In 2009, the state of Indiana logged 3,600 truck crashes. The trucks involved were not the pickup variety, but the long-hauling trucks that pull freight trailers. Out of those crashes, there were 1,408 injuries and 98 deaths. In a state with approximately 6.4 million people in it, these numbers may seem minuscule.
However, to the families of the injured, especially those who were disabled or killed, these numbers are much too high and something should be done to punish those responsible. That is where our South Bend truck accident attorneys take over.
The Purpose of Personal Injury Law in Trucking Accidents
Not all trucks are backed by large corporations ready to remedy the situation after an accident. Owner operators who are responsible for their own upkeep and insurance drive many trucks. These drivers are often unprepared to handle the large debt after an accident.
The situation is further complicated by criminal charges that often accompany the accident as well. Getting such a truck operator to pay for the damage caused to victims after an accident is difficult to impossible without the aid of a personal injury attorney in South Bend. Even the larger companies may try to stonewall a victim in an effort to get out of paying for medical and other expenses.
A personal injury attorney knows just what it takes to cut through the paperwork, disputes and threats by truck owners to get a remedy for the victim. In some cases, just having an attorney is all you need to get a truck owner to pay for the damage done to you after an accident. In others, the personal injury lawyer exactly what to do and say to convince the company to comply. Even if that fails, the attorney is always ready to present your case in court.
No matter what problems the truck owner throws up in place of covering the damaged caused.
Remedies for the Injured
Negligent truck maintenance, reckless driving, driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and driving while drowsy cause truck accidents. These are not the only causes. Sometimes another vehicle is the culprit or the victim turns out to be the catalyst behind the accident.
It is the job of the personal injury attorney to figure out who caused the accident and how much that person or company owes that victim for damages. Damages include medical expenses, lose of use of a body part, loss of life (or wrongful death), replacement costs for the vehicles, and even punitive damages in cases where the defendant’s negligence caused to the accident.
A personal injury attorney will negotiate a settlement after the details of the accident are sorted out or he will take the culprit through a trial by a jury which will determine fault and the damage award.
What You Should Do After a Trucking Accident
Treat a truck accident like any other. Report it to the authorities. Get copies of your medical records when they become available. Consult a South Bend personal injury attorney as soon as possible, before meeting with any trucking company owners or officials.
