Truck Accident Lawyer Northwest Indiana

Most Common Causes of Truck Wrecks in Northwest Indiana

Big rigs present some of the greatest risks to other drivers on the road for a number of reasons. Dangers involving commercial trucks include:

• Tired, overworked drivers
• Mechanical failure or poor vehicle maintenance
• Traffic congestion
• Tailgating
• Distracted driving, such as being on a cell phone or adjusting the radio
• Unsafe speed
• Improper checking of mirrors
• Poor road conditions
• Inclement weather
• Drinking or drug use

Stracci Law Group is familiar with the sorts of accidents that large trucks can cause. We know the right questions to ask and the right way to seek the recovery that you deserve.

Our lawyers bring decades of experience to the negotiating table and the courtroom. We take on accident cases caused by the negligent operation of semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, farm equipment, and other commercial vehicles.

If you are injured in an accident involving one of these types of transportation, please call today. We'll schedule an appointment with one of our skilled attorneys to discuss your case and seek recovery. With the right strategy, you could make sure your bills are paid and you are well compensated for your pain, suffering, and inconvenience.

Types of Truck Accidents We Handle in Lake County

All personal injury and wrongful death cases, including those caused by the negligent conduct of a semi-truck driver, aim to establish two main things: First, who is responsible for the accident, and second, how much should be awarded to the injured party.

Truck accidents are often more complicated than typical fender benders because of the addition of multiple variables. For example, the size of the vehicle involved greatly increases the likelihood of more serious injuries, but most people are unaware that modern semi-trucks are required to be equipped with a sophisticated “black box”. This device records detailed information about what the driver was doing prior to the accident, identifies mechanical issues, and keeps track of things like the status of wheel integrity, weight of the hauled items, and number of hours the truck has been in continuous operation.

The insurance companies for the trucking industry would prefer you not be aware of this when you're involved in a crash with one of their insured vehicles because the less you know, the more desperate you'll be to quickly and cheaply resolve your case.

We don't want to let that happen. We can make the trucking company provide us with black box data and have experts review it for a comprehensive look at why the crash took place.

These are the types of accidents that can happen when a semi-truck with a trailer is involved:

Rollover Accidents

When a semi-truck approaches a turn at too high a speed, the truck's top-heavy nature can cause the trailer or the cab to capsize and cause enormous damage to vehicles underneath or behind it.  

Jackknifing

When a truck driver applies the brakes improperly, the trailer can swing out from behind the cab at an angle, entering nearby lanes and pushing cars off of the road or striking them with incredible force.

Rear-End Collisions

If a semi driver is following another vehicle too closely, the additional weight can make stopping in time impossible. These collisions are especially dangerous, as the size of a semi versus a smaller vehicle can cause serious damage and expose drivers to the risk of extreme injury or death.

Undercarriage Collisions

Also called “underride” accidents, undercarriage collisions happen when a semi shifts lanes and traps a smaller vehicle under the trailer it is hauling. This type of crash is very often serious, and injuries from being trapped underneath a trailer are some of the most severe. These accidents are more likely when the driver of a smaller vehicle is passing a semi with a large, heavy load.

Tire Blowout

If a truck tire blows out on a congested road like the I-80 expressway, the consequences can be dire. The driver will have much more trouble controlling their rig and run the risk of hitting other vehicles or rolling over.

Lost Load

If a trailer becomes detached from the truck or the items within it fall out on a crowded road like I-94 or I-65, the situation can quickly turn dangerous. An accident like this may cause a pileup.

Other Types of Collisions

As with any vehicle on the road, a driver's behavior can be unpredictable if they are not paying attention to their path and other drivers. Stracci Law Group is prepared to help you with any sort of accident involving a semi-truck or big rig.

Types of Big Rigs Most Commonly Causing Road Collisions

Tractor Trailers

Tractor trailers are types of 18-wheelers that have a cab designed to pull an enclosed trailer with cargo; their blind spots are notoriously large.

Flatbed Trucks

A flatbed is a semi-truck with an open trailer rather than an enclosed box. This truck is most commonly used for oddly shaped cargo — anything from vehicles to construction materials.

Garbage, Dump, and Utility Trucks

With limited visibility, huge blind spots, and frequent stops, garbage and utility trucks pose a danger as they carry heavy loads of trash and other materials.

Tankers

Because they often carry hazardous substances like toxic liquids and gasoline that can ignite, a collision with a tanker truck can spell real disaster.

Mail Trucks

Mail delivery truck drivers have to multitask, checking addresses, house numbers, and the road at the same time. It's not uncommon for them to accidentally strike pedestrians and cars in neighborhoods.

