construction. We might need to file your claim against a local or state government agency in these cases. Various municipal agencies are responsible for road maintenance in Lawrence. If one of them contributed to your accident by ignoring their duties, they can be sued. However, you may want to contact our team as soon as possible. You will typically have less time to file a claim against a government entity and meet other requirements before the court accepts your claim.

Damages You Can Recover for a Lawrence, IN Truck Accident

To recover compensation after a truck accident, you will need to show that you suffered damages. These are the actual economic and non-economic losses you sustained as a result of the trucker’s negligence. The following will explain more about the damages you can recover in your claim:

Economic Damages

Our team will typically start by assessing and claiming your economic losses. These are usually the easiest to calculate but could be challenging depending on the level of medical care you need.

You can claim your current medical expenses, as well as future medical care you will need to cover. Our lawyers and your doctors can help determine what your future medical costs might be.

You can also claim lost income if your injuries kept you out of work. If your truck accident was severe enough that you cannot work for the foreseeable future, we can also help you claim lost earning potential.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are more challenging to prove because they account for damages that are harder to see. Also known as “pain and suffering,” non-economic damages account for the physical pain and emotional distress you have had to live with as a result of the accident. This might mean waking up each day with pain from your injuries or suffering anxiety when driving. While these injuries do not have something physical to point to, you can be compensated for them in the same way.

Our Lawrence, IN Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help

For a free review of your case with our truck accident lawyers, call Wruck Paupore at (219) 322-1166.