Truck Accident Attorneys Near Me
The sheer size and weight of commercial trucks make accidents involving them exceptionally perilous. Their increased length, width, height, and mass compared to passenger vehicles and pedestrians mean that even seemingly minor collisions can result in significant damage. Severe truck crashes often inflict life-altering or fatal injuries with far-reaching consequences that impact every aspect of a victim’s life and reshape their future.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a truck accident, you need to contact our truck accident attorneys near me law firm. The experienced Merrillville personal injury lawyers at Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. are dedicated to helping you secure justice and regain control of your future. With a collective experience exceeding 110 years and specialized, direct training in handling complex truck accident claims, our team possesses the unique advantages necessary to advocate for you effectively.
Responding Immediately After a Truck Accident
Your immediate actions following a truck accident are critical. First and foremost, assess your physical condition. If any movement causes pain, remain still and await emergency medical responders. If you can move safely, check on other individuals involved in the accident and then immediately call 911. This will ensure that emergency medical services and law enforcement are dispatched to the scene. Once these initial steps are taken, it is vital to follow a careful protocol to protect your well-being and potential legal claim.
Gather Evidence and Information
Exchange information with all drivers involved in the accident, securing their contact details and insurance information. If there were passengers in any of the vehicles, obtain their contact information as well. Document the truck’s license plate number and any other identifying marks, including any company-assigned truck numbers.
If there were any witnesses to the accident, politely request their names, phone numbers, and email addresses. Ask them to briefly describe what they observed while their memory is still vivid, and have them text or email this description to you so you have a written record of it.
Law enforcement will arrive to conduct an official accident investigation and create a report. Be sure to get the names and contact information of all responding officers.
Exercise Caution in Your Communication
The aftermath of a truck accident can be emotionally charged. However, you need to maintain control of your emotions at the scene. Anger or fear can escalate the situation or lead you to say things that could be used against you later.
When speaking with other involved parties, limit your conversation strictly to exchanging necessary identification and insurance details. Do not offer anything that could be misconstrued as an apology, as even seemingly general sympathetic remarks can be interpreted as an admission of fault. Avoid speculating about the cause of the accident, and do not downplay your injuries. If you must mention your physical condition, simply state that you will be seeking medical attention immediately after you are done communicating with the police and gathering insurance information.
Adhere to the same cautious approach when reporting the accident to your own insurance company. Provide only the essential facts, such as the time, date, and location of the incident. Do not speak to representatives from the insurance companies or any other involved parties.
Prioritize Your Health
Even if you feel you have escaped a truck accident without significant injury, seek medical attention immediately, ideally on the same day. The surge of adrenaline experienced during an accident can often mask pain and other symptoms of injury. Delaying medical care can lead to further injury, serious complications, and even fatal situations. For instance, head trauma, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), or internal organ damage may result in slow bleeding that you might not recognize until it becomes critical. Prompt medical evaluation can also identify the need for stabilization, such as for your neck or spine, to prevent debilitating spinal cord injuries.
Delaying medical treatment may also provide the at-fault party’s insurance company with grounds to argue that your injuries were not caused by the accident or were exacerbated by your failure to seek immediate care. They might also claim that your injuries could not be as severe as you assert if you did not seek prompt medical attention. Your truck accident lawyer will work to prove your injuries, but the process will always run smoother with direct medical records.
Seek Legal Counsel Promptly in Ross Township
Once you have addressed your immediate health and safety needs, your next crucial step should be to reach out to a truck accident attorney near you. Help from the experienced truck accident lawyers at Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. will be invaluable in navigating the complexities of your claim and protecting your rights.
Do Not Delay Finding a Truck Accident Attorney Near You
Choosing our firm for your trucking accident case means more than just benefiting from our local roots, knowledge, and years of experience; it means gaining a proactive legal partner dedicated to your needs. We offer client-focused representation with round-the-clock availability and a commitment to prompt responses. Establishing a fast legal partnership is essential in the critical hours and days following a trucking accident. Contact us for a free, immediate case consultation.
Delays can be detrimental to your case as crucial evidence becomes increasingly vulnerable to loss or unavailability over time. Our swift action allows us to contact and interview witnesses, increasing the accuracy and reliability of their accounts. We can quickly secure potentially critical camera footage before it is overwritten or lost. Furthermore, we can immediately move to preserve the data from the truck’s event data recorders (EDRs) or “black box,” a vital source of information that could be inadvertently or intentionally destroyed.
Indiana’s two-year statute of limitations further highlights the urgency in getting started. Once you decide to partner with our truck accident attorneys, we will jump into action, identifying any and all responsible parties, and file your lawsuit within this legal timeframe, preventing the irreversible loss of your right to seek compensation. While this deadline is generally firm, exceptions may apply. If you have missed this window, do not hesitate to reach out for a free case review. We will thoroughly explore all potential grounds for an extension to protect your ability to recover.