The result of a collision is often dependent on the type of truck. Each truck comes with its own hazards, from potentially toxic liquids in a tanker to heavy construction materials on a flatbed.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

There is nothing at all common about trucking accidents (except, perhaps, for how often they occur), nor the injuries that result from them. However, certain injuries in semi-truck accidents occur more frequently due to the nature of these impacts and the dangers that arise when a larger, heavier vehicle strikes a smaller vehicle. Some examples would be:

• Concussions
• Sprained joints
• Bone fractures
• Cuts (also called “lacerations”)
• Bruising (also called “contusions”)
• Back, neck, or spine injuries, including displaced discs, cracked vertebrae, or whiplash
• Muscle pain or strains
• Organ or torso damage
• Internal bleeding
• Skull fractures
• Psychological injuries, like depression, anxiety, or fear of driving
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Catastrophic, systemic injury

Some severe accidents result in death, devastating the lives of victims' loved ones.

Who Is Responsible for Northwest Indiana Trucking Accidents?

Some assume that only the driver can be held responsible for a trucking accident, but this is a common misconception. Instead, there are a number of parties that are responsible for a truck. Therefore, several parties may be held liable in the event of an accident:

• Truck Driver: Because they are in direct control of their vehicle, truck drivers are the first to be considered in a truck accident claim.
• Trucking Company: Trucking companies are responsible for the training and oversight of their drivers and can therefore be held accountable for some accidents.
• Truck Manufacturer: If the truck was defective in such a way that it led to an accident, the manufacturer can be held responsible.
• Cargo Company: If improper loading was the cause of the accident, then the company that loaded the cargo may be held liable.
• Truck Owner: If the owner of the truck did not keep it in proper working condition, they may be held responsible.
• Large Truck Parts Manufacturer: Every truck is made up of many different parts, and if one of these crucial parts fails to function properly, the manufacturer may be at fault.

Along with the cause of the crash, we'll also investigate which party or parties may be responsible before we pursue your claim.

How Long Do I Have to File Truck Accident Claims in Northwest Indiana?

The general statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Indiana, including truck accident claims, is typically two years from the date of the incident. This means that you typically have two years after the truck accident to file a lawsuit seeking compensation.

What Damages Can I Recover in a Trucking Injury Lawsuit?

Truck accidents can impact victims greatly, from financial issues like medical costs and lost earnings to non-economic concerns like pain and decreased quality of life.

You may seek compensation for some or all of the following:

• Medical Treatment: Related costs may include hospital stays, surgery, medications, rehab, or physical therapy, along with future medical expenses, as serious injuries like spinal cord trauma can continue to affect you for years to come.
• Lost Income: Lost wages are calculated using your income statements.
• Loss of Future Income: Many aren't able to return to work immediately after a truck accident, and our dedicated attorneys will fight to include lost earnings in your damages.
• Pain and Suffering: We'll seek compensation for mental or emotional distress caused by the truck accident, whether due to physical injury or post-traumatic stress.
• Loss of Consortium: Marriage is often negatively affected by lasting injuries, and these damages cover loss of love, companionship, care, affection, sexual relations, and more.
• Decline in Quality of Life: After a bad trucking accident, your quality of life may decrease due to your injuries, and we'll help you seek just compensation for this decline.

During your free consultation, we'll discuss what types of damages you might seek in your specific case.

How Can Our Crown Point Truck Accident Lawyers Help?

Semi-truck accidents can have devastating physical, financial, and emotional impacts, and insurance companies may attempt to minimize compensation and delay proceedings. Here's why you should consider hiring Stracci Law Group:

• Leveling the Playing Field: Stracci Law Group helps level the playing field by handling difficult questions, managing communication with insurance companies, facilitating medical care, and easing the burden on clients.
• Knowledgeable and Experienced Attorneys: Our attorneys are knowledgeable, experienced, and readily available to assist clients throughout the legal process.
• Honest Assessment: Stracci Law Group believes in providing honest assessments upfront, based on the facts of the case and our decades of experience, ensuring clients have realistic expectations about potential recovery.
• Compassionate Approach: While being aggressive with insurance companies, our firm maintains a compassionate approach toward clients, recognizing their feelings and need to be heard.
• Worry-Free Representation: Clients can rely on Stracci Law Group to handle the worrying for them, allowing them to focus on recovery and moving forward.

By choosing Stracci Law Group for representation in semi-truck accident cases, you can expect aggressive advocacy, compassionate support, and a commitment to securing the compensation you deserve.

Why Choose Stracci Law Group for a Truck Accident Claim?

At Stracci Law Group, we want to deliver the highest level of representation — and we will make every effort to accommodate you and your specific needs. Being injured in an accident is a low point in anyone's life. However, you can count on us to get you through this difficult time.

You can expect that we will be compassionate and available whenever you need us. At the same time, our truck wreck attorney will be relentlessly pursuing the negligent party and their insurance company to get the compensation you are entitled to for your injuries.

*Note that cases involving the State, the Federal government, and state, local, or Federal agencies have specific, time-sensitive notifications that must be made in a much more compressed timeframe.  If you believe you are involved in a case involving one of these entities, be sure to contact an attorney as soon as possible or you could waive your right to pursue litigation against them.