Identifying Liable Parties in Your Merrillville, IN Semi-Truck Accident
To obtain the compensation you deserve after an accident with a big rig, we must prove negligence. Avoid the critical error of filing a claim based on incomplete information or assumptions about the cause of the accident. Our experienced and dedicated truck accident attorneys conduct thorough and comprehensive investigations to meticulously identify every individual or entity whose negligent actions contributed to your injuries and losses. This in-depth process can reveal a range of responsible parties, including:
The Semi-Truck Drivers Themselves
The individual operating the commercial vehicle has a fundamental duty to drive safely and in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. Negligence on their part can take many forms, including driving while fatigued, driving under the influence, distracted driving, violation of traffic laws, and other unsafe driving actions, which can encompass a wide range of errors, such as improper turning, failure to yield the right-of-way, aggressive driving, or operating the vehicle in a manner inconsistent with road conditions.
The Trucking Company
The company that owns or operates the commercial truck has a significant responsibility for its fleet’s safe operation and its drivers’ conduct. Their negligence can manifest in various ways, such as inadequate driver screening and dangerous hiring practices, insufficient driver training, encouraging unsafe operating practices, neglecting vehicle maintenance, violations of hours-of-service regulations, and negligent supervision.
Cargo Loading Companies
If cargo is improperly loaded or not tethered down correctly, it can pose a significant safety risk to 18-wheelers. Improperly loaded cargo can shift, destabilize the tractor-trailer, overload the braking system, and lead to accidents. Specific regulations govern the proper loading and securement of various types of cargo. Violations of these regulations that contribute to an accident go a long way to providing proof of negligence.
Vehicle and Parts Manufacturers
The manufacturer may be held liable when a defect in the truck or one of its critical components causes an accident. Flaws in the truck’s or part’s original design can make it inherently unsafe. Manufacturing errors and defects during the manufacturing process may result in a faulty component that causes an accident. Vehicle and parts manufacturers may also be considered negligent if they fail to provide adequate warnings about known safety hazards associated with the vehicle or its parts. Failure to issue timely and effective recalls for known defects can also establish liability. Our investigation may involve consulting with accident reconstruction experts and engineers to analyze vehicle components and identify potential defects.
Truck Inspectors and Mechanics
Negligence can result from failing to identify and repair critical safety issues before a truck is dispatched. Truck inspectors and mechanics have a crucial role in ensuring the safety of commercial vehicles. Failing to thoroughly inspect a truck and identify critical safety issues before it is dispatched can have catastrophic consequences. Inspection reports and inspector qualifications will be reviewed. Performing substandard or incomplete repairs that fail to address underlying safety problems constitutes negligence. Repair records and the qualifications of the mechanic will be scrutinized.
Government Agencies
Entities responsible for road safety can be liable for accidents caused by hazardous road conditions. Poor road maintenance, such as potholes, uneven surfaces, inadequate shoulders, or debris, can contribute to accidents. Inadequate lighting on roadways, particularly at night or during adverse weather conditions, can impair visibility and increase the risk of accidents. Non-operational or improperly timed traffic signals can create dangerous situations for all drivers. Lack of clear and visible warning signs for hazards, construction zones, or changes in road conditions can contribute to accidents. Pursuing claims against government entities often involves specific procedures and timelines that our attorneys are well-versed in navigating.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) plays a vital role in establishing and enforcing safety regulations for the commercial trucking industry. Our experienced truck accident lawyers possess a comprehensive understanding of these complex regulations and will meticulously investigate any violations by drivers, trucking companies, cargo loaders, or other parties. This in-depth knowledge allows us to build a robust and compelling case on your behalf, ensuring that all negligent parties are held accountable and you receive the full and fair compensation you deserve for your injuries, damages, and losses.
Proving Negligence in Your Lake County Truck Accident Case
To hold a liable party accountable in your truck accident case, we must establish the four legal elements of negligence. Our experienced truck accident attorneys near me law firm will meticulously work to demonstrate each of these:
- Duty of Care: This establishes that the at-fault party had a legal responsibility to act reasonably and avoid causing foreseeable harm to others on the road. This applies to the driver of the 18-wheeler, trucking companies, manufacturers, and other involved parties.
- Breach of Duty: Next, we must prove that the responsible party failed to meet this standard of care. This could involve reckless driving, neglecting essential vehicle maintenance, or disregarding safety regulations and laws.
- Causation: Crucially, we must show a direct link between the breach of duty and the truck accident that directly caused your injuries and subsequent losses.
- Damages: Finally, we need to provide clear evidence of the actual harm you suffered as a result of the accident. This includes medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other related losses.
Your legal team will be instrumental in building a compelling case by gathering critical evidence from various sources. Each piece of evidence is vital in constructing a clear and convincing narrative of negligence to support your claim for the compensation you deserve.
Contact Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. and Talk to a Truck Accident Attorney Near You Today
Following a truck accident in Northwest Indiana, securing experienced legal representation is vital. At Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., our committed team of Merrillville semi-truck accident attorneys has been providing the local communities near you with comprehensive support since 1988. Contact us today for a free consultation to discover how our dedicated team can guide you through this challenging time